“The fae folk cannot lie, love.”
It was Yavi’s smile that kept him from telling the truth. If he were to reveal the Seer’s words, it would frighten her as much as it did him.
“Aye, but they have a knack for telling half-truths,” he said. “Never trust the fae. They will no sooner ensorcell you to dance forever on Faery Hill than to help you.”
“Well, it’s a good thing the fae live in Arthal, is it not? They are a thousand leagues from here.”
It was a mild comfort. The fae courts resided in Arthal, but some fae roamed Urn. Not the Seer, though. She was confined to her eerie cave. Those seeking to know their future went to her.
“And now Tarn’s divination is coming to pass,” Yavi said excitedly. “Come, tell it again.”
“I have repeated it to you many times already. You have it memorized by now. I must return.”
“Not yet. I want to hear you say it.” Yavi’s fingers slid up his coat, undoing the buttons one by one. She slipped her hands beneath his shirt, and he inhaled a breath as they inched over the ridges of his stomach to his chest. She kissed the corner of his mouth and her soft lips moved across his jaw to his ear. The sensation sent a spark of heat through him.
“Hmm… it’s not fair to use your wiles, woman.” He gripped her hips, reminding himself he had work to do, but they had so little time together. Every minute was more precious than gold. He couldn’t bring himself to go—or stop. His hands continued roaming down her back.
“Von, tell me,” she murmured.
He tugged the sleeve of her dress down her shoulder, running his nose along her collarbone, whispering against her skin: “’Seek the Maiden with emeralds for sight and tresses of fire. For she holds the key to the Unending thou desires. Beware the Guardians who come to shield her from thee. She will be protected by one of divine blood and a dweller of the moon howling to break free. Thus, follows a warrior bestowing his vow, and a sorceress grants her sorcery. A familiar face vies for vengeance, and a creature with the strength of ten eradicates the forgery. Great peril in the venture thou art pursuing. Be not swayed by love, lest it be thy undoing.’”
“’Be not swayed bylove,lest it be thy undoing,’” Yavi’s voice spiked when Von kissed the pulse on her neck. “There is a possibility he will fail.”
“The lass won’t entice him.”
“The foretelling didn’t say it would be the Maiden who he loves. It could be anyone, even a man.”
Von laughed at the ridiculousness of it.
“It’s possible. I have never seen him with a woman.”
His laughter died away. “Tarn has not touched a woman since we left Troll Bridge. He lost his love-mate in the Horde of trolls that overran our old town.”
“Oh … You’ve not once told me he had someone.”
“It was a long time ago, and he was a different man then. We both were.”
“Azure Knights, hailed from Old Tanzanite Keep, sworn to protect the land of Azurite for your Liege Lord.” Yavi smiled at him with admiration.
Von thought of Lord Morken and his cold demeanor that Tarn inherited. He had served the Earl of Old Tanzanite Keep when they once lived in the northern end of the kingdom. That was before the Azure King gave him peerage of the isthmus. There everything changed.
“We are knights no more. Tarn cares nothing for honor, nor fealty, and certainly not for love. To him, it’s a weakness. More so since he’s been warned by the Seer. His only goal is the Unending. He will never let himself be swayed.”
Yavi dropped her head against his chest. “Then will we never escape him?”
Von lifted her chin. “You have my word. I’ll free you from his chains. I swear it.”
Even if it meant letting her go and never seeing her again. Whatever it may cost him, he would return the freedom that was stolen from her. It would be the last and only priceless gift he could give.
Yavi rose on one arm and leaned over him. The silken tresses of her hair curtained around them, brushing on his face. She smelled of wildflowers and fresh air after rainfall. He wished he could encase it somehow. To take it with him wherever he went so he wouldn’t forget it.
For all of her hopes and dreams, he knew he could only save one of them. He’d have to stay behind so she could escape. The hourglass of their time together had been turned over. Tiny grains of moments like these spilled toward the day he would have to say farewell.
Yavi held his gaze as she stripped away his coat, letting it drop to the ground. The bandolier went next. He lifted his arms as she pulled off his tunic. Desire burned in the liquid hazel of her eyes. Her gaze dragged across his abdomen, to his chest, full of need and wicked intent.
Duty could wait a while longer.
He pulled the laces of her bodice loose until the dress slipped off in a pool of fabric, leaving her bare and perfect for him. The sight lit everything within him ablaze. No matter how many times he had her, it wasn’t enough. It could never be enough.
