Page 46 of Wingless Crow: Part 1

“What is it?”

“Love,” he said. “The Lorsan queen and her husband loved each other so much, her love bonded with his magic.”

“Oh.”

“You sound disappointed.”

I shrugged. “I was just hoping for something more powerful than love. Something stronger that I could use for a weapon when needed.”

“Some would say love is better than any weapon, in this case. A magic bond adds strength to the couple who have it.”

We sat in silence for a few moments. Voron was watching Magnus pull out a fat worm from the dirt in the flowerbed. I traced the silver thread of the dandelion stem embroidered on my cloak.

“Do you believe in love, Voron?” I asked.

He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, like he was sunbathing even as there was no sun.

“Aren’t you full of questions today, nosy little Sparrow?” he murmured instead of answering.

“Today and every day,” I said. “Until just a few days ago, I’m pretty sure I didn’t even know this world existed. And now, it looks like I’m spending the rest of my life here. I have years of questions to catch up on.”

He hummed something indiscernible, keeping his eyes closed and looking like a cat basking in the non-existent sunshine. By ignoring me, he was clearly dismissing me, letting me know our conversation was over.

I itched to kick him in the shin to get his attention but settled on asking something else instead—something with enough bite to make it hard for him to ignore me.

“Tell me, Voron, what’s the role of the High General in Sky Kingdom? One would think that the rank implies leading the king’s armies into battle. Yet here you are, fetching girlfriends for him and working security in his palace.”

His eyelids lifted slowly. Rising to his feet, he pinned me with his steely glare.

Unease gripped my chest. I wished I’d just kicked him instead of poking the beast with accusations. A kick might’ve enraged him less.

Faced with the wrath flaming in his eyes, I was ready to bolt. But he towered over me, blocking my escape.

“I’ve waged wars for my king,” he growled low, somehow sounding more terrifying than if he shouted. “Ihaveled his armies into battles. So many battles, you’d have to visit the Royal Archives to get the exact count. I’ve bled for him. I’ve nearly died for him. It is because ofmethat the king has absolute power in this kingdom. Because of me, peace has reigned in our lands for the past five years. It is my duty to keep the king safe, at warandin peace.”

Voron hid his true self well behind the veneer of calm composure, but I’d gotten glimpses of the passionate man behind the mask. I’d seen the heat of lust in those gray eyes of his. I’d even caught the glimpse of insecurity in them before.

Now, I was witnessing Voron’s wrath, and I feared he allowed me to see but a tiny spark of the real inferno burning inside him.

His cloak billowed in the rising wind, caging me. He appeared to be all around me, taking over the entire space between the ground and the clouds.

“Why, Voron?” My voice came out barely a whisper from fright, yet I had to know. “Why did you risk your life for King Tiane? Why is his safety more important than yours?”

The window to his soul slammed shut, locking me out. The usual unreadable expression settled over his face once again.

“Everyone has their purpose in life, Sparrow.”

“What is yours? Sacrificing yourself for the king?”

He inclined his head, infuriatingly polite.

“Enjoy the rest of your walk, little bird.”

He turned his back to me, and I watched him leave. Magnus followed, soaring above—his one and only companion.

“Yep,” I muttered under my breath. “I should’ve kicked him.”

The kick would’ve brought me some satisfaction in addition to this heavy feeling currently sinking inside me.

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