“If I had a gold coin for every time I’ve asked that question.” A heavy sigh accompanied his words, and he lay back on the ground, resting a hand beneath his head.
“You would be dirt poor,” I commented, following his lead, and lying back myself.
Landin smiled at my remark.
There was a pause, and I asked, “Have you ever thought you would see a Lysian so close before?”
“I never even wanted to see one from a distance,” he countered.
I turned on my side so that I could better view him.
Landin continued, “He is just so animalistic. The way his eyes observe everything. The way he moves. It’s uncomfortable to watch. Fraser should have just killed him and gotten it over with.”
“Did the Lysian do or say something to you?” I asked, hoping that I didn’t sound too eager.
“No. And that’s the thing. It was simply the look in his eyes. His teeth seem like they could rip through flesh and muscle all the way to the bone. And once they hit bone, then they may even crush their way through that too.” Landin visually shivered from the thought. “Ashes, and you stood next to him in that cell. I let you go in there with him.”
“Yet he didn’t harm me, and he could have. After what Fraser did and being his daughter—the Lysian hardly even threatened me. He has every right to hate me, to want to lash out.”
“His entire existence is a threat, Ariana. And do you mean to say you thought there was a chance he could attack you while you were in there after that lashing?” Landin scowled. He probably assumed I was certain of my safety, that perhaps even Edda confirmed it.
“There is always a chance,” I stated flatly.
Landin turned onto his side and rubbed his face, needing to push the bags out of his eyes. His hair had grown longer than he typically kept it, becoming unruly. He looked rougher than usual.
“You aren’t often so reckless,” he commented.
Landin and I had known one another for as long as I could remember. He was one of the few who knew everything about me, keeping my secrets without fault. There are those who warn that secrets tear things apart, that they place some sort of unimaginable weight on those keeping them, a poison that’s light on the lips but heavy on the soul, but that was not the case with us. Our secrets only brought us closer together. We knew what we were, and we cared for each other even more for it. We chose to lean on one other when we were hurt or weak. There was never a pressure of needing to hide anything for fear of not being accepted by each other. Our bond was pure and strong. In a strange way, I hadalways considered Landin my soul mate. Neither of us was perfect, but we were there for one another.
“I needed to learn what kind of Lysian we were dealing with,” I told him.
His exhale was silent, but it may as well have been a sigh. “And what did you uncover?”
I pondered how to put it into words before replying. “He is dangerous; however, he doesn’t seem evil.”
“Well, that’s comforting. The beast we have locked up is dangerous, but possibly not to an evil extent. Great.” Landin rolled over, getting to his feet. “I should go. Willis will wonder where I am.”
“Of course.” I joined him in standing. A pang of guilt went through me, for I also owed Willis an apology for my actions lately.
Landin turned to me before reaching for the door handle. “I could stay,” he offered softly, the corner of his lips curving up with the memories. When we were little, the two of us would often spend nights together, usually when one of us was upset or afraid. We would keep each other entertained, offering a laugh or a shoulder to cry on if needed. It had been a long time since we shared one of those endless nights. They seemed sleepless, yet somehow, we would always drift off together and wake to a bright new day.
“I’ll be alright.” I gave him a small smile.
“What you saw today had to be . . .” His hand balled into a fist and a tremble shook through him. He had held me the night my mother died as tears poured from my eyes. When I couldn’t unsee the lashings inflicted upon her body.
I took his fist in my hand, unraveling his fingers. “I’m fine. That isn’t on my mind.”
“Yet something is bothering you.” He turned fully to face me.
“Just remember what I said. You and Willis stay away from any trouble that may come our way.”
With a sigh, Landin stepped close, draped one of his arms heavily around my shoulder, and pulled me into an embrace. He placed a brief kiss on my forehead. “I’ll do my best, my sweet, worried Ariana. But as you know, trouble is just drawn to me.”
Despite everything, a small laugh bubbled through me as I pushed him away. “Yeah, best you get home now before Willis truly gives you some trouble.”
“One could only hope!” His eyes lit up with delight, and a sly smile crept across his lips.
Moments later, he was gone, and I was left alone to my thoughts once more.
