Chapter 41
Rhyel watched the clouds move across the midnight sky with his chin resting on top of Sana's crown of braids, listening to her soft breaths as she slept curled up against him. It didn't take her long to fall asleep, not with him telling her random tales and myths of Grensea.
Sliding his hand over Sana's, he rubbed the band of her ring with his thumb.
Now that she wore his scales around her finger and weaved into the chain of her necklace, he could feel her emotions like a soft whisper brushing over his skin.
It was comforting to get a small glimpse into her mind.
To feel her delight and yearning for the sun.
He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against her fingers.
And those tiny, hesitant licks of her desire teasing his nerves, were all the encouragement he needed to tell him something in her wanted to belong to him too.
But he didn't like that her restlessness had dampened her lively emotions because of their arrival at the palace tomorrow and the beginning of the festive season.
He gazed at the pointed towers of the floating palace and sighed. The next few weeks were going to be a challenge for her and he didn't know how to protect her from her fear of how her siblings would receive her or how the nobles would perceive her.
Unfortunately, we can't.
Kal sighed.
Our scales won't shield her from her fear. She must face this on her own. All we can do is be her strength, as you said.
Rhyel sighed again as he wrapped the ends of his cloak around her shoulders and carefully slipped his arm beneath the curl of her knees before picking her up in his arms.
She doesn't need anyone's acceptance. Least of all from her family, and I'm not sure how calm I can be if they insult her in any way.
We will not tolerate anyone insulting our Sana.
Rhys' menacing growl rumbled through his mind.
We will remind them why we are known as a fearsome Lord.
Kal seethed as fire sizzled in his veins.
"Indeed, brothers," Rhyel whispered, holding Sana close as he slipped into her tent.
As he laid her down on the bed, his heart thumped when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and nuzzled her face against his neck.
"Mm...Kal you're so... warm," she murmured as a soft snore left her lips.
Chuckling softly, Rhyel gently tugged her arms from around his shoulders. "Sleep well, Sana," he whispered, tucking the blankets around her before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll see you in your dreams."
Mm, it seems her subconscious knows who you are now. That is a good sign, my Lord.
Sune murmured as he curled up on Sana's shoulder.
You should get some rest. She'll be waiting for you.
Rhyel nodded as he caressed Sana's cheek before he straightened. "Good night, Sune," he said, padding quietly across the carpeted floor and slipped out of the tent.
The wolves standing watch around the camp gave him a slight bow as he slipped into the tent beside Sana's. Curling up on the couch he conjured for himself, he closed his eyes, letting sleep claim him and finding Sana waiting for him in their dream atop a cliff above a lush forest.
And he wondered if they would still dream together once she knew who he was in their waking life.
Maybe...Maybe not.
Kal murmured.
"Come then, my Lady," Rhyel said, curling his tail around Sana's waist and pulling her close. "What's troubling those eyes of yours?"
A small smile tugged at her lips as she wrapped her arms around his leg and leaned against him. "Rhyel says he doesn't care what my family thinks of me." She sighed. "But he's going to meet them very soon and I'm just...I'm still worried he's going to realize the things they say about me are true."
"Like you're a useless servant, you're not a true Lightbourne, and you killed your mother?"
Sana nodded as she gripped her arms around his leg. "Yes," she whispered.
"Mm, are they true?"
"Well, kind of. I was a servant and I've never been considered a Lightbourne, but I didn't kill my mother."
"And you're not useless," Rhyel said, resting his snout on top of her head. "Your family has been defining who you are all your life and I am confident Lord Rhyel will not be swayed by who they think you are. He wouldn't have put that ring on your finger if he had any doubts about you."
"I know you're right," Sana said, holding out her hand and rubbing her thumb over the band of her ring. "But I'm still having a hard time believing someone like Rhyel could feel anything for me."
"What have I always told you, hm?" he said, nuzzling his snout against her hair and breathing in her sweet, ambrosial scent.
"You deserve the sun, the moon, and the heavens to be showered upon you.
Why don't you let Lord Rhyel prove he's worthy enough to give that to you?
And if he's not," Rhyel growled. "I'll find a way to strike him down myself. "
Sana laughed softly, shaking her head. "I don't think that will be necessary and I wouldn't want you to strike him down," she said, curling her arm around his leg again. "He means too much to me now and he... he already seems worthy, but I want to be worthy of him, too."
"Then let go of this fear you have, my Lady. Hold your head high and demand the respect you deserve from your family."
"You sound like Rhyel," she said, chuckling. "He's always encouraging me and I like that, so I'll try to be brave and do as you both say." She sighed, cuddling closer to him. "Thank you for always being here for me."
Rhyel curled his tail tighter around her. "You're welcome."
I don't care if we lose this dream with her. Moments like this would be better spent in our waking life.
Kal's voice hummed through his mind.
At least then, she might allow us to sleep and dream beside her.
Closing his eyes as his heart warmed at the thought of falling asleep with Sana in his arms.
One day, I hope we will.
Rhyel murmured.
He would prove himself to her. He'd show her he could and would shower her with the sun, the moon and the heavens without a care for what her family or the nobles of the realm thought of her.
Then maybe that would light the fire he knew was in her and awaken her phoenix spirit so she would never question or doubt herself in front of anyone.