Inhale. Exhale. A log of Cedric’s battle strategies. The false flight retreat. The molten veil–oh, how that man loved a sudden blaze of dragon fire. That and the dragon’s lure, where he’d draw his enemies farther and farther away from safety.
The gingerbread trail. Pair that with the border traps, and we had a recipe for disaster.
A sigh slipped out before I caught it.
“So frustrated,” Taron said, voice low. “Tell me why.”
“I’m not frustrated,” I denied. I wasn’t! I was…argh! I didn’t know what this was. “Maybe a little frustrated.”
He laughed deep in his throat, a rumble that vibrated straight through me, making every inch of me hum. “Baby, I know you and your moods. I’ve experienced them. So, when I tell you I recognize a whole lot of frustration, I recognize a whole lot of frustration. C’mon,” he invited, his grin maddeningly soft. “Tell me about it.”
All right. Why not? “I’m going over my father’s old battle strategies to predict what he might try against us next, and I keep circling back to the crumb trail in particular.His favorite to deploy no matter who he faces, often using deception to mislead his foes.” I began to massage my temples. “This whole situation stinks of rotting gingerbread.”
Taron folded his brawny arms over his chest, a muscle jumping along his jaw. “Let’s break it down. First breadcrumb. He and Lorik worked to ensure I acquired the Yrnblade and bonded with you.”
The smallest flicker of doubt surfaced. Only a flicker, and only for a heartbeat. After all, Taronhadbeen working with Lorik. Was he still?
I flattened my palms against the desktop. Nein, I’d come to trust Taron. More than a queen probably should, ja. More than my heart could probably take, but trust I did.
“Second breadcrumb,” I said with another sigh. “They tried to kill you so that I’d be forever crazed.”
He shrugged. “I can’t fault their logic. It’s a good plan.”
Despite myself, the corner of my mouth twitched. Such a dragonish attitude, being unaffected by a death threat.
“And yet…” he prompted.
My gut twisted. “And yet, what?”
“There’s something else you’re not telling me,” he said, voice softer, his amber gaze intent.
Baby, I know you.
Okay, maybe he did know me, because he wasn’t wrong. Maybe it was time to let my actions match my trust of him. “The border traps. Those conveniently discovered snares. The warnings issued. The challenge from Nyla and Rainer. All of that, yet our foes never truly endangered you.”
“I felt fairly endangered on our quest for the ingredients,” he replied with a dry undertone.
“But still you survived.” I pushed to my feet and began to pace the length of my office. “If Lorik has been hidingin my realm, why not attack us while we gathered those ingredients? While we were injured? I know he claimed to want us to grow feelings, but if the weapon created a bond, then the damage was already done. Which means…”
Understanding flickered over his face, dark and sharp. “The goal was never to kill me.” He canted his head. “Perhaps the goal was to killyou,Olyssa. No, that doesn’t work either.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Let’s break this down, too. Piece by piece.”
“Okay. Lorik and my father bragged about their plan to kill you. The reason? Once you’re dead, the bond will sever, and I’ll go, well, berserk. But you’re alive and healthy, despite ample opportunities to end you. Neither attacked me. So all of their taunts were nothing more than bait?”
“Or the perfect misdirection.”
I nodded slowly, feeling a puzzle piece shift into place. “What if they purposely steered me in the opposite direction of their true desire? But that would mean they want the opposite of what they claim. Both of us alive, our bond unbroken. Which also makes no sense.”
“Or maybe we’re trying to think of any excuse not to drink the tonic, so we can remain bonded.” A quiet statement before Taron crossed the room, clasped my hand to stop my pacing and drew me close. “That you trust me enough to discuss life and death matters suggests you’re having as much trouble coming to grips with thoughts of parting as I am.”
Sighing, I rested my head on his shoulder. “Most people say thank you.”
“We’ve established I’m not most people.” He stroked his fingers along my spine. “Burn me, Lyssa.”
I didn’t bother looking up. “Nein.”
“Yes. Ja. However you want to word it, just agree with me.”
“Why are you so eager to risk your life?” I demanded, glaring at him now. “And don’t tell me it’s because of desire. That’s not enough.” Not even love was enough.
