Okay, yeah, he had me pegged there.
“I’m not sure that’s a good thing,” I muttered. “Only gotten me into trouble so far.”
“It’s everything,” Vyns whispered. And when I looked over at him, something in his brilliant blue eyes, so intent, made me feel so veryseen.
Whoa.
I didn’t know what to say.
Vyns continued, his voice soft. “My parents were of the upper-middle class in Elysial,” he said, tone a bit distant. “Even before the elves conquered our realm, the sylphim ruled. We seraphim were second class citizens: warriors, expendable. Although, those who distinguished themselves in battle against the nephilim might gain renown and fame, perhaps even ascend to a higher class, but they were never rulers. We were always… lesser… but that was just the way of things; everyone accepted it.”
I wasn’t sure why I needed this history lesson, but I listened, curious where this was going.
“When the elves came, they made the sylphim nobility, under the rule of an elven governor. Seraphim were third class now, though we could still gain status through martialexploits. My family has done just that over the centuries and was in good standing, but still not noble. But when I was chosen by Saldrea — because of my exploits in the war — my family’s standing increased dramatically. They’re now practically on par with the sylphim of Elysial.”
His voice grew taut, hard.
“My parents were so happy I was chosen, that my position elevated them as well. They didn’t care that Saldrea was known to be brutal and heartless. They happily overlooked that I was becoming a glorified bully. They’d always pushed me hard, their affection earned, not freely given, but it was on that day that I realized they’d never cared for me. I’d always been a pawn to them, born to increase their status.”
Fuck, that was messed up.
“They’re just playing the game, like everyone else, like I did.”
I couldn’t decide which was worse: not having parents or having parents who wanted to use you?
“I had integrity once, morals, pride. Not anymore. Saldrea’s wrung it all out of me and I’m… done. I can’t stand to live like that anymore.”
He looked at me, face a mask of pain and self-loathing. Yet those stunning blue eyes were filled with hope and something else… perhaps a desire for atonement. I may have been reading way too much into that look, but still… it made me want to hold him, comfort him.
Warning bells!
Red Flags waving!
Too much.
I looked away.
“Then I met you,” he whispered reverently. “So fearless and beautiful and…powerful.”
He made me sound like a superhero.
Heat filled me, flooding my face. No one had ever spoken about me likethatbefore. Sexy, sure. Determined, yeah. But… powerful?
It sparked something inside me, renewing my faith in myself that maybe Icouldmake a difference here. While at the same time, making me so very self-conscious.
“I instantly felt like I had to know you, had to understand you.” He sighed heavily. “I know now your fearlessness that first day came from a place of ignorance.” He hit the nail on the head with that one.
Some of that awkward confidence drain out of me.
“But still… I don’t know what it is about you, Izzy, but I feel like you could change everything, reform this entireworldif you wanted to.”
And I did want to, which meant, I was back to being completely and utterlyseenby this man.
Was he for real?
Did he mean that?
Was he saying all this just to get closer to me?
