“Yes, I know.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Here was my chance to confront him. Nothing was holding me back now. “If we're hurling insults, how about this one? Traitor.”
Geris sat up straight. “What the fuck did you just call me?”
“You heard me. And I heard you that day Rian sent you away from his estate.”
“You heard me say what?”
“That all your work might be for nothing. I know you released the beetles in Riscavik?”
Geris looked horrified. “You think I released the beetles? I'm the one who has fought the hardest to clear that infestation.”
“Yes, so you could get close to Rian again.”
“Holy fuck, you are one seriously deluded asshole,” Geris whispered. Then he growled, “I'm not Rianvar's mate. As soon as that was made clear, I cut all romantic ties with him. I left Rianvar.”
“What?” I went still.
“If you don't believe me, ask him. Oh, wait,” he drawled. “You can't because you ran away from him seconds after the mating bond settled. Like a fucking asshole.”
“So, it wasn't you?”
Geris made an irritated sound. “Sebastian brought your trap to Riscavik and cleared out the infestation. When he did, he found the origin. The first tree infected. It was just outside a wild apple orchard. The sweeter trees attracted the beetles, but by the time the orchard was destroyed, winter had hit. The beetles moved to the nearest trees instead of flying away.”
“Because such delicate wings can freeze in cold weather,” I murmured.
“Yes.” He grimaced. “Well done on the trap, by the way. It worked. The forest is saved.”
“Fuck. I'm sorry I accused you of being a traitor.”
Geris just shrugged and sat back.
I let out a huff of breath. “Why has Rian sent you, Geris? Why hasn't he just come himself?”
“Good questions. Why don't you think about them, Inventor? You're so damn smart. Why would a freshly mated Dragon not follow his wayward mate? Why wouldn't he hunt that motherfucker down and bring his dumb ass back to where he belonged? What could stop him from following his instincts—instincts that few Dragons are strong enough to resist?”
A trembling ran through me. This wasn't good. And yet, I couldn't process anything, couldn't put it all together. All I could think was, “He's not dead. I'd know if he were dead.”
“Yes, you would,” Geris growled. “And King Rianvar didn't send me. He'd probably be furious if he knew I was here. But he's not aware of much these days. The King is not in full possession of his mind.”
“What does that mean?” I whispered.
“Here you go, Geris,” Alice said as she set a pastry down before him. Then she poured some coffee into his mug. “The rest will be out soon.”
“Thank you, Alice,” Geris said.
I was grateful for that since I couldn't speak.
After she left, I stared at Geris for a few moments. Then I finally asked, “What do you mean? Has Rian gone insane?”
“In a way.” Geris shook his head. “You truly thought you could just walk away from him? You're the insane one. A Dragon mating bond is eternal. He can't just pick another. And neither can you.”
“I'm doing all right here.”
“Are you?” He leaned forward again, this time he laid his forearms to either side of his plate and narrowed his stare at me. “Heard any screaming lately?”
I gaped at him. “How did—”
“It's him, you asshole,” he snarled.
