Her stomach a tangle of nerves from all the emotions crawling through her, she settled for baiting him. It was the only thing she had left. “I thought all your domiciles would have colossal dining rooms, with you at the head of the room, on your huge throne, lazing there and eating your cookies. Not standing at a counter.”
“This place is too small for my throne,” he shot back, making her laugh.
Amusement glinted in his light eyes. “The castle here in Cidéra is one of the smaller demesnes. The main one is in Nehendem, where my brother rules. And I use the wordrulelightly. So, yeah, the huge throne is there.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You have a brother?”
“Indeed. A pain in my ass at times, but yes.”
She burst out laughing at his dry retort, and the smile that made her heart trip took life again and lit his gorgeous face. “Will I see him?”
“No.”
Wow. Fast and blunt.
“You’re leaving again tonight?” she asked, setting her glass down, her fear for him causing her anxiety to return in spades.
He ate the rest of his cookie. “I have to, Leya. A faction of the rebels is moving through Cidéra unseen, leaving destruction and wounded in their wake. I will find and deal with them and thecuzzonafter you. Zior will remain here; he can handle any supernatural threats. And Lykon will be around.”
Life here was different. Guess when one was immortal, it would be. There was nothing she could do except pray the vision of him was just a horrible hallucination and nothing more.
“There’s something else,” she said. “I’m not sure if it helps, but the rebel who trapped me, his name’s Saij. It was what the other rebel called him.”
His features hardened. He nodded, then tipped his chin and indicated the cookies. “More?”
Leya shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks.”
He cleared everything from the counter, which surprised her, considering who he was.
“C’mon. Let’s get out of here.” He shut the cabin door behind them, keeping one hand on her back.
The air flickered, and Thiorr took form. A half bow followed. “Sire. My lady.”
Wanting to give them a bit of privacy, she said, “I’ll explore a little. It’s okay to do so, right?”
Aerén frowned. “Leya, it’s hot.”
So, she’d sweat and look like she’d dunked herself in the shower. “I’ll be all right. The trees look shady enough.”
“Very well.” He dropped his hand from her back—
And she got hit by a tsunami of wet heat.Gaaaah!
“Go straight down between those trees.” He nodded at the forest. “You’ll reach the stream. I’ll be with you shortly.”
“Thanks.” She rushed for the shady, soaring trees, heavy with foliage, then glanced back.
He’d parked his hands on his hips, head angled, listening to Thiorr, the late noon sun highlighting his striking hair in a halo of silver and blue.
Thiorr’s low words drifted to her. “The denizens on the islands are unsettled. They’re concerned about the approaching storm season and what this could bring.”
“Schedule a meeting. I’ll speak to them…”
Their voices faded as she made her way deeper into the thicket. It seemed even on other worlds, the horrible weather had people worried.
Among the looming trees, there was no relief from the wet heat at all. Exhaling, she glanced up at the thick tangle of shadowy branches. Their bronze and blue leaves hung limply, covered with the same ashy residue she’d seen around the castle—
A rustling noise snagged her attention, and she eyed the tall trees warily.
