Niz.The thought of him had my brow dipping as I considered what had spurred our argument yesterday…Illia. I believed his words, that she wasn’t important to him—that he wasn’t betrothed anymore—but it didn’t take away the surge of possessiveness that I felt over him. Especially in the light of any other woman believing she had a claim on him.
Niz didn’t want her, though. He wanted me…and after last night? That was something Ifullybelieved.
After withstanding the icy water for a bit longer, even splashing my face with it, I quickly got out and wrapped myself in a large, fluffy towel that had been left in a stack by whoever had readied the room.
After brushing my teeth, I braided my hair into a crown across the top of my head, right to left. It was a style my mom had done for me when I was a child, and I was surprised by how easily it came to me considering she hadn’t tried it more than once or twice. Finishing the braid and pulling the end over my left shoulder, I walked back into the primary bedroom but found it empty.
When I woke up, Niz was still half-asleep, answering my questions about where the others had rested for the night in a rough, tired voice. After sending word to the others that I had safely made it to his suite, we had spent hours talking and relaxing together in his room. He had shown me books that were unique to his kingdom and other personal artifacts that had me feeling as if I was finally learningwhoNiz was—not just as a wyvern. When it grew closer to night time, he brought me back to the guest suite and took us to one of the bedrooms, mentioning that the others would want me close at night. I hadn’t argued with him.
Though I had been curious this morning, no longer in a sleepy state, where they had all slept. Apparently, there were not only enough rooms for everyone to have their own bedroom but the guest suites had been fully prepared for us on our arrival.
The central living space and foyer that had welcomed us upon entering branched off in two directions, one leading to the primary suite Niz and I found ourselves in and the other down a hall that led to six more bedrooms. His parents may not be welcoming us here, but they also weren’t forcing us to suffer or live without.
I dressed quickly, taking advantage of the time alone as I pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a fitted top. I had noticed the subtle differences in my body since arriving at the Rebellion camp, and even now, I found that my clothes fit looser in places they hadn’t before and tighter where I’d developed a bit of muscle from training. It wasn’t something I minded in the least—loving the proof of all the hard work I’d put into honing my body into a weapon.
After I pulled on a jacket, socks, and my boots, I followed the sound of deep voices toward the comfortable living room, where there was plenty of seating and a large, open balcony along the back wall. I stood in the doorway of the hallway that led from the primary suite, noting that Ronan and Niz were having a conversation on the balcony. Deciding to hang back for a moment, not wanting to interrupt their conversation, I was happy when neither of them noticed me. They deserved this moment, and I wasn’t of a mind to interrupt them.
My gaze ran over Niz with interest, noting that he was dressed far differently this morning than usual. His dark, leather pants and loose top were embroidered with emeralds, and black diamonds ran along the collar of the shirt and along the seams of the pants. Those same emeralds were echoed in the black metal band sitting on top of his head. It was simple enough but a crown nonetheless, reminding me once more that Niz was different here than he was when it was just us.
“I never wanted to lie to you,” Niz admitted, pulling my attention to their conversation. Part of me felt a little guilty for eavesdropping on their conversation, but the bigger part of me was more invested in them mending their relationship—and that was the part of me that won.
“I never wanted to hide my identity, because to me, our friendship was very real—even if you believed I was a beast you tamed. I simply didn’t feel like I had the right to reveal all ofwyvern-kind for my own selfish ends. As you’ve seen, we are an isolated and secretive civilization. If I had shifted without purpose, it would have put everyone in danger and broken one of the largest tenets of our community.”
I understood his point, and even agreed with it, but I knew that this was hard for Ronan. Their connection had been undeniable back in Alfemir, and I had witnessed Ronan’s heartbreaking reaction at realizing the truth about Niz. It didn’t help that at this moment Niz was implying he hadn’t been sure he could trust Ronan with his true identity.
“I understand why you felt like you couldn’t wager your entire kingdom’s existence on our friendship being strong enough, or even me understanding the situation you were in, that isn’t… I just feel…” Ronan seemed at a loss for words, his hand raking through his hair. “Stupid? I feel like, considering our connection, I should have known. You sat there listening to people congratulate me again and again on taming a wyvern, all while knowing that my pride in the accomplishment wasn’t mine to feel.”
He continued, “And putting aside that aspect of my ego being hurt, I completely integrated you into my life. You saw every moment of it, and while I don’t feel like I have anything to hide…It would have been nice knowing what and who you really are.”
“I never meant to make you feel like your privacy was being invaded,” Niz winced, his voice filled with remorse. “That was never my intention, but I understand why it might feel that way.”
Sitting back in his chair, he continued, “As for the others congratulating you—there was no need to correct it. We did create a bond, and you are one of the only Beast Tamers to do so. It is something youshouldbe congratulated on. Moreso, their worlds are so small that the least you deserved was their praise since you had accomplished something no other had since thegenocide my people suffered—you befriended a wyvern. That is a far more notable and important event if you ask me.”
I could tell he truly believed that, truth and sincerity shining in his open expression, and he wasn’t just bolstering for the sake of Ronan’s pride.
“And you’re right, wearefriends,” Ronan agreed, his brow dipping as he held Niz’s gaze. “You can’t lie about shit anymore, Niz. Not only to me, but also to Kieran. With everything going on, I want to know I can trust you as a friend, not a beast Itamed.”
“Ronan,” Niz cleared his throat, running his hand through his hair as his shoulders hunched. I could hear the weight of his sigh, even from this far away. “You are one of theonlytrue friends I’ve ever had. You can absolutely trust me.”
I smiled, loving that I witnessed the moment between the two of them. The tension in my chest eased, knowing deep down that this was a step in the right direction for them. They needed resolution, and this felt like a hell of a way of getting there. Deciding to make myself known, I stepped fully into the room and made my way toward the balcony doors.
“And hopefully I can be included in that whole friendship thing,” I teased with a soft smile, sitting on the arm of the chair that Ronan occupied.
“Of course,” Niz agreed, his eyes sparkling with a heat that caused my body to prickle with awareness. I could still feel his touch on my skin from the night before, and I had to forcibly turn my attention to Ronan to avoid my mind slipping to filthy places.
“How did you sleep?” I asked.
“Good—although I stayed up for a bit too long trying to figure out what Niz’s parents might say to us today.”
“It may be more important to figure out whatweare going to say to them,” Niz pointed out, and I nodded my agreement.“I’m not sure if anything we say will convince them—specifically my mother. Last night, I wrote out what my current journey had entailed before delivering it to my parents’ suite. I have no idea if it will make a difference, or if she even read it, but hopefully it will push them to be a bit more open minded.”
“I can’t blame her for being cautious,” I murmured, Niz’s brows shooting up in surprise at my admission. “I understand why she fears that there’s potential for more trouble and danger than it would be worth to help us. I just hope she considers that the threat she worries about—Alfemir as a whole—could be extinguished with the size of our forces together.Permanently.”
“If anyone can convince her, it’s you,” Niz murmured, pulling a small smile to my lips, loving the belief he had in me. I wasn’t sure if anything I would say to her would make a difference, but I was planning to give it my all regardless.
The creak of the main door opening had all of us standing and moving off the balcony and into the living space. My brows shot up in pleasant surprise as Bastian walked in, carrying a cup of coffee, his pathway immediately honed on me. I also noticed that Gabe and Steele were making their way into the living room from the hallway, but I was laser focused on the steaming cup of liquid gold being handed to me.
“Thank you so much, Bash,” I murmured happily, offering him a kiss on the cheek.
