But the sound wasn’t at a decibel level that Winter or Zayn could hear.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to react physically while Winter was against me, and worry him.
Evira caught my eye and held my gaze even as she soared above.
Then words reached me on the wind.
Draconic Tongue.
I spoke it, not fluently, but at an intermediate conversational level.
How she’d known that, though, was another thing entirely. And I was duly impressed. She’d done her research and I deeply respected that sort of forethought.
I couldn’t revel in that, though, as I registered what she was saying.
“My Crown Heir marking has just left me.”
My stomach dropped.
I whispered back at a level imperceptible to Winter, dipping my head so he didn’t see my lips move.“Evira, I am so very sorry.”
“It’s fine. Really. I knew it was coming. My dad already completed the abdication ritual, the markings aspect can just experience a delay. It was just a brief burning sensation—a bitch of one, but brief at least. The point is, when I shift back, it will be noticeable that I’m missing the marking on my left shoulder. It will upset Winter, especially, given that he feels responsible. And Zayn won’t take it well either. I can’t have that. It’s taken so long for us to get to this date night, and to sink into the four of us again. But we’re going back to my suite soon to play, and if they see this, it will ruin everything.”
“I understand, but you don’t need to downplay your pain and upset for—”
“It’s not upset. I promise. I just need your help to keep it quiet. Just for now.”
“Evira—”
“Please, Vaxan. It will gut me if tonight is ruined by this. By the ignorance of my people.”
“What do you need me to do, beauty?”
“I can replicate a marking to replace the missing one with my ice, but it won’t hold. It will heal too quickly. But if you add your petrification, it will freeze that in place.”
“What you’re asking me to do is—”
“Just for tonight.”
I drew in a steadying breath, which had Winter eyeing me with concern.
I forced a smile, then stroked his cheek, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment, which enabled me to converse with Evira again.
“Okay. I will see to it. The instant you shift back, recreate it, and I will move in to embrace you and perform the petrification. I can’t go too deep without causing you pain and severe damage, so it will last but a few hours. Create a distraction for Zayn and Winter. It will take me a few moments.”
“I wish a simple glamor was possible, but Winter can see through illusions. Thanks for doing this.”
“I don’t want you suffering through distress. I know how much tonight means to you.”
Her eyes sparkled at me and she lifted her dragon chin.
Then she swept down in a deep arc.
Her paws touched the ground with such grace and control, an awed sound escaped Winter and me both.
She tipped a little so Zayn could roll off her back.
He used the momentum to execute a backflip and landed right in front of Winter with a gleeful expression.
