Page 40 of To Sway a Prince
There it was. Perhaps one of the most important questions and one which could sour everything. I hadn't actually removed all of the cursed knots, and he might conclude I was trying to manipulate or trick him. Especially after that heartfelt confession. Had I known what he was going to ask, I'd have waited. But it was too late for that now.
He narrowed his eyes at me a little as if evaluating my request, then he set his arms akimbo. "Well…I suppose there is wisdom in that. In truth, I am curious to see how you do riding. Especially given your instructor. But…"
I braced myself for conditions, for demands of additional vows or proof of my trustworthiness. After all, I could easily break my word once the spell was removed. And he needed to protect his position, especially with the importance of weaver dragons for maintaining the Chasm.
He glanced between Thalorion and Zephyrus and then smiled. "Very well."
"Is that all?" My mouth fell open. "No other terms? Do you want me to bind or vow?—"
"No." He stepped forward, raising his hand. Silver light danced from his fingertips as he traced a complex pattern in the air. The magic shimmered around me, forming a long series of runes. They slid through the air and then coiled over my heart. The energy surged through me, dissolving the binding and filling my limbs with a pleasant sensation. "Don't make me regret it," he said, but there was a soft note in his voice. The way he looked at me made everything inside me spin.
I tried to stop a grin from splitting across my face. "My particular path of vengeance would be to rearrange your furniture and mix up your casting runes."
"I'm aware." His smile pulled a little higher. "Truly, I'm impressed you didn't start mixing the sands."
"I—I couldn't," I admitted, surprised to hear myself speaking the words. "It felt disproportionate. And wrong. Besides, I left you more than enough evidence elsewhere of my displeasure."
"So you did."
I wanted to say something witty in response, but the cell doors clanked open and Zephyrus's head appeared from the stable. "Zephyrus!"
I could barely get my arms around his neck at the base, but I flung myself at him nonetheless. He coiled around me and nearly flattened me with his snout in my hair and his scales scraping over me. Tears rolled down my cheeks. It had only been a few days, but at the beginning, I'd been so afraid of losing him forever.
He chuffed and then snorted. Another dragon call from within the stable made him lift his head. Before I could comment, he dropped his head again to nuzzle me. He snorted and huffed, checking me over with gentle nudges of his snout, examining my wrists and focusing on the one where the thread had cut me.
"I'm fine," I assured him, stroking the sensitive spot beneath his jaw. "Just a few scratches. Nothing serious."
He rumbled deep in his chest, unconvinced, then twisted his head to examine me from different angles with exaggerated concern. I laughed as he pushed his snout against my shoulder, nearly knocking me over. Then he nudged my wrist again.
"Do you smell something, Zephyrus?" Ramiel strode closer as Thalorion's cell opened. He slid his hand beneath my wrist and held it out.
Zephyrus growled again, then licked my wrist.
"What're you looking for?" I asked him, frowning. My wrist felt fine. I was still a little weary from yesterday's knotwork, but that was common.
He licked my wrist again, leaving a sheen of saliva. Grimacing, I tried to rub it clean. I glanced at Ramiel. "What's he looking for?"
"Not sure." Ramiel frowned as well. He put his hand on the side of Zephyrus's jaw, then shook his head. "It's something to remember. Pay attention for further signs. You're certain you're not in pain?"
"No, not at all." I didn't mention the fatigue. "Seems to me you both just worry." I leaned to the side, pressing my head once more to Zephyrus's scales. He still smelled like thunderstorms and the wild mountain air despite being in this warm stable.
He made a satisfied sound and settled, though his tail still twitched. Leaning down, he bumped my wrist again.
"Hmmm." Ramiel still appeared concerned. "Well, if you find any additional symptoms, tell me. It isn't wise to ignore a dragon's observations."
"I promise—I'm fine." I looked between both of them, quirking my lips. "I don't think I could hide it if I wasn't."
He gave another nod, then offered a small shrug. "I suppose it's possible he just enjoys the scent of jasmine and vanilla. It was certainly very pleasant last night. Especially with the cashmere."
My eyes widened. My scent had returned? I hadn't intended it. Hadn't even noticed it had returned. It had been years. My cheeks had to be blazing red now. "It is a pleasant scent…are we going to get flying?"
He chuckled. "Yes. But first…" He removed a small silver pendant from inside his surcoat. It held a series of runes etched into the pendant itself as well as the beads that formed the body of the necklace. "This is a Sentinel pendant. It's hard to hear much beyond the thunder of dragon wings and the roar ofthe wind in flight. So…we use these to speak into one another's minds. May I?" He gestured to my neck.
"Does it let us speak with the dragons?" I turned and lifted my braid, exposing the nape of my neck.
"No, it's just for us to speak to each other," Ramiel said, his voice low and close to my ear as he slipped the pendant around my neck. "I hope you don't find that too odious."
His fingers brushed against my skin as he fastened the clasp, lingering. A shiver ran through me that had nothing to do with the cool metal against my collarbone. He drew my braid back from my shoulder, his knuckles grazing the sensitive skin at the nape of my neck.
