Byn nodded, thenpauseda moment. “I think I always will be. I understandshe’sthe oldest, and she bears a heavy weight on her shoulders because of it—there was always a certain level of pressure on her from our parents. But being the only male, and the heir at that…it’sa privilege, but also a burden at times. I simply wish to keep my sisters safe.”
I hummed in response, allowing him time to add to his statement if he wanted to.
“Not to mention Teagan never shows or talks about how she truly feels. Sometimes I wish I could feel what she feels, just so I could better understand her.”He sighed and laid his fork down, seeming to lose his appetite as he spoke.
Byn had requested a private dinner for just the two of us in our chambers tonight. We had a simple yet tasty dinner of some sort of small bird, fresh bread, wine, cheese, and now a small pie for dessert, and we were both content at this pointintoour meal. We talked about what we each needed to prepare for the possibility of scouting missions, and who would gatherwhat. We decided to divide our tasks so only one of us—me—had to go into town tomorrow.Bynstaying here at The Haven also allowed him to be easily accessible in the case that Teagan sent word early for any reason.
We talked about this morning, and how I felt a little better after flying with Matea and Eden, but that my heart remained heavy.That led to a discussion about Matea, and how much I had come to trust her in such a short amount of time.I explained how I felt around her—like I did when I was youngerwithDimitri.
Safe.
Byn, on the other hand, expressed that he was wary of my half-sister. He explained that from his point of view, she had technically defied him by sneaking over the border and traveling into the North on her own. Even if her discoveries did end up helping us in the end, it still seemed to have left a bad taste in his mouth.
“I think Teaganfeels as though shehas totake care of everybody around her—Margo especially. Sheprobably feelslike her own emotionsaren’tas important because of it,” I offered gently.
Byn sighed again“Iwouldn’t be surprised, but I wish it didn’t have to be that way.”
He glanced out of the stained-glass window next to the balcony, and I followed his line of sight, mygaze snagging on the crescent moon in the sky.
An arrow of pain shot through my heart as I thought about my twin brother, Dimitri. Icouldn’thelp but remember who he was before our father began corrupting him.Howthe day I left my homeland, he told me anytime I lookedtothe sky and saw the moon, thatwe’dbe connected by it, as hewould be gazing upon it, too. That I would always be a child of the sky, no matter how far from home I was.
Little did I know at the time, that I hadn’t even found my true home yet.
“You miss him,” Byn said softly, and I realizedhe’dbeen watching me as I stared at the moon.
“Every single day,” I murmured. I was unsure if that ache in my heart would ever fully resolve.
“Let’s get you ready for bed,” he said as he stood from his chair and rounded the small table until he reached my side. Then, he held out his hand for me.
Always waiting, doing things on my terms.
Stars, I love him,I couldn’t help but think.
Slipping my hand into his, he led me to our shared washroom. He gathered up my favorite sleeping attire—an oversized shirt of his and some silk pants he no longer wore—and placed them on the edge of the sink before us.
“May I?” he asked, gesturing between my current leather outfit and the clothes he’d just brought over.
My heart clenched at his offer.Hewanted to help dress me for bed, even though I knew he had other things he shouldhavebeendoing. Simply because he understood that sometimes the most mundane of tasks could be the most difficult.
“Please,” he added softly before I could even object, and I knew Icouldn’trefuse him.
This was just one of the many ways he showed me hecared.
I nodded, my heart already beating quicker than before.
As soft as a feather, he unlatched each small clasp down the front of my torsothat held my leather tunic closed. His breath hitched as he unhooked the lastoneand slid the two halves away from each other. He bent his headtoplacea light kiss on my chest, right above my pounding heart. Using his calloused fingers to push the tunic down my shoulders, he reached behind me and slipped the buttons on my upper back out of place,allowingthe tunic to fall to the ground without snagging on my wings.
Now without a top, the cool night airnipped atmy skin in an almost thrilling way.
Byn lightly took hold of my chin and tilted my face up to meet his gaze. His eyes were so deep and full of love, I felt as though I was melting into their pool of forest green. He planted a whisper of a kiss on my forehead, then dropped to his knees before me.
The King of the South.
Kneeling before me.
Not only that, but the warm love and adoration I felt in my chest radiating from him was a lifeline I clung to with my entire being.
I’d never felt so seen before meeting him.
