Chapter 39
Rhyel laid on his couch as the moonlight faded and gave way to the early morning light. A smile splayed across his lips as he trailed his fingers over the warrior's charm Sana made for him.
He never thought he'd ever be blessed to receive such a token of affection, and he wondered if Sana understood the meaning behind a gift of this stature. That she had essentially asked for his heart and he'd given it to her without hesitation when he allowed her to place the bracelet on his wrist.
Even if she didn't know what it meant, it didn't matter because he belonged to her now.
And when are you going to tell her that you're in love with her?
Kal chuffed in amusement.
Rhyel shook his head at his cheeky dragon. "I don't know if what I'm feeling is love," he said, dragging a hand over his tousled hair as he sat up. "But I like knowing I belong to her."
Yes, we are lucky, brother. Most dragons aren't blessed like this. You should do well not to mess this up.
"I don't intend to," Rhyel said, getting up and shuffling into the bathroom. "I will court her like a woman of her namesake should be."
And you need to do more than give her subtle hints about her mother's phoenix lineage. I'm afraid what Zena said is going to come to fruition, and I don't want us to lose Sana's trust.
"I know, Rhys. That's been on my mind too," Rhyel said, shrugging off his robe and slipping into the steaming bath.
"After last night I...I don't want to keep this secret from her, but I also don't want to overwhelm her.
" He sighed. "But I can't expect her to keep being open with me and not tell her the whole truth of what I am. "
Mm, I was hoping you'd eventually come to this conclusion. I also think that's why we haven't been able to fully merge.
Rhyel frowned as he dragged a soapy cloth over his body. "What do you mean?"
We are capable of merging completely and you've allowed my memories to merge with your own, but you won't allow us to share one mind.
Kal yawned, flexing his claws.
I know it's not because you fear losing our bond with Rhys because he will always be an active part of who we are, but it has everything to do with you not being honest with Sana.
"You're right," Rhyel said, rubbing a hand over his heart. "I'm going to tell her, but after I've spent some time courting her on this trip."
That is a wise decision, brother. If we want to have a joyous union with our Lady, it is best to be honest.
"That's very true, Rhys," Rhyel said as a smile spread across his lips. Even though the purpose of him proposing to her was a way to make sure she was safeguarded against any sly attacks from Lord Zehev, he had to admit he was elated by the thought of Sana becoming his wife one day.
Mm, so am I.
Kal murmured.
It is a great honor to be the husband and protector of an Erius phoenix. Our children will be magnificent beings.
A blush scorched Rhyel's cheeks and burned up to his ears. He hadn't thought about children. He and Sana had yet to kiss let alone do anything that would lead to them having a...baby.
And you call us immature.
Rhys scoffed.
Have you forgotten that as the Lord and Alpha of Darcanos you'll need to produce an heir at some point? Why do you think Zena has been trying for years to find you a wife?
"I know, but I just," Rhyel said, filling his hands with soap and washing his hair. "That hasn't been on my mind. I mean all of this is so new and I'm not sure Sana and I are ready to talk about what our eventual marriage actually means as far as having an heir."
That is true and it's not a talk you need to rush into. This trip is about making sure our Sana has a successful debut, beginning our courtship with her, and finding out if Lord Zehev is after the blood she carries.
Kal yawned again.
There will be plenty of time to talk about your duties as Lord and Lady. For now, just focus on those three things.
Rhyel nodded. "Indeed," he said, slipping beneath the warm water to rinse his hair.
Nothing else mattered but Sana's happiness, her protection and finding out if Lord Zehev was after the first-born daughter of the Lightbournes.
And if that was the case, he needed to know why.
A smile tugged at Rhyel's lips as Sana emerged from her room with her hair braided down her back and laid over the silver fur collar of her black long-sleeved waistcoat.
The long tails of her coat gave way to leather trousers that curved over her thighs like a second skin and tucked into a pair of knee high riding boots.
Pride washed over him as she slipped her dagger into its silver sheath on her waist and his heart simmered at the specks of gold in her onyx ring shimmering in the morning light like a welcoming reminder she was more than his betrothed.
"Good morning, my Lady," he said, crossing the short distance between them and taking her hand. "You look lovely."
"Thank you," she said, laughing softly. "I'm a little nervous about our journey, though." She bit her lip as her eyes filled with worry. "I haven't been to many places and I don't want to embarrass you with my excitement for everything I'll see."
Rhyel chuckled, shaking his head. "But I want to see your excitement," he said, rubbing his thumb over her fingers. "You should enjoy every moment of this trip." He pressed a kiss over her knuckles. "You could never embarrass me, so don't hold back your feelings."
A warmth shimmered in her violet eyes. "I'll try not to, my Lord."
"Good," he said, smiling as he let go of her hand. "And you, my Lady, are missing something."
Her eyes grew wide as she looked down at the ring on her finger before pressing her hand against her dagger. A frown knit her brow as she looked up at him. "What could I be missing?"
He tugged a necklace from his cloak pocket and held up a dragon's breath gem encased in a half moon carved out of polished silver.
"Something you gave to me that I promised to return to you," he said, slipping the necklace over her head, taking care to move her hair so the braided black chain could rest against her neck.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to make you a new one when you should never have been without this piece of protection. "
"You don't have to say sorry, but thank you for making this for me," Sana said, smiling as she trailed her fingers over the gem before looking up at him and the joy in her eyes made his heart flutter. "I'd lend it to you again if you needed it."
"I'll have no need for it," he said, sliding his hand to her cheek. "The charm you made for me is all the protection I'll ever need."
Sana laughed, sliding her fingers over his wrist. "I don't think it has that much power."
Rhyel grinned. "It does to me," he said, caressing her cheek before taking her hand and nodding toward the hallway. "Shall we start our journey, my Lady?"
Sana looked down at their hands and thread her fingers through his. Her ring's gentle pulse of energy hummed through his veins and his heart stuttered at the tender warmth filling her eyes as she looked up at him. "Yes, we shall, my Lord."
And that simple look of joy should always shine in her eyes. Not the hesitation, worry or fear that usually held a permanent place in her violet depths.
He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand as they descended the stairs to the line of guards and castle staff waiting to bid them farewell while Zena, Oziel and their traveling guards waited for them beside the black and gold gilded carriage just beyond the steps of the castle.
Rhyel nodded to the guards and staff as they passed. The festive season would be the perfect chance for him to show Sana that she had no reason to doubt her beauty or her worth and she deserved the respect of a Lady.
A fire burned in his gut as his eyes trailed over her crimson hair and the small curls that framed her brown skin.
Maybe what he felt for her was love.
Because it wasn't his pledge of loyalty or his duty as a dragon to protect her that made him want to defend her honor or rip apart anyone who dared to question her nobility.
No, that feeling came from deep within his soul.
Sana chose him to be hers and he would do everything in his power to be worthy of her choice.