Page 133 of King of Storms and Feathers

For three days, Arrow remained by my side and on his best behavior, begging, cajoling, treating me like his queen. But on the morning of the fourth day, Raiden arrived with Arrow’s black stallion, Yanar, in tow and whisked the Storm King away to discuss urgent matters.

Hours later, when Arrow returned, his silver gaze was guarded. By the afternoon, he’d worked himself into an agitated state and declared he needed to leave immediately and deal with disturbing news regarding the Sun Realm.

Not even four days prior, I’d begged the Storm King to set me free, and now, when the time came, it was me who couldn’t bear to part with him.

My heart breaking, I rode with him into the forest, Raiden trailing behind us.

Not far past the reaver veil, Arrow gestured for his friend to continue riding as he tugged my horse’s reins and pulled me close. He kissed me like a man leaving for battle, as if he never expected to lay eyes on me again.

“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself,” he said, removing his feather-embroidered cloak and wrapping it around my shoulders. “Keep this, then I’ll always be able to keep you warm.”

My aching heart dropped down to my stomach. “I’m the one who should be worrying. Can’t you fly home instead of traveling on horseback?”

“Raiden and I have meetings along the way, and although I’ve offered many times, he has never once let me carry him while I fly.”

I laughed at his wry smile. “That sounds like Raiden. But you’ll return for my coronation soon, won’t you?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for all the gold in the realms. And remember, Leaf, if you ever need me, I will come. I’ll take to the air and fly through blood and ash to get to you. Remember who you are—my winged gift, forever my Aldara.”

In bed the night before, no matter how many times I’d asked, he’d refused to drink from me. I longed to be as close as possible to him, to connect, but he believed I needed my strength to heal the wounds of my body and heart and didn’t dare weaken me.

But now, bidding him goodbye, I wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Renew the Aldara bond before you leave. Drink from me,” I urged. His silver gaze flashed over me. “Just a little. Please, Arrow. Before you go, I need to feel our connection again. Nothing would make me happier. If you don’t, I vow to return to my rooms, draw my blood myself, and then send it to you in a vial, just to torture you.”

He sighed and tugged me closer, nuzzling my hair. The horse shifted restlessly beneath me as Arrow’s teeth nipped my ear. I inclined my head and offered my throat. “Please.”

“Not there. A smaller vein. It’s safer.” He raised my wrist and kissed it softly, his mouth opening, moist and teasing. I cried out as he sank his fangs in, moaned as he drew on the vein slightly, once, twice, before his tongue sealed the flow of blood.

“Arrow!” I chided. “Take more.”

“Has anyone told you what a greedy, violent little thing, you are?”

“It takes one to know one.”

“Is that another of your quaint human sayings?”

“Yes, did it offend you?”

“Not at all. I like everything you do with your mouth.”

I laughed, and he licked blood from his lips, giving me a wicked grin.

Arrow urged Yanar into motion, and in four heavy heartbeats, the trees had opened up and swallowed them whole.

Then I was alone, staring at the forest, deep within the Land of Dust and Stones. The exact place that until this very moment, I’d always thought I belonged in.

Chapter 34

Leaf

Mydorian coronations took time to arrange. Bound by ancient reaver traditions, the elves would only travel from Auryinnia at the most auspicious time.

Not only did the stars and planets need to be in perfect alignment, but the position of each grain of sand, cloud, and shadow throughout the lands seemed to matter, too.

This morning, with a relieved smile, Ari informed me that the Zareen had declared the conditions to crown me would be favorable in two weeks’ time. Even though I was beyond tired of anticipating the coronation, I smiled back, grateful she’d remained in Mydorian to support Van and me as we adjusted to our new roles.

Two weeks was too long to wait. The sooner it happened, the better, because then I would see Arrow again.

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