“The only ones who have him fooled are those damned dragons,” he said with a scoff.
My eyes snapped up. “What do you mean?”
His mouth curved, all too knowing. “I mean, little bird, they’re the only ones he’s yet to see coming.”
For now, but there it was again—little bird.
Though it wasn’t as ominous dragging from Killian’s tongue. He had likely plucked it from Nezra’s thoughts, thinking it would rattle me.
“If he fears anything in this world,” he continued. “I would say it’s with your noble Prince of Wraith over there.” He shot his thumb toward Ronan, perched on his mare, head inclined toward Elysian as they spoke in hushed tones.
Ronan’s leathers hugged his sculpted frame, the coal-black fabric matching the curls he pushed from his forehead. The scar above his lip flexed with his grin, the light catching the subtle shadow of his jawline.
Killian cleared his throat, smirking as he came to my side. “Be wary of him, Verena.” His eyes swept over me. “You were not the only valuable creation stolen from the palace.”
The heirloom. Ronan has it now.
I let my eyes shift, searching for the heat of the artifact, snooping for its power.
Ronan’s movements stilled, his head swiveling toward us. Towardme.
I swallowed, averting my stare as my sight returned to the very interesting dirt beneath my boots.
Killian stepped into my line of sight, just as a cool caress of smoke tilted my chin back up before dispersing.
That was not Killian’s guardian touch. But one of sin.
“I suspect you’re aware of what your prince has been given back?” Killian asked.
My laugh came out too high, too damn thin, doing nothing to disguise the odd flip my stomach did when he called Ronanmine.
He was no such thing.
“Don’t say that. He’s notmyanything.” Well, maybe mine to maim. That I would allow.
I had noticed an item strapped across his back, protected by a gilded cradle, but hadn’t realized Callum had given it to him before everything went to hel.
Killian smiled, just as I felt like a quick nudge of my shields. “I gave it to him.”
I smacked his arm, reminding him to stay the fuck out of my head. My temples throbbed as I slammed my shields up,again.
A trace of scales rolled under my skin but didn’t push through. The darkness of the curse becoming reacquainted with the loss we had both felt the last week.
I hadn’t even closed its door since it returned. I wasn’t sure I could.
Across camp, Ford’s voice carried as he approached Ronan, a bag slung over his shoulders. “Don’t you think it’s a little unfair that four of you get horses and the rest of us have to walk?”
Killian mounted his stallion, his boot nearly kicking my face as he settled into the saddle. “The four of us who saved your asses will ride comfortably and scout ahead.” He let out a sharptsk, urging his horse toward the others who waitedcomfortably.
“That guy,” Ford aimed a finger at Elysian, “can literally turn into a horse. Why doesn’t he just do that so we can free up two more?”
My head shook in disbelief, and amusement, as Elysian dropped from his mount, stalking toward Ford, his stare carved from frozen fury.
He got nice and close, freezing Ford in place as he bent to his height and snarled, “If you ever suggest riding me again, I will tie you to my boot and letthe wolves feast on what is left of you.” Frost curled from his mouth in slow puffs, landing against Ford’s pale face.
Ford swallowed,hard. “The sound of your voice gives me nightmares, mate.”
Elysian backed away, eyes flicking toward Elva before he returned to his stallion beside Ronan.
