19
It’s half a day’s travel to the arena from Glory land so everyone else left this morning, but Grayson transports me there instantly so there’s no risk that we’ll be intercepted on the way. He steadies me until the dizzying blur stops and I can focus again.
The arena hasn’t changed since the last time I was here: a dais at one end and seating in the upper balconies—empty this time. About forty elves, male and female, are drinking at the tables lining the edges while others dance to the string quartet playing on the dais. The arena is decorated like a fairytale with golden lanterns and flickering candlelight. Everything sparkles.
A dancing couple sways past as I edge out of Grayson’s grip. The female’s eyes meet mine for a second, but I recognize her:Reisha!
I quickly scan the faces of the other females around me, recognizing each member of my Storm Command. They all wear long-sleeved dresses but when they move, their sleeves ride up and their wrists appear, revealing raw skin and bruises from shackles. Their eyes are dark-ringed, their hair lank, and makeup doesn’t quite cover the bruises on their necks and faces. They paste smiles on their faces as they dance and pretend to drink. They need food more than alcohol judging by their thin frames. Each of them has a male partner who is clearly military. Just as I feared, my ladies are not so fine after all.
Grayson leans into me. “I hope you can see that there’s a lot at stake if Baelen tries anything today.”
I spin to him, pushing back against his shoulders. “Let them go, Grayson. They don’t deserve this.”
He is deadpan. “I can’t.”
“Please!”
He pauses. “I will letoneof them go if you kiss me right now.”
“Reisha,” I say without hesitation. “Promise me you’ll send her back with Baelen.”
“I promise.” He gives me a slow smile. “But you’d better move fast because your window of opportunity is closing.”
I don’t question his motives. Reisha’s life is in my hands. If I can free her and get her out of this hell, it’s worth any humiliation. I step into the circle of his arms and draw his face down to mine, determined to make it the briefest kiss in the history of Erawind. I prepare myself for the overwhelming scent and taste of Baelen and the dizzying impact that it will have on my body. What I’m not prepared for is that Grayson stops me in that position before our lips can meet. One of his hands sweeps into my hair to cradle the back of my head and control my movement. His other arm curls around my waist to draw our hips together while halting our mouths a mere breath apart.
He whispers, “One day, you will kiss me because you want to. But for now, you’ve done enough.”
He withdraws, taking a deep breath. Then the mask falls over his feelings again. His emotional shield is perfect and flawless and I know that the person he was yesterday when he told me he was sorry about Elise—that person is gone.
The emotionless Grayson is the one to be feared.
He says, “You have perfect timing.”
A hush has fallen over the room.
I look up, knowing what I’ll see, prepared for how it will break my heart.
Baelen is frozen in the doorway, shock radiating out from him in waves. Every muscle in his body is bunched, ready for attack. Lightning curls around his fists, torso, and face, accentuating the cut of his jaw and the bristles growing there. He’s growing another beard and it makes me want to cry.
Don’t break, Baelen. Please don’t break.
His presence is like an explosion inside of me. I can’t dim my feelings no matter how much I try. Everything inside of me wants to run to him. A burning glow at the corner of my eye tells me that Baelen’s presence and my response to him is having a major impact on the Rath Heartstone; so much that Grayson winces with pain. He rolls his shoulders, trying to shake it off. He reaches for me without seeming to realize it, pulling me tight into his side. He might use the heartstones to control me, but I’m certain that at this moment in time, the Rath stone is controlling him. He wants me in his arms as badly as Baelen does.
A quick glance around the room tells me that my ladies are in mortal danger, many with daggers held at their backs. Their determined expressions tell me that despite their exhaustion, they want to fight back. But we all know that Grayson controls this situation and things could go bad very quickly.
Baelen is watching me closely enough to follow my gaze. As the situation becomes apparent to him, he relaxes. He knows I can’t make any choices for myself right now. It makes my heart break even more knowing how much he trusts me. His lightning dims but it must be taking every bit of his self-control not to tear Grayson apart.
Whatever happens, I can’t let Baelen touch Grayson or Baelen will die.
Baelen steps to the side, revealing the gargoyle with him. Indira glides into the light. I’d expected to see Llion or Roar, maybe even Senturi, but I’m glad it’s her. A Grievous gargoyle is exactly what is needed on this mission, especially a ferocious female like Indira.
Like Baelen, Indira wears light armor and a smattering of weapons. Her gorgeous wings catch the light as she crosses the distance ahead of Baelen, a strikingly confident form who catches the eye of every male in the room. She is even more beautiful than the last time I saw her, the glow in her cheeks reminding me that she’s pregnant.
Even Grayson is transfixed. “Who is that?”
I reply, “Her name is Grievous Indira. She is one of the most fearsome females I’ve ever fought.” Then I decide to drop a little bombshell. “She was Howl’s sister.”
He is visibly taken back. “But she fights with you now?”
