Page 92 of Path of the Dark
31
It’s Too Late
RYANA STRODE INTO the library, jaw clenched. Elias followed her in and shut the door behind him. Turning, Ryana scowled before folding her arms over her chest. It was a defensive gesture, a barrier against his presence here.
“What is it?” she snapped.
Shelves of dusty books surrounded them, and a long oaken table dominated the room. It didn’t look as if anyone had studied here recently, for the table was empty save for a large lantern softly burning at the far end.
Elias watched her, his own brow furrowing. “You can’t stay here, Ryana. Get to the gates like I told you.”
She bristled at his authoritarian tone. “I’ll go when I’m ready … and while Gael breathes, I’m not.”
“You can’t reach him inside The Swallow Keep.”
“You could get me inside.”
A muscle contracted in his jaw. “Not anymore … my father has disowned me. I’m no longer welcome there.”
Ryana drew back, surprised. “He can do that?”
“Of course he can.”
Ryana stared back at him, momentarily forgetting her ire. “Is that his only punishment?”
“He’s put me on the wall tomorrow, in the front line. I’m to make sure I don’t survive the battle.”
Silence fell between them. Elias had delivered the words casually, as if he had just spoken of what he planned to have for breakfast the following day.
Ryana’s throat constricted. “You don’t have to do that,” she whispered. “I could get you out of the city by cloaking you … if you wanted me to.”
He shook his head. “I’ll not add ‘deserter’ to the list of black marks against my name. I failed my father, and this is my punishment. I’ll not run from it.”
Ryana swallowed hard. “You came here to tell me this?”
He moved toward her, away from the closed door. “Aye … among other things.”
Ryana stood her ground although her pulse accelerated at his approach. “I’m not leaving Veldoras either,” she said softly. “Mysandra has a plan … I’m going to approach Gael tomorrow during the battle. I’ll attack him from behind.”
Elias’s dark brows knitted together. “Why don’t you leave that to me? A sharp knife across the throat will be as effective as enchantment.”
Ryana shook her head. “This is my task, not yours.”
They stared at each other for a moment longer, and then Elias stepped closer to her. They only stood around three feet apart now.
“Stop right there,” Ryana gasped, panic welling. “Don’t come any closer.”
The intense look in his eyes made heat rise in her cheeks. It had been a mistake to agree to talk to him alone in the library.
“You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met,” Elias said, his mouth curving, although the fire in his eyes didn’t dim. “You have no idea how much it makes me want you.”
Ryana stifled a gasp. His words shocked her. She let her arms fall to her sides, her fingers closing into fists. “What?”
“You anger me, frustrate me,” he continued. “But you’re in my blood, in my soul, just as you’re branded on my skin.” He reached up to where the faint bruise of her attack still remained upon his neck.
“Don’t say these things,” she replied shakily. “It’s too late.”
He stepped toward her, closing the narrow gap. “It’s not yet.” He reached up, his fingertips tracing her cheek.
