Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
TYNAN
The days dragged on, and just when it felt like they would never end, Corliss, the old crone, came up with the idea of a date for Alina and one of the pathetic candidates the clans had provided.
I gritted my teeth so hard that pain clenched my jaw.
I was standing by an old oak tree while the young idiot from the gold clan tried to help Alina get in the saddle.
When the kid placed his hands on her waist, all I wanted was to cut his sausage-like fingers off.
Alina was clearly avoiding me, and I had nothing else to do except dissect every sentence, every line of our conversation, and regret that I was so upfront, so direct with her.
She was clearly not ready. She did not know me.
It was possible that she would never know who I was, and what we had together.
If I could only ask Sage, but the old man stayed in Darragh, probably happy to be able to drink uninterrupted.
Every time I tried to think rationally about everything that had happened to all of us, nothing made any sense.
Except, I believed what Sage had told me about the bond, that it was meant to be, and the visions that came with it.
Alina was finally settled on her white mare.
She adjusted her gloves, as she carefully avoided looking in my direction.
There was no end to the ways her body tempted me.
I could not take my eyes off of her. Her bright red hair was pinned up on her head, but some loose strands fell on both sides of her face and the way it brushed against her shoulders did something to me.
I needed to get her alone again, but I could not touch her until she knew who I was.
She remembered the color of my dragon and there was no way for anyone to know that.
We were bonded, that was not a dream. I remembered everything as if it happened yesterday.
We were meant to be together. She had to feel it too.
She will remember, I was sure of it. I just had to be patient, and wait.
I scowled, watching the kid lingering by her horse. The situation, the fucking charade was playing on my nerves. I wanted to give her some space after confessing my feelings, but she just avoided me.
“Beautiful couple, aren’t they?” a new voice sounded right behind me.
I looked to the side, eyeing the slender build, unruly hair and a face without any signs of facial hair.
“Mayer? What are you doing here?”
“I transferred to guarding duties.”
“You what?”
“I had some strings pulled. I’m going to be your partner, guarding the heiress,” he reported.
“Is that right?” I switched my gaze back to Alina.
The fact that he was able to get the position without any training was insane. He would be absolutely useless if Alina was ever in real danger. But, she was never in danger, even the attack in the gardens had been carefully executed according to my plan.
That day in the garden, the man under the cloak was Victor. We practiced our fight several times and it went better than I thought. I was able to get in position almost immediately. But, they did not know that.
Placing someone so inexperienced to guard the heiress was almost criminal.
“I figured if we’re stationed together, you’ll have more time to teach me how to fight.”
I exhaled, returning my eyes back to Alina.
“Don’t worry. I won’t be in your way.”
I said nothing.
“Um, I still want to know when we can begin, because it’s been almost a week. Will you teach me some moves?”
“Sure.”
My eyes followed the graceful movements of Alina’s back. She had a shawl over her shoulders and the silk fabric was sliding down her arms to her elbows. With furrowed eyebrows, I watched Alina’s date take it from her and turn in our direction.
“Hey, you!” he called.
I crossed my arms over my chest, watching him approaching.
“Take this.” The kid extended his arm, looking directly at me.
I did not move a muscle.
“Did you not hear me?”
I glanced up, and finally caught Alina’s wide eyes as she witnessed our exchange.
“Sir . . . I will take it, sir.” Mayer squeaked beside me and took the shawl.
The kid from the gold clan wanted to say something else, but he quickly changed his mind and returned his attention to Alina.
“You don’t like him, do you?” Mayer asked.
I said nothing.
After the excruciatingly long outing was over, Mayer went to rest before the night watch and Alina returned to her room.
I reclined in the chair and took out the book I was impatient to finish.
It was getting darker, and after straining my eyes for several minutes I hailed a servant girl who was passing through the hall and asked for a light.
Ten minutes later, she brought an additional oil lamp and placed it on a side table.
I thanked her and she quickly moved away.
The clock just struck nine when I closed my book and stood to stretch my legs. After I worked out the stiffness, I went back to reading.
Half an hour later, a soft click came from Alina’s room. I raised my head to see her peeking out from behind the door.
“Mr. Kent?” she called in a soft, tentative voice.
I hated hearing that fake name on her lips. I hated the real Kent, whoever he was.
“Milady?”
“I was wondering if you could take me to the library?” She bit her lip, raising her eyes back to me.
I tossed my book onto the side table and stood up, never taking my eyes off her.
Every time I saw her, I could not believe how someone could be so beautiful.
Her hair was in a long, thick braid. Out of nowhere, I remembered how she used to weave wild, snow-white primroses into her hair.
In the vision, her delicate hands gently held a freshly picked bouquet, and the smile she gave me when she looked at me, did something to my heart.
But, that was not everything that I loved about her.
I also remembered her being brave, and even reckless, when she stepped off the cliff, just to prove to me that she could shift mid-flight.
Then, when we argued, she kissed me to shut me up.
The pull, the desire to be with her, was almost impossible to control.
I took a step closer, forcing myself to shake off the memory of her sweet lips on mine.
“Of course,” I said, placing my hand on the edge of the door.
It was as if she needed a push to leave the room. It had to be me who opened her door every time.
I could not resist taking in her simple black dress, knowing very well that later that night I would be reliving every moment I spent with her.
“I can’t go to sleep. And honestly, I’m going a little crazy all by myself,” she admitted.
“It’s better if they don’t know that you have more energy now.”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“How did you manage to avoid taking the medicine?”
“I . . . Sally doesn’t always check if I take it or not. She just leaves it with my breakfast.”
I offered her my arm, and she took it. Her soft, delicate fingers landed on my forearm and even that simple touch lit a fire in my chest.
“What do you like to read?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I can’t remember what I like to read. Although, sometimes I seem to know that I might enjoy something even before I try it,” she confessed.
In spite of the dim light from the hall, I could detect a faint blush painting her cheeks.
“You may need to try several things.”
“That’s just it. I was . . . wondering if . . . maybe you could tell me more about me?” she hesitated.
“What would you like to know?”
“What’s my favorite food?”
“You like everything sweet and love strawberries.”
“What books do I like to read?”
“You’ll read almost anything, but you love poetry.”
“What is my favorite color?”
It took me a while, because I was not sure, and at last I looked back at her.
“Warm shades of pink.”
She was quiet until we arrived at the library door that was carved with intricate skill. I pushed it open and held it for Alina. She stepped into the moonlit room and stilled, looking around at all the rows of books that went as high as the ceiling.
“I only wanted to find something to read, but I confess, I don’t know where to start,” she said in a soft voice. Then she turned away, examining the shelves.
I was still just watching her while she walked through the rows. Her delicate fingers brushed the spines of the old books. Suddenly, she stopped and pulled out a heavy tome.
“It’s strange. I had thought that men don’t like women who love to read.”
“Why?”
“Not sure.” She bit her lip and turned away. “I suppose you don’t have similar ideas?” she asked.
“No.”
Again she sighed, and returned to the long display of titles.
“I finished the book you gave me.”
“Did you?”
I took two steps closer, careful not to crowd her. She was real, and she was right in front of me. It took all of my willpower not to touch her.
I often thought about what would be the best way to tell her the truth, but all I could come up with was to let her remember me on her own.
But she was so tempting, and it was nearly impossible to remain silent.
As if mocking me, memories from those nights we spent together rushed back.
I took a long breath, forcing my intrusive thoughts back, pushing them deep down so I would not have to face them.
“I loved it. Was it your favorite book when you were growing up?”
“One of them. I always liked reading.”
She returned the book to the shelf but did not move away.
“You aren’t from the blue clan. Where are you from?” she asked quietly.
“Darragh.”
“The black clan? That’s why your dragon’s black.”
“How do you know?”
Alina slowly raised her head and our eyes locked.
“One day, I just looked at you, and I . . . knew.”
A coil of her hair dropped to her cheek and without thinking, I raised my hand, but stopped midair.
What the fuck are you doing? She doesn’t even know you. She’s not ready.
“I think I found the one.” She smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Without saying anything else, she moved to the exit and I followed her, cursing myself.
Ten minutes later, we reached Alina’s room and after wishing me goodnight, she disappeared behind the closed door.
I clenched my jaw, not able to comprehend what made her mood change so drastically.
“She did what!” Frid exclaimed as we sat on the metal roof of the dilapidated rental.
“Can you be any louder? I don’t think those prostitutes heard the whole story,” Victor chimed in.
“She just closed up. Like we were strangers,” I responded.
“I don’t know, man. It sounds like she doesn’t remember who you are,” Victor said.
“Maybe she didn’t feel safe with you?” Sol suggested.
“Yeah. It was late, you were alone. Women are very sensitive about those things.” Victor shrugged his shoulders.
Sol nodded.
“What’s wrong with you? I can’t even believe the three of you had ever seen a real woman before. It’s clear, isn’t it? She was flirting!” Frid leaned closer.
“Flirting? Yeah, right.” Victor laughed.
“Yes, my boy, she was. Think about it. She asked him to take her to the library. It’s dark out. They are all alone and she asks him if he likes girls who love to read while she’s . . . a girl who loves to read!”
“Are you sure about that?” Sol furrowed his eyebrows.
“How else would you explain it?” Frid exploded.
“How about she was just bored in her room and wanted to read something?” Victor suggested.
“No wonder all your relationships have the lifespan of a fruit fly.” Frid narrowed her eyes.
“Why are you suddenly so concerned with my relationships?”
“I absolutely am not.”
“I think you’re jealous.”
“That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Admit it, Frid. You just can’t help it.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“Just admit it.”
“How about I say that you’re the last person I would ever consider going out with?”
As the two of them started to argue, I leaned back against the metal wall behind me.
“You know we can’t go on like this,” Sol said quietly. “It doesn’t matter if she remembers you or not, you need to make a move, soon. Time is not on your side. Both of you are vulnerable while staying in the palace.”
“I just want her to choose me.” I closed my eyes.
That was something I was constantly thinking about.
I could just force her to go with me, but that did not feel right.
Maybe it was my pride that would not allow me to take the choice away from her.
She was next in line for the throne, while all I could offer her was a life on the run, one tainted by constant fear of capture.
As much as I would choose that life in a heartbeat, I could never make her live that way.
I opened my eyes and looked at the night sky, covered with thick layers of grey smoke. I had to tell her everything, even if it meant to bare my heart and soul in front of someone and trust that she would not crush it.