I shrug my shoulders. “Probably on a mission from my father to give me even more trouble.”
“Never underestimate your father, Ereon.”
“Oh, trust me, I’m not. I need you to go to Carnaxa. You are her personal guard from now on.” I watch as the carriage gets closer. It never made sense that he managed to convince my father that he needed a carriage all the way up here, like he is someone of importance.
“What of the Ambassador? I thought he was her guard.”
I turn my head to look at Ryul. “Things changed. Just make sure, especially with more men here, that she will not be alone at any time.”
He bows at the waist before he turns and heads back towards the camp. Reph Limsu being here is nothing good, no matter how I look at it. He is the one who controls the soldiers here in the north — a troop of rejects and most degenerate from Shaston. His presence can only mean that something far worse is happening to the north of us.
Reph’s boots come into view as he makes his way down the carriage steps, as if he is king here and not my father. He’s one of the strongest warriors in Shaston, it’s how he earned his rank, and now he’s nothing but a thorn in my side. From what I remember, he requested to be sent up here to fight against thekukhe. He started as a simple builder and now is in charge of Shaston’sPrelin the north. It’s always interesting how this desolate land rewards the vile.
Reph pulls his cloak around his shoulders, the snow now falling harder. His blonde hair has more gray strands spreading through it than I remember when I saw him last. The soft blue of his eyes is stark against his extremely pale skin. He wears the colors of my house, but I know he is no more loyal than the rest of the men here.
“Reph, why are you here? We were already on our way to your camp, but weather conditions and correspondence have been conflicting.”
He bows before he answers, “I heard you were traveling with your new bride — wouldn’t want any harm to come to her. I’ve heard from those in attendance, she was a beauty at theNle Shom.”
I grind my teeth against the way word has spread about her performance at theNle Shom. The men of Shaston are hoping I’ll be like my father and loan her out to satisfy them. “My wife is beautiful, but she is none of your concern. What is happening?”
“A lot,” he answers, spitting towards the ground, a blend of tobacco and spit staining the white snow. “Perhaps we could find a warm fire and discuss everything, Prince.”
I nod, extending my hand toward the council tent as Reph heads that way. I beckon to a soldier of mine and instruct, “Go find Ambassador Thylas andBelRhenor and ask them to meet us.” The man inclines his head in understanding before turning and I grab his shoulder. “If Anara, myorur” — rarely have I ever referred to her as by that title, but I still need to keep her safe —“tries to follow the Ambassador — don’t let her. Don’t hurt her, but do not permit her to leave his tent.”
He smiles mischievously. “Loaned out yourorur? Can I get on the list? I’ve always wanted to know what she tastes like.”
Before I can control myself, I raise my fist, and it meets his left cheek. “It is none of your concern what I do with the women who are mine. Do not ask again, and if I find out that you’ve touched her, I will make sure you never touch anyone again. Am I understood?”
He spits blood onto the ground. “Yes, Prince.” He bows low and turns on his feet.
Running my hand down my face and combing my fingers through my beard, I exhale forcefully to clear my head and begin walking towards the tent. I hope that whatever Reph has to say isn’t any worse than what we already know.
Suddenly, the ground shakes and the snow falls harder against my dark clothes, making it hard to see through the curtains of white. Tremors are not normal in Shaston, especially not this farnorth. Out of nowhere, my veins turn icy and I take a few deep breaths to withstand a sudden agonizing pain that could bring me down.
As the tremor subsides and the snow slows down, so does the pain. I blink swiftly to orient myself. I look around to assess if anything has been damaged. Whispers from the men meet my ears and I look up.
forty-one
Thylas
"Why didn’t it work?” I yell to Anara, who sits cross-legged on my bed. I came back into the tent moments ago.
Rhenor is furious with me, and I guess I should have expected that, he’s usually the one to keep a level head. I did something he strongly objects to. He has every right to be mad, especially since it didn’t work. “It had to have worked, right? I didn’t just break a twin drop for nothing, did I?” Unshed tears stingmy eyes, but I won’t let them fall. Once again, I’m trying to do the right thing, only to realize I’m still not.
“Just ... breathe.” She’s still wrapped in my tunic. “Sometimes we do the wrong thing for the right reason.”
“I stayed away from her for so long.” I run my hands down my face. “I just thought … It’s too late now and it doesn't matter. Maybe I am the fool everyone believes me to be.” I wanted to believe if Carnaxa was no longer tied to me then she could have her memories back, but even if she did, the twin drop would be gone — what did I expect? Her to come running into my arms? That it would be the same as before? No, it couldn’t be.
Anara comes over and cups my cheek. “You are blinded by your emotions, but I wouldn’t call you a fool. You love her, and unrequited love is one of the most painful things to experience. There is no shame in trying to save her, but all our choices have consequences.”
Her hazel eyes search my own, as if she fully comprehends the gravity of what has occurred. With her dark hair gracefully falling onto her shoulders, I lightly run my fingers along her collarbone. Last night was a release we both needed. “I’m sorry for last night. I shouldn’t have.”
“Thylas, don’t apologize for something we both wanted. I’m far from being a lovesick girl. I know you will never love me as you do her, maybe not at all. If you don’t ask me for more, I won’t ask you either. We are exactly what we should be, broken souls using the other to piece together a resemblance of what we once were.” Shelooks at me with questioning eyes, she rises onto her toes, bringing her lips just inches away from mine.
She’s right. Every sexual position we could think of last night brought us everything we needed, with her against me, beneath me, and above me. Her flames ignited between us, but they didn’t burn my skin, and I don’t regret a moment of it. I bend down and gently brush my lips against hers, my cock already straining against the confines of my leathers.
In Antalis, I would often find myself in Chantara’s arms, hoping that Carnaxa would leave my mind. My thoughts have always been consumed by Carnaxa, until last night when for a few rare moments, Anara stole my focus. I deepen our kiss, savoring the taste of her lips and the way her body molds against mine as I lift her up and secure her legs around my waist. She twists her hands in my inky strands.
