Chapter 20
After rummaging through what scrolls Rydian had lying all over his table, we decided to wait until dusk before making our way back to the castle. It would be much easier to sneak him in as the sun started to set.
I was eager to leave the loft, not interested in staying any longer than necessary in order to avoid hearing the muffled moans as the brothel’s activity began.
I wasn’t about to stick around long enough to find out how soundproof the windows actually were, no matter how many times Rydian insisted.
The idea of sitting there, alone with Rydian, while that began below us?
I bite the inside of my lip, forcing myself to focus, but my body heats at the thought.
Not because of him. Definitely not because of him.
Winter blasts me in the face, suddenly pulling me from my thoughts as I descend the steps to gather Bjorn.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper as he huffs in annoyance.
“I’m getting hungry.” He stomps his hoof.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry!” I whisper again.
“Your king follows you,” Bjorn adds almost in warning, and I whirl around. My heart thumps frantically in my chest. I expect to find King Elion behind me only to see Rydian securing his hood, descending the steps of the Painted Bird.
Right, he means King Rydian, not Elion. I groan, then frown, willing my heart rate to slow and realizing that he said your king.
“You’re coming with me?” I ask, turning sharply to Rydian. “Can’t you walk in the Veil, or better yet, meet me there?”
“I could… but I don’t want to.” He smirks, giving Bjorn an apple. “You’re more interesting.”
“You’re walking.” I grab the pommel, swinging myself over, when he grips my hand, catching me off guard.
My eyes widen, glancing down just as he releases me, though I recover quickly, tossing my braid over my shoulder, as if that will somehow settle the flood of heat rising in my face. Tugging the edges of my hood forward, I pull my scarf over my nose, creating a makeshift mask to shield myself.
Rydian smirks. “No, I’m not. He loves me. See? He doesn’t mind.”
I glance down, eyes narrowing as I watch him caress Bjorn’s face, the dark horse leaning into him. The scene is ridiculous, with Rydian looking smug while Bjorn practically melts under his affection.
“Traitor.” I push the thought out. Rydian’s smirk deepens as though he’s heard my thoughts loud and clear, eyes glinting with amusement.
“Well?” I ask Bjorn.
“It’s true. I’m fond of the dark king.”
I exhale, throwing my head back, and huff, my face heating from behind the thick scarf.
“Fine, but if you even think about trying something, you’re walking the rest of the way,” I warn, my words coming out muffled.
“And you need to conceal yourself. I don’t need to be questioned about why there’s a mysterious male riding behind me while we pass through. ”
Bjorn shuffles his feet, tossing his head as if in agreement, but Rydian doesn’t move right away. Instead, his lips quirk into that maddening smirk of his.
“You’ll be questioned regardless because of how loud you are, little fawn,” he quips.
My hands tighten on the reins, his words quickly reminding me of our moment on the saddle a couple of weeks ago, my face burning hotter. It makes me want to throw something at him—preferably something sharp.
“Hurry up,” I snap, losing my patience.
Rydian chuckles before swiftly swinging himself behind me in one swift motion. His movements are annoyingly graceful, and the shift in weight brings him closer than I’d like.
I stiffen slightly as his arm brushes against my waist. Then he Veils himself, his form disappearing into the shadows as if he were never there. Despite the lamp lights lining our path, the night remains dark enough to keep us both concealed.
“See?” His voice hums low in my ear. “Hidden. Just like you asked.”
He adjusts his hips, shifting to get comfortable, and I let out a groan, knowing he’s doing it just to get under my skin.
He chuckles again as we set off at an easy pace, and I can’t help but bask in the warmth seeping in from the back of my cloak.
He’s the only thing keeping me from shivering as snow comes down in sheets above us, blanketing the realm in a soft, white pillowy cloud.
The once-visible path slowly disappears beneath the swirling drifts, leaving Bjorn to navigate back to the castle by instinct.
Each step he takes crunches softly beneath his hooves.
The cold air bites at my eyes, and I’m suddenly thankful for the fur-lined cloak and scarf that I brought with me. Rydian doesn’t seem to shiver once, but his steady presence behind me makes the bitter chill of the night somewhat bearable.
“Is Ivy still in Aurelia?” I ask as we reach the edge of Alvonia, cloaked in darkness as we travel toward the castle’s main entrance.
“Yes. She’s taking care of the realm while I’m away. She and Orin will join us soon.”
“And Orin is your third in command?”
“Yes, and he’s brilliant. Why he’s in my army, I’ll never know. He would make an excellent scholar,” he says casually.
His hands suddenly slip beneath my cloak, gripping my waist, fingers wrapping tight around my ribs. My lips part. The chill of his skin seeps through my tunic, yet his touch ignites a fire in me so low it’s hard to ignore.
“Do you not listen?” My voice is sharp, but it’s the only way to mask the way my breath catches as it sends a scorching heat across my skin.
He hums. “I’m curious as to what changed between now and two weeks ago when you were practically begging for me to put my hand in your pants on this very horse.
” His teasing words force me to release a groan.
“I’m only warming my hands—they’re freezing.
Are you going to deny a king his warmth?
” he murmurs, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You don’t need to stick them there to stay warm,” I mutter, yet I can’t seem to shove him away.
He hums again, low and thoughtful, the sound far too amused. “I think this is the perfect spot since you always seem to be so flushed around me—like a furnace,” he muses, somehow leaning closer. “Besides, I just can’t seem to help myself.”
“Do you practice this level of cockiness, or does it just come naturally for you?” I bite out.
“It’s effortless, I assure you.” He chuckles, flexing his fingers just to prove his point and causing me to bite my cheek.
I don’t trust myself enough to respond, so I remain focused on the road, riding the rest of the way in silence. His hands remain where they are. Despite my mild irritation, I let them stay, finding the weight of his touch oddly comforting.
Arriving just outside the castle’s gate, I spot Silas hovering around a small fire, bundled in a fur-lined cloak and puffing a pipe. Smoke billows around his face on an exhale.
He straightens, striding to the gate to prevent my entrance. A large grin spreads across my face, even though he can’t see my mouth. Rydian stiffens behind me as he approaches, still hidden in the Veil.
“Who are you?” Silas questions. “Get off your horse so I can inspect you.”
He freezes the moment my laugh pierces the air. Not from the chill of the cold night—but from the sound of my voice. I suddenly yank down my scarf to reveal my face just as his drains itself of all its color.
“Oh, Silas, questioning my whereabouts again?” I tease, chuckling as I pierce him with a playful glare, my eyes glinting as I peer down.
He pauses, his eyes sweeping over me in a slow once-over before a deep, booming laugh escapes him, reaching to pull me off Bjorn as if I weigh nothing. He wraps me in a large hug, squeezing the breath from me.
“And where have you been hiding?” he says, hands firmly resting on my shoulders as his gaze sweeps over me again, shining with mischief. He winks. “You look good. Better than good, actually.”
“Oh, come on,” Rydian grumbles in my head, his voice dripping with annoyance. I ignore him, focusing entirely on Silas.
I bat my lashes, feigning innocence. “What do you mean? I’ve been at the castle. It’s only been a couple weeks. I couldn’t have changed that much.”
“Oh, but you have,” he says, his tone playful.
“You look ravishing. And here I thought that the cold has been unbearable—turns out, it’s the lack of your company that’s been the real challenge.
You didn’t think to visit me? It’s been awfully cold without you.
” He runs a gloved hand down his face like he’s being tormented.
I snort. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve been saving all that charm for someone else,” he accuses.
“Is this really necessary?” Rydian growls.
“I’ve just been… occupied.” I exhale, unable to find the words to explain, knowing that I need to stay silent. Giving him a warm smile, I admire the full beard he’s grown now that winter is here. He plants a gentle, friendly kiss on my left cheek.
Rydian’s irritation flares again as another growl enters my thoughts, leaving me to refrain from rolling my eyes. Bjorn shuffles his feet, most likely agitated from Rydian’s growing frustration, so I cut the interaction short.
“I need to get Bjorn to the stables. It was good to see you, Silas. I promise to visit, I swear,” I say, squeezing his hand in farewell.
“It’s good to see you. Stay warm for me, yeah? Wouldn’t want someone as pretty as you to get cold.” He grins.
Grabbing Bjorn’s reins, I steer him to the left of the castle as I glance over my shoulder to Silas.
“That human is in love with you,” Rydian grumbles the moment we’re out of earshot. He appears from the Veil and hops off Bjorn once we reach the inside of the stables. He unclasps the saddle, flinging the straps like they annoy him.
I scoff. “No, he’s not. Silas is just a good friend. He keeps me company at night sometimes.” Taking the saddle from him, I toss it over the side of Bjorn’s stall.
Rydian huffs a dry laugh. “You don’t actually believe that, do you?”