‘A threat that would be a million times worse with a dead king on our hands,’ Asher added as Pablo continued snarling at Ifan, his amber eyes never once leaving the prince.
‘Do you think I’d intentionally hurt my brother? My king?’ Ifan’s face flushed, spittle flying from his mouth.
‘You don’t need to do this, Matthias.’ I stepped towards him, turning so my stronger eye searched his features.
The shadows under his eyes were almost bruises. His mussed hair needed a good cut, and my heart split at the thought of how desperate he was – desperate enough to risk his life.
‘What else can I do, Sorrow?’ His eyes widened, as though this were the only sliver of hope available. ‘I have people to protect. You. My family. My subjects. It’s not the risk you?—’
‘Of course it’s a fucking risk, man.’ Asher grabbed Matthias by his shirt, and for a moment I worried there’d be raised fists. ‘He’s barely had it on his skin for a year. How do you know he won’t be dead in another year? Another month?’
‘It’s my only chance, Rossing. What else?—’
I grabbed Matthias’s face with my hands, turning his head so he could see only me.
‘I’ve found one.’
His brows pinched together.
‘I’ve found a potential site. And it’s here, Matthias. In Asmar.’
The three men held their breaths as the weight of the news settled. The only sound, Pablo’s constant growl.
‘A mine?’ A weak smile played on the corner of his mouth.
I nodded, realising my hands still cradled his stubbled jaw. I ran my thumb across his cheek. He closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. Stepping closer, he placed his hands on my waist, the gentle pressure lighting me up.
‘Skye noticed I’d fucked up,’ I whispered. ‘We spent all afternoon fixing the map. If we’re right, then there’s a clear site, near Graig Du.’
Matthias’s shoulders slumped, the coiled muscles releasing as he lay his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes, breathing him in.
‘You really did find yourself a treasure with this one,’ Asher said.
‘And if she’s wrong?’ Ifan barked.
Pablo growled louder, almost drowning out the prince.
‘Hush, Pab.’
He let out a final snarl, but his hackles remained stiff.
‘Then we go back to the map.’
‘Matthias?’ Ifan tugged on his brother’s sleeve, and he stepped back from me, my body aching for him to hold me again. ‘Why don’t we do both? Then if there’s no Vyrium?—’
‘Please.’ My desperate gaze locked on his. ‘Asher’s right. The long-term risks would kill you, Matthias. I can’t…’
My chest burned as the words escaped me. The reckless rascal still lay beneath the king’s skin, ready to burst through. But this was suicide. Any attempts at taking Vyrium, harnessing power for those not blessed by Evella, only ever ended in death. Adding Vyrium to alloys, the bricks building our castles had been as far as they’d managed. Matthias had to understand this wasn’t an option.
‘I don’t want to lose you again.’
Something in his face shattered at my words and then there I was again, wrapped in the warmth of his strong embrace. I relaxed against his firm chest, his chin resting lightly on my head as my arms reached around him. I closed my eyes, clinging to him and praying my words reached him. ‘The risks Matthias…the risks.Please.’
My voice broke and somehow we were even closer. My body fit his as though Evella made us only for each other.
‘I won’t do it.’ He spoke the words into the side of my head, the shell of my ear. ‘I promise you, Sorrow.’
‘Fuck you both,’ Ifan bellowed, shoving us aside before slamming the door behind him.
