Then he was in front of her.
Man, she wasn’t used to him moving that fast, and he looked far too pale despite his tan complexion.
“Why didn’t you answer me?” he demanded.
Leya ignored his nonsensical question and frowned at him. The wound on his brow from the fight in the cave had shrunk to a thin line, but fatigue edged his face, and even his beautiful hair appeared lackluster. “You don’t look so good.”
“And that’s important?” he growled. “Leya, being out in this heat can drain you. You’re mortal—”
“I’m still breathing, aren’t I?”
“Urias!” He hung his head and rubbed his scruffy jaw. Then he looked up again, and she sensed a change in him, yet nothing showed in his face. “I know you have no reason to trust me. I just handed you over to strangers and left. If you let me, I can explain. You might not forgive me, but maybe you’ll hate me a little less.”
Ohhh.Warmth flooded her cheeks, recalling her parting words to him.I hate you.
She swiped her damp brow with the back of her hand and sighed. “I don’t hate you. But frustrated with you? God, yes!”
“Good to know.” His light eyes softened. “I was worried when you didn’t answer me.”
“I wasn’t far away, and there isn’t any noise in this place. I would have heard you.”
“Leya, I called you many times. I searched for you. My enforcers did, too. The terrifying part was I couldn’t sense you anywhere. And I can usually feel you when you’re in the vicinity, and more so when you’re close.”
He could? “Honestly, I didn’t hear anything.”
He stepped past her, striding through the narrow path to the blue tree and bench, and glanced about. Jaw hard, he returned and grasped her hand, giving her relief from the intense humidity. They headed back to the small band of enforcers.
“Check the place. Something was here, blocking Leya from us. Drav, get Zior to scan the gardens for any spells cast.”
The blond enforcer dematerialized.
Aerén strode off, keeping a firm grip on her hand. He turned toward the path leading to the castle’s main entrance, and her steps faltered, finding not only the handful of staff she’d seen the day before but many more forming two lines on either side of the castle entrance.
He glanced back at her. “What is it?”
Explain her wariness about facing these people? Heck, no. “Nothing.” But her heart banged against her sternum as Aerén started walking again. Leya stiffened her spine, conscious of everyone watching her.
Oh, crap.Did they think she’d ditched Lykon and took up with Aerén?
Great. Now she was a ho.
A tall, regal man stepped out of the staff formation, his nut-brown hair pulled into a queue.
“Sire.” He gave a little bow. “It’s good to have you back.”
Leya instinctively glanced over her shoulder for the elusive prince she’d heard about, whom they undoubtedly waited for. Only a few of the enforcers remained and walked behind them, including the one with the tiger-striped hair and Lykon.
Who was the man talking to?
“Indeed, it is good to be back, Haroth,” Aerén answered.
Frowning, Leya’s gaze flashed up to Aerén—
Then it hit her like a punch to the belly.
Oh no! Oh, shit!
Aerén?
