Page 59 of Haunted

Does the empress know of Niawen? Has she sent spies across the Great Divide? Does she know of my rule? I pray she doesn’t. My small realm would be no match for her realm full of dragon riders. Humans against half-emrys. I’ve seen the result before. I escaped the empress once, I do not wish to serve her again.

And my Niawen—she would be a great prize for the empress, with knowledge of the immortal dragon realm.

I must protect Niawen.

But I feel impotent. I would fail, as I’ve failed in everything, in keeping my dragon safe, in honoring Lord Siarl’s wishes.

I fret for weeks. So far, I sense no lights from half-emrys breaching the Great Divide.

The empress has not sent spies.

Then my Niawen moves. She travels north. I spy on her through Albus once again.

It seems Kelyn and his men have enlisted Niawen’s help. They are to enter into battle. Ruffians have caused trouble in the northern part of his realm.

Ruffians that I’ve sent. I’ve been growing this band of men just inside Talfryn’s borders for some time. Word finally reached King Sieffre about my men raiding villages.

This works wonderfully to draw Niawen out so I can see all that she is capable of.

It shortens the distance between us, making my head spin, making her light appear stronger the closer she becomes.

When they stop for the night, Niawen takes a moment alone at the edge of the encampment. As she gazes into the sky, her beauty and purity is more than I can take.

I long for her to know me.

She closes her eyes. Does she look at the lights as I do? She would only see humans.

And me, if I would let her.

I decide to drop my veil.

My heart pounds.

Yes, I will do it.

Doing so doesn’t come without anguish. I want to draw her to me, but I’m ashamed of my cowering, ashamed of the darkness that surges inside me from time to time.

But she will only see light. Light discerns light, so I have no doubt that she won’t know I’m a half-emrys.

She will see how dimly my light shines compared to hers though.

I act before I change my mind. With an uttered incantation and a wave of my hand, the shield cloaking my light drops. Nervousness itches through my veins. I’m exposed, but a burden has lifted.

See me.

Yes. She does.

She’s startled at first, but then her shoulders soften. She was scanning the night for lights. With her eyes closed, she smiles.

And fans my hope.

Until Kelyn sidles up to her.

I’ve developed a fond dislike for this prince.

“Are you sick of nights on the road?” He takes a gulp from a mug he’s holding before offering it to her. “Warms the blood. Would you like a sip? Cian makes a throat-burning brew.”

She shakes her head. “I’m plenty warm.”

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