Chapter 21
NYRA
T he wine burned my throat as I took another drink.
“Maybe you should slow down.” Wren was watching me carefully, and she hadn’t stopped ever since I told her what happened.
She was the only one I had told about my power.
If that was what you could even call it. I could hardly feel it anymore. I knew it was still there, but it felt like it was hiding from me now.
I held my hand. palm up, in front of me, and I attempted to call it forward. But there was nothing.
It had disappeared as easily as Dacre had two days ago.
Two days and not a single word. Not a single trace of power, and I wasn’t sure which angered me more.
I had been desperate for some trace of power my entire life, but still, all I could think about was him.
“I’m good.” I held the bottle close to my chest as I stared at the fireplace, watching the flames lick up the sides of the stones .
Wren sat beside me, refusing to leave my side, but Eiran was pressed in on the other side and I had barely paid him any attention since he placed the bottle in my hand.
“Training was good today.” He nudged my shoulder, and I glanced over at him. “As much as I hate to admit it, Dacre was right about the bow.”
Dacre.
Why did he have to say his name?
My stomach clenched at the memories of the other day. Every thought more confusing than the last. The cove, my power, the way he had touched me, the way he dismissed me.
My mind was a chaotic battlefield of thoughts, all centered around him and the overwhelming emotions he stirred within me.
I took another swig of the wine, trying to drown out thoughts of him that were threatening to overwhelm me.
The alcohol was clouding my head, and even though I was angry with Dacre, I couldn’t ignore the burning desire I felt whenever I thought of him.
“Nyra, are you alright?” Wren’s voice cut through my thoughts, and when I looked over, my chest ached at the concern in her eyes.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I lied, taking another sip of the wine.
Eiran was observing me carefully, as he did all day today during our training, and I just wanted it to stop.
Without thinking, I blurted out the question that had been nagging at me all day. “Actually, have you seen your brother?”
Wren’s eyes widened, and her body stiffened as she slowly turned to face me .
“He’s been busy with my dad,” Wren said slowly, her tone gentle but distant. “But I saw him and Kai come back earlier.”
I shook my head, taking another gulp of wine to ease my nerves. “Is he in his room?”
Wren’s eyes softened. “You’ve had a lot to drink tonight. Maybe we should head up.”
I knew that she was just trying to look out for me, trying to make sure that I didn’t end up hurt, but it still pissed me off.
I didn’t want to be protected from her brother.
“Okay.” I nodded and climbed to my feet, still clenching the wine in my hand. “Night, Eiran.” I saluted him with the bottle as I swayed slightly, and his gaze jumped to Wren.
“I’ve got her.” She wrapped her arm in mine and led me from the room and up the stairs. I stumbled a little, but she kept me steady, her brows scrunched as we walked.
“Why did you say that your brother doesn’t heal?”
“What?” Her eyes widened as she clung to me. We had barely made it halfway up the stairs, but I was desperate for her answer.
“Before, when I was hurt, you said Dacre didn’t heal.” I couldn’t stop thinking about it, obsessing over what she meant.
“You should ask Dacre about that.” She looked away from me and up the staircase.
“I’m asking you, Wren.” I wrapped my hand around her forearm and squeezed. “Please.”
She glanced back at me, and her face softened. “Dacre used to heal.” She swallowed, and I could feel the slight tremble of her fingers against me. “But he hasn’t healed anyone since he couldn’t save my mother.”
I sucked in a sharp breath that made my head swim, and Wren kept going.
“He tried to heal her as the other’s continued to fight.
He kept trying as they lifted her limp body and brought her back home.
” Wren’s voice shook as she spoke. “They had to pull him away from her cold body because he refused to stop trying. But the magic used against her was too much.”
“I didn’t know.” I held onto more tightly, both of us clinging to the other for support. “I’m sorry.”
“I haven’t seen him heal anyone since that night. Healing magic is rare, and most healers are taken to the capital as soon as their magic is discovered. We only have a few healers here, but still Dacre refuses.”
She searched my eyes for a long moment before she spoke again.
“He inherited his healing abilities from my mother, and he feels like he failed her.”
“He didn’t…” I shook my head as I tried to wrap my head around what she had just told me.
“I know that.” She tightened her hand around my arm before leading me up a step. “But it doesn’t matter what I think. Dacre hasn’t been the same since we lost our mother. He will never forgive my father, never forgive himself.”
“He’s healed me twice.” I admitted out loud even though I felt like I was simply reminding myself of that fact. My heart raced in my chest as I tried to work out what that meant in my alcohol-clouded mind. “Why?”
My stomach tightened as I asked the question. I didn’t know if I was ready to admit the answer to myself or why I desperately hoped there was only one reason for him to do so.
I wanted Dacre to care for me as I had begun to care for him.
“Come on.” Wren led me up the last few steps. “You’ve had too much to drink, and we both need our sleep.”
“Thank you for taking care of me.”
She chuckled and pulled me against her side. “It’s what friend’s do.”
When we made it to our room, Wren reached for the handle, but I slipped my arm from her hold. I moved before she could stop me, and I pounded my fist against Dacre’s door.
“Nyra, it’s late,” Wren hissed even though there was humor in her voice, and she tried to pull me back to her. But not before I pounded one more time. “Dear gods.”
She laughed, and I couldn’t stop the giggles that bubbled up my own throat.
Neither one of us could stop, the hall echoing with the sound of our hysterics, and Dacre ripped open his door and stood before us, his face contorted in anger.
I couldn’t control my laughter as he glared at us with a mixture of annoyance and frustration.
I couldn’t stop the thought from plaguing my mind. Does he care for me?
“What time is it?” His voice was rough with sleep, and his hair was mussed from his bed.
I desperately wanted to run my hands through it.
“Midnight,” Wren said, still giggling.
Dacre’s eyes narrowed on us, but I was too busy staring at his bare chest. “What are you two doing?”
“Where have you been?” I crossed my arms, still clinging to the bottle of wine, and studied every inch of him. “I haven’t seen you in days.”
“I didn’t realize you were keeping tabs on me.” His gruff retort slammed into me, and my gaze shot up to meet his.
Heat rose in my cheeks, but I refused to let him win. “No tabs.” I held up my hands in surrender. “I just found it odd that I trained with Eiran today after you said… What was it?” I tapped my finger against my chin. “Oh, yes. I was yours.”
“Oh shit.” Wren laughed under her breath, and Dacre’s eyes narrowed on me. “We should head back to our room.”
“Are you drunk?” His voice was laced with a hint of warning.
“Why?” I cocked my head to the side and studied him. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”
“Wren, you can head back to your room. I’ve got Nyra.” There was irritation lacing his words as his sister looked back and forth between us. A threat in his eyes that made me press my thighs together.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“It’s okay, Wren.” I nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
She took a step back, the wood floors creaking softly beneath her feet, but neither Dacre nor I looked away from the other.
“I’ll kill you, Dacre.” She spoke just as I heard her open the door to our room, and I smiled. “Don’t you dare hurt her.”
The door closed behind her, and Dacre crossed his arms as he leaned against his doorframe. “What are you doing here, Nyra?”
I wanted to see you.
I couldn’t tell him the truth, so I resorted to another lie. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. People were talking about a lot of commotion up there.”
That wasn’t a complete lie. I had overheard some warriors in the training room talking about Davian and the supposed intel he had been getting.
“And who said that? Eiran?”
“No.” I shook my head and pushed off the wall behind me. “Eiran’s focus was elsewhere.”
That made the muscles in his jaw tic. “I’m sure it was. Didn’t I tell you that I didn’t want you training with him again?”
“You’ve told me so many things.” I waved my hand dramatically. “It’s hard to keep track of all your commands.”
I closed the distance between us, and he tensed. “You should go to your room.”
“You…” I pressed a finger against his chest. “Should stop ordering me around.”
I let my hand drop an inch and splayed my fingers out over his bare skin.
Dacre’s breath hitched, and I could see the desire in his eyes mirroring my own. His gaze flicked to my lips, and I couldn’t help but lean in.
“What are you doing, Nyra?” he finally demanded, his tone low and dangerous.
“I told you I wanted to touch you,” I whispered, leaning in closer as I lowered my hand. His hand moved quickly, snatching my wrist before I could get to where I wanted. “To taste you.”
“That’s not happening tonight.” His eyes narrowed dangerously, and his grip on my wrist tightened, pulling me even closer.
I felt a surge of determination and frustration, my heart pounding in my chest. Our eyes met, and I could see the conflict in his gaze. His hand, still holding my wrist, shook slightly. I knew he was torn between desire and duty, just as he was torn over who he believed me to be.
“But I’m wet.” I ran my tongue over my lips, and he looked mesmerized by the movement. “I trained with Eiran today, but all I could think about was you.”