Chapter 49
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
ALINA
“And why exactly can't I go back to my room?” I turned to Denis, who immediately shifted his gaze to Tynan as we left Lord Hubert’s chambers.
Just when I physically did not think it was possible to get even more irritated, the one person I wanted to avoid, answered my question.
“It isn’t safe.”
“Why? What happened?” I asked.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Tynan said.
“Let me be the judge.”
Denis stepped away, clearly wanting to avoid being in the middle of our dispute.
“What’s going on?” I stared at the wall ahead, determined not to make eye contact with Tynan. He made his choice, he pushed me away and left me alone to deal with the court.
I still was not sure what I was going to do about the situation I was in.
We were connected by both dragon laws and a spiritual bond I still could not fully comprehend.
He just would not let me in. He guarded his heart and his soul from me, even though I gave him both of mine without hesitation, without second thought.
It was painful to realize, painful to think about, and yet it was the truth.
His eyes, two deep, dark voids, found mine and almost immediately, my treacherous body ached to touch him, to wrap myself around him, melt into him. He truly was my greatest weakness.
“Milord? What are your orders?” Denis returned.
“We need another room for my wife.” Tynan’s eyes were still on me.
“Yes, milord.” Denis turned on his heels and disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.
Only the two of us remained, standing opposite each other.
“What are you thinking?” I could not stop from asking.
He took a step toward me, but I moved away. My heart grew heavy, as if I was purposely hurting myself. And in his eyes, I could clearly see the flash of pain.
“I have to keep you safe,” he lowered his voice.
“I haven’t seen you for days. I wasn’t even sure where you were, because your clan warriors all sided with you, and no one would tell me anything.” My voice sounded harsher than I intended.
“I know it wasn’t ideal.”
“Ideal? No, it was not. Not at all.” I bit my lip.
I really wanted to yell at him, and throw furniture around, but my upbringing finally prevailed. I took a deep breath and raised my chin. My heart was tearing at the seams, and there was nothing I could do about it.
“Fine. Where’s May?”
“She can’t help you tonight,” Tynan said.
“What?” I squinted, peering right at him.
“There was an incident. She’s . . . unwell.”
“What kind of incident?”
“She was poisoned,” Tynan said quietly.
“I need to see her.”
“No. It’s not safe.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am.”
I stepped closer to Tynan, looking up. His closeness, his scent, was so incredibly familiar. It was everything my body craved, and yet it only intensified my irritation.
“Let me see her. She’s just a child. She’s scared.”
“She’s being well taken care of and you need to rest.”
“I will decide what my body needs without any input from you, or anyone else.”
“Alina, please.” Tynan reached out to take my hand, but I did not let him touch me.
“Milord, the room is ready.” Denis returned.
The three of us moved down the dimly lit hall in complete silence. My hands clenched the fabric of my skirt, trying to hide their trembling. I forced myself to take long measured breaths, but nothing seemed to work. Underneath my carefully crafted facade was a raging fire.
When we stopped in front of a set of elaborately decorated panels, I stepped forward, pushing them open.
“Another thing, milady. Sage asked if he could see you tonight,” Denis said.
“Not tonight. Thank you.” I turned around, closing the door behind me.
I pushed my back against the door, observing the dark silhouettes of the furniture, a massive bed and an unlit candle on the side table.
If I could not stop the intrusive thoughts, I was doomed to spend the entire night pacing the room or tossing and turning in my bed.
But it was not that easy. My mind would not stop racing.
I analyzed the situation I was in, and every time I thought I took a logical path, my feelings would overpower me and I would continue thinking the same thought over and over.
Was it because I forced him to marry? Was it because I took the choice away from him? Did he regret it? I could not change what was already done, but even if I could . . . What choice did I have?
Hours later, I was lying awake, staring at the clock on the mantelpiece. The sharp contrast between the cool moonlight and the deep shadow painted it two different colors. The long hand was slowly completing its circle, indifferent to my agitation and distress.
After hours of moving my pillow from side to side and throwing the blanket off, only to place it right back minutes later, I fell into a dreamless slumber that went well into the early morning. My body felt absolutely exhausted when I woke up, not at all rested, not ready for what was to come.
According to our deal, Augusta would announce her taking over the white clan and I was going to show my support to reinforce the change. I had to be there during the announcement.
Already irritated, I got up and splashed myself with chilly water, braided my hair and put on the dress I wore yesterday.
Once presentable, I opened the door expecting to see one of the clan warriors waiting in the hall. Instead, Tynan was there. He was asleep in a chair. His legs were stretched out, taking up nearly the entire hall. His dark hair laid on his cheek.
My weak heart gave a hard thump in my chest, and before I could stop myself, I took a step closer. He had stayed on the other side of the closed door, guarding me while I slept. And despite all my frustrations, the tight knot in my chest started to loosen.
The sound of footsteps came further down the corridor, and a moment later, Sage appeared from around the corner.
“Milady?” He started, but then his eyes shifted to Tynan who was already awake.
“Good morning,” I said.
“There are so many developments.” He returned his gaze to Tynan.
“I already know about the poisoning,” I interjected.
“Lady Augusta just announced that her father is calling for a clan vote. You must attend, milady, milord.”
“Yes, I was planning to attend. Could someone bring me my flying suit?” I asked.
“I’m not sure it’s . . . safe.” Sage hesitated, looking at Tynan.
“Your suit has already been cleaned,” Tynan intervened.
“Why did it need to be cleaned?” I asked, “I guess that’s not important right now. Where’s Lady Augusta?” I looked at Sage.
“The clan warriors are assembling in the ceremonial hall.”
Tynan stepped further into the hall, giving directions to someone out of sight.
“As your advisor, I suggest that you establish a warm relationship with the new clan leader. From one woman to another, so to speak.”
I scrunched my nose, a thousand answers swirled on the tip of my tongue.
“All this is Alina’s doing. All of it. She alone brought the white clan to agreement. Convinced Augusta to take charge and forced old Rutherford to sign his resignation papers,” Tynan said.
I watched Sage’s mouth open and close.
Just then one of the warriors brought a carefully folded black leather suit and handed it to Tynan.
“Make sure they don’t start before we’re ready,” Tynan instructed Sage.
“And how would you recommend me to delay the meeting?” The latter raised his eyebrows.
“Be creative.” Tynan opened the door of the room for me.
I stepped inside. Behind me, the door quietly closed.
I turned, looking at Tynan, who just stood there, my coal black flying suit in his hands.
His eyes appeared open, honest, and direct, but nothing else was, even after everything we had been through.
My breath caught in my throat and a new wave of pain squeezed my chest.
“Thank you, but I don’t need any help.” I exhaled.
“Let me.” He stood right behind me. His hands landed on the strings of my corset and he carefully tugged on the restraints.
It took a lot to put this dress on, and I knew it would not be easy to take it off by myself.
I stared at the wall, attempting to distract myself following the swirls of plaster that decorated the edge of the ceiling.
I still planned to keep my distance, but the bond, my weak heart, and my treacherous body, all worked against me.
His warmth, his scent, his closeness, affected me like the strongest drug.
“We need to hurry. I don’t want to miss it,” I said.
He did not respond as his fingers brushed against my skin. He leaned closer and I could feel the lightest of touch, just like a tender summer breeze on my neck. A rush of agonizingly sweet shivers coursed down my back.
I turned, taking my suit. The next moment, I caught the expression of his eyes, his parted lips, his dark hair that brushed against his cheekbone.
“Thank you. I can finish up on my own.”
I quickly stepped out of the dress and pulled my leather suit on. When I was ready, Tynan offered me his hand, but I would not take it.