Bleeding skies! She didn’t deny it!
Jealousy welled inside me. I’d always heard tales of fae sensing their mate in an instant. I’d believed that was what would happen to me too. While I’d been attracted to Nevefrom the first moment I’d set eyes on her, the day when she’d stepped out of Roar’s sleigh and quite literally stopped me in my tracks, I hadn’t innately recognized her as my mate. In truth, I suspected our scenario was more common, and the fantasy, that deep instant knowing written about in tales, was rare. Exceptional. And it happened to be playing out right before my eyes.
Not smoothly, though.I winced.
If looks could kill, Thyra would have murdered Thantrel a million times over by now.
Thyra took a step toward Thantrel, her leanly muscled arms flexing, her body unyielding. Every line in her body indicated malice.
“You need to leave Valrun.” Thyra punched her finger into Thantrel’s chest.
He pressed a hand to where she’d made contact.
“Leave?Together?”
“Bleeding skies, it’s bad enough that the dead gods gave me a mate with the hubris to line his eyes and plait his hair.”
She waved near Thantrel’s face, his green eyes lined with gold by the same nymph who colored Saga’s hair. Most females were intrigued by his appearance. Thyra was plainly not one of those admirers.
“But to also send me a stupid male to bind myself with?” The rebel leader sneered. “No, we’re not leaving together! I can’t think straight with you here! And I have no time for a mate. Go back to Avaldenn, or wherever you came from, you prissy lordling!”
A cough came from behind the Falk heiress. The malewith brown skin and honey eyes that brought to mind Sian and Filip, stepped closer to Thyra. He must be the Balik bastard Neve told me about. One of Thyra’s right-hand fae.
“Thyra,” the probable Balik bastard said, “he can’t leave.”
She spun. “I’m in charge here, correct, Bac?”
“Yes,but what if his family asks questions? Or the king? He knows this is the rebel hideout. He?—”
“Thantrel Riis,” Than bowed low and with a flamboyant wave of his hand. “Son of the Lord of Tongues, Lord Leyv Riis.”
“By the dead gods, it cannot get worse than thespymaster’s son.” Bac shook his head. “Now hereallycan’t leave Valrun. Not until we’re sure they all side with us.”
Thyra tossed up her hands. “My bleeding luck!” Venom filled her glare as she turned on Thantrel. “I reject our bond, Thantrel Riis. Now, the rest of you, move out of my way!”
They did so, and Thyra marched past those she’d arrived with and straight out the door.
“By the dead gods,” Luccan breathed. “I can’t believe that happened.”
“My sisteris his mate,” Neve scoffed.
I swallowed, taking in Than’s expression. With his hand over his heart, and his eyes screwed shut, he seemed to be in physical pain after being rejected by his mate. “And she wants nothing to do with him.”
Chapter 28
NEVE
Ileaned back in the threadbare chair, stretching my boots toward the blazing hearth to warm my cold toes. Our mission to show Thyra our skills had failed spectacularly. After encountering Thantrel, she’d never returned to the training area. Still, I didn’t count the day as a total loss.
Manywatchedus spar. Some tried to mimic Vale and Luccan. Mimicry was flattery, and I was certain the rebels would talk of what they saw.
Gossip would find Thyra’s ears. Even if she was avoiding us. Avoidinghim.I swallowed as I looked across the sitting area at Thantrel.
Others read and relaxed as we waited for dinner, but Thantrel stared at the fire burning in the hearth with forlorn olive-green eyes. After Thyra rejected their bond, he hadn’t trained with the rest of us but requested to be returned to the annex. Anna told me he’d been like this since. Sullen, often with tears in his eyes.
I supposed I would be much the same. I suspected that he’d felt his mating bond thrumming in his chest since our arrival at Valrun Castle. He’d been acting so off that there was no other explanation. Their bond had not yet snapped into place, and Thyra had rejected him. Harshly so. From what little I knew of my sister; I had every reason to believe that she would not budge in that rejection.
Thantrel would be doomed to a life of agony, knowing his mate existed, knowing her and being able to see her, but never having her. Never feeling complete as I did. As Vale did.
