Chapter 21
“Where do you have to go that’s so important?”
Meela is grilling me over breakfast. Today I decided to eat in the main dining hall, where anyone who lives or works in the castle is welcome to dine for any meal.
“The library, of course.”
She rolls her eyes so hard it must hurt. “What would you do with yourself if we didn’t have that place?”
That’s a harrowing thought. “I’m not too sure.”
“Well, I’m coming with you.”
My head snaps up from my meal. “What? Why? You rarely step foot in there.”
She eyes me suspiciously. Shit. “You’ve been… strange lately.”
“You have been strange lately,” I shoot back teasingly, trying to distract her.
She laughs. “No. I’ve been my same old miserable self.”
“You’re not miserable.”
“I am,” she says with a sigh, resting her hand on her chin. She looks away, then perks up suddenly. “Oh, hey. It’s your new best friends.” She waves with a sarcastic grin and I turn to see where she’s looking.
My heart drops.
Raef, Daegan, and… Yara stride up the aisle between benches.
I thought she left the other day. She can’t know, can she? Surely they would have mentioned that another person was in on our plan…
She walks with a cool elegance in her black leather pants and sleeveless shirt. I wouldn’t say she’s muscular, exactly, but she clearly trains those arms at least a little.
More than me, anyway.
I shift my gaze to Daegan, who’s looking as bored and casual as usual. His hair is as perfectly messy as always, and he’s in basically the same black ensemble he always adorns.
I glance back again and my cheeks heat immediately when I find Yara’s gaze already locked on me with a scowl. She was watching me study him.
Shit.
“Good morning, elves,” Raef greets us as he reaches us first.
Meela scrunches her nose as I return his greeting.
Raef sits beside me on the bench as Daegan takes the seat across from him, with Yara sitting on his other side. Close.
He hasn’t looked my way.
Meela looks sideways at Raef, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Anything good this morning?” Raef asks, glancing at Meela’s plate, then at her.
“Yes,” she replies.
“We were just about done, actually,” I say, sounding more aggravated than I intended.
Meela looks at me with furrowed brows. “Yeah. Elysande has a busy day in the library ahead of her.”
Raef side-eyes me, saying nothing. Daegan finally meets my gaze, but I don’t get a single read on his thoughts. His defenses are fully up again. I told them to meet me in the library today, but I’m not going to bring that up in front of everyone. They can show up if they want to.
“Sounds thrilling,” Yara drawls.
“It will be,” I say with a smile.
“You can relax, purple eyes,” Meela drawls, glancing at Yara. “She’s had a crush on Adrian since she was a little girl. She has no interest in any of your dragon boys.”
I turn, scowling at my friend. She really just says whatever is on her mind sometimes, no matter how awkward it can make a situation.
“Am I supposed to know who Adrian is? Or care?”
“No,” Meela replies, shrugging and biting into a piece of bread. “But if you want to stop scowling at us for any length of time, we could show you around, teach you how the elves like to party.”
“I’m good,” Yara answers.
Meela shrugs again, focusing on her bread, completely unbothered.
I let my gaze fall on Daegan, who’s looking out a window. I’m not sure he cares about this conversation at all. Or small talk in general.
“I thought most of your people traveled back home?” I ask Raef.
His eyebrows rise, an amused smile touching his lips. It’s Daegan who answers though. “Change of plans,” he says with a grumpy tone, like he’s annoyed I asked.
I don’t look at him. I simply look at Meela, then back at Raef. “Well, you know where to find me if you need me.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Raef replies with a laugh.
I don’t glance at the other two, but as I stand and begin to walk away, I hear Yara. “Why would anyone need her?” she says with derision.
I don’t hear an answer as I keep walking, but as I follow Meela through the large exit to the hall, I glance back over my shoulder one last time and lock eyes with Daegan.
And then I slam into a large body.
I already know it couldn’t have been Meela as I whip my head forward, beginning to form an apology on my lips.
“I’m—” I stop myself as I look up into Adrian’s deep green eyes. “Adrian,” I say, breathless.
He holds onto my shoulders, steadying me. Not that I was going to fall or anything. “Elysande,” he says.
An awkward pause falls between us.
An image of the other night flashes in my mind, making me avert my gaze.
Him between my legs.
“You already ate?” he finally asks.
“Yes,” I say as I look at him once again. “We were just leaving.”
He doesn’t glance at Meela who stands behind him waiting for me, arms crossed and looking impatient.
“Oh. I wish I would have caught you…” He looks beyond me for a moment, then back at me. “Would you maybe want to meet me for lunch?”
I hesitate for a moment. “I’m sorry. I have a pretty busy afternoon planned.”
His face falls. He looks puzzled. “You do?”
I nod.
“Oh!” I say, and his face brightens. “Remember how you promised you’d teach me some moves?”
His brows knit.
“Self-defense, and all that?”
“Oh. I did, didn’t I?”
I nod as he rubs his chin.
“You still want to do that?”
“Yes.”
He glances past me again, looking irritable. “You know what? Yeah. Maybe that would be good. Especially because the dragon lord’s son can’t stop shooting daggers with his gaze whenever you’re around.” His eyes flick to something behind me once again.
My eyebrows arch in surprise. “What?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. Yes, let’s do that. Are you free tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah. I’ll see you there.” I begin to walk past him, then stop and look back. “Oh, and Meela will be there too,” I add with a wide grin.
The corners of his lips turn down in a skeptical frown full of doubt.
“Excuse me?” Meela complains.
I ignore her as I look past Adrian into the dining room.
He must have been exaggerating. Daegan’s attention is solely on Yara, who seems to be telling an animated story.
I spin around and pull Meela’s arm into mine.
“Ready?” I ask with a high-pitched, false cheerfulness.
“What has gotten into you?” she asks with a growl as she falls into step.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”