Chapter 23
She loves it, brothers! She's not afraid and she thinks I'm magnificent!
Rhyel's wolf exclaimed in glee as he jumped over a fallen tree and zig-zagged through the rocky trail.
Yes, it seems she's enjoying this.
Rhyel chuckled.
But since when have you had a name?
Dragon brother has one he shared with our Lady and I wanted one for her to call me too. Rhys seemed fitting.
Rhyel's dragon chuffed with amusement.
It is a good name, brother. I like it.
Kal and Rhys...alright. I can get used to this.
Rhyel mused as Rhys carried on through the rugged path and into another thick coverage of trees at the top of the mountain.
"Where are we going?" Sana said, digging her nails into Rhys' fur, and her fear vibrated through him as the brush along the path rustled beside them. "I...I don't like this."
You're alright, Sana. There's nothing here that will harm us.
"But what about the golems?" she whispered.
Golems don't travel this far up in the mountains. The rustling you hear are snow fairies who cultivate the land.
Rhys let out a howl as the snow topped shrubs burst into a flurry of tiny winged beings.
See?
Sana laughed as the fairies flew around them in a snowy cloud. "They're beautiful," she said, watching as the beings flew up into the trees.
Mm, they are. Most of the creatures and beings that live in the wilds of the north prefer to live unbothered by humans.
"I suppose that makes sense," she said, releasing her tight grip in his fur as Rhys traveled further into the woods. "And do you and Rhyel come up this far very often?"
We do. As the Alpha of Darcanos, it's our duty to watch over the people and the creatures who live here.
"Would that be part of my duties as the Lady of Darcanos too? Watching over the creatures, I mean."
If you want. Our mother took that on as part of her duties with our father. However, I don't believe Rhyel would want that for you.
"Oh." She sighed. "Is it because I don't have abilities? He doesn't think I can handle a duty like that."
No, it's not that. I'm sure once you've trained enough you'll be capable of coming out here on your own, but I think it's best if he explains it to you.
Oh, do you?
Rhyel grumbled as Rhys walked out of the winding path into the clearing in the forest. Sana gasped as she slowly slipped off of Rhys' back.
"This is beautiful," she said as a gust of wind and snow blew across the wide, pointed edge of the cliff that overlooked the vast lands of Darcanos. "Thank you for bringing me here."
You're welcome, Sana.
Rhys bowed his head.
I hope you enjoy your lunch with Rhyel.
"Thank you, Rhys," Sana said, petting the fur between his ears. "I hope we'll see more of each other now."
Of course we will. I'll make sure of it.
Rhys lifted his head and gave her hand a quick lick before his arctic blue eyes glowed and a silver mist swept over him, enveloping his body.
Such dramatics for our Sana.
Rhys chuckled as Rhyel took over their body and emerged in his black leathers and thick fur cape. He brushed his wayward hair back from his face and smiled at Sana. "I hope you enjoyed the ride up here with Rhys."
"I did. I like your wolf. Rhys is lovely. Thank you for letting me meet him," she said, turning around to gaze at the scenery. "And this place is beautiful."
A gust of wind blew over the cliff, and a flurry of snow swirled around Sana. She shivered and pulled her cloak tighter around her as snowflakes peppered her fiery hair.
The juxtaposition of the gray sky and wintry wind against her vibrant crimson hair and brown skin made Rhyel's heart thump.
Gods, she was beautiful.
And cold. Maybe you should put up a barrier, brother. She's not used to the climate this high up in mountains like you and Rhys.
Kal grumbled as fire sizzled in Rhyel's hands.
"Right," he whispered. "I'm glad you like it here, but how about I make it a bit more comfortable for you?"
Sana frowned, looking back at him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we can't have lunch up here with all the wind and nowhere to sit," he said, raising his hands and a spark of fire left his fingertips and curved over the cliff, encasing them in a dome of warmth.
Rhyel slid his arm around Sana's waist and gestured to the two plush high-backed chairs he created in the center of the cliff edge with a small table and fire in the middle. "Would you like to sit?"
A soft laugh left Sana's lips. "Yes, but you didn't have to do all this. I need to get used to the cold."
"You do, eventually," he said as they sat in the chairs in front of the fire. "But I'd never hear the end of it from Zena or your maids if I brought you home and you got sick from being up here."
"That's true," she said, sitting the satchel on the table. "I don't think Loic would appreciate me getting sick before the festive season, either."
"No, of course not," Rhyel said, opening the satchel and taking out the spread of crackers, meats, cheese and a few bowls of dried fruit. "Ah, the kitchen has put a bottle of chilled bitter berry tea and mead in here. I think they've been made aware of your love of mead."
Sana slid a hand over her face and laughed. "That's...that's embarrassing."
"No. It's endearing that they think of you like this," Rhyel said as he took two glasses from the bag. "Would you like a drink?"
"Yes, but... but I'd like the tea, please."
"Of course," he said, pouring her a glass of the dark red liquid. "We can save the mead for later."
"Thank you," she said, taking a sip of tea before she nibbled on a few pieces of dried fruit. "Rhys said you and him come up here often. Is this cliff a special place for you?"
Rhyel shook his head, eating a piece of meat and cheese. "Not really. I like the view up here and this is part of the run we do with the warriors. I like to bring them up here to remind them that it's not just the people we protect, but the creatures, too."
"I can see how this would give them a different perspective," she said, leaning back in her chair. "I... I hope you don't mind me asking this, but I'm sure you heard Rhys and I talking about your mother's duties."
"I did, and I think I know what you'd like to ask me," Rhyel said, looking over at her. "You want to know why I'd prefer it if you didn't take on the duties of looking after the creatures of Darcanos with me, right?"
"Yes, I know I'm not close to being ready to do that, but I-I want to uphold the duties of a Lady here. You asked me to try, and that's what I want to do."
"I know, and I admire you for wanting that." He sighed as the memory of his father carrying his mother's lifeless body from the lands beyond the wall flashed through his mind. "But I couldn't put you in danger like that, whether you're capable or not."
Sana curled her fingers around her dragon's breath stone and nodded. "Does it have anything to do with the reason the wall was erected and your father's curse?"
"Yes, it has everything to do with that," he said, taking a drink from his glass. "I wasn't expecting to talk about my mother's death today, but it would seem that Rhys has forced my hand."
"No," Sana said, reaching over and sliding her hand over his arm.
"You don't need to share that with me. Not if you're uncomfortable.
Rhys shouldn't have mentioned that, and you've shared more of yourself with me today than I was expecting.
" She squeezed his arm and a smile tugged at her lips.
"We can... we can talk about something else. "
"Thank you. I'd rather talk about it when we're not so close to where it happened. I don't want to frighten you."
Touché, brother. I didn't think of that.
"That's fair," she said, letting go of his arm to pick up a cracker and a piece of cheese. "I, um, I don't know what to talk about now."
Rhyel chuckled as he ate another piece of meat. "Why don't you tell me about your training? Are you happy with how things are going?"
"Yes, everyone has been very helpful. Although, I'm not doing so well with any of it."
"What do you mean? What are you struggling with?"
She laughed. "Everything. I've never had to learn how to ride a horse, hold a sword or learn the grace and etiquette of being a Lady," she said, sighing. "But if I'm honest... I'm more worried about the engagements during the festive season than learning how to be a warrior."
Rhyel raised an eyebrow. "And why's that?"
Sana squeezed the glass in her hand as she looked down at the red liquid. "I'm... I'm afraid to see my sisters and my brother. I don't know how they're going to react to me being treated like one of them."
I don't like that she feels this way.
Rhys growled.
Neither do I. She is bright and shining and they will treat her as such.
Kal huffed as fire licked through Rhyel's veins.
Calm yourselves, brothers. She will be treated like the Lady we know her to be.
"Sana, I know you don't want to tell me about your life before now," he said, sliding his fingers under her chin and turning her face to his.
"But you will be treated like the Lady of Darcanos wherever we go on the festive tour.
I will make sure of that. No one will disrespect you. Do you understand me?"
"Y-yes. I understand," she whispered.
"Good," he said, letting his hand fall from her chin. "And if you want, I'm more than happy to help you with any part of your training."
Her eyes grew wide. "Really?"
"Of course. I'm your betrothed and the Lord of Darcanos. It's my duty to make sure you feel prepared and comfortable with your duties as well."
Sana shook her head. "I don't want you to feel you have to shirk your other duties to help me."
"Nonsense, my Lady. This is more important, and I promise my other duties won't suffer because of you."
"You're far more kind than anyone in the other nations gives you credit for," she said, looking away from him to the vast valley and rolling hills beyond the cliff. "I'm... I'm lucky to be here and be your betrothed."
Rhyel's heart simmered at her simple yet sweet admission, and she didn't realize how lucky he felt that he was blessed to find his purpose in her.
"No, you have it all wrong, Sana."
"What do you mean?" she said, looking over at him with her puzzled violet eyes.
"Just that I... I'm the one who feels lucky that you haven't left and you..." He dragged a hand through his hair as a blush scorched his cheeks. "You seem to feel at home here."
A smile tugged at her lips and made his heart beat faster. "I do feel at home here and I wouldn't dream of leaving this place."
Rhyel reached over to her and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. "I'm glad."
He'd already lived through the death and destruction of her leaving because of his dire need for a true mate. To hear her say that she felt at home and she wouldn't dream of leaving set his heart ablaze for her.
Because he'd do anything to keep her happy here. Even if it meant enduring Loic's dreadful etiquette training. He supposed he could do with a refresher on how to deal with the nobility in the realm. He wouldn't dream of embarrassing Sana in front of her siblings.
And they better not dare speak with any disrespect about his Lady.
Or he would show them the barbaric and monstrous Lord they believed him to be.