“Your brother need never know. I need go only to the border on the Pamarna Ridge. From there we will be able to see thewhole valley and the source of the Vaal. We will travel simply, without the trappings of state. Just you and me…”
I find I am not so opposed to this plan.
“...and Noreth and a few servants.”
“Noreth!” I leap to my feet, nearly knocking over my chair behind me. “Why would we take him?”
“Because until I see with my own eyes, I have not chosen. And if I have not chosen, the competition continues until I say it is over.”
I ball my hands into fists, but I see her logic. She wants something to hold over me until she is sure I am not being underhanded. I knew she would be angry, I just did not foresee her outwitting me. Still, I have nothing to hide. I might be taking advantage of the situation, but I have as much power to cause a drought as I have to hold back the night.
I sigh. “Very well. Let us make plans and be gone so we can return all the sooner. I doubt any of us will enjoy this bride moon, rhkash. I shall give you another one after we are wed.”
Yalina
I dismiss the council with a few curt words. Inside I’m fuming but trying not to let it show. I’m afraid I’m doing a terrible job.
Aurelion leaves, promising to prepare everything for our trip, and I let him. I need a moment alone with Kaelun to reassure him. But as soon as my advisors begin filing out of the council chamber, Vahn lingers. “Light of the Sun, I beg you to reconsider,” he says, keeping his tone low.
I’m distracted, looking over his shoulder at where Kaelun is disappearing down the corridor. I have no wish to be lectured to. “I have made my decision.”
I’m about to step around him when Vos weighs in. “Shall I prepare a royal guard to accompany you, Light of the Sun?”
I frown. I did not think I made my intentions unclear. “I will be traveling with discretion,” I tell her. A royal guard will only draw attention.”
I can see her open her mouth to protest, but thankfully Harmer steps in. “Solha Yalina is wise,” he says carefully. “The Tarquenorian king will not look favorably on any Vathiran party traveling near the dam. Aurelion is right. A royal guard will not be enough to keep our solha safe if the king decides to view this as an incursion on their territory. It would take an army.”
“Exactly. I will be traveling with two highly capable fighters. I think we all saw that during the duel. Gods know they did enough damage to each other.”
“But can you trust the dragon?” Vos says skeptically.
“Can you trust Prince Noreth?” Interjects Vahn.
The two of them glare at each other.
I sigh.
“I think it would be wise to trust no one fully,” says Harmer. “And wise to take both of them. Have faith in your instincts, Light of the Sun.”
“Thank you. Now if you wish to remain and argue among yourselves, I will not stop you, but I have a trip to prepare for.”
I step around Vahn, who is still standing in the doorway, and march down the corridor toward Kaelun’s suite before anyone can stop me.
I was hoping to catch up with him on the way, but I see no trace of him in the corridors. I guess he moved faster than I thought. I hope he is not angry. If it were me, I would be feeling pretty hurt right now.
As I get close to his door I hear raised voices, and it makes me pause.
“I gave you my word.” Kaelun says in a heated tone.
I lean closer, wondering who he could be arguing with.
“You’re a fool or a liar. You would never give her up for me.” I recognize Jah’ruud’s deep gruff voice and my heart speeds up at his words. Give her up? Are they talking about me? I need to hear more.
To my shame, my curiosity gets the better of me, and I grasp the handle, turning it and softly pushing the door open a crack. What I see wakes an inexplicable hunger low in my belly.
Kaelun is pressed with his back against the far wall. Jah’ruud stands over him with his hand on the shorter male’s throat. The dynamic between them is intensely and unmistakably sexual. But how can that be? I thought Kaelun was in love with me.
“Does it have to be like that?” Kaelun runs his hand down Jah’ruud’s belly and cups his member through his trousers. Jah’ruud growls, pushing forward into his grip.
