She jumped at the sight of him.
“Sweet Arbina, Venari,” she breathed, grasping at her chest. “Can you not do that?”
“Do what?” he asked as he continued to look at her horse’s injured hoof.
She willed her breaths to even, and glared in his direction. “That thing you do, sneaking up on people.”
He shrugged and met her gaze. “It’s really not my fault you don’t listen properly.”
Her jaw tightened just as his men backed up a cart next to the horse. Aydra reached out and stroked her horse, telling her it was okay. The men loaded her up gently, and Aydra felt a swell of gratitude for them.
Draven brushed his hands on his pants after and then reached a hand down to her. “Come along, Sun Queen. The darker ones will be out soon. We should get a move on.”
She swatted his hand away, and the Ulfram rose from her lap. “I can get up my self,” she spat. She pushed off the ground, ignoring the searing pain in her ankles, and then—
—fell straight into Draven’s arms.
He swooped her off her feet and into his arms before she could protest.
“Put me down, Venari!”she argued.
He rolled his eyes as he crossed the space to his great black horse. “Shut up before I shut you up,” he growled.
Her jaw clenched, and she winced at the pain now clamoring through her. He clicked his tongue twice, and the horse kneeled so he could place her on the saddle.
If she hadn’t been so angry, she would have been impressed.
The horse’s aubergine eyes radiated into her own, and she placed a hand on its neck.
What is your name?she asked it.
The horse’s weight fidgeted and it whinnied once.You hear me?it asked.
I do.
Faryn, it answered.
Draven was staring at her with a narrowed gaze when she started to respond to Faryn. She straightened and the horse rose to its feet again. Draven grabbed the back of the saddle and hoisted himself onto the beast behind her.
“What are you—If you think I want you anywhere near me after the musings of the last council meeting—”
“If I am not mistaken,” he cut her off, “It was you who came to me, and you who smokedmyherb.”
Her jaw tensed.
A slow smile rose on his lips, and she heard him chuckle under his breath. “You and the prince are one in the same. Never one to turn down the release of your own reality.”
“You’ve smoked with Dorian?” she frowned.
“It’s not a matter you should bother yourself with.”
“Dorian is my younger brother. It is my business.”
“Funny how you Promised children call each other brothers and sisters when you’ve literally no more blood relation than any other two Lesser beings born of the Sun. Tell me, queen, how many of your previous so-called brothers and sisters have fucked one another as you do the Dreamer you like so much?”
Her heart constricted. If she could have slapped him, she would have, but her only choice was to elbow his stomach hard behind her. He grunted in response, and she heard his breath catch.
“What the Promised have done before me is none of your concern, nor is it any of my own business,” she hissed. “And as for who I choose to share a bed with—”
