Bride of Ashes (Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin #1)

20. Lorant

20

LORANT

M errick's gaze shifted; a subtle change that made my chest tighten with dread. The sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth was the kind that spoke of secrets and satisfaction.

“How are things with you and Reyla?” he asked, his tone light, but his eyes sharp and assessing.

“As to be expected.”

His low laugh rang out. “Have you spoken with her at all since you brought her the cure for her seasickness?”

I'd done my best to avoid her. “She sought me out last night; not the other way around.”

“Oh, she did?” I couldn’t read anything in his words, but his jaw tightened.

My teeth clenched to match, and I had to force the words out. ”Yes. She did.”

“Then you have spoken. Good. You're my bodyguard. It’s important that you two get along.” Smiling, he shook his head as if he remembered something wonderful. A conversation with Reyla that didn’t involve mocking and snarls, most likely. Courtly chatter that allowed him to know her better and her him. Sweet moments where he could steal a kiss.

Who could blame him if he was starting to fall for her? She was perfect. Unlike anyone I'd met before in my life.

“ You’ve spoken with her,” I bit out.

“Of course. I can’t stay away. She's . . . hesitant, and I understand why. She was hurt in the past. She needs to heal, though she's stronger than she realizes. So much untapped power. And she's fiercely independent, which you already saw for yourself.” His gaze grew distant. “I think she could be the one, Lorant.”

Would she love him?

He rubbed his wrist, but I didn’t look. Couldn’t drag my gaze that way.

Jealousy, raw and ugly, coiled in my stomach, a serpent ready to strike. I wanted to lash out, but I couldn't. Merrick deserved happiness, and if Reyla could give him that, I supported them both.

“She's a force,” I said, my voice betraying none of the turmoil raging inside me. “A wildfire ready to scorch the world and remake it.”

“Exactly.” His pleased smile rose. “Do you call her that—Wildfire?”

“I do.” In my mind. To her face. In my heart.

“She earned it.” I could not mask the possessiveness in my voice.

Merrick's eyes glinted with amusement. “I can see why. She avoided me yesterday. I didn’t push it. I’m giving her the time I can. She's fierce, isn't she?”

I nodded, my throat tightening. “She'll need that fire at Evergorne.”

“That she will.” Merrick's expression turned serious. “I worry about her. The court can be ruthless. I need to know she'll be protected when I'm not around.”

“I'll make sure of it.”

“I knew you would.”

“Have you . . .” I couldn't name it.

“Not yet. I think soon, though. It’s . . . I can’t express how it’ll be.” Because he had too much honor to talk about her like that. But he could dream.

Like me.

A savage beast reared its head inside me, its claws tearing through my chest with a fury that left me breathless. It was relentless, shattering the walls of my self-control with enough force to pulverize stone. I was trapped in the storm of my own making, my mind a battleground of reason and emotion with no way to grab onto either.

She consumed my thoughts and haunted my dreams.

Merrick speaking of her with affection was the same as someone taking a dagger to my heart and gouging it deep.