"I feel like I'm getting too old forPrue's."
The admission stops Ronan dead in his tracks. He slaps a hand against my chest. "Did you meet someone?"
"No? Why would you ask that?"
"You sound like a man willing to abandon his bachelor lifestyle because he's finally ready to settle down."
I bark out a laugh. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. I'm not settling down. Not now. Not ever. I think it's exhaustion. From traveling most of this year, to guarding Shaye night and day, to learning to ride Drexel, I need a break."
Ronan squints. "You'd tell me if you'd met someone, right?"
"Of course, I would. Now can we drop it?"
"Fine."
We continue our trek a few blocks until we reach the row house. All the lights are out. Even though it's technically early for me and Ronan to turn in for the night, it's late for everyone else in the house. They'd have all turned in hours ago.
I fumble with my keys and twist open the door.
Ronan follows me inside and up the stairs to the third floor. He salutes me before claiming the room Shaye used to occupy. It's weird not having her a couple doors down from me.
I grab the doorknob to my room but I'm not tired. Well, not tired enough to sleep that is. My mind is wide awake. Determined not to lie in my bed and stare at the ceiling for hours, I go down a floor and sit at my piano. I haven't played in weeks.
I pour myself a glass of whiskey from the wet bar and sit on the black polished bench. The moonlight hits the keys, illuminatingthe space enough for me to sit in silence to play. I tap the first key and then the second and before I know it, music is filling the room. When I go long stretches without playing, I fear I'll forget the music, but each and every time I start, it flows through me like it's my life source. I am consumed by the melody like I'm in a trance. All my worries, my fears, my sorrows melt.
I close my eyes and lose myself.
I'm not sure how many minutes pass before I sense eyes on me. My gaze darts to the other side of the room and I spot Atlas leaning against one of the bookshelves. My fingers stop and silence envelops us.
"Don't stop on my account," he says softly.
"Did I wake you?" I glance at the clock and grimace. I've been playing for nearly thirty minutes, and its way later than I expected it to be.
To my relief, he shakes his head. "I was already awake."
"I'd make a joke about a girl keeping you up all night, but that just seems icky now that I know it's Shaye."
He laughs, throwing his head back. "A respectful fear never hurt anyone." Pushing up from the bookshelf, he plops down and sinks into the couch. He twists his hands together, staring down at his bare feet. "No, it's nothing to do with Shaye. Why are you up?"
I crack my neck, dodging his question. "I'll tell you my reason when you tell me yours."
I count on my reserved brother to keep his secrets to himself, so I in turn don't need to be vulnerable. But he surprises me. "When you partnered with Drexel… what did it feel like?"
His question throws me. It's the last thing I expect him to bring up. I mull over my answer, taking a swig of my drink. There's no logical explanation. "It felt like a piece I didn't realize I was missing was found and pushed into place. I'll be honest. I never wanted to be a dragon rider growing up. But listening toyou rattle on about them made them sound cool. When Drexel chose me, it felt…right. Somehow it was meant to be." I look at Atlas and watch him fiddle with his clenched hands. "Vidarr choosing you? That's what's keeping you up?"
"Uncle's council is against it."
"Fuck them." I snort.
Atlas smirks. "That seemed to be Thrane's sentiment when he argued with them."
"Ronan told me." I snicker, imagining the gaping mouths of those crotchety old men being put in their places. "I hate to admit it, but I like the Frost Elf."
His eyes widen. "We don't need to tell him that though."
"Oh, no, never." I shake my head. "We'd embarrass ourselves. He wouldn't give two shits if we liked him or not."
"True." Atlas groans, rubbing his hand through his disheveled hair. "He promised to train me."
