Page 62 of Eluvonia
I nod, crossing my arms. “She did.”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Shura is Seravielle’s best friend. I’ve known her since we were kids, and, well… Seravielle has always been a bit obsessed with me,” he says with a shrug. “And, there were a few… flings. She took it to mean something more.”
Declan snorts loudly. “Oh, come on, Kaida. Tell the truth. You strung the poor girl along.You told me she was your backup if you couldn’t find anyone ‘good enough for your Líðr.’”
My jaw drops, and I turn to Kaida, who has the decency to look embarrassed. His cheeks flush as he holds up his hands defensively. “Dec! You know she was a political choice. Her father is the top merchant and the richest Dragon in Eluvonia!” He sighs and looks at me with pleading eyes, “Aeris, youhave to understand—my situation is… complicated. I’m only allowed to have one person in my life, one person to share everything with. I wasn’t going to waste that chance on just anyone. And I didn’t want to end up alone either. The Líðr bond is unique, Aeris. It’s not something Dragons take lightly. It’s meant to be with someone you truly love, someone who becomes a part of you. The bond is… eternal. Our souls intertwine so deeply that, even after both of us die, we’ll find each other again in another life. It’s revered in the Dragon race, something we yearn for with everything we are. We can have lovers, flings—things that come and go—but to have a Líðr? That’s different. That’s something special.”
His voice softens toward the end, and for a moment, I see the vulnerability behind his arrogance. I release a breath, and give him a small, understanding smile. “I get it,” I say quietly. “I’m sorry your chance at love was ruined by me.”
Declan leans in, his breath warm against my ear as he whispers, “He’s not sorry, you mean more to him than he even realizes.”
My eyes flick to Kaida, who’s now staring out the window, his expression unreadable. I don’t know what to say to that, so I let the moment hang in the air until Declan claps his hands together.
“Well, I have a surprise for you,” he announces, his tone dripping with mock theatrics.
I arch an eyebrow, folding my arms across my chest. “Should I be worried?”
His grin widens, and there’s a flash of something wicked in his eyes. “Depends. How do you feel about fresh air? You’ve been stuck in here for days, marinating in Kai’sdirty sock aroma.” He wrinkles his nose dramatically, waving a hand infront of his face for effect.
I snort despite myself, the corner of my mouth twitching upward.
“You deserve better than the stench of dark and broody despair.” He steps closer, extending his hand toward me with a flourish. “What do you say? A little escape? A trip to the gardens. Smell some flowers. Pretend your life isn’t completely falling apart for an hour.”
The idea of being outside—of not staring at these same damn walls—sends a spark of excitement through me. “Please!” I exclaim, my voice more enthusiastic than I intended.
Declan chuckles, clearly pleased with himself. His grip is warm and solid, grounding in a way I didn’t know I needed. As we head toward the door, Kaida is in our path, his arms crossed and his signature scowl firmly in place.
Declan doesn’t break stride. Instead, he grabs Kaida’s arm in passing, yanking him along with enough force to make the Dragon stumble slightly. “You’re coming too, Mr. Dark and Broody.”
Kaida’s face twists into an expression of pure irritation. “I don’t recall agreeing to this.”
“Too bad,” Declan replies breezily, practically dragging him backward as he walks. “Consider it part of your emotional growth. You might even smile. Just imagine the headlines—‘Stoic Dragon Lord Discovers Joy in a Field of Flowers.’”
Kaida grunts, his expression thunderous as he wrenches his arm free. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re predictable,” Declan shoots back without missing a beat, spinning on his heel to face Kaida fully. “Now come on. Pretend you enjoy something for once in yourlife. Who knows, maybe you’ll actually contribute to the fun instead of standing around glaring at everything.”
Kaida narrows his eyes but, to my surprise, doesn’t argue further. He falls into step beside us, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his jaw tight.
As we make our way down the hall, Declan glances over his shoulder at me, his expression smug. “See? Easy. You just have to speak his language—grunts and manly intimidation.”
“I can hear you,” Kaida mutters darkly, his voice low and dangerous.
“Oh, I know,” Declan replies with a wink, clearly unbothered.
I can’t help but laugh, the tension that’s been weighing on me for days easing ever so slightly. The three of us together is an odd dynamic—like mixing fire, ice, and… whatever Declan is—but somehow, it works.
As we approach the gates, the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth fills the air, wrapping around me like a soothing balm. I step outside, the warmth of the sun brushing my skin, and inhale deeply, savoring the freshness. Blinking against the sudden brightness, I let my eyes adjust to the golden light spilling across the landscape. For the first time in what feels like forever, a flicker of hope stirs in my chest, tentative but alive, like the first bloom of spring pushing through the frost.
Declan gestures toward the sprawling greenery with a grand sweep of his arm. “See? Already better than Kai’s sock room of doom, isn’t it?”
I laugh again, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
Kaida lets out a long-suffering sigh, but as I catch his gaze for a brief moment, I swear I see the tiniest hint of amusement in his eyes.
Maybe this trip to the gardens wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
Chapter 25
