Page 89 of A World of Ruins

Darius tenses, his free hand clenching at his side. He glances over at me as if expecting me to look at him with the same disgust as other people.

Bit him under Aurum’s command.

My heart begins to crumble into ash.

Darius looks away, back out into the crowd. ‘It was not my choice.’ his tone carries an undertone of anger, not at the woman but at himself.

‘He’s a monster,’ someone else says, and my anger floods me.

‘He’s not—’ I try to say, but when I glance at Darius he looks lost, like he accepts it.

Lorcan steps towards me, a warning brewing in his jade eyes.

I don’t care.

‘He is not a monster.’ I raise my chin to the crowd. ‘He has done more to save your lives than you could ever do for someone you know.’ I’m teetering on the edge of rage, staring out at everyone’s faces that I can make out.

A man from the other side pushes past a few people, yelling out, ‘He’s a thief and a killer, related to that psychopathic shifter! And you are nothing but a commoner who ruined Queen Sarilyn’s reign. Why should we listen to anything you both say when our world is in ruins because of you!’

The crowd cheers, and now Idris steps up as if he is willing to say something himself to defend us. I raise my palm to his chest to stop him when a three-toned whistle pierces the air, and the sounds of distant roars become clearer.

Dozens of our saved dragons fly overhead in the courtyard as the civilians scream. I look at Darius and realise he is the one who called upon them.

Fernah soon joins us, her wings flapping as she descends beside the ledge of our balcony. Others perch themselves on pillars, staring down at the fearful humans.

When the people’s cries dwindle upon seeing that the dragons aren’t attacking, Darius steps in.

‘You can call me every name in the book,’ he says. His expression looks calm, but his voice – it’s one I could fear. ‘I encourage it even. Iama thief. Iama killer. And I am also related to Aurum Rivernorth. Nothing will ever change that.’

‘Darius—’ I whisper.

‘But these dragons.’ He gestures to them all around us, Meratis, Umbratis and Ardentis. ‘They are not harmful. As a matter of fact, they are just like all of you. They feel, care, hate and love just the same.’

No one dares to speak up this time.

‘All you have known under Sarilyn’s command is that you should fear our kindness, and maybe you should. But we aren’t so different from you all. So, go on, hate me all you want.’ There’s a cruel smile to him as he spreads his arms to the sides. ‘I implore you to. There is no successful reign without a hater now and then. But just know, I already promised myself one thing, and that was that I will protect you and this world, and I will do it at all costs with her’ – he slides a glance my way, his gaze softening – ‘by my side.’

I can’t help but stare at him, partly bewildered and partly in awe.

He grabs my hand again, his usual shameless smile paving his lips. ‘Ladies, gentlemen,’ he says. ‘Haters, have a nice evening.’

We don’t get to answer any questions as he turns us around and stalks back inside the castle. I just manage to hear a protest from the crowd as the doors close, and I glimpse Lorcan’s pale and stressed face.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT

As I shake my head, I can’t help but pace back and forth across the sitting room. Darius seems more composed than I am as he leans against the wall by the windows, Tibith resting on his shoulder.

No one else is here with us. Right after our public speech, I made sure to send everyone away. The thought of Rydan and Lorcan or my brothers talking to me at the same time would have sent me into a nervous collapse. They have seen too many of my tragedies to bear another one, so the last thing I want to do is do it in their presence.

I let out a frustrated breath, longing to pull my gown apart with my bare hands as I nearly trip over the bulk of the skirt. ‘This is ridiculous,’ I mutter, turning to face Darius. ‘Why did we even dress up when we know they still don’t see us as anything but the reason this world is a mess?’

‘I suppose the strategy to blend in wasn’t so horrible when we initially considered it.’

I shake my head, knowing it was a foolish plan to begin with, yet Darius and I still went along with it, even when, deep down, we knew the people wouldn’t listen to us straight away.

‘You’re not really mad about the gown.’ Darius shoots me a glance. The sun is setting, casting a golden glow over half of his face as the other half lies in shadow. ‘You’re mad about something else.’ He steps off the ledge and walks up to me. When I try to look away from his beguiling stare, he delicatelyhooks a thumb beneath my chin and turns my head. ‘What is it?’ His soft, hushed voice is too irresistible. Despite myself, I immediately open my mouth to answer.

‘When they called you a monster,’ I say quietly, ‘it felt like you believed them. You know that it isn’t true, right?’

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