“Hello, Haroth. This my sister, Hana.”
“My lady.” He gave Hana the same greeting, then took the backpack and their coats.
“Would you see them settled?” Aerén asked. “I have to speak to Drav’n.”
Drav’n was back on Cidéra already? Probably to see if the rumor about her had been squashed.
“Also, send out missives to all the lords. I want a meeting here tomorrow, two hours after sundown. With the seasons changing this rapidly, we need everyone on alert.”
“Yes, sire.” He bowed again. “Come, my ladies. Let me show you to your rooms, and you can freshen up before dinner.” Haroth strode into the massive, circular foyer, with Hana at his side.
Leya stopped near Aerén. “What about taking me around Cidéra to see if I can find the place in my nightmares?”
His gaze skimmed over her face, but she couldn’t read a thing in his expression. “You just returned from Dregarus, coasting through the place in a blizzard. Surely you must be tired? There is always tomorrow.”
Tomorrow you could be captured and in that damn cage!She wanted to shout. But she bit her lip, keeping her frustration bolted down.
His gaze lowered to her mouth, then back to her eyes. A flare of heat brightened his, then dropped to iciness. “Why the concern, Leya?” He folded his arms over his chest. “Didn’t you tell me not too long ago to fuck off? So, my life shouldn’t be of concern to you.”
She glowered at him, even though he was right.
When she didn’t respond, his stare grew sardonic. He shook his head and dematerialized, leaving her alone.
Of course, he wasn’t going to care. Not like she could blame him.
Exhaling sharply, the pang in her chest deepening to the size of the Grand Canyon, she hurried after Hana and Haroth.
Leya didn’t linger in the sea-green room Haroth had said was hers, not with memories from the last time she’d stayed in it still so fresh in her mind. A time filled with hope. Instead, she trailed Haroth and Hana further down the corridor to a room at the end.
It was like stepping onto the beach on a summer’s day. The gorgeous surf-blue and white room had unique, white, carved furniture in seashell themes and pastel colors. The tall, eye-catching headboard, resembling waves crashing on a faraway beach, snagged Leya’s attention as she shut the door behind Haroth.
Hana spun around from her survey of the room. “Can you believe this?”
A smile finally slipped free. “I know. I lived here for over a week and still can’t get used to it.”
“Lucky you.” Hana danced across to the window, the white, gossamer curtains gently fluttering in the evening breeze. She stared out at the pretty gray-blue sea, but dark clouds drifted over the ocean, obscuring the wan sunlight.
“When we come back here again, and you live with Aerén at this castle, I’m gonna ask him if Appa can come and live with us, too.”
Leya shut her eyes briefly. No matter how many deep breaths she took, it didn’t ease her hurting soul. “Hana, there’s something you should know. After I find out whatever it was that drew me back to this world, I’m leaving.”
Her sister spun around, her brow creasing. “Why? What about Aerén?”
“We…” The lump in her throat grew painful. “It’s over.”
“What?”
Leya winced at her yell. “Hana, I’m not a Chosen.”
“So?” She glared. “You love each other. What’s that gotta do with anything?”
Leya didn’t correct her, unable to lie about it. “Hana, let it go.”
Her mule-headed sister scowled. “You finally meet someone who treats you better than that egotistical jerk, Lee, and the two-timing dog, Justin, from school, and you’ll just give it all up? He’s a freakin’ prince, for crying out loud!”
“Who saidIbroke us up,” Leya asked, the words like gravel in her throat.
“Because I know you and your stupid sense of righteousness,” she muttered. “Why must you ruin everything?”
