“Yeah, he’s acting weird. Listen, you don’t believe me, but he has never been nasty to us.”
“So all he had to do was look at me and his personality changed? All the more reason to believe he hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you.”
“Of course he does. Open your eyes and stop giving me bad advice. A man who treats me like that won’t change. Always hot and cold. Saving me, then snapping at me. Holding me and then insulting me. You tell me. Unless he has two souls like thelegendary dragon summoner Jaien, the one who wedded the sea dragon maiden Aethre centuries ago, he isn’t worth my time.”
“Aline… he isn’t like that.”
“Believe what you want.”
“He’s not two-souled like the mythical Jaien,” she says. “And he has always been calm and kind.”
Silence spreads.
“You know…” I whisper. “I heard that Jaien and Aethre are still alive. Immortals. They have retreated from the world. Few people have seen them since the war that brought down the fae.”
“That sounds like a good ending to a life ravaged by war and death. Peace and quiet. Two soulmates living their days in love.”
Yeah.Who wouldn’t want an ending such as that? But I won’t find it with Roane, that’s for sure.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
SAY PLEASE
ADELINE
Pulling the double doors open takes some effort, even with Ardruna helping me, standing on her hind legs and gripping the handle with her teeth. Finally, they swing inwardly just enough to let us pass, the hinges making no sound.
The doors fall shut behind us as I step outside. Quelling the shiver of fear traveling down my spine, I stand at the top of the wide staircase, gazing down at the city… without Roane by my side.
You got used to him protecting you every step of the way,I chide myself.You’ve always run about alone before, working, and yes, stealing. Eiras was always away and your parents were at home, unable to help. You were used to relying on yourself.
Time to go back to that. Self-reliance is a beautiful thing.
Even in a world full of monsters?
It’s like the countryside in my world. Instead of dragons, you have griffins. Instead of dark fae, you have goblins. The snakes here may be prettier. I haven’t seen anything worse.
Yet.
“It’s not too late to turn back,” Ardruna says. “Just for now, until Roane sorts out whatever has been stressing him and?—”
“I’m not completely useless,” I tell her. “Forget how I’ve been these past few days, weak and tired without food or water, running for my life. Brogan, my father, has taken me with him out of town on occasion. Taught me how to protect myself from snakes and lesser fae.”
“My mistake.” Ardruna huffs. “You’re clearly a veteran warrior, ready to face the horrors.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Well, good, because overconfidence can get you killed. Roane should be the one teaching you this, not me.”
“That won’t happen.” I swallow down disappointment and anger. “He doesn’t want me around.”
“I’m sure he woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. So to say.”
But that’s the thing. He had seemed bright as daylight when I’d woken up. Happy. Interested. That smile… The hunger in his gaze…
And I’d responded to it like an idiot.
