Page 244 of Fallen Nocturne

“I was wondering if Sanguisyl could visit,” Finnbheara continues carefully. “Only for a short time. He has been restless since we returned to Avalon, and I believe seeing her would ease him.”

“No,” Svenn says flatly.

Finnbheara blinks. “I beg your pardon?”

“No,” Svenn repeats. “Absolutely not. Sanguisyl is not visiting Coral.”

Oh, Svenn.

“He’s enormous. Coral is small and fragile. I’m not letting some massive wyvern anywhere near her.” Svenn leans back in his chair and folds his arms.

My heart is in my throat. Not just because Svenn is being rude to the new Fae King. But because… I agree with him. I don’t want Coral near Sanguisyl either. I don’t want to risk her. Besides, what if Finnbheara takes her? What if the Fae King decides Coral should be with her mate?

“I understand your concern,” Finnbheara says, choosing each word with visible care. “But Sanguisyl doesn’t want to hurt her. Quite the opposite. He wants to protect and guard her. Once wyverns recognize their mate, they become fiercely protective. Even more so when the bond is as rare as theirs.”

“She’s just a baby,” I blurt out. “Coral is just a baby. She’s not ready for a mate.”

“I know,” Finnbheara says delicately. “That’s not what I’m suggesting. Wyverns age and mature differently. It will be decades before Coral is old enough for that aspect of their bond anyway. Right now, Sanguisyl just wants to be near her and to know she’s safe.”

“No,” Svenn says again.

“They’re each the last of their kind,” Finnbheara presses. “I thought Sanguisyl would never find a mate.”

“I said no,” Svenn repeats.

Finnbheara’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t argue. “Landon says your wyvern could not speak their common calls.”

“She grew up with us, with me, Svenn, and our late Lady Siofra.” I explain softly. “Coral has never been around other wyverns and never learned their language. She only understands our sign language and gestures.”

Finnbheara looks surprised. “That’s unfortunate. But not insurmountable. Wyverns can learn. Given time—”

Something nudges my back.

I turn to see Coral. She’d been napping in the corner during the negotiations. Now she’s awake and pushing her snout against Svenn’s back.

Svenn turns and looks at her.

“Coral says that she never wants to see Sanguisyl again,” Svenn announces to Finnbheara, his voice serious. “She says he’s ugly and terrifying. The worst wyvern she’s ever seen. She wants him to leave immediately and never come back.”

I stare at Svenn. Because that’s not—

Coral is not saying that at all. She’s nudging him because she’s hungry and she wants chicken. That’s her ‘I’m hungry, please feed me’ nudge.

Svenn is making up mean and cruel things. I should correct him and tell Finnbheara the truth.

But I’m scared. Terrified, actually. If Finnbheara knows Coral is not actively rejecting Sanguisyl, he’ll push harder.

What if I lose her?

I love Coral so much. She’s been with me through everything and has saved my life. I’m not ready to let her go.

Maybe one day when she’s older. Maybe when she’s ready to search for her mate herself. To make her own choices and decide what she wants.

But not now. Not yet.

So I stay silent and let Svenn’s lies stand.

Finnbheara’s eyes widen. He looks at Coral. At the young pale wyvern who’s now chirping happily because she thinks Svenn is about to feed her.