It was hard to swallow with the lump forming in her throat and not blurt out her true, changing feelings. But thanks to Brenna, she understood, too, even if the betrothal was voided,hewould find his Chosen, and Leya would be let go with an apology.
“Indeed. What else is there?” Ice edged his voice. “I have to go.”
Without another word, he stalked for the door, opened it, then paused. “Don’t open the windows or go outside during the night. I’ll…” He shook his head and walked out, shutting the door softly behind him.
Unshed tears burned her eyes. Leya fought for control, digging her toes in her boots so as not to run after him. A tear slipped free. She scrubbed it away and spun to face the table and the dessert cart they hadn’t touched.
A knock sounded, jerking her out of her torment.
The interconnecting door to her bedroom opened. A tall, pretty woman in a gray gown with striking amber hair pulled in a low bun stood there. She appeared to be around Leya’s age.
“The sire sent me to assist you…” The woman’s dark blue eyes skimmed her, worry etching her features. “My lady, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”
“I’m Mihr.” An easy smile curved her mouth, unlike Leya’s own forced one. “I usually work on the castle’s lower floors, but Prince Aerén asked that I see to you while you are here. Let me help you prepare for bed.” She disappeared into the room.
Leya slowly followed, shutting the door behind her. She doubted she’d sleep, not with skeletal fingers clawing at her mind, determined to pull free the vision from earlier, the cage, the torture—
God.She rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe away the images.
In the dressing room, Mihr unfastened her gown. And in a flurry of activity, the woman helped her change into a silky slip of a nightgown.
“Where is he?” Leya asked, braiding her hair as Mihr gathered the discarded gown from the circular seat and put it away.
“The sire?”
“Yes.”
“I heard him tell Haroth he was going to Na’Tol. It’s where the rebels sometimes gather. It’s dangerous there, my lady. And it’s not always the rebels who are a hazard, but ghosts. The place is haunted.”
Leya shut her eyes. He was heading to one of the most dangerous parts of the country, believing she was only out for fun. And in the mood he was in, he could end up doing something reckless…
Or be captured.
And there wasn’t anything she could do.
* * *
Anger and frustration warring within him, Aerén headed to the back courtyard of the castle where Lykon waited. He’d sensed him while with Leya.Stars!Just thinking about the shit Eregen had caused made Aerén want to seek out the male and strangle him.
Leya was back to putting up walls between them because of who he was.
Fuck! He couldn’t deal with all that now. “Let’s go.”
“Ren, hold on. You have to see this first. Drav’s keeping watch.”
Good! Something else he could focus on instead of this situation between them.
Just a bit of fun?she said.
Fuck that!
He dematerialized and followed Lykon, coasting away from the castle. Moments later, they reformed on the cliff on the south side of the Lucent Sea. Dark clouds hid the moonlight. He frowned. During the humid months, they didn’t have cloud cover. Maybe the storm season approached early?
Drav’n remained crouched near the tall rocks, his attention locked on the calm body of water. “Still there.” He nodded to the sea.
Aerén hunkered beside him, eyes fixed on the spot far out where the island had sunk. The protruding abbey spire was all that remained of the sunken island.
