“Farrah,” Rysden says in warning.
“No,” she waves off his warning and leans forward, facing Rauk. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
He’s quiet a moment, and I prepare to jump in. “Don’t get too close to one?” he offers.
I’ve had enough. I stand up, shoving my chair back in one motion. But I’m beat out.Again. “There’s a war coming, Rauk,” Rysden says in a much calmer voice than I could have managed. “We want you and your people on our side for it.”
“No.”
“What?” Farrah asks even as shock rolls through me.
He gives her a look that is so demeaning, it makes my teeth grind together. “Should I repeat it, Sweetheart? No. Not helping.Not interested. Need me to keep going?”
And that has Rysden on his feet, but I speak before he can. “He just told you that a war is coming. Do you even care that people in this kingdom are being attacked? And it’s not nearly as bad as what’s happening in the Jaguar Kingdom. They’re being overrun by guivres! They need you and your people—”
“No.” His voice is like granite. “Now, is that all?”
I stare at him, too shocked to even form words. I’m normally pretty quick on my feet, but this...this is too much. I glance at Farrah, who looks like she’s been kicked. And Rysden—he's got that blank expression on his face, but I’m not fooled. Even Lox looks like he’s going to be sick. I lift my gaze to Rauk’s as anger burns through me. “You are the most stubborn, pompous, arrogant, cold-hearted—”
“You forgot powerful,” he interrupts.
I shake my head and keep my mouth shut, refusing to show any more emotion. He hasn’t even mentioned Redara or asked who’s bonded to her.He doesn’t care,the voice in my head that isn’t Redara’s...the one that’s solely mine...shouts at me. I push aside his rejection, just like I’ve pushed rejection away my entire life. This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with rejection, and it certainly won’t be the last. I turn to Rsyden, ignoring Rauk, as if he’s invisible. He may as well be; I won’t give him an ounce of my energy any longer. “It’s fine,” I say in a strong voice. “We’ll continue without him. I’ll keep training with Red and—” A low laugh behind me cuts me off and makes the hair on my arms stand up. “What?” I demand, forgetting my new plan to pretend he doesn’t exist.
“You’regoing to fight?” he asks, humor in his voice.
“Oh boy,” Lox mutters, but I barely hear him through the ringing in my ears.
I snatch my dagger from my side; it’s out of my hand before I can blink. It strikes the wall right next to his ear, nearly cutting his ear in the process. He doesn’t even blink. “Is that supposed to impress me?”
“No,” I tell him, not skipping a beat. “It’s supposed to get you to leave.”
“Gladly.” He walks from the room without acknowledging any of us. I watch him go and feel something deep in my chest, but I push it away.Of course, Farrah and Kinsley find men who would burn the world down for them, while I get the guy who would burn the world down with me in it.I almost smile at my joke.Almost.
“Are you okay?” Farrah asks tentatively.
“Peachy.”
She sighs and sits back against her chair. “Sorry,” I finally find it in myself to apologize. “That was a disaster.”
“It’s not your fault,” Rysden says, but we all know it is.
I push away from the table, suddenly feeling weary beyond all belief. “Where are you going?” Farrah asks.
“Home.”
“But you didn’t eat,” she points out.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Harper,” she starts, but I really need out. When I look back at her, Rysden has his arm around her waist. I don’t meet her eyes; I don’t want to see her disappointment or fear. The disappointment I think I could handle. The fear? Not so much. Ileave before I say or do something I’m going to regret. Anger burns through me as I walk back to my place. It's a long walk without a horse, but I need the release. But the longer I walk, the more my anger grows.Six months.We waited six months for him to come, only for him to refuse to help us. I feel so stupid. We should have just been making plans instead of waiting for someone to save us. By the time I get to the house, I’ve gone through a range of emotions. Now, I’m just tired and empty and ready for bed. I slow when I see the hulking outline of somebody on the front step. I look for the black dragon but don’t see it anywhere; I don’t see Redara either.
Where are you?I send to her.
With my mate.I wait for her to say more, but she doesn’t. I face the man blocking my way inside. “What are you doing?”
I can see the dark look he gives me because the moon is extra bright tonight. “He won’t let me leave.”
“Why?” He doesn’t answer, and I’m really past caring. I shrug. “Wish I could help.” I manage to maneuver my way around his big body and open the door.
