He strode over to the crow, and they made eye contact. “I told him to remain in the stable with Glim. I promise he’ll be safe.”
“Alright,” I sighed, and he opened the window, letting the bird fly free.
After leaving it cracked for Drask’s return, Vexxion came over and took my hand. I let him lead me to a sofa where we sat side-by-side, our thighs brushing together. We stared at the fire crackling merrily in the fireplace. How could something seem so normal when the world around me was snarling itself into a knot?
My eyes stung with tears again. Back in the king’s living area, I’d struggled to hold them back, because I knew if Vexxion saw them, he’d endanger himself just to have the chance to wipe them away. To kiss them away if I let him.
Now, they flowed. Oh, how they flowed.
He’s also not draining the power of any Nullen brought to Bledmire Court after the Claiming, I said.Is he?
No, he’s not,Vexxion bit out.
Even in this, he’d tried to protect me, withholding the information that could redeem him in my eyes.
Except . . .he said.I’m sorry.
He spoke of Brodine and Reyla. Probably others through the years.
How long have you been letting him take your power instead of theirs?I asked. This was why my friends were drained when others hadn’t been. He wasn’t here to step between them and the king.
From the moment I discovered I could do it.
How old were you?
Ten. I wish I’d learned how to do it sooner.
What, when he was five?You were a child.
Not any longer.
That cratered my heart.This is why you stagger whenever you flit or do anything that takes considerable power. The king has been leaching energy from you for most of your life.
Yes. It’s . . . tiring.
A throb echoed through my chest, a silent keen for the wounds he stoically took to protect others.
How many of the Nullens taken from villages have you saved?I asked.
As many as I could. I’m sorry.He sucked in a breath and released it in a long, heartfelt sigh.I make sure they’re returned to their homes, but I miss some. I wish I could protect everyone. Most are brought here immediately after they’re stolen. The Lieges hold a few back for themselves.
Those are the ones we free from cages.
Yes.
You can’t be everyone’s shield,I barked, though I wasn’t angry with him. I was scorning myself for doubting him for even onemoment when all this time . . . All this time, he hadn’t been the villain I made him out to be in my mind.
“Can’t I?”
I turned to face him, my rage with the king gnawing at my bones. “Why didn’t you tell me before we went to the king’s suite?”
His lips curled up on one side as he placed his fingertip on his lips. He removed it and placed it on my mouth, watching my face. My eyes. My very soul as he traced it across my lips in a bitter caress.
Already, sorrow lurked in his sapphire eyes. He expected me to reel back, to scorn him for touching me even this simply.
My hand snapped up to hold his in place, and I spread his fingers and kissed each tip, then his palm.
His gaze locked on mine, and his groan slipped out. With a hint of hesitancy revealed on his face, he took my hands and squeezed them before he gently lifted me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around me.
