Page 126 of A World of Ruins

‘I’m—’ I bite my tongue, knowing an apology won’t fix it.

‘I don’t care if the dress is ruined,’ he says, lifting his head to look at me. ‘I care that I wasn’t with you when Aurum attacked.’

The darkness inside our chambers doesn’t hide the gold in his eyes. His grip is so tight around me that I can’t imagine what he must have thought when that dragon attacked us. I almost lost it myself when I couldn’t see him.

‘I should have known there was more to that nightmare you had.’

He’s blaming himself, and I’ve never hated it more than when he does this.

I straddle him, my eyes levelling with his now. ‘We thought he was still trapped in the Isle. We couldn’t have known.’

He runs a hand across my back, eliciting a tingle to climb up my spine, and I shift against his lap. ‘And about Sarilyn—’ he starts.

Shame reddens my cheeks. ‘I know I shouldn’t have let her out. It’s just—’

‘You did what you felt was right,’ he says, surprising me. ‘I’m not angry at you, Goldie. I would have done the same.’

My lips twitch into a soft smile. ‘Really?’

He nudges my nose with his. ‘Really,’ he whispers.

I indulge in this moment despite the horrors we are facing. Sighing, I say, ‘Do you think we will ever get rid of Aurum?’

Darius nuzzles himself against my neck and breathes me in. ‘One can only hope, Goldie.’

CHAPTERFIFTY-FOUR

Everyone is silent as we stalk through the forests in the far east of Emberwell. The morning has barely settled, yet dark clouds still seep across the sky in ominous waves. It’s a reminder that Aurum’s attack destroyed more than we thought.

After leaving our dragons a few miles back so as not to spook the seer, my brothers, Rydan and Link now stride ahead of Darius and me, while Freya has her eyes on the ground as she holds on to the strap of her quiver. She looks completely guilt-ridden after what happened yesterday, and as much as I keep telling her it is nowhere near her fault, she still blames herself for what she said.

From decay and ruin, they reclaim their vengeance.

No door can bar; no seal can bind.

Yet the rivers hold the answer, and the lover who once was—

‘I’ve noticed Idris and Enox seem to have gotten close lately.’

Darius’s voice gently coaxes me back to reality as he jerks his chin towards my brother.

I turn my head to look, and where Idris is usually so sure-footed in his surroundings, he seems distracted now, his face lacking its usual golden hue as he peers over his shoulder and notices me staring.

‘And I thought he would never get used to dragons.’ I smile at Darius, but I think he can tell it’s not quite there.

Tibith, on the other hand, whirls around in circles a before climbing onto Darius’s shoulder.

‘I am used to dragons too!’ he babbles, and Darius and I chuckle.

‘Says the one who likes to rile the whelps up whenever they get too close to Goldie.’ Darius smirks, making Tibith huff. ‘You should talk to him.’ Darius’s smile fades as he looks at me. He means Idris. ‘It looks like he needs it.’

I bunch my lips to the side as I set my eyes on my brother. His left wrist is bound in a crude splint, the angles all wrong, as if he might have put it back in place himself. He likely never allowed Leira to take him to the infirmary.

Since he came to my rescue yesterday we haven’t had the chance to speak about what happened – how he risked his life for me against someone like Aurum. I know what he would have said, though – that he would sacrifice his life if it meant Illias, Iker and I were safe. Much as I would, too.

I nod my head at Darius and walk over to my brother, falling into step beside him. ‘How is your wrist?’ I ask him, watching as he cradles it protectively against his chest.

‘Better,’ he murmurs, avoiding my eyes.

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