“And what of the Spartan prophecy your man spoke of?” Gabriol asked. “Now that you know of Terena’s paternity, perhaps you’d like to share?”
Daris’s face shuttered. “That is between the king and Terena.”
“Funny,” Rydon said, his hand raised as he looked at Daris over the lip of his tankard. “I thought that might be between you and Terena.”
Rydon watched him, but the man gave nothing away. The commander and his exploits were well known, and Rydon had seen the way he’d torn into the Rivermen at the falls, making quick work of them before racing after Terena when she’d fallen into the river. And to have survived the serpent…
Being commander of the elite Liodari legion known throughout the continent—and one reason Emperor Solon had not immediately invaded—should have been enough for Rydon to see this was not someone to be trifled with. But somewhere along the trials and tribulations of this journey, Rydon had become protective not only of Terena, but of Croak and Sonah as well. Whatever the prophecy he spoke of, if the man was unwilling to confide in them after all they’d shared, then Rydon must remain vigilant around him.
He admitted to being a bit awed by the man upon first meeting, but now, after enduring the past month with him and seeing his eyes on Terena whenever he thought no one was watching…
Rydon was watching.
“I can’t keep my eyes open anymore,” Michael groused and stood, groaning and stretching. He left with a wave and the others grunted in response. A few minutes later, Gabriol reached out and squeezed Rydon’s shoulder as he too stood, draining his tankard. He set it down and muttered his good wishes for pleasant dreams before he went off and up the stairs.
Jason left shortly after, leaving Rydon and Daris alone.
Rydon looked at the commander from beneath his brows as he stretched his legs out. Daris was lost in his own thoughts, hunched over with his arms braced on his thighs.
A long silence descended and Rydon’s eyes became heavy when Daris spoke.
“What is your issue with me?”
Rydon started. He looked up to see Daris’s light blue eyes watching him askance. Rydon rubbed a hand over his mouth to stifle a yawn. “I’ve no issue.”
“Is that so?” Daris snorted.
Rydon stared back at him. “Aye.”
“All those questions earlier? And why do you scowl at me whenever I mention her name? Or ask anything even remotely having to do with her? You also insert yourself whenever I go near her.” He cocked his head. “You’re either interested in her or me. Which is it?”
Rydon scoffed. “Neither.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Rydon opened his mouth to protest but then jerked forward, bracing his arm on the table as he leaned across, his face thunderous.
“I don’t like the way you look at her,” he growled. “I don’t like the questions you ask about her and I don’t like the way you watch her; the way you always seem to be right by her side when she’s in trouble. You find reasons to touch her, her cloak, her hand, her hair when you think she doesn’t notice. But I notice.”
“Oh, this is a pissing contest, is it?” Daris asked, his smile cold.
“This is a warning,” Rydon snarled. “That girl has been through too much for someone so young, and she’s still a good person. Her heart is so big, her compassion so strong, she throws herself into trouble just to spare the rest of us.” He arched an eyebrow and a muscle spasmed in his neck. “Did you know she was in love with Crown Prince Lerek? When he was murdered,shewas the one to find him.”
Daris blanched, but Rydon forged on. “If that wasn’t bad enough, the emperor saw fit to accuse her of conspiring with the prince’s murderers and had her beaten,torturedand then sentenced her to death. By drawing and quartering!
“She has the power of the gods in her blood,” Rydon seethed, uncaring he should probably stop, but the words had built up in his chest for too long to be held back any longer. “If she wasn’t already wanted for treason—for murder!—she would definitely be hunted if anyone outside our circle found out what she is. She suffers fromthese visions that are, more often than not, terrifying nightmares, all the while mourning her lover and trying not to die at every turn!”
Daris sat back, his face pale, looking as if Rydon had slapped him.
Rydon took a long drink, draining his tankard before slamming it on the table. “And on top of that pile ofshit,I see how the guilt eats at her, how confused she is because she can’t reconcile how she felt about her dead prince with how she feels aboutyou,” he fumed, spittle landing on his beard. He wiped his mouth. “So, do us all a favor and leave her thefuckalone.”
Rydon rose abruptly, catching his chair before it toppled back and woke the entire building.
He muttered a curse and left, his heart racing. He put a hand to his chest and closed his eyes for a second, knowing it’d be a long time before sleep found him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Pytho sat on a cloud of pillows, her spine straight, her arms out in front of her with her palms up as she muttered words Terena couldn’t hear.
