Page 115 of Rage of Her Ravens

Drae’s shoulders fell, his wings drooping behind him. “I don’t know.”

Shiri wrapped her arms around herself, giving Blaze and me worrying looks. “I don’t feel safe here.”

Blaze grasped her hands, giving her an imploring look. “We’ll keep you safe, my love.”

Drae marched up to her, shadows darkening his features. “I will double the watch. I promise, Shirina, I will do whatever it takes to keep you and the girls safe.”

She didn’t answer him, her lips twisted in a snarl. It was at that moment I felt her hatred of my oldest brother in the marrow of my bones.

Pain flashing in his eyes, he gave her a curt bow. “If you would excuse me, I must relay this information to the guard.” He turned from our table without another glance and marched toward the door.

Wings propelling me forward, I followed him onto the balcony. “Drae, wait!” I called at my brother’s back. “I never thanked you for taking care of Shiri and the girls.”

He stopped, his back and wings rigid. “You don’t need to thank me for doing my job, brother.”

I clenched my fists by my sides. “Do you care for her?”

Wings dropping, he slowly spun around. “Why are you asking?”

I jutted a foot forward. “Do you?”

His shoulders fell, and I saw the hint of the young man my brother used to be, not quite a boy, not quite a man, scared and confused, yet determined to hold himself together for his brothers’ sakes. “Of course, I do.”

I released the breath I’d been holding, relief washing over me. “She’ll come around, Drae.”

He flashed a half smile that didn’t mask the sadness in his eyes. “I’m not sure she will.”

“Did you apologize?”

“Yes.” He dragged a hand down his face. “She doesn’t trust me to be kind, that I’ve changed, and I don’t blame her.”

“She’ll come around,” I repeated, not sure what else to say. I prayed she would. Our little pack needed Drae’s strength, his confidence, and his guidance.

He shook his head. “You said that already.”

“What do you want me to do?” I pleaded. I was in way over my head. All I knew was that our pack was fractured, and very much in danger. I didn’t think we could face the trials to come without Drae.

“Just love her the way I should have.” He cast me one last woeful look before jumping into the evening sky.

Clenching my jaw, I watched my brother fly away. I couldn’t blame Shiri for rejecting Drae after the way he’d treated her, but that didn’t assuage my fears. I didn’t think we could take on Fachnan’s army, Malvolia’s wrath, and now potential assassins without Drae’s help.

* * *

Ireturned to Shiriand Blaze with a heavy heart. I feared Shiri wouldn’t forgive Drae, though I didn’t realize how badly it would affect me. I felt Drae’s depression and envy deep in my soul as he watched Blaze and me with Shiri, and I wanted so badly to help him. Yes, he deserved her scorn after his churlish behavior. But did he deserve to be ostracized forever?

I wasn’t trying to excuse the way he’d treated Shiri, but Drae had suffered hardships that no child should have been forced to endure. He’d buried our parents and then raised Blaze and me without complaint. Drae had sacrificed so much of his childhood so that Blaze and I could grow up in a safe and happy home. Now once again he was sacrificing his peace and happiness to protect us. And we repaid him by ostracizing him. Even though I feared my plan could backfire, I had to say something to Shiri on Drae’s behalf.

My wings drooped as I shut the door behind me.

Shiri was sitting on Blaze’s lap on the sofa. They had their hands all over each other, kissing and laughing, and for a moment I was perturbed by their behavior after demons had tried to kill me, when even now the world could be burning down around us.

I loudly cleared my throat, glaring eye daggers at them.

Shiri looked up from Blaze, her eyes fogged with desire. “Why did you leave?”

I gave her a pointed look. “I wanted to know why Drae was upset.”

She looked at me as if I’d grown a second head. “Demons tried to poison you.”

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