Page 166 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

When neither of us replies, he looks around the room, frowning as he sees my small bag waiting by the door. “Wait, is this all you’re taking?”

I feel slightly frazzled as I try to control the blush that’s burning my cheeks from being walked in on twice with two different guys in the span of about fifteen minutes. My arousal is still bubbling hot through my veins. As if he can sense it, Vaeril sends me a smouldering look that does nothing to help my blush. Ignoring him, I turn to face Naril and gesture towards the bag. “You told me to pack light.”

“Because I was expecting you to want to bring your whole wardrobe!” he counters, scowling as he grabs the bag and starts to rifle through the contents.

I’m sure I should be offended, but I can’t find it in me to be bothered about it. Possessions have never been hugely important to me. “I don’t own much, even the gowns are borrowed,” I reply, running my hands down the beautiful, deep purple riding gown I’m wearing today. Finding the wardrobe full of the beautiful dresses when I first arrived was a shock, but I knew better than to assume they were mine. Although I had been stunned at the quality of second-hand items, most of which looked like they had never been worn.

Vaeril frowns as he leans against the wall, looking completely unaffected by our almost kiss just moments ago. “Everything in that wardrobe is yours.”

This causes a frown of my own. “But I haven’t bought anything,” I argue, not bothering to tell him that I wouldn’t be able to afford it even if I tried. “I thought I was just borrowing someone’s dresses…” Trailing off, I realise what he’s implying as he shakes his head. Memories of maids bringing in reams of fabric and all the dresses that always seem to fit me perfectly flash through my mind.

“No, I bought them for you.” He wants to smile at my outraged look, but he’s trying very hard to keep it locked behind his neutral mask. Naril snorts from behind me, but I ignore him as he walks over to my wardrobe and throws open the doors with a bang.

“Vaeril! Why didn’t you tell me?” I demand, instantly feeling guilty over having not thanked him for my clothing or having even thought about where the clothing had come from. When did I become so used to having such beautiful attire that I didn’t even think about it? “How much do I owe you?” I ask, although the only money I have to give him is what he’s given me. “I don’t have much, but I will find a way to pay you back—”

“Because of this, Clarissa!” Pushing away from the wall, he closes the distance between us. “I didn’t want you to feel like you owe me.”

“I do owe you!” I counter, my hands gesturing to everything around me. “All of this… I never thought it was possible. You’ve given me all of this. How could I ask you to do anything else for me?”

“You’re my mate,” he responds simply, taking my hand in his, and my nerves calm as soon as he’s touching me. “You saved my life.” The way he says it makes it sound so easy, so simple. “I would give up everything if it meant you would be happy.”

As though we’re two magnets unable to stay apart, we’re pulled together, our bodies wrapping around each other. The bond is singing in my chest at our proximity, my heart fluttering at his words and how much they mean to me. Thankfully, I don’t have to say them back because he can sense them, but I would. I’d go through everything in my past again if it meant I could help any of the men in my life.

“As entertaining as this is,” Naril drawls, his arms full of clothing as he strolls towards my bag on the bed, where the previously packed items are strewn everywhere, “if we want toleave before the queen insists on seeing us off, we need to get going.”

With a huff of frustration, Vaeril steps away with a regretful smile. “He’s right, we need to go.”

Nodding, I straighten my dress, walk over to my bag, and try to sort out the mess Naril has made. Realising that will take too long, I just start stuffing the clothing into the bag with Naril tutting over my shoulder. Finally managing to wrestle it closed, I sling it over my shoulder and realise someone’s missing. “Where’s Eldrin?”

The silence following my question lasts for a beat too long. “He’s not coming,” Naril replies, his face carefully neutral as I spin to face him. He only ever wears that expression when he doesn’t want me to know what he’s thinking.

“What? Why?” I demand, concern turning my stomach. We’d planned for all of us to go together since there are safety in numbers, but we also didn’t want to leave anyone behind to bear the brunt of the queen’s anger at our sudden departure. Is it because of me he’s not coming, or is there something else that’s stopping him? Vaeril’s grim expression confirms my suspicion.

“He has to stay behind. The queen denied permission for him to travel, but she has given it for the rest of us,” he explains, and although his voice is even, I can tell he disagrees with the decision.

Anger flares up inside me. Why would she stop him from travelling other than to cause us problems? She must have found out we planned to leave today, and in her anger towards me, made things difficult for us. I’m surprised she’s not trying to stop Vaeril from going. Voicing my question, his expression darkens.

“She knows she can’t stop me, especially now that she’s recognised us as mates. The only way she could stop me is if there’s a safety issue. She ordered you to visit the wood elves, she had to have expected me to go with you.”

Naril has tried to explain the rules about mates to me, and I’m still trying to get my head around them. However, the one thing I did pick up on was how sacred the mating bond is, and not even the queen can keep mates separate for long. Although something Vaeril said sticks with me.

“A safety issue. Is that why she stopped Eldrin from coming with us?” I question with sudden clarity, remembering the problem with the border he’s been dealing with.

Naril nods, his face uncharacteristically solemn. “She used the rebels as the excuse, but really, she has the right to deny him permission without having to give a reason,” he answers. “He’s not your mate, after all.” He looks directly at me as he says this, and there’s an accusation in his tone that confuses me, but I’m not about to delve into that right now.

“Then why are we leaving so early if she’s okay with us going?” I inquire, confused at our early start and secrecy when she already knows.

Vaeril shakes his head once. “I don’t trust her not to cause a scene as we leave.”

This makes sense. From what little I know of the queen, I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to do just that. With one last look around the room, I shift the weight of the bag on my shoulder.

“Oh, before we go, I found this outside your door. Do you have an admirer?” Naril smirks as he hands me a small package.

Ignoring his comment, I turn it in my hands and remove the fabric covering to expose the gift inside. It’s about the size of my palm and looks to be made of wood and metal. A small dial sits in the center with little arrows, and all around the item are beautiful, intricately carved images. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“What is it?” Vaeril asks, coming closer to peer over my shoulder.

“I’m not sure,” I admit, and a little noise of surprise escapes me as the dial starts to move. The arrows spin before pausing for a second, only to start moving once again.

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