Iver tilted his head in thought while holding my gaze. It felt asthough he was looking right through me. “What did he do to deserve your love?”
“You aren’t actually interested to know such a thing,” I stated. He was a Lysian royal, and one of the least tamed of them. Someone like him did not care to know those types of stories.
“Why not?” He frowned. “We are keeping you in an effort to have you help our cause. Seems it would be important to know the things you care for and why in order for us to better be able to make use of you.”
Though his words should have angered me, they did not. Instead, his blunt honesty was why I wished for him to be the one of Erik’s brothers to join us.
“What makes you so forward?” I asked.
“No point in wasting time pretending things are not what they are. It is no secret that we are keeping hold of you for a reason,” he answered.
Oddly, I found his candor welcoming.
“Well? If you have nothing better to do than sit here and entertain a Lysian prince, then I would like to hear the story of you and that very angry Bavadrin guard.”
I told him that story. How Landin and I both had things in our pasts that we trusted each other with, though without divulging what those things were. How we were there for one another since childhood. How he was the brother I never had. I shared everything with Iver except for the biggest secret of all, for I could not have them know what I was, at least not yet.
They were all going to find out soon enough anyway.
27
ERIK
The breeze felt wonderful against my skin. Crisp night air settled over the land with a chilled edge. It aroused the senses without causing discomfort; it was revitalizing. I craved the open night sky, seeking it out to get away from the Bavadrin mass inside. Not that I cared what they thought of me, but being the object of silent attention was draining. They stole glances, eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hate. Their whispers were no better. My senses were buzzing with the desire to permanently shut them all up, and so I left, allowing myself a few seconds of peace and quiet before returning.
“Alright, there is a step here. Be careful.” Iver’s voice snagged my attention to where he exited the building out of a side door.
“I know there is a step,littleLysian,” Ariana replied warmly, leaning on my brother for support.
“What’s going on?” I approached them in a few quick strides. Ariana swayed at the sight of me, surprise widening her eyes as if my presence was completely unexpected.
Iver turned towards me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Thislittle princess has officially been hit by the magic juice. We were just getting some fresh air.”
Green eyes slid to him. “ThislittleLysian has officially been appointed as my guard.”
He chuckled. “Calling me little does not make you taller.”
“I could say the same for you . . .little Lysian.” She smirked to herself as if proud of her reply. For someone who usually maintained a high level of control over her responses, this was… amusing. The easy smile on her lips, the warmth in her gaze. She felt reachable. Less hidden.
“I have a feeling it is close to time for you to go to your temple.” Iver tapped her on the nose with a finger. She snapped at it with her teeth, too slow to actually catch him. He smiled and turned to me. “I can go get Edda, if you want to keep her from faceplanting.”
Ariana gasped. “I would not fall on my face.”
“I’ll stay with her.” I stepped up to them, my hand sliding around Ariana’s waist before she leaned her weight onto me, even as she said, “Not mean Edda.”
“You know, Kole calls her a wrinkled onion,” Iver said once he released her.
Ariana’s eyes grew large before she tipped her head back and laughed. It surged up like a pure and clear spring, captivating and heartfelt. A melody of pure joy wrapped around her. I couldn’t help but smile.
Iver laughed lowly, looking at her before turning to me. “I think I like her like this.”
The giggling stopped. Ariana narrowed her gaze in feigned irritation. “Hey. I amalwayslikable.” She flicked her hand out before her, waving him off. “Better go and . . .” her lips curved skyward, “get that wrinkled onion.” Another giggle burst out of her. “Oh Spirit, Edda is going to love this one.”
“I’ll return with the old one,” Iver said with a grin before disappearing back into the building.
“How are you feeling?” I asked Ariana once we were alone, my arm still around her waist, liking the warmth of her against me.
“I’m fine,” she replied softly, her voice slightly breathless. Her eyes darted between mine then dipped to where her shoulder leaned into my chest. She released me as if she just realized we were touching, and my hold loosened enough for her to sway before I pulled her back. Her hand gripped my arm for support. “I am just dizzy.”
