Page 156 of The Last Syphon

She had a funny joke on the tip of her tongue, but a loud GONG! hit the air, making her jump to her feet.

“Dragon! Run! Dragon!” someone yelled.

It sure as shit wasn’t Inara’s dragon; Freaner was sitting peacefully, allowing the youthens to climb all over him. If it wasn’t hers, then⁠—

Ugh.

Inara looked out to the horizon. A black dot appeared in the sky, blinking rapidly in and out of view. She did not need to access Fraener’s sight to see who it was.

No.

She already knew.

The Crowned Prince had come for her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Inara stood before Deadhaven, hands promptly on her hips, trying her best to put on her fiercest expression but knowing it wasn’t worth a damn.

What the Fates is he doing here? There wasn’t a realm where she thought he would follow her. Didn’t it go against his precious rules and laws?

She kept her gaze on his massive blue/black dragon as the beast landed on all fours 100 or so feet away.

It had taken some doing to convince the village he had not come to harm them. At least, she didn’t think that was why he was here. At first, it had been mayhem, but at her insistence, they all calmed down and allowed her to take charge.

Prince Walder dismounted from Tydus, as he always did, floating down from his back as if he controlled the very air they breathed, hands out to his side, practically oozing power.

Inara’s heart beat so wildly she feared it would explode out of her chest. It wasn’t from fear or terror. It was from an emotion she could not name, and that scared her even more.

Venerable Cias hobbled to her side as the dark, brooding prince approached them. “Why do I have the suspicion you were not given leave to come here?”

She thought playing dumb was her safest course of action. “I didn’t know I needed it.”

He gave her a murderous glare that told her all she needed to know. He did not believe her.

“My Prince.” He bowed as low as his old body would allow. “You honor us with your presence.”

Prince Walder, ever the polite nobleman he was, inclined his head. Then he turned that fiery, piercing gaze of his right to her.

Silence hung in the air between them. He didn’t do anything but stare at her, and yet, she felt as though she was being reprimanded by that one look alone.

“What are you doing here?” she burst out, unable to contain it.

His brow arched high. “I think the more pressing question is what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to visit my village.” The prince didn’t need to know she also planned to venture south to the cursed land.

Of course, he knew that already. “I thought you were unwell?”

Fuck. “I am.” She coughed dramatically into her hand. “I always feel better when I sleep in my own bed, so I thought I would return home to speed up my recovery.”

“Cease your lies.” He sighed, almost rolling his eyes. “We both know why you are really here, and I must say, I am disappointed. You should have known I would not accept this.”

She honestly didn’t think he’d care. “How did you find me?” If he knew why she travelled to the Borderlands, why didn’t he just go straight to the border of Tolanaa?

“I knew you would visit your village. You care too much for them to simply fly by.”

Okay. That was a little annoying.