Chapter 58
Rhyel couldn't remember a time he felt this blissfully happy as he flew through the moonlit sky with Sana on his back and the memory of her intoxicating kisses on his lips.
He was almost loath for this night to end.
Taking Sana to the shrine might not have awakened the phoenix within her, but being there surely broke down a wall between them.
He never thought he was going to tell her about his mother's death or his rampage, but he was glad he did because how could he expect her to give him her heart, if he wasn't willing to bare his faults and flaws to her?
He was worried she was going to hide back in her shell for fear of what kind of raging monster he could become, but she didn't cower or bulk away from him. She just...accepted him for who he was and the man he came to be.
A smile tugged at his lips as he flew around the palace toward their balcony.
And he might very well be in love with her.
We are, brother. So, very much.
Rhys sighed in longing.
Mm, and now would be a wise time to tell her the whole truth of who we are too.
Kal murmured, stretching his claws.
I know and I will. I told her I want everything with her and that means I have to tell her everything too.
"The palace is so quiet," Sana said as he flew by the promenade and the darkened windows of the great hall. "I know we missed the tournament, but I thought everyone would still be socializing."
"Maybe everyone was so bored watching paint dry that they all turned in early."
"Stop being mean." Sana giggled as she tugged on the leather strap across his shoulders. "I hope Zena and Loic aren't upset that we weren't there for them at the end."
"I'm sure they'll forgive us," Rhyel said, shifting from his half avian form and wrapping his arms around Sana as they landed on their balcony. "But I'm sorry I kept you out so late. I know you wanted to be here for them."
"I did, but don't apologize. I'm glad we spent this time together," she said, sliding her hands against his chest with her tired eyes shining with joy. "Tonight was the best night I've ever had."
A smile tugged at his lips. "Me too," he said, pressing his forehead against hers. "Thank you for spending it with me."
"It was my pleasure," she said with a tired smile gracing her lips as she yawned. "But I think it's time for bed now."
He chuckled softly. "It is," he said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "Let's get you to bed, my Lady. It'll be another long day tomorrow with it being the last day of the tournament."
"Oh, that's right," she said, yawning again. "Do you know what game it is?"
"Usually it's some sort of obstacle course Rivo conjures up," Rhyel said, opening the balcony door and guiding her inside. "But I haven't attended this in a while, so it might be something different."
"Well, whatever it is," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her hand over her mouth to stifle another yawn. "I'm sure it'll be fine, right?"
"Mm-hm," he said, kneeling down and slipping her rose dusted heels from her feet.
Sana leaned forward, pressing her hand against his shoulder. "You don't need to do that."
"Why not?" he said, looking up at her as he massaged her feet. "You've been wearing those shoes all day and I don't want you to wake up with knots in your feet."
She laughed, shaking her head. "Who knew the fearsome Lord of the north would care about the feet of a woman raised as a servant?" Sana slid her hand to his cheek. "You honor me too much, my Lord."
"No," Rhyel said, sliding his hand to the base of her neck. "Not nearly enough." He placed a soft kiss against her lips. "And I would care about you no matter what you were."
"I would too." A faint ring of fire swirled in the violets of her eyes as she pressed her forehead against his. "Rhyel?" she whispered.
"Yes," he murmured, lost in the depths of her eyes and the warm gentle pulse of her ring against his cheek.
"Will you sleep with me again?" she said, biting her lip. "I...I like waking up next to you."
"Of course I will," he said, caressing the back of her neck, tangling his fingers in her soft curls as his heart thumped and simmered at her admission. "I like waking up next to you too."
A shy smile graced Sana's lips and the faint fire burning behind her eyes faded as she leaned away from him. "I always wanted to know what this would be like."
"What do you mean?" he said, raising an eyebrow as he massaged her feet again.
"My sisters always had a handful of merchants and soldiers courting them and they always came home so happy as if they were floating on the clouds," she said, resting her elbows on her knees watching him tend to her feet.
"I always wanted to know what that kind of happiness felt like and how someone could make you feel that way. "
"Is... that the kind of happiness you feel right now?" Rhyel looked up at her with his heart churning, hoping he was capable of eliciting those feelings in her.
"Yes," she said, brushing a lock of his hair from his forehead.
"I always knew I'd never get the chance to feel this way.
That I'd end up alone and cast out to the streets once my brother became the head of House Lightbourne," she said, trailing her fingers down his cheek as a warm tingle swept down his spine.
"So forgive me if I struggle to get used to the way you treat me or.
..or show me affection. I'm very new to all of this.
" She bit her lip. "And I don't want to disappoint you. "
"Sana, you can take as long as you like to get used to this," Rhyel said, taking her hands. "We don't have to rush anything." He caressed her fingers. "And you could never disappoint me. I just want you to be happy."
"I am." She sighed as a tired smile tugged at her lips. "I just hope I can make you happy too."
"You already do, just by being you," he said, bringing her hands to his lips. "And I think it's time you get ready for bed, my Lady."
"Yes," she murmured as a yawn escaped her lips. "And you're sure you'll be comfortable in... in the bed?"
"I'm sure," he said, standing and helping her up from the bed. "I promise."
Sana nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Mm, okay," she said, shuffling across the room to the bathroom. "I'll just be a minute."
Rhyel watched her slip into the bathroom before he rubbed a hand over his heart. He let out a slow breath. Sana was truly doing something to him.
They always do.
Kal chuffed in a low rumble.
When your soul isn't tied to another, the attention of a phoenix can be intoxicating.
Rhyel frowned, untying his cravat as he padded across the room to the dressing screen.
But surely this feeling has to mean something more than a simple infatuation.
Kal chuckled as he stretched his claws.
It could be, but in our experience it has always been just that.
Rhyel slipped out of his clothes and shrugged on a pair of loose trousers and tunic before washing his face in the basin.
Maybe it'll be different this time.
Rhys murmured.
Maybe we're different.
Rhyel sighed, drying his face and stepping out from behind the screen. His heart thumped and a blush crept up his cheeks as Sana climbed into the bed. Her silky lavender nightgown hinted at her curves and stirred an ache to curl up with her in his arms.
He padded across the room and slipped onto the bed beside her, but a sudden wave of nervousness and hesitation swept over him. It was different sleeping with her last night because she was having a nightmare and he wrapped his arms around her for protection, but now...
A blush burned over his cheeks. Now he wasn't sure how she wanted to sleep with him. Maybe she just wanted to lie next to him.
"Um, Rhyel?" Sana said, turning to him with a timid look in her sleepy violet eyes.
"Yes?"
"Would you mind if I... slept close to you?"
"No." A smile tugged at his lips as slipped his arm beneath her pillow and pulled her close, cuddling her against his side. "Do you mean like this?"
"Mm-hm." Sana nodded, pressing her hand against his chest as she yawned. "Thank you," she murmured as her body relaxed against him while her eyes drooped and closed.
"You're welcome," Rhyel whispered, pressing a kiss against her forehead. "Good night, Sana."
He tugged the slim lamp chain against the headboard and the room fell into darkness with the soft sound of Sana's breathing as he watched her sleep in the glow of the pale moonlight.
Gods, I hope we're different, brothers.
Rhyel breathed in Sana's flowery scent and closed his eyes as sleep rose to claim him.
I don't want my soul to belong to anyone else.
The gentle sound of waves crashing and the cool breeze of salty air woke Rhyel and a deep growl rumbled from his chest when he didn't feel Sana beside him. He sprung up from the floor of his cage drifting in the water.
"Sana!" He roared with his muscles bulging as he grasped the metal bars looking out at the wooden bridge leading to the shore behind the palace.
"Calm yourself, cousin," Rivo said as he walked along the plank with a smug grin on his face. "It's just a game."
"A stupid one if you ask me," Oberon grumbled from the cage beside him.
"What game is this?" Rhyel said, through gritted teeth as he tried to bend the metal bars to his will. "Where is Sana and where is my warrior's charm?"
"Sana is safe in her bed for now," Rivo said, tying back his thick black locs from his face before he leaned against Rhyel's cage. "But she'll have to find you in a little obstacle course of puzzles and bring your bracelet back to you." He grinned. "I think this is my best final game yet."
Rhyel bared his fangs as fire burned in the back of his mouth and ice spread from his fingertips over the black metal bars. "Rivo." He seethed, grabbing his cousin's collar. "If Sana gets hurt in this ridiculous game, I will gut you like the fish you are."
"I told you this was a terrible idea." Oberon huffed, shaking his head.
Rivo gulped, his green eyes growing wide as he nodded. "I-I promise no one will get hurt. My mother is playing too. I wouldn't put her, Sana or any of the Ladies playing in danger. The course is safe."
"It better be," Rhyel said, releasing his grip on Rivo's collar. "I don't make empty threats."
"I-I know, cousin," Rivo said, straightening the collar of his tunic. "And I wouldn't want to be a victim of your wrath."
"As long as you know," Rhyel grumbled.
"I do," Rivo said, stepping away from his cage. "And now that you're all awake." He rubbed his hands together as his green eyes glowed. "It's time for me to wake the Ladies coming to rescue you."
I don't like this game.
Kal growled, baring his fangs as fire rippled through Rhyel's veins.
Neither do I.
Rhys seethed, stretching his claws as Rivo walked down the bridge back to shore.
"You're very protective of Lady Sana."
Rhyel whipped his head to Zehev sitting in the cage beside him. The smug grin on the platinum haired Lord's face made the fire running through his veins ignite again.
"Of course I am." He growled. "Aren't you protective of your wives?"
Zehev shrugged as his smile fell. "Somewhat," he said, crossing his arms as he looked away from him to the bridge drifting in the water. "But if it was Kieka coming to rescue me, I'd be just as angry as you."
Rhyel raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
Zehev chuckled as he dragged a hand through his hair. "Because my life would have no meaning without her," he said, looking up at Rhyel with a knowing gleam in his eyes. "That's how you feel about Lady Sana, right?"
"I wouldn't put it that way," Rhyel said, shuffling across the floor to sit against the back wall. "But I do care for her."
"I see." Zehev sighed. "Forgive me for assuming," he said, laughing as he crossed his arms again. "Then I hope for Rivo's sake, Lady Sana makes it through this game unscathed. No one wants to see you gut him like a fish."
"No, I suppose not," Rhyel murmured. "I hope your wives get through unscathed too."
"Thank you." Zehev nodded. "And may the best Lady win."
It was good that you lied about your feelings for our Sana.
Rhys murmured.
Mm, I still don't trust him, but I've never known a basdringas to have feelings for their partner. Not like Zehev described it...it was almost like—
A dragon.
Rhyel murmured.
Yes and I'm not sure why he would've said something like that.
Kal grumbled.
Unless he was baiting us.
Perhaps he was, but I don't care right now.
Rhyel rubbed a hand over his chest as he watched the shore, waiting for the game to begin.
Sana is going to wake up alone and all I want is to see her safely cross that bridge to me.
A/N: Sana and Rhyel are so cute ?? Look at our cinnamon buns sleeping together and everything! And Rhyel knows damn well he's in love. I just really really hope he and Sana can somehow become true mates....I want their souls tied together forever and always ??
Also... that was an interesting conversation between Rhyel and Zehev....?? And Rivo better stop playing, Rhyel will fuck him up if something happens to Sana during this game ????