“You’re back.” Rylo’s wings flared slightly, as they often did when he was close to her.
Morgan filled the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his slender waist. He seemed to hold back for a moment, not sure if he wanted to reciprocate her hug, then he tugged her close to him and she felt the feather soft touch of his lips in her hair.
“I’m back, and I think I got you an army,” she whispered into his chest.
Rylo stepped back, taking her in. “You beautiful, witty woman. Of course you did.”
His mouth was on hers before she could reply. A sweet, welcoming kiss that made her want to melt into the heat of his mouth. Rylo pulled Morgan into his arms, carrying her over to the chair in the small library. As he walked, she kissed along his smooth jawline, twining her fingers into the soft curls of his golden hair.
He sat down, placing her in the seat opposite his.
“Tell me everything,” he said, crossing his legs as he gave her his full attention.
Morgan left nothing out as she told him about her experience in Orofine. What she learned of the Hunters and the discovered relic, that Savine needed time to deliberate, but he would release Selene with his decision. She shared that Selene wasn’t in danger, only being kept away from the others while Savine decided what he would do. The only two details she left out were that Savine hurt her when she first landed and that she shared about Elio’s death. She knew Savine and Rylo hated each other and she didn’t need to make things worse by sharing how Savine had reacted when he thought she’d been involved in her sister’s disappearance.
Rylo rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “I’ve rallied my warriors and the Towers have been preparing for siege. But perhaps if Savine brings his troops to the Wastewater, we can avoid a siege on the Towers. When will he arrive with his warriors?”
“He’ll give us his answer in a week.”
Rylo frowned. Was this going to be too late? “It will be close, getting his warriors to the Wastewater in time. What convinced him that you were telling the truth? Did he force the answers from you?”
Morgan’s stomach tightened with nerves. She was going to have to tell him about Elio. Everyone else already knew and it wouldn’t take long for word to reach Rylo.
“I guess I was very convincing.”
Rylo pursed his lips. “You’re keeping something from me, aren’t you, pet?”
Rylo
Rylo could almost taste Morgan’s lies in the air. She still wasn’t being honest with him about Elio’s death, and now he suspected she could be keeping a great many things from him. Storing and collecting secrets, spinning lies, and waiting to use her two remaining oaths against him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Morgan muttered, looking anywhere but his eyes.
“When we woke up in the Wastewater, you continued to refuse to tell me what happened to my friend. Now I must wonder what else you’re keeping from me. Did Savine actually kill Selene? How can you be so sure they will come to our aid?”
Morgan shook her head, but the look of concern on her face didn’t go away. “No, she's alive and coming back to Nephel. Savine privately told me that he’d allow her to deliver his decision. Apparently she’s really fast?”
Rylo let out a harsh laugh. “Savine has never had the stomach to take action when he had the opportunity to. That’s why he needed a human to defeat his father, and that’s why he’ll neverkill Selene or myself, despite how much he hates both of us. It’s also why he needs a week to commit to an alliance.”
“I think the only time he takes action is when Avery is threatened,” Morgan said, touching her throat. Despite the low lights of the library, Rylo could make out the healing scratches along her neck, the slight purple of bruising in thin lines along her delicate throat.
Rylo clenched his hands into fists as he stood. His essence poured out of him like pure sunshine, and Morgan covered her eyes, the light intense and powerful in his rage.
“How dare he use his essence against you? I’ll personally make him pay for every scratch and bruise on your body,” Rylo’s typically smooth voice was harsh with so much unrestrained emotion that it took him aback. He reached out and stroked the scratches on her throat. Unlike Savine, he was willing to take action, and he’d be sure to fulfill his pledge to make Savine pay.
He sat down, taking a steadying breath as Morgan’s shadows danced up and around him, blocking his shining light from her.
“I apologize,” he said, the honey returning to his voice. “I knew there was a risk that he could harm you, and I took that risk anyway for my nation. I shouldn’t have done that to you.”
Morgan didn’t look scared, despite his rage slipping out of him. Of course she wouldn’t be intimidated by seeing him when his essence burst forth from him.
“It’s okay. It was all a misunderstanding anyway.”
Rylo nodded. “I am still going to take it out of his flesh when he arrives.”
That made Morgan look nervous. “Please don’t. I don’t want you to end up fighting a two front war.”
No, there was no excuse for how Savine had treated her and he didn’t care if it hurt Savine’s ego when he harmed him. “He needs to learn that he does not have permission to harm what is mine.”
