Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ALINA
Idreamed of fast moving, snow white clouds that covered the entire sky.
My dragon flew high above the surface of a winding lake.
Prisms of endless colors drew lines and patterns on the water, its surface polished like a perfectly crafted mirror.
The flicker of light danced on my skin, brushing against my eyelashes.
I opened my eyes, staring at the sheer window curtains that billowed slightly.
I turned to check the other side of the bed.
Then the memories of the last few days flooded my head.
Tynan being sick, me trying to delay the clan meeting, the wedding ceremony.
It seemed more like a really long, exhausting dream.
But all that really did happen, and I was going to have to face the consequences of my decisions.
Suddenly, the door opened, and I sat up in bed.
My cheeks flushed when Tynan walked into the room, his slightly damp hair shined in the bright light.
So incredibly tall in his black flying leathers.
His eyes searched the room and quickly landed on my face and then shifted lower.
Right then, I realized that I was only partially dressed.
The strap of my white silk undershirt had slid down my shoulder, and my hair was a tangled mess.
I immediately covered up, feeling incredibly self conscious.
How long would it take me to feel calm with Tynan around? I had no idea, but that day was not today. I could only hope it comes soon.
“How do you feel?” He approached the bed.
His eyes were soft, tender and full of emotions, so different from the eyes of the warrior king he portrayed earlier. He was always different with me, and to be honest, it would pain me to see him looking at anyone else this way.
“Good. How long was I asleep?” I asked.
“Almost twenty four hours.” He carefully picked up a lock of my hair and rubbed it between his fingers.
“Twenty four hours? Why didn’t you . . ? I have to see—”
“No,” he calmly stated.
“No?”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
“But—”
Tynan leaned over, and his mouth brushed against mine.
Every argument that was ready to leave my lips suddenly vanished, and I got distracted by his proximity.
A strip of golden light painted the edge of his brow and the corner of his left eye, changing its color to the warmest amber.
His familiar scent of leather and steel filled my head and my skin flushed.
Tynan carefully studied my face, and his gaze really confused me.
I dropped back on the pillows, clenching the blanket in my hands.
“I want you to rest as much as you need.”
“But, Sage may need me.” I protested.
“Sage? No. I don’t think so.”
“Are you upset?” I looked up, too worried to postpone this conversation.
“About what?”
“Everything . . . that I took over while you were unconscious.” I wanted to add, ‘that I made you marry me’, but I was too much of a coward to bring it up.
“You did what you thought was the best option.” His eyes roamed my face.
Does he know? Did Sage tell him? How could it be that he still did not know that we were married.
“And you’re fine with that?”
“Do you want to ask me something?” He pressed his hand against the mattress really close to my hip, shortening the distance between us.
I stayed silent. I would prefer to have this conversation when I was properly dressed, rather than being in my nightgown with a crow's nest on my head.
“Are you hungry?” Tynan asked.
“I . . . I’m not sure yet.”
“Alright.”
“How do you feel?” I asked.
“Fine,” he said before moving to the door and opening it to say something to a servant that was waiting in the corridor.
I looked around, not seeing my flying suit anywhere. Did I take it off before I fell asleep? No matter how hard I tried, I could not remember.
Then Tynan returned. I watched him walk through the room. He appeared to be fully healed. There were no visible restrictions to his movements. He looked exactly the way I was used to seeing him. He carefully sat on the bed beside me. The desire to touch him was nearly impossible to ignore.
“Have you heard anything about Victor and Frid?” I asked.
“Not yet. I sent a group of warriors to fly after them when Sage told me.” His tone of voice changed.
“And Sol?” I looked up at Tynan.
“His remains are safely stored, ready for burial. I thought you, Victor, and Frid would want to . . .” Tynan inhaled, looking down.
“Yes, of course.” I took his hand and squeezed.
Tynan raised his head and a sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
“I’m so sorry.” I reached up and raked my hands through his hair.
Tynan closed his eyes, and for a moment, I was mesmerized by his coal black eyelashes, his beautiful, straight eyebrows.
The warm toned skin on his cheeks, lightly touched by morning stubble.
It would take a whole eternity for me to get tired of this view, and even after that, it would never happen.
Suddenly, the thought that frightened me the most, returned me to the anxious state I was already in.
I had to tell him what Sage and I did, even if it was painful, even if he would hate me. He deserved to know the truth.
“What else did Sage tell you?” I finally submitted to the small voice in my head that urged me to go on.
“He told me that the clans are very unstable. That many warriors are still not entirely sure if they are ready to accept me as their leader.” Tynan glanced at me.
“He also told me that every one of them absolutely worships you. And if not for your presence, I would have lost my head at least ten times.” His lips twitched.
“Is that all?” I asked.
Just then a knock came from the door and Tynan got up.
I crumpled the sheet in my hands. Was it possible that Sage never told him anything?
He probably wanted me to deal with the consequences, and I could not blame him.
It was my idea after all, and I should be on the receiving end of whatever Tynan was going to say, feel, or do. I pressed my lips tightly together.
“Milady?” May’s tentative voice came from the doorway. “Your breakfast?” She was holding a tray in her hands.
Tynan probably asked the servants to bring me breakfast in bed. I glanced up at him. His eyes held so many secrets, secrets that I really wanted to know. But now, he was more guarded, closed up. I wished I could spend more time with him. We needed to talk about what happened.
“I have to get back to the clan meeting,” he said, and for a moment, I could not look away from the way his hand rested on the hilt of his sword with so much authority and quiet power. Then he turned to May and added, “Please make sure Lady Alina gets enough rest. Take care of my wife.”
With that he left the room, leaving me absolutely, utterly speechless.