After a second, his arms came around her, and he buried his face into her neck, his rapid breaths revealing his deep anguish.
“It’s been a long time,” his words were a whisper. “But…”
“The pain never goes away, I know.”
He eased back, features pale. “Even millennia later, I can still see her lying on the dirt, blood pooling around her. The sword…” He shook his head.
“What was her name?” she asked softly, aware that no words could take away his torment.
“Averiana. We called her Ariana. It meansabeautiful melodyin our language. She was a joy—” he broke off, his expression cooling, and he was back to being unreadable and aloof.
What the heck just happened?
However, he wasn’t looking at her but past her.
Leya pivoted.
Oh.
Lord Eregen sauntered toward them, a tall woman holding onto his arm. Heck, she didn’t walk but glided to them like a glowing spiral of light in her flowing, sky-blue gown, a shade darker than Aerén’s hair.
They had to be siblings with their burgundy manes and green eyes, though the woman’s hair was a tone lighter and her eyes brighter, the color reminding Leya of the bright green skin of a boomslang.
“My lady Leyathi.” Eregen grinned, capturing her hand and kissing her knuckles. “The universe has smiled upon us that we should meet twice on the same day.”
She tugged her hand, but his grip tightened.Dammit.
Aerén looked like he’d bathed in ice.
“This is my sister, Lady Asennka,” he introduced the woman. “Asenn, this is Prince Aerén’s guest, Leyathi Park.”
“Hello,” Leya said.
“Ave,” the woman greeted, smiling as if the setting sun had risen again. But she gave her entire attention to Aerén. “Your Highness.” A deep curtsey followed. “It’s wonderful to see you. Eregen told me he’s spoken to you. I’m—”
“Eregen, Lady Asennka,” Aerén said, appearing as rigid as the navy mountains surrounding the city. “It’s good to see you both again, but you must excuse us. We were on our way back.”
Eregen inclined his head. “Yes, yes, of course. I shall call on you tomorrow, Lady Leyathi. And we can spend some time together.”
Ugh. Seriously?This lord couldn’t seem to read between the lines of her reluctance and see that she wasn’t interested. Or maybe his head was so bloated he thought no one could refuse him.
“I’m not sure—”
“Before someone else beats me to it,” he cut her off, “the end of Summer dance is in a week. Might I have the honor of escorting you to it?”
“She won’t be here,” Aerén answered, tone flat.
“Oh, of course, a Chosen!” Asennka breathed, awe brightening her green eyes. “It’s a pleasure to meet one who will help heal our world.” Then she cast Aerén another happy glance. “I cannot wait.”
The joy in her eyes had Leya’s stomach sinking. She pressed her tingling palms to her belly. Even in her pretty grown, she didn’t belong in this world of beautiful people.
Aerén remained detached, his expression unreadable. “Good eve,” he said in dismissal.
But there was a note in the conversation or non-conversation between him and the siblings that bothered Leya as Aerén dematerialized them. And her unease grew.
They reappeared in the castle, in the living room where they had dinner earlier.
The table had been cleared, but near the couch in the seating area, a trolley with silver-covered dishes and a steaming beverage pot awaited them.
