“You could have told her anyway, without my permission.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Trust.”
He looks away, taking a deep breath, seeming to mull this over. “Okay,” he finally says. “I trust you. We’ll tell her tomorrow with Raef.”
My mouth parts in surprise. I didn’t expect him to agree. I expected more of a fight. “Really?”
He focuses on my eyes. “Really.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem,” he says with a teasing, sarcastic tone. “Now get some sleep.” He tilts his head back against the wall again, closing his eyes. He looks so much more peaceful with his eyes closed that I can’t help but stare at him for a moment. But as my eyes roam over his large body, his all-black gear with the many weapons I know are hidden in there, I realize he’s not completely peaceful looking. Even with his eyes closed and his body slightly relaxed, he still looks lethal.
“I think you’re the one who needs to get some sleep,” I whisper.
His eyes crack open, but his head remains tilted back. He studies my crouching form again, until his heavy eyes travel back to my face. “I’m good,” he says simply.
“Then at least come inside. We can make room…”
He continues to look at me as his chest expands, the air feeling thick between us. “No thanks.”
“You’re so stubborn.”
The corner of his lip pulls back just a little. “I won’t stay here all night. Promise.”
I sigh as I stand, towering over him for once. He watches for a moment, then shuts his eyes before I turn away. “Goodnight, Elysande.”
“Goodnight, dragon.”
Chapter 29
The place we call “town” is just a carriage ride down the dirt hill from the castle grounds and around the corner. Not far at all. Here, there’s housing for thousands, and on the main street is where you’ll find lively taverns, shops, and places that provide various services. Things you can’t find at the castle. Most elves live in the town, which we simply call Ellyar Proper, but there are others scattered throughout the region. Some are wealthy and have private residences just outside of town, with their own tall walls surrounding it. Others work at places like the inns or the animal sanctuary. Outside of that, there are a few small border villages scattered around Ellyar.
Meela and I used to love coming here when we were young.
I glance at her now across the jostling carriage that we’re sharing with Daegan and Raef. Rhydra and Gaethri are due to meet us soon.
Daegan, who was not outside my door this morning, pulled me aside before the ride and told me he informed Raef of everything, which means this carriage ride is the perfect place to talk to her alone, just the four of us. I want to fill her in before Rhydra and Gaethri. It seems right that way. Meela sits across from me with Raef next to her, leaving Daegan’s knee incredibly too close to mine, his long thighs seeming to take up half the space in here.
“Meela…”
Her gaze whips to mine. She already senses something simply from the way I say her name. Am I that easy to read?
“Yes…?”
I glance at Daegan and Raef one last time, and they both give me reassuring nods.
“I’m going to tell you something and you have to promise not to be mad at me.”
Her eyes dance between all of us. “What the fuck is going on?”
I hesitate.
“We’re breaking the curse,” Raef spits out.
