Page 19 of To Sway a Prince
"No." That I answered confidently, and my eyebrow lifted as if to underscore the point. I hadn't feared him from the start because I'd been so confident in my own abilities. But now…now I couldn't find even a scrap of fear within me when it came to him. I'd slipped so easily into treating him like an antagonistic family member. Somehow I did feel comfortable around him. "It was nothing against you. You have been nothing but courteous and welcoming. Far more than I expected."
"From a rune fae?"
"From the person who owns the tower I broke into. Especially if you didn't do anything to make Zephyrus go with you. I—I know you did something to me to make me sleep. And I am still not pleased with that. I would have rather you spoken with me and told me what was going on with Zephyrus and then showed me how he was willing to make this choice and that this was what he wanted." The words were bitter on my tongue, but I spoke them nonetheless.
His expression softened ever so slightly, the lines around his eyes crinkling. "I chose the course I did because it seemed like the best one. But I was wrong."
"I'm willing to do what's best for Zephyrus," I said. "I know he isn't mine. But you didn't even give me a chance to saygoodbye and make peace. Why?" A strange sensation fluttered within my chest. Probably just because he was the first person I had talked to so closely in a long, long time. I hugged the jar tighter.
His eyes darkened, his gaze drifting momentarily to my lips and then back up. He stepped away. "I thought it would be easier. I was wrong."
"You really thought I'd give up looking for him? I'm ridiculously tenacious and quite petty. I would have hunted you down to the ends of this world and the next to soak your socks in slug oil if it would've taught you not to mess with someone who mattered to me."
"Yes." His nose wrinkled, the lines in his brow deepening. "I found what you did to the runestones. And my books. You do realize I have magic that allows me to assist in sorting everything with very little energy from myself."
"I knew it would be an inconvenience." That sense of shame stole over me once more. "I suppose…we both have made mistakes." I couldn't hate him right now. Especially not with him so near and that soft annoyance shining in his gaze. Or was that something else? "All I want is for Zephyrus to be safe. I want him to have a happy life. He's all the family I have left."
He tilted his head as he studied me through those half-shaded eyes. Stepping forward, he took the jar from me, his movements surprisingly gentle. "He's dear to you. You want to protect him. I respect and understand that," he said. "He and his kin are the same to me. I give you my word that if there is any way that I can prevent their harm, I will. While I cannot guarantee their protection, I swear to you that I will in no way be reckless with their lives or well-being." He set the jar back on the shelf. "Why did you choose this place to rest if I may ask?"
I shook my head, then answered simply. "I…felt like I was safe here. It was…comforting."
"It's a soothing place." He straightened his garments and offered me his hand. "I've found this place comforting since I was a child." His brow tweaked as his gaze moved along the shelves of jars with sand. "There are many memories in this place."
"What is it for?"
His jaw tightened. His tongue darted at his lips before he at last returned his focus to me. "Recognition of the sacred bonds."
The soft blue light highlighted the elegance and sharpness of his features. Those dark marks beneath his eyes betrayed his lack of sleep, suggesting that maybe he too needed a haven. How long had it been for him since he'd slept well? Perhaps decades. As with most fae, it was hard to tell just how old he was. Once we hit our twentieth year, most slowed significantly in the aging process. "How long have you been alone here?"
"I have Caein and the dragons," he said. "I am not truly alone."
I heard what was not said though. The heaviness of the meaning beneath those words, and that part of me sobbed in understanding. But all I did was nod.
A deep rumbling roar shook the foundations of the tower. Ramiel's hands flew at once to steady the jars. "The leviathan," he said, his voice grim. "He's breaching again."
9
WEAVER DRAGONS
"Caein, can you see him? How bad is the wound?" Ramiel demanded, striding down the hall.
"Uncertain. He seems worse today. The pain must have worsened if it him this soon." Caein spoke with crisp efficiency. "He isn't fully attacking, but the Chasm is tearing further."
I followed him. A chill rolled over me, my insides tightening. "What needs to be done?"
Caein's voice sounded above me. "Four wraiths have made their way from the Chasm and are trying to find a weakness to get through. They're feeding off the energy. The dragons are preparing. Thalorion is already leading the charge. Two nightfangs are nearing the surface."
He reached back to seize his silver hair and bound it with a tie. "Are the nightfangs within striking distance?"
"They haven't breached the final layer," Caein responded. The heavy thundering of wings and the rumbling of dragon roars resounded through the tower. One deep resonant rumble cut straight to me. Zephyrus. My attention snapped to the inner wall that hid the passage out of the top of the tower. He was joining the fight.
"How can I help?" I asked, quickening my pace to keep up with Ramiel.
He spun to face me, his expression grim. "You can stay in the tower and avoid causing problems."
"I'm a dragon rider. I can?—"
He held up his hands, his manner growing more stern. "I don't have time to teach you how to battle wraiths and handle the Chasm creatures when they are already hostile. Stay here. Don't try to follow me. The protective wards will keep you here."
