She rubs her chin, deep in thought.
"What is it?" I ask, dipping my gaze to meet hers.
"I might be wrong, but perhaps there's more to his affinity."
"Meaning?" I press.
"I cannot be sure until I speak with him," she says and by her tone, there's nothing left to discuss.
As always, I find I have more questions than answers. But once we get to Tronovia, maybe some of them will finally be answered.
Six
Atlas
Shaye hasn't been herself since Bastian attacked. Her nightmares have become more vivid and the amount of good sleep she has gotten is minimal at best. What worries me is her nightmares seem more like visions of what's to come while my nightmares are of my past. I thought I'd dealt with the trauma of how I got my scars, but seeing Vesper multiple times over the course of a couple of months has shattered every security I built for myself.
Shaye has the most beautiful heart. I don't want her to harden or worse, turn into a killer like me. I've been trained to slay my enemies, and those who pose a threat to my kingdom. I've been sent on countless missions and bloodied my hands to keep my country safe. And I'd willingly dirty my soul further to protect her from the wickedness of this world. But I know war is ugly and soon, whether I like it or not, Shaye, too, will bloody her hands.
This morning, Shaye left our room early. As always, she left a note, but part of me wanted to shoot up as she tip-toed around the room and ask to accompany her, however my peace of mind knowing she's protected is stifling her. I don't want my worry to push her away from me. She's been smothered her entire life. At some point, I have to trust she can handle herself. Plus, by the riding leathers she donned, she could only be going to one place. I know Seraxes will die protecting Shaye, so I let her believe I was still fast asleep.
Once she slipped out of our room, I got ready and trekked up into the mountains. I've practiced going into my Nox form a handful of times but if I am to master the ability, I'll have to push myself. I'd rather not unleash Nox in the middle of Stelara. I found this secluded spot a couple days after Bastian's attack and got to work practicing. I fear I will need Nox when war erupts.
I was too scared to come alone and brought Ronan the first couple times. Now that I have more of a handle, I no longer bother him. He has enough on his shoulders dealing with politics.
Today is the first day I flow in and out of my Transcendent state with ease. I'm getting stronger and more comfortable. But each time I come back to myself, my body is riddled in sweat, despite the frigid temperatures.
My muscles ache and my head pounds. I remind myself why I am practicing, pushing myself so harshly. It's all for Shaye. She will need me at my best if we are to win this war.
"My, my. I see why my cousin is so taken by you."
I snap my neck to look over at the newcomer and meet Thrane's gaze.
"You are quite powerful," he says, neutral mask firmly in place.
I stand, wiping the sweat beading along my hairline with the back of my wrapped hands. An uncomfortable shiver slithers down my spine. I never heard the Frost Elf crunch through thesnow when he approached. If he'd had nefarious intentions, I would have been blind to his attack.
The new Frost King offers me a knowing look, as if all my thoughts are now swimming in his head. "We Elves are light on our feet. You'd have to be one of us to have a chance at hearing us."
I nod, keeping my gaze fixed on him as I snatch my shirt and tug it over my head. "You don't seem frightened by what you just saw. Feel free to ask whatever questions are dancing in that head of yours." Might as well address whatever questions he has now than pretend he didn't see me in my beast form. Although I've gotten much better at controlling Nox, it still takes several minutes for the inky streaks to purge itself from my skin.
"There are far more things to be frightened of than your transcendent form." His narrowed grey eyes drag from my head down to my boots. Calculating. Cold. As if he's pocketing this information away for when it will best suit him to bring it up again. "How did you find this place?"
Not the question I was expecting. Then again, Thrane never acts the way I think he will.
"I didn't want to practice in your city if I couldn't control Nox," I explain. "I went for a hike one morning and thought this was a good a place as any."
"A wise decision." Thrane nods, taking a few steps toward me. His boots smoosh into the snow, but there's no sound. No wonder I never heard him. He wasn't joking about Frost Elves being light on their feet. "It seems you have it under control."
"I've gotten better." I acknowledge, though flashes of my past come flooding in. Then I see Shaye's face, her golden eyes, the warmth of her skin, and my fear melts. "Is there a reason you came out here, Your Highness?"
"Thrane. Your Highness sounds so stuffy."
"Ok. Is there a reason you came out here, Thrane?"
He clasps his hands behind his back. "Typically, I come here when I need to think or just be alone. Seems I am not the only one who finds this spot comforting."
So, it's not an abandoned overlook like I previously believed. "I can leave – "
