Chapter 51
Rhyel couldn't believe the spirited woman he witnessed tonight.
Sana's joy radiated through his scales entwined in her jewelry and rippled through his veins when she reunited with a few servants she knew from her home. His heart warmed watching the shell she kept wrapped so tightly around her slowly slip away.
And he hung on every word her friends, Stella and Alfre, shared about Sana's childhood. How she taught them all how to read and write at such a young age and in return, they taught her how to find joy in the life she was given.
After countless rounds of mead, wheat beer and heartfelt laughter, Sana, Alfre and Stella held onto each other and sang an old southern shanty of brighter days which sparked a few gentlemen to play spoons on their knees, a few women drummed on the tables and the sound of fiddles filled the cavern.
The trio stood, giggling and sang louder while they danced to the swell of the sprightly music.
And Rhyel was in awe of her.
He didn't know Sana had the voice of a sweet songbird and he definitely never saw her dance with such prowess.
And when the rest of the guests in the cavern joined in their dancing, Rhyel's heart melted when Sana turned and reached for him to dance with her.
Letting out a slow breath, Rhyel rubbed a hand over his chest as he stood under the cover of the underpass while Sana bid farewell to her friends who he'd come to realize was her family.
This night would forever be etched in his mind because it was the first time he truly saw her.
And she was everything he didn't know he wanted or needed.
He just had to figure out how to keep her out of that shell he was sure she'd hide in again.
Just keep doing things like this, brother and remind her that she can be free to be herself especially around us.
Kal murmured as warmth spread through his veins.
And I assure you the phoenix we know that's inside of her will soon rise to the surface.
"Sana's going to make such a wonderful Lady of Darcanos," Elalia said, slipping her arm through Rhyel's. "I'm so glad she has her mother's spirit."
Rhyel frowned, looking down at his aunt. "You knew her?"
She nodded as a smile tugged at her lips. "And you met her once, too."
"I did?"
"Mm-hm. It was a long time ago. You were very young," she said, patting his arm. "You should ask your aunt Inés about it when you see her." Elalia laughed. "She's going to be so pleased to see you and Sana together."
"And why's that?" Rhyel raised an eyebrow. "Why are you speaking in riddles?"
"I don't mean to." Elalia's smile grew as she leaned into him. "I am a bit tipsy, my dear nephew."
"My Lady! My Queen! I am in need of your love!" Oberon bellowed with his arms wide. "And it is a fine night for a swim."
Elalia giggled as she backed away from Oberon, kicking off her shoes and pulling up the skirts of her dress. "Only if you can catch me!" she yelled, darting off toward the sea.
"I always do, my love!" Oberon said, racing after her.
Rhyel shook his head as Oberon grabbed his laughing aunt, lifting her over his shoulder before shifting into a shimmering green serpent and diving into the moonlit waters.
"Your aunt and uncle are such lovely people," Sana said, threading her fingers through his as she rested her head against his arm and yawned. "I like them."
"They like you too," he said, kissing her head. "Are you ready for bed?"
"I think so." She sighed, smiling as she looked back at Alfre and Stella, who were staggering off arm in arm to their quarters while Eula and Kezi swayed with lopsided grins toward them. "Where are you two going?"
"To help you get...get dressed for bed, my Lady," Kezi said, leaning against Eula.
"No, no," Sana said, laughing as she let go of Rhyel's hand to wrap her arms around her maids. "You go to bed." She kissed their cheeks. "Thank you for your company tonight."
"And thank you for yours, my Lady," Eula said, patting her cheek. "We are so lucky to have you. Isn't that right, my Lord?
"It is." Rhyel nodded. "You're a beautiful blessing to our House."
"Stop it." Sana giggled, turning around and slapping her hand against his chest. "I'm not a blessing to anything," she said, grinning with amusement shining in her glossy eyes. "I'm just simply...me."
Rhyel chuckled, sliding his hand over hers as he tucked a curl that had broken free of her braided crown behind her ear. "And why can't you be both?"
"I suppose I could." Sana tilted her head to the side and pursed her rose lacquered lips. "But it would be a lie, my Lord."
Rhyel raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Because the only thing I've brought to Darcanos is my awkwardness and inabilities," she said, laughing. "That's not a blessing."
"You're wrong, my Lady," Kezi slurred. "You brought... joy to our lonely Alpha's heart. That's a mighty blessing." She wrapped her arms around them and sighed. "And I love you both."
"I think you need to go to bed, Miss Kezi," Rhyel said, chuckling as a blush scorched his cheeks at Kezi's drunken confession. Did everyone believe he was lonely? He thought he did well to mask his yearning for a mate. "Eula, do you need me to walk you back to your quarters?"
"No, we'll be alright," Eula said, wrapping her arm around Kezi's waist. "Come on, love. My Lord and Lady need to get some rest too."
Kezi nodded. "Good night!" she sang, leaning on Eula as they disappeared under the underpass to their rooms.
"Is that true?" Sana said, slipping her hand in his and his heart thumped at the tenderness swirling in her violet depths. "Were you lonely?"
Rhyel nodded. "I was," he said, guiding her away from the underpass to the stone path leading back to the great hall. "But I was waiting for something that would never come until I met you."
Sana bit her lip and looked away from him as they walked up the marble steps to the palace. "Oh Gods," she whispered, pressing a hand over her heart, shaking her head as she let out a slow breath.
"Sana, what's wrong?" he said, pressing his hand against her cheek, worried it was the start of another attack. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, looking up at him. "It's just sometimes when you..." she bit her lip again. "When you say things like that a-and you look at me like you..." She shook her head. "N-nevermind. It's silly."
"I'm sure it's not," he said, caressing her cheek. "Tell me what you wish to say."
She slid her hand over his and wet her lips. "I think you... you look at me like you desire me," she whispered.
Rhyel's heart pounded and the tingling in his gut spread through his veins as his gaze lingered on her tempting lips. "Would that be a bad thing?"
He did desire her and he couldn't deny the yearning he felt for her, but he wasn't sure Sana was ready for the things he wanted.
"No," she said, sliding her hand up his chest. "I don't think so."
"Sana," he breathed, wrapping his arm around her waist as he leaned down, eager to taste her sweet lips. "Can I—"
"Rhyel! Lady Sana!" Rivo yelled, shattering the sensuous bubble around them as he and a group of drunken nobles ran down the stairs beside them, holding bottles of mead and sparkling wine. "We're going to the cove!" Rivo said, slapping his hand on Rhyel's shoulder. "Come with us!"
"Yes, why don't you join us?" Kai said, hanging his arm around Sana's shoulders, tugging her away from Rhyel. "Then we can carry on our bants, right?"
A snarl curled over Rhyel's lips as Kai mumbled something in Sana's ear. She clenched the skirts of her dress and the joyful light in her eyes dimmed as she nodded.
"No, it's been a long night," Rhyel said, sliding his hand to Sana's waist and gently pulling her back into the safety of his arms. "And we were just heading to bed."
"Yes, that's right." Sana yawned through a smile, but her body was tense and rigid against him. "We'll have to carry on some other time, Kai."
"Oh, that's too bad." Kai shrugged. "Come on Rivo before everyone takes the good seats."
"Alright," Rivo said, nudging Rhyel's arm with a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Sleep well, you two."
Rhyel nodded as Kai and Rivo raced down the stairs, laughing as they ran across the beach toward a small rocky cove on the curve of the shoreline.
Sighing as he looked down at Sana, annoyed that their precious moment was ruined by his cousin and even more irritated that Kai said something to her that dimmed the light in her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, patting his hand on her waist. "Let's...let's go to bed."
Sana was silent as they walked through the quiet halls to their room, but every so often she would rub her dragon's breath as if she were trying to calm the anxiety he could feel pulsing from her ring.
Kai ruined her happiness with whatever that smug bird said to her.
Kal growled.
You can't let her go to bed upset.
I know.
Rhyel closed the door to their room behind them while Sana slipped away from him.
"I'm going to change in... in the bathroom," she murmured.
"Sana, wait," he said, turning her around to him. "Are you sure you're okay? What did Kai say to you?"
"I'm okay." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes and didn't convince him that she wasn't upset about something. "Kai didn't say anything I wasn't expecting, but I'm fine, really."
"Alright," he said, caressing the back of her hand. "You know I'm here to listen if you want to talk about it."
"I know," she said, slipping her hand from his. "Thank you."
Rhyel heaved a sigh as she disappeared into the bathroom. He pulled off his cravat, shrugged off his suit jacket and waistcoat and dragged a hand over his face.
Why did Rivo and Kai have to ruin such a beautiful moment? Sana had rightfully guessed that he desired her and she'd given him a small inkling that she felt the same, but now, whatever Kai said to her brought back that hardened shell she kept herself in.
And he didn't know what to do to get her to come back out of it again.
Just keep reminding her that you're here for her.
Rhys sighed.
Mm, it would seem that's all we can do. I don't think our phoenix would approve of us torturing her brother for upsetting her.
Kal grumbled.
No, but right now, I would love nothing more than to do just that.
Rhyel seethed as he rearranged the chairs to make up his makeshift bed.
"Um, Rhyel?"
Sana's sweet voice cut through his heated thoughts of tormenting Kai for upsetting her. He let out a slow breath to calm his rage as he looked at her standing beside the bed dressed in her lavender nightgown. "Yes? Is everything alright?"
She nodded. "I just, um, are... are you going to be comfortable sleeping on those chairs?"
"I'll be fine," he said, chuckling as he rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. "No worse than the couch I usually sleep on."
"Oh, okay." She trailed her fingers over the plush pale green blanket before she folded it back and slipped into the bed. "Well, thank you for tonight. I... I had a lovely time."
Heat traveled down his spine watching her slide onto the lush mattress and pooled in a place it shouldn't have. Rhyel swallowed to wet his dry throat. That simple act had him aching for his wish to sleep beside her.
"You're... you're welcome," he said and the way she snuggled under the blankets made the ache burn deeper and he envied the blankets wrapped around her, wishing they were his arms keeping her warm.
"Good night, Rhyel." She yawned, tugging on the lamp chain and the room fell into darkness except for the small lamp on the table beside his makeshift bed.
"Good night, Sana," he whispered before he slumped into the chair and turned off the lamp. He heaved a deflated sigh as he rubbed a hand over his aching heart and stared up at the rays of moonlight against the celestial mural painted on the ceiling.
Sleep, brother. Find her in our dream.
Kal murmured.
Our Sana will open up to us there.
Rhyel closed his eyes wishing for sleep to claim him, but he was torn. He knew Sana would open up to him as Kal, but after being with her tonight, he didn't want that anymore.
He didn't want to be someone else for her to open up to him. He wanted her to feel comfortable to tell him anything and everything as he was. As Rhyel the man, the wolf and the dragon.
Opening his eyes, he looked over at Sana sleeping soundly in a glow of moonlight.
He wanted that empty place beside her, for her to lay her burdens on his shoulders and more than anything, he wanted her to feel free to always be the spirited woman he witnessed and adored tonight.
Rhyel drifted off to sleep, eager to find Sana in their shared dream but when he appeared in his darkened cave and looked out to the cliff—it was empty.
The sky was its usual bright blue, the sun was shining and the colorful birds of prey were happily dipping and diving into the trees for their next meal.
But Sana wasn't there.
Rhyel stomped out of his lair, looking for her in the jagged corners of the mountain side and over the edge on the off chance she decided to climb somewhere, but he found nothing, just more birds nesting below the cliff.
Where is she?
Rhyel huffed, spouting fire from his nostrils
Maybe she doesn't wish to speak to us tonight.
Kal sighed.
This dream isn't a guarantee. She can choose to dream elsewhere.
Rhyel shook his head as he paced along the cliff edge.
No. This isn't like her and you know it. After the day we had, she would've been waiting here ready to spill her heart to us.
Fire frothed in his mouth as he stomped in a circle with his eyes darting in every direction, hoping Sana would appear.
Something isn't right!
Rhyel roared, spewing fire across the sky. Fear, dread and a cold tremble swept through him and wrapped their icy tendrils around his heart as Sana's tortured whimper whispered in the wind.
It was a faint cry for help, but it was enough to jolt Rhyel awake.
"I'm sorry..." Sana murmured as she tossed and turned in the bed. "I didn't mean to," she whimpered, covering her head with her arms as she wept.
Rhyel's heart pounded as he threw off his blanket and swept across the room aching to soothe her torment.
"Sana," he whispered, climbing into the disheveled bed and gently tugging her arms away from her face. "You're alright."
"No... p-please," she sobbed. "Don't take me away." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she trembled beneath him. "I-I won't do it again."
"It's okay," he cooed, wrapping his arms around her. "You're not going anywhere," he whispered, massaging the base of her neck in a gentle caress. "You're safe with me."
Sana's shaking calmed as she curled her fingers around the loose lapels of his tunic and pressed her face into his chest as if she were breathing him in. "Rhyel..."
Her soft languid whisper tingled over his skin and his heart melted for her again that she called for him in her sleep.
He let out a slow shaky breath as he pressed a kiss against her head. "I'm here."
"Stay... with m-me," she murmured
"Always," he whispered, cocooning his body around hers as the soft and gentle pulse of her dragon's breath hummed between them.
Rhyel rested his head against hers, listening to her soft breaths and the tranquil sound of the waves crashing against the shore. He didn't know what kind of nightmare plagued her mind, but he was sure it had everything to do with whatever Kai said to her.
A snarl curled over his lips as anger stewed in his veins. He would handle Kai.
Breathing in Sana's ambrosial scent of spring, he massaged the base of her neck, wrapping his finger around a soft curl that escaped her bonnet.
Sana's sweet whisper calling for him fueled the flame simmering in his gut that had been slowly burning for her ever since he returned from his quest. But the sound of his name on her lips made him heady with determination to always be the one she called for.
He didn't have to be his dragon for her to want or need him.
And tomorrow, he would do his best to make her feel comfortable enough to tell him what burdened her and made her happy, so she'd never have to wait to find him in her dreams to speak her mind.
A/N: Whew! A few things.
... I love that Rhyel got to see Sana come out of her shell and see a relaxed/chilled/happy side of her that he clearly enjoys??.
Fuck Rivo and Kai for ruining that moment!
They almost kissed! ???? And double fuck Kai for saying whatever the hell he said to Sana too!
BUT - I'm loving that Rhyel is coming to the conclusion that he doesn't want to be Kal/use their dream in order to understand Sana anymore ?? And I just about melted in the last scenes of this chapter ???? Rhyel getting into bed to console her and Sana calling out for him! MY HEART!
As always, thank you so so much for reading, Little Bees!