Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
TYNAN
My eyes darted back to the black outlines of the mountains ahead. This could not be the night. Not now. We were not ready. It had taken the clan two full days just to agree to some of my proposed changes, but the most important parts were still undecided.
Even though Hanoch was on my side, he could only do so much.
The clan leader only presented the most crucial matters for a vote, but beyond that, politics reigned endlessly.
In times like these, what the land needed was a single leader with unchecked power.
Yet such power could corrupt even the most honorable, turning them into a tyrant.
Some matters required swift action, and I was prepared to take charge – even if it meant defying the will of the majority.
I glanced back at the bed, noticing the strands of dark red hair splayed over the pillow.
Alina had barely moved since I arrived. She must have pushed herself to the limit, striving to prove herself worthy of our group.
Little did she know, no matter how much she trained or how strong she became, she was already one of us, and nothing that came next would change that.
“Frid . . . it’s ten more miles,” Alina muttered in her sleep.
My lip twitched.
I had to tell her that I was leaving for a couple of days, but when I entered the room that night, she was already asleep. She did not even stir when the servants brought my dinner.
The sky was changing colors when a quiet knock echoed at the door. I approached it and found Victor and Sol standing in the doorway.
“Ready?” Victor asked.
“Give me a minute.”
“We’ll wait in the dining hall,” Sol said.
I nodded and closed the door.
“Alina.” Carefully, I shook her shoulder.
“Hm.”
“I’m leaving this morning for a day or two,” I whispered, admiring the changing expressions on her face.
“What?” She sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“We are going back to the sacred temple.”
“Why? Wait. I’m going with you.”
“No. Stay with Frid and keep training,”
“I want to go with you.” Her hand traced my cheek.
Almost against my will, I leaned into her touch. I never realized before how desperately I longed for her. Gently, I cupped her hand and pressed a kiss to the center of her palm.
"I'll be back in two days," I said, still unable to pull myself away from her.
“Ty?” she breathed, and her body pressed against mine.
My stomach tightened. I was so incredibly hard, I was certain that if she touched me, I would lose what was left of my control.
Another knock at the door shattered the moment, and I walked back to answer it. Victor had returned.
“What is it?” my voice sounded harsher than I intended.
“What are we going to tell Frid?”
“Tell her . . . never mind. I’ll talk to her.” I sighed.
“No. I want to.”
He probably wanted to see her before the journey. If anyone could understand that, it was me. While it was not any more dangerous than the missions we had grown accustomed to as Shadows, the risk was always there.
“Fine. Tell her the truth.”
Once he was gone, I made my way back to the bed, finding Alina sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest.
“Is it because of the undead dragons? Are you planning to bring sacred water?” she suddenly asked.
“We have to. They’re almost impossible to kill otherwise. It may not work, but we have to try.”
“Did the clan approve of it?”
“No. We go on our own. There’s no time. I can’t take any chances.”
"I don’t want you to leave," she whispered.
"I know." I lowered my head, pressing my forehead to hers.
"Promise me you’ll come back."
"I promise."
The sun was warming the chilled morning air when we finally soared up and swiftly left the territory of the clan. I could not make the heavy feeling in my chest go away. I should have never left her alone. Momentarily, dark, unbearable thoughts filled my mind.
What if something happens while we’re gone? What if I never see her again?
The air in my lungs turned into lead. I could not take a breath.
“She’ll be alright.” Sol spoke directly to my mind.
I clenched my jaw and turned my head back to the horizon.