I don’t hear what Jax replies because they close the door and I’m alone. The silence is ringing in my ears. I look around the room. The walls are bare white stucco. Not a single painting, or a picture. I suppose the view through the windows is picturesque enough.
For a little while, I pace around the room. My mind runs a thousand miles an hour, and the longer I’m alone with my thoughts, the worse it gets. I’m about to die, and I have no clue what to do about it.
I have killed plenty in my short life. Yet, I know in my heart I don’t have it in me to slay a dragon. Even if my life’s at stake.
I stop pacing and close my eyes. This is not helping. Overthinking only feeds the anxiety. Suddenly, I wish Kazh was here with me. While a torture, training with her has become my safe space.
That’s it.
I know what to do.
The glass door leading to the side yard is not locked and slides open with ease. Cool air tickles my bare face, and a chillgoes right through me. Ekios is much colder than what I’m used to in Wetra. I can only hope the summer will be warmer.
Behind the fountain, surrounded by wildflowers, is a flat rock. That’s where I settle for my meditation. I fold my legs underneath me neatly and place my palms on my knees. The first inhale is driven by anxiety, but the second one is much calmer.
It takes me a couple of minutes to clear my mind completely. The cool air starts to feel nice, a great anchor to reality so I don’t get accidentally lost within my mind.
Somewhere far away, the birds chirp. It’s a joyous sound, and there are so many of them. An image of a large tree, branches full of birds, forms behind my eyes. My chest swells with warmth.
A gentle breeze caresses my cheeks, and with each breath I take, my whole body fills with fresh mountain air. I can feel it energizing me from within. The beautiful sound of birds is accompanied by the rustling leaves of trees somewhere in the distance. It’s a symphony of peace and quiet.
Somewhere on my left, a tiny branch snaps. My eyes fly open and my whole body gets ready to fight.
A pair of dark brown eyes meets mine. A tiny smirk curls his sensuous mouth and it tickles something low in my belly.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I whisper-yell, looking around the garden.
“What a kind welcome,” Daegel says. “And here I thought you’d be excited to see me.”
I roll my eyes. “You’ve been acting like a stubborn asshole for the past few weeks. Why should I? Besides, this is dangerous. Vera can see us easily here.”
I unfold my legs and slide off the stone with grace. He pulls out a wicker basket from behind his back.
“I thought you might want to join me on a picnic for lunch. The weather is rather nice today.”
I don’t say anything. He sighs. “I’m sorry for acting like an asshole at the Starless Night.” When I don’t answer, he adds, “And before that.”
He looks at me, and pouts. It’s annoying how impossible it is for me to resist him.
“Alright,” I say. I glance behind him at the door leading to my room. Vera and Jax are still not back. “I’ll eat with you. We have things to discuss, anyway.”
His eyes sparkle. “Oh? I’m looking forward to that.”
I jerk my chin at him. “Lead the way.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
PHOENIX
Daegel takes me to the forest behind the monastery. Until we disappear between the trees, I keep looking around to make sure nobody sees us. After that conversation with Jax, I want to be extra careful.
The forest here is dense and lush. So much life rustles in the bushes on each side of the little narrow path we take leading downward, and above our heads. I want to pause and really take in every moment it. But that feels too intimate, so I follow Daegel in silence.
A few minutes into our walk, a voice at the back of my mind screams for me to turn around. I’m alone, in the middle of the forest with my enemy. What if he’s taking me here so he can kill me before the trial? What if the food in the picnic basket is poisoned?
I roll my shoulders and push those thoughts away. For the love of the gods. Has my mind gone completely insane? It’s Daegel. The man I love. The man who said he won’t stop at anything to protect me.
“How far are we going?”
