12. Lira
12
LIRA
T he dragon prince kept his intense gaze locked on me.
My breathing caught as I tried to keep my emotions in check, not wanting to alarm Tavish. Though I had no intention of keeping anything from him, I didn’t want him to panic when there wasn’t a blazing thing he could do while locked in the holding cell.
The other sensation that had my lungs moving freely again was my relief that I hadn’t fought Gaelle’s suggestion to glamour the fated-mate marks. They would have enraged the man I was supposed to marry, and though I was proud of them, it wouldn’t bode well if Prince Pyralis learned about the bond while Tavish was imprisoned.
The timing of Prince Pyralis’s visit seemed odd. My parents had vowed to retrieve me from Earth a few weeks prior to when I’d be wedded to the dragon prince. Tavish had brought me back three years earlier than planned. The agreement was that Pyralis and I would wed when I was twenty-five to ensure I could come back at full strength to protect myself if needed. We had time to determine a way to free me from that vow.
Pyralis’s chiseled features tensed as he rubbed a hand through his short, caramel-brown beard. “This is unacceptable.”
My back straightened. I understood that not every man would find me attractive, but he didn’t have to be so damn rude about it. “Well, you aren’t the most attractive man I’ve ever seen either.”
“Lira!” Mother exclaimed as her head jerked in my direction. Her jaw dropped, and Father glared at me.
“I’ll take that as a compliment, seeing as I’m not truly a man .” Prince Pyralis smirked. “I’m a beast, which you’ll learn all about shortly.”
The idea of learning anything about him had bile churning in my stomach. I refused to think of any man but Tavish in that way, and the dragon prince’s suggestion made me feel dirty.
Sprite, are you being harmed? Tavish asked, the bond tightening with his concern.
So much for trying to contain my emotions. My blood ran cold. Prince Pyralis is here.
Silence hung in the bond before frigid fear blasted through our connection. If he touches you, I’ll make sure his death is slow and painful.
I relished his threat, my heart skipping a beat. A month ago, it would have sent me running, but now I wanted to run to Tavish and bury my tongue in his mouth. I was changing, and I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. Don’t fret. He won’t touch me. I won’t allow it.
Refocusing on the threat in front of me, I straightened my shoulders. “Three years isn’t long for an immortal, but I wouldn’t consider it short.” I tried to relax my shoulders, not wanting Prince Pyralis to realize he was getting under my skin.
Wanting to seem confident despite my shaking knees, I entered the dining room and took the spot next to Mother, turning my back to the doors leading to a massive balcony with an absolutely gorgeous view of the village below.
The prince’s face turned red, hinting at the crimson scales he bore in dragon form. “After receiving insult after insult of no communication, despite the vows our families exchanged, I came here to learn for myself if you had returned to Ardanos after all.”
Father’s jaw clenched. He had to be wondering who’d informed the dragon royals of my return. I had no doubt that the traitor would be punished once Father ascertained their identity.
“We were going to inform you soon.” Mother laid a hand on my arm and smiled at me warmly. “We’ve just gotten our daughter back after twelve long years, and we wanted a moment to celebrate with her before announcing her return to the masses.” Her fingers dug into my skin when I didn’t respond immediately.
Good. Let them fret for a moment, wondering if I would play along with their ruse. They wouldn’t want the prince to learn that Tavish had kidnapped me while I was in hiding. The fact would reflect poorly on their strength and intelligence.
The silence hung thick, and Mother took in a choppy breath.
This time, my smile wasn’t forced because I enjoyed gaining a little control over my parents. If I wanted to, I could out them for everything they’d done, but that would only put a larger target on Tavish. “Yes, I’ve needed time to acclimate to my magic and wings again. The last thing I’d ever want is for you to see me as weak, Prince Pyralis.” My voice lowered into a deep threat, so I batted my eyelashes in tune with the flutter of my wings, trying to come off as sweet as possible.
But there was no lie there. The dragon prince needed to see me as a force. One that would make him think twice about coercing me into a contract I’d never agreed to personally. Free will wasn’t relished here in Ardanos, but I’d grown up on Earth long enough that I refused to give up certain freedoms and have someone else decide my life for me.
“You’re fae. Not dragon.” Prince Pyralis scoffed. “You’ll never match me in terms of strength and size, so don’t flatter yourself.”
I bit the inside of my cheek and ignored the way I wanted to ball my hands into fists and lunge at him. What was it with all these men thinking I was inferior to them? They’d all have another think coming… thing coming… whatever version of the saying fit since both were technically correct in this day and age.
What is the blasted ashbreath doing to you? Tavish linked.
Being condescending, nothing more. I refocused on the dragon prince. “Ah… yet I’m smaller, lither, and possess an affinity for water.” I placed my hands on the table and wiggled my fingers, emphasizing my point.
Father’s neck corded.
Prince Pyralis pursed his lips. “If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t believe you were the same girl I met all those years ago. That girl acted more like a lady than the woman sitting across from me today. However, I suspected Earth would have that impact on you.” His steely gaze cut to my parents.
My departure from this realm must have been a point of contention between the two royal families. I’d always assumed that the dragons had been informed, but based on these interactions, I’d assumed wrong. “There is a big difference between ten and twenty-two. A child is easily manipulated whereas a woman has the ability to think on her own.”
Head jerking back, Prince Pyralis wrinkled his nose with disdain.
“That’s enough , Lira,” Father said sternly. “Prince Pyralis, if you’re certain you don’t want any breakfast, then I’d love to show you this year’s harvest. It has been very bountiful, and I’d be honored if you took some items back so that you and your parents can enjoy our delicacies.”
“I’m certain my parents would appreciate the gesture.” Prince Pyralis brushed the front of his golden-threaded shirt, which he wore with crimson slacks designed as if they were scales.
My heart dropped into my stomach as I realized why Gaelle had chosen this dress. The gold in my dress matched the color of his tunic.
Discomfort wafted through my bond with Tavish.
I hated that there wasn’t a way for me to reassure him. I could only imagine how he felt, knowing my betrothed stood before me. If I were in his shoes, I’d be going out of my mind. He’s leaving with Father. They’re going on a tour around the kingdom.
Father stood, his wings expanding to his sides. “Excellent.”
Prince Pyralis bowed his head ever so slightly at me and said, “It was interesting seeing you again, Lira. I hope when I see you next, we’ll have a more pleasant conversation.” His pupils elongated, emphasizing the dragon locked inside him.
A chill ran down my spine, and I tensed to hide my discomfort. There wasn’t a way to respond to that comment without upsetting him or my parents, so instead, I bowed my head back at him. I didn’t care if that gave him a sign of respect as long as it got him far away from me.
Seeming appeased by my gesture, he strolled to the end of the table, and when he stood next to my father, I realized how gigantic the dragon prince truly was.
He was at least eight feet tall.
When he exited through the doorway into the hallway with Father, he had to duck his head. Even though I didn’t find him attractive, I couldn’t look away. I’d never seen anyone that tall before.
As soon as they disappeared from sight, Mother turned her entire body toward me. “Are you trying to cause the dragons to go to war with us?”
I rolled my eyes. Mother did have a flair for the dramatics when we were alone with no onlookers. “We’re allies. They wouldn’t do that.”
“You haven’t been here for the past twelve years. Nor do you understand what happened before you left.” Mother huffed. “Our relationship with them is strained.”
“How would I know when you and Father never inform me of anything?” I refused to be the villain in her story.
“A woman should know better than to insult family and defy her future husband.” Mother’s face took on that golden hue that signified her flush. “That’s common knowledge, and we weren’t informed of his arrival until the dragon prince appeared at Caisteal Solais’s doors. We didn’t have a way to warn you without making Prince Pyralis suspicious.”
Fair. I hadn’t been here long, and a lot had happened since I’d arrived. My focus was on Tavish. “I can’t marry him—”
“Stop.” She lifted a hand. “What you want or desire doesn’t matter. The vow has been set, and there is no getting out of the agreement unless the dragons do something to negate it. It doesn’t matter if you and the Unseelie nightfiend are fated mates. A contract trumps everything, and you know that.” She dropped her hand, and a crease appeared between her eyes. “I swear we don’t recognize you anymore.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but a maid entered the dining room. I wanted to say a lot more, but that crease between Mother’s eyes always appeared right before I got into an extreme amount of trouble. I couldn’t risk them having me watched because then I’d risk not seeing Tavish.
The maid stopped. “Do you require anything while waiting on King Erdan?”
“The king won’t be eating with us.” Mother steepled her fingers. “It’ll just be Lira and me. Please bring out the food.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The maid curtseyed, looking down as she fluttered out of the room.
“For the love of Fate.” Mother pushed her long hair behind her shoulders. “Behave.”
Again, I couldn’t reconcile her with the woman I remembered. She’d been warm and loving.
I needed to bite my tongue if I wanted a chance to spend time with my mate.
The maids entered with various types of honey, bread, and fruit, and I settled in to eat. The less talking I did, the better.
Breakfast took forever, but as soon as Mother and I finished, I excused myself to find Eiric and practice my magic.
I’d expected Mother to complain, but she seemed rather relieved. She’d mentioned needing to oversee the preparations to transport the fruit back with Prince Pyralis. I didn’t want to get in the way of helping him leave Gleann Solas as quickly as possible.
It didn’t take long for me to locate Eiric, who was in the training room with Mom and Dad. As usual, Mom understood that I needed to get away and think, so she excused Eiric to spend the day with me so we could reconnect with our magic.
The waterfall was the perfect location. No one was there because everyone was working for the day. The clear water had my water magic pulsing while Eiric practiced sprouting flowers on the grassy embankment. I learned to make my magic pulse from my hand and even had the water falling up instead of down for a time.
After a couple of hours, Eiric and I returned to the castle, exhausted. I holed up in my room for the rest of the day, taking dinner alone in my chambers and spending the time checking in with Tavish. Between that and thinking about how to help him and Finnian escape, I couldn’t distract the guards long enough so they wouldn’t realize I’d taken the keys that would unlock the chains to Tavish’s and Finnian’s wings before I could make it down the secret passage.
Right at ten, I gave in to the temptation to enter the secret passage and see Tavish. I hadn’t planned to visit him so soon, but after feeling his worry all day, I needed to check on him.
I locked my bedroom and bathroom doors like before and quickly opened the secret door. This time, the journey didn’t feel quite as long, and I moved more quickly, taking the same path as the night before.
When I reached the door to the holding cell, I placed my ear against it to listen while linking, Tavish, is it safe for me to come in there?
Our bond expanded with relief, confirming I’d made the right decision.
Yes, the guards left a few minutes ago.
I pricked my finger, and the door slid open to reveal Tavish chained to the wall. There were cuts down his wrists and wings, proving he’d been trying to get free. No doubt because of me.
I hurried to him and threw my arms around his neck, and then we were kissing passionately. The buzz sprang to life between us, and his tongue slid greedily into my mouth. I pressed my body to his, and his hands cupped my face.
The last thing I want to do is end this, but Finnian needs your help, he linked, pulling back slowly. His stormy gray eyes swirled as he looked over my shoulder across the cell.
A lump formed in my throat as I spun around to see Finnian unconscious. His eyes were swollen shut, and he had bruises down his arms and a fat, bloodied lip.
He hasn’t said more than a few words the entire day. Tavish bit his bottom lip. Can you heal him some, but not completely? I hate to ask, but we need to be ready to escape, especially with the dragon prince here. I can’t leave Finnian behind. But I don’t want him to learn about your powers because the knowledge would put him more at risk, so…
You don’t even have to ask, and I understand. True healing was a form of magic the fae had lost a long time ago. No one knew why. Select Earth fae had taken on the task of healing since they understood plants and their properties. I wasn’t on Earth, yet I could heal people on the brink of death. People would covet that sort of magic.
I tiptoed to Finnian and squatted next to him.
My vision blurred, and my chest constricted. He seemed nothing like the charismatic fae I’d come to know. I reached out and touched his hand, and I could feel the icky sensation of jealousy flow from Tavish, but he didn’t say a word.
I yanked at the warm, magical spot I now knew was associated with healing, and I felt it respond more easily than it had before. The warmth flowed through my chest to my arm and pushed into Finnian. Unlike with Tavish, my magic entering him didn’t feel right, but I ignored the strange sensation and kept pushing more.
After a minute, his bruises began to fade, and then his lip became less swollen. Finnian groaned, and his eyes fluttered open.
“Lira?” he rasped.
I released his hand, not wanting him to know what I’d done, and lifted my finger to my lips. I mouthed, Be quiet. Guards.
He nodded and squeezed my arm gently, but his blue eyes darkened with questions.
He’ll tell you, I replied and patted his arm. Then I stood and hurried back to Tavish, who buried his face in my hair and wrapped his arms around me.
He linked, Today has been blasted hell between knowing the dragon prince was here and seeing Finnian like that.
I kissed him again, needing to taste him. I’m sorry. I think he went back tonight, though.
Thank Fate. His arms tightened around me. If he had touched you, I’d be forced to risk my life just so that I could kill him. He growled menacingly.
“Right here,” Finnian grumbled.
“Did you hear that?” a guard asked from the other side of the holding cell door.
I froze, and Tavish pulled back, placing his forehead against mine.
“It sounded like the injured one is awake.” The other male guard snickered. “I want to see how much pain he’s in. Don’t you?”
Go. Tavish pecked my lips.
I didn’t want to leave, but my heart hammered, knowing if I didn’t, they’d find me in here. I spun around and took off toward the still-open door.
I stepped inside the secret passageway and pricked my finger. When the door moved, I helped push it along, causing it to make a noise. It shut just as the cell door opened. I pressed my ear to the door to listen.
“What was that?” the first male guard asked.
Finnian mimicked the sound as best he could, groaning similar to the bang of the door.
The second guard chuckled. “It’s the Unseelie, moaning like the nightfiend he is.”
“How bad are you hurting?” the first guard asked.
“Horribly,” Finnian slurred, playing up his injuries.
Though the last thing I wanted to do was leave, I needed to get back to my room. Without wasting more time, I hurried back down the passage. Is everything okay?
They’re just gloating. Nothing we can’t handle, Tavish replied. The worry he’d been feeling all day was gone. I just wish Finnian would’ve stayed quiet. I wasn’t done kissing you.
Was kissing all you wanted? I snickered as I opened the door to my bathroom.
No, but there’s no way I’d do more with him awake and conscious. I don’t need him to see you on top of me. The way your eyes close and the way your face smooths as I fill you is for only me to know.
I shut the secret door and turned to find my bathroom door open and someone standing in the corner of my darkened room, watching me.