Just like the first two times, Cyn took his breath away. He felt the air rush from his lungs. His heart was suddenly beating so fast and hard that he was sure those around him could hear it. The guard looked up at him and Thalion held up his hand, telling the guard to wait. He made his way down the battlements, all the while attempting to regain control of his emotions. He was angry but also overjoyed to see her. When he was on the ground, he nodded for the guards to open the massive doors. They creaked and groaned as the hinges moved for the first time in a long time. Most entry and exit through the castle walls was done through a small door next to the giant fortified gates. There hadn’t been a need to open the main gates in a very long time. And, if he was being honest with himself, there was no need to open them this time. But like an ape beating his chest, he wanted to show off.
When the doors were partially open, Thalion stepped through them. Guards attempted to follow, but he stopped them with a fist held up in the air. As he walked toward the two fae, Thalion gave one fleeting glance to the male and then his total focus was on Cyn. She was adorned in fae warrior garb—a vest that left her arms free to move, snug pants, and boots that laced up her legs to just below her knee. She wore leather bracers on each arm that covered her flesh from wrist to just before the bend of her elbow. He saw the hilts of several knives, easily accessible in various locations, upon her person. And he knew there were certainly more that he could not see. Thalion drank her in with his eyes, remembering what it had felt like to be so close to her at their last encounter. When he finally locked onto her face, he couldn’t stop the smirk that formed on his lips. Her teal eyes were practically dancing as she tried to keep from looking at him. Her foot tapped on the ground as though she had somewhere else she needed to be in that exact moment. Too bad for her, he wasn’t about to let her leave so quickly.
“Cyn,” Thalion said with a slight bow of his head. “It is good to finally see you again.” He knew that his words were clipped, but he couldn’t seem to keep all of himself under control, not when it came to her.
“Prince,” she said quickly, sparing him only a quick glance.
“Who have you brought with you into my kingdom?”
“I am Adam. Like Cyn, I am a fae warrior,” the male said.
Thalion swallowed down the words he wanted to say to Adam, which were something along the lines of, ‘I wasn’t speaking to you so keep your damn mouth shut.’ He had a feeling Cyn wouldn’t like him speaking to the warrior in that manner.
“You’ve not needed an escort for our previous meetings,” he said, continuing to speak to Cyn while ignoring the other fae. “Why did you bring your companion?” He walked closer, passing Adam until he was standing in front of the woman who had captivated him. “Scared?” He taunted and loved the anger that flared up in her eyes. Anger he could work with. But the cold indifference that she usually wore like a favorite cloak was infuriating to him.
“Hardly,” she replied through clenched teeth. “Though traveling in pairs is much safer.”
“And just who do you need to be kept safe from?”
“I’m not saying that I need to be kept safe from anything or anyone specifically.I only mean,that in general,it’s good to have a partner,” she told him, still attempting to keep from looking at him.
A throat cleared from behind him just before Adam spoke. “The council wants to know if you’ve changed your mind. Are you willing to make your warriors available to us?”
Thalion knew what his answer was, but he also knew that if he gave his answer Cyn would leave. He wasn’t ready to let her go. He turned his body slightly so that he could look at Adam. “I will give my answer to Cyn.” He paused. “In private. She may accompany me inside the castle. You will wait here.”
Thalion glanced at Cyn’s face, which was as blank as ever, and grabbed her hand. As soon as he took a step toward the gate, Adam stepped in front of him. Challenge rose in his eyes and his hands hung loosely at his sides, ready to move in an instant if the need arose.
“With all due respect, Prince Thalion, I must insist that I accompany my partner,” Adam told him.
Thalion had to respect the fae for attempting to stand before a prince and give orders, especially a prince surrounded by elven warriors, with his back against his own castle.Brave, or perhaps simply stupid.Under normal circumstances, allowing a fae access to his castle wasn’t really a matter of great concern. But he wasn’t sure of Adam’s intentions toward Cyn, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t just a bit jealous.
“Adam.” Cyn’s voice interrupted before Thalion could retort. “It’s fine. I will be back.”
“Do not attempt to flash,” Thalion told him. “We are in my realm. The magic here bends to my will and mine alone. I could have prevented your entrance at the border to my realm had I been so inclined. Likewise, you will not leave until I am ready for you to go.”
Adam didn’t look too happy about Thalion’s words, but the prince did not care about the fae’s happiness.
He pressed forward, causing Adam to have to jump out of the way or be trampled. Thalion continued to hold Cyn’s hand even after they’d entered the castle. He led her to his study, closing the doors behind them.
“What the hell was that about?” Cyn snapped.
Thalion turned to her, a ridiculous grin on his face. “Finally,” he said, stepping close to her. “Finally, I get some emotion. Is anger the only reaction I can elicit from you?”
“Why do you care about my feelings?” she asked him, her voice still tight with fury.
Thalion lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. He brushed a thumb across her cheek, just a whisper of a touch. He allowed his eyes to roam over her lovely face, taking in all of the features that made her uniquely her. Her warm breath caressed his face and he closed his eyes, briefly reveling in being so close to her.
“What are you doing?” Cyn whispered.
He opened his eyes as his other hand grasped her waist and pulled her closer. “Touching you,” he answered, his voice just as soft as hers had been.
“You sho—” She began but stopped when his thumb ran across her full lips. “You shouldn’t,” she eventually continued.
“Shouldn’t what?” he asked, purposely being obtuse.
“You shouldn’t…” Her words stopped as a gasp escaped her. Thalion had moved his hand on her waist so he could wrap his arm around her. Then he gathered her hair around his fist and tugged the long locks, forcing her to tilt her head back.
“Thalion,” Cyn said breathlessly.
