“What do you want?” I yank the dagger out of the crack, jabbing it back into its sheath.
She tucks her teal hair behind her ears, her two top buns bobbing as she enters the room. “Can I sit?” Her arm gestures out towards the bed.
I nod. “Need round two of what happened at the Pyre?”
“I’d rather avoid something like that again.” Her lip pulls into a soft grin. “However, I have never seen anyone stand up to Lykia like you did. It was thrilling to watch.”
Her eyes light with amusement, shaking her head as she replays the moments through her mind. “If only the Realm of the Sea would stand up to her as well as you did.”
“Glad I could entertain you.” My brows narrow, fingers gripping the rocks tighter. “Should I fear her? Koen,” I pause, just saying his name makes my skin burn with rage. “He warned me about Skie’s curse. Lykia has the same, doesn’t she?”
Klayra’s lips part, exhaling deeping. “She does. Yet, if you think Skie is insane, Lykia is worse.”
“I don’t understand how.” My eyes widen, shifting back against the window.
“Lykia has been kicked out by her own father, she can never return to the Sea unless Koen marries her.” She lifts her leg, casually bending it across my bed as her other one hangs over it. “She will do anything to become Queen of the Sea Realm, her brothers are not vowed to be married, only her. Which means, if she doesn’t marry Koen in time, Zake or Dryden will take the throne. And all hell will break loose if that happens. I fear what she will do.”
I stare at my worn leather boots, counting the scratches that now almost consume them. “It’s all about power to her, not love.”
Klayra nods, her teal strands falling out from behind her ears. “With every descendant from the Gods, they only crave power.”
“I don’t,” I mutter out.
She takes her other leg, criss-crossing on my bed as she leans forward. “So are you confirming the rumors are true? Are you a Deskyiara?”
My lips tug between my teeth. “I suppose I won’t deny it...”
Both our eyes lock as her brows lift with curiosity. “Damn, no wonder why I couldn’t take you down.”
“Confident now, are we?”
She takes her blade out, twirling it on her fingertips. “Just wait till you see me fight one of those dragons after we bond to a horse.”
“You are not a part of the games.” I kick my leg up, resting it on the ledge. “How are you allowed in here? How the hell is Lykia allowed here?”
“I was engaged to Queen Antivianna’s middle son, Theon’s and Skie’s older brother. Their older brother died in the war.” She clears her throat, casually messing with the bed sheets as she recalls painful memories. “When he decided dark magic was more important than our relationship and vanished, she took me in. She knows how badly I want the Darklands to fall because of it, so she allows me to fight dragons to burn off some of the rage I feel, and I am allowed to fight the Wailing Mother with the others. I want to rip out the heart of the Queen who reigns at the Darklands, take a dagger straight through it for taking the man I love.”
She shifts, deeply sighing. “As for Lykia, her and Skie have always been close. Especially since they both are engaged to oneof the brothers, so Queen Antivianna allows her to walk in the Pyre as she pleases.”
“So I will have to see her again?” My chin lifts upwards, deeply breathing with the thought of her being around me at all times.
“Unfortunately,” she scuffs.
“I’m so sorry you lost someone you love.” My eyes soften. “I understand your pain.”
“Just be glad the man you love is still alive.”
“Even if he isn’t the same man I once remember?”
Her eyes widen. “That… I’m not sure about. But maybe you can eventually find a way to love the man he has become.”
I roll my eyes away and scuff. “Yeah, we’ll see. I’ll make sure I watch while you fight, as long as I don’t die in that damn game.”
“Good.” Her lips pull into a smirk, snatching the blade in the air before thrusting it back into her sheath against her chest.
“You don’t remember anything about the bloodline, do you?”
Her head shakes, pulling her arms across her chest. “No. I’m sorry, I wish I could help.”
