31. CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 31

KALYLL

Idid not like the way Mythorne was looking at her. It was nearly impossible to sit in the shadows, doing nothing, waiting for Daniella’s opportunity to get close to him.

This was the plan, I knew, but what if his rumored secret powers were only that: a rumor? I wasn’t afraid of him, and I wouldn’t mind fighting him and finding out who was more powerful.

—Let me kill him.

No. We won’t endanger the others.

—I can take him, if you’re too afraid to do it.

We’re in a bed of snakes. They will rear their heads and strike at the slightest sign of trouble.

I would never forgive myself if my rash behavior got my friends or my beloved hurt.

So I remained one with the shadows and watched as he ogled her. Logically, I knew it was Mylendra’s body he was admiring, but I couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling that he could see further. The way he was acting, staying away from her reach. Perhaps it was just caution since one never knew the extent of what others could do. He certainly was adept at keeping such things secret. He understood the advantage it gave him. So naturally, his own strategy would make him wary of others. Or perhaps it had to do with what happened to his pet sorcerer, Runik. Mythorne knew there was someone out there who could kill him with a single touch.

But did he know about Naesala Roka? Did he know she was so crafty and powerful that she could make one person look exactly like another? Did he know she was at our disposal? I didn’t think so, but it all depended on how much Cardian had fathomed from Varamede’s run-in with me in Elyndell. Or maybe it didn’t.

If I knew my brother well, I had to believe that he’d kept that little incident from the Unseelie King. Cardian didn’t like to admit his failures, and confessing that he’d transferred to Nerethien in a fit of panic believing that I had escaped was no small blunder.

Though Daniella never had the opportunity to come close enough to touch Mythorne, I was relieved when they started walking back toward the door. I followed them, staying at a safe distance, and didn’t breathe easily until he bid her good night, and they went their separate ways.

As Daniella walked toward the guest wing, her steps echoed against the dark-stone walls, with not a tapestry to dampen the sound. When she entered the final hall, she stopped, looked around, then turned in my direction.

“I can feel you there,” she said, her voice sounding strange, a mixture between Mylendra’s deeper tone and Daniella’s sweeter one.

I let my shadows rise higher, climbing from the floor to the wall, then I peeled away, taking corporeal form.

She blinked at the sight of me, rushed to my side, took me by the elbow, and pushed me into the chamber.

“Your hair,” she hissed. “It’s blue.”

“And your voice.”

She touched her throat. “The elixir is wearing off.”

“We’re back just in time, then.”

“That was close. I hope Mythorne didn’t notice anything.”

“I doubt it. I just did, and I know you much better than he ever will.”

She nodded and walked away, wringing her hands. She sat down and glanced over at the cloth-covered listening device. “I can’t put a finger on that male.”

“Yes, he is definitely… slippery.”

“Exactly! He’s a snake.” She shuddered. “And snakes don’t trust anyone because they think everyone is like them.”

“Which makes it ironic when Cardian stands next to him.”

“That must have been hard to witness.”

“It was hard not to lunge in his direction and kill him. It’s what Wölfe wants to do.”

She peered at me with her warm brown eyes, and my murderous instincts dissolved. We sat across from each other in silence for a long time, lost in our own thoughts. Over the course of ten minutes, I watched her figure change, the dress she wore becoming a bit looser around her body. A pressure that I hadn’t realized was there eased from my chest as I took her in.

“You’re back to normal,” I said.

“You are too.” She smiled, and I could see the same relief I felt in her features.

A knock came at the door. I jumped to my feet. The knock was followed by three more. Too fast, one slow. Daniella and I exchanged a glance and nodded.

I cracked the door open and found Jeondar in his guise, standing on the other side. I allowed him entry and secured the lock behind him.

He frowned at my appearance. “How… did it go?”

We explained what had happened, and when we were done, he appeared as uneasy as I felt.

“Perhaps tomorrow,” he said.

“Perhaps.”

“For our part, we were given rooms in the very bowels of the castle. The servants treat us with distrust and keep a close eye on our every move. The steward seems to be some sort of spymaster to whom they all report. Regardless, it wasn’t hard to find a quick passage out of here. They seem indifferent to our comings and goings outside the castle walls. It is only when we step inside that they lurk about, dusting and straightening things in our wake.”

“Let them waste their time,” Daniella said. “Maybe they’ll burn Mythorne’s dinner.”

“We’d better make some progress quickly,” Jeondar said. “We only have two more days worth of the transformation potion.”

“I’ll get it done,” Daniella said with conviction.

Jeondar nodded. “I’ll be off then.”

As his steps echoed outside, I said, “Stay with me tonight. I don’t want you sleeping by yourself. Go and pretend to get ready for bed and then sneak out.”

She didn’t argue, and within ten minutes she was back, wearing a silk gown with a matching robe over it. Lace trimmed the hem, brushing the top of her bare feet. I secured the door, turned off the lights except for one lamp, and we got into bed.

We lay on our sides and faced each other. She sandwiched her hands under her cheek and watched me, love brimming in her eyes.

“I missed your tattoo while you were the earl.” She traced the outline from my forehead down to my jaw, giving me a chill.

“You don’t think it mars my face? That’s what my mother said when I got it.”

“It doesn’t. No one could ever be more handsome than you.”

“I must agree.”

She punched my shoulder. “Conceded much?” We laughed, then she asked, “What does it mean?”

“The tattoo?”

She nodded.

“It’s a dragon. I got it after the Battle of Fheraigh. I was drunk after our victory against their host. I rode a dragon that day, hence the moniker Dragon Soul which many have used to refer to me since that day. I was young and let it go to my head.”

“Holy shit. You really are legendary.”

“Again. I must agree.”

She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips, looking adorable.

After we were quiet for a long moment, she tapped my nose. “Everything all right?”

The thoughts that had been swirling inside my head spilled out. “I wish for peace.”

Despite my somber words, my hand traced the contour of her waist and hips.

She looked down. “Do you happen to associate sex with peace?”

I smirked.

Her hand slid under my waistband.

“What are you doing, woman?” I growled, hitching my hips up a little bit to make sure she felt my malehood to the fullest.

“Mmm, I’m just trying to… get a handle on this peace of yours.” Her hand abandoned her delicious ministrations and rested on the bed between us as she sobered. “I’ve only known peace my entire life. I wish you could say the same.”

“I am happy about that. Your realm has seen terrible wars, but I’m glad you’ve remained untouched by them. I suppose I’ve been alive too long, and it is inevitable. Sooner or later you’re bound to experience it. Many creatures seem to crave conflict, and the Fae are no exception.”

“I know I’ve been fortunate. Peace is certainly something that many in my realm take for granted. I will do everything in my power to get your realm the peace it deserves.”

By Erilena! When did I become lucky enough to deserve her?

“Healer of kingdoms,” I said.

“What?”

“You are a healer of kingdoms.”

She touched my forehead. “Do you have a fever?”

“I am serious. You healed me. You healed Jeondar’s father, and now he will heal Nerethien. Mythorne is a blight. You see the terrible symptoms of his rule in his people’s eyes. They suffer. They fear. When he’s gone, you will give them hope, the medicine they need to believe in a brighter future.”

“You give me too much credit. I’ve only done what anyone else in my place would have done.”

“Doubtful.”

I leaned over and kissed her lips, and too quickly my gratefulness turned into desire. I climbed on top of her, spreading her legs apart, and settled myself there. When I leaned to kiss her, she welcomed me with the warmth of her tongue and the scent of her immediate arousal.

I would oblige.