Page 126 of Ravenrose

His grip on me tightens, and I choke down a swallow as I tilt my chin upward, up and up, until I’m staring into dark, steel-gray eyes.

Ayer.

Chapter 53

AYER

Ishould already be in bed.

The men are still up, drinking, but when a few of them found their song, I decided it was as good a time as any to go double check the fort’s defenses.

I should be celebrating too.

I should be happy.

We took out both a mystery fae military squadron and a host of fae raiders all in the same day. And the men are still riding the high of taking Rosecliff and freeing Theo, and it’s their first chance to really celebrate safely. All threats tonight are outside the walls of Fort Firelle.

I could be drunk, or have my cock half buried in one of the many girls who offered already tonight, but no.

The irritation burning under my skin hasn’t lessened with either a full stomach or even after a few rounds of Daekhari whiskey.

My thoughts keep drifting back to two stones-cursed green eyes.

Reckless. Stubborn. And so godsdamned infuriating. She jumped into a raging river just to get away from me. Nearly drowned for her efforts.

Foolish. Brash. Hard-headed⁠—

I round the corner, prowling for the stairwell leading up to my chambers when I go still, tilting my head toward the dark corner up ahead.

Did I just…?

Listening intently, my hand slides over my shoulder to my back on instinct, gripping the hilt of my sword, and I take a step further down the hall, moving away from the stairwell that leads up to my waiting bed.

Several beats pass, and I hear nothing but drunken laughter echoing in from the dining hall behind me.

I could’ve sworn I heard…

Shaking the thought away, I release my sword. Fuck, you need sleep.

She’s locked in an iron cage. Well guarded. She couldn’t possibly escape.

I just need a couple of hours’ peace from having to watch her godsdamned royal ass every second of the day.

Still… Guilt nags at me for what I’ve done—what I said.

The look she gave me when they’d dragged her away… Betrayal.

It’s safe to say whatever temporary truce we struck on our way back from the river is dead, buried, and pushing up fucking daisies.

I work my jaw as I linger in the hallway, looking to the stairs that lead up to bed and then back to the corner up ahead. The corridor I know leads down to the dungeon cells.

I take one step, and then another—moving toward the shadowed corner, as if drawn by some invisible force.

I’ve got my eye on the corner, but I’m still completely unprepared when a certain princess comes tearing around it at full speed. She crashes into me with such force I almost lose my footing. Especially when I have to lunge to catch her before she hits the ground, losing her balance from both the impact and the slippery marble floor below.

My hand closes around her arm, hauling her back to her feet.

Rowan.