Page 88 of A World of Ruins

‘Then what about Freya? Many of the whelps love her, or even Tibith. Look at him. He has no care in the world right now—’

‘You are about to make me lose my—’

‘Rydan,’ Darius interjects before Solaris forbids Lorcan murder Rydan in front of us all. ‘Why don’t you go see to it that the dragons are being well kept? I trust the shifters are doing so, but I can’t have them trying to feast on the people of Emberwell. It could ruin my image.’

Rydan’s eyes widen comically. He straightens and places a hand on his chest. ‘It will be my honour, Your Excellency.’

I almost snort as he bows and loses his balance. I turn to find Lorcan hasn’t moved from his position at all. He lets himself smile for a split second before following Rydan out of the hall.

‘Is he always like this?’ Darius asks.

I sigh with a hint of amusement. ‘Afraid so.’

He chuckles. ‘Then I like him.’

When we turn to each other, I forget how much air he knocks out of me with just the way he looks.

Then my eyes slip to where Leira and Aelle are standing by the balcony, scanning the crowd from behind the intact pillars. By the nervous looks they are sharing with each other, the sight of it must not be comforting.

‘Are you ready?’ Darius says softly to me.

I glance back at him. ‘No,’ I answer.

His smile quite doesn’t reach his eyes. ‘Neither am I.’ He reaches for my arm, pulling me close so that I can smell that rosewood scent mixed with something so muscular and primal that I want to bask in it like one would in the sun.

He kisses me, hard and without a thought that everyone including my brothers is in here. It’s a kiss that tells me he needs it to survive all of this. When we pull apart, I’m left panting, aching for more. I grasp the collar of his jacket, my forehead touching his chin.

‘Now I am,’ he says, his voice full of yearning.

Suddenly, so am I.

Darius doesn’t wait for someone to announce us to the public. He grabs my hand and takes me with him towards the balcony.

Leira looks at us in confusion, and before she can say anything, we have already stepped out.

My stomach plunges with unease. I had never realised how wide the castle’s courtyard was before. I suppose after spending most of my time worrying about other things, I didn’t notice it when I stood here at night on Noctura.

The civilians from the city extend far as out into the central area, past the ruins of the Neoma tree and the sectors of the castle. From where Darius and I stand, it looks as though we are staring into a pit of fire with red jackets, orange frocks and bright clothing further back. The clothes are the only bright part of Emberwell as the grass, trees and flowers around wilt.

As some start to spot us, they quieten, and others murmur to each other.

My hands are clammy in Darius’s hold, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he tightens his grip.

So many are staring at me like I am pointless, disgusted that I should even be wearing something as elegant as this dress.

Or perhaps that is my own thoughts.

Lorcan and my brothers quickly come out, flanking Darius and me. The crowd looks murderous. Our aim is to reach an understanding between mortals and dragons, but the atmosphere here feels more like a public execution –ourexecution.

The atmosphere crackles with tension as I clear my throat and scan the sea of hostile faces aimed at us.

‘Thank you all for coming today.’ I sneak a glance at Darius to find his jaw clenched and his breathing uneven. I steady myself with a slow exhale. ‘We know that for the past few days, things have quickly deteriorated, not only in Emberwell but all of Zerathion.’

I am met with a few scoffs and murmurs from people who disagree. A priestess wearing the colours of fire stands at the front of the courtyard, shaking her head with her followers.

Darius steps forward, our hands tightly joined as he decides it is his turn. ‘After Aurum’s defeat, we can only promise to protect—’

A shout erupts from the crowd, and then another says, ‘You killed my husband.’ The young woman’s finger is aimed straight towards Darius. ‘Bit him under Aurum’s command! How can you promise us anything?’

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