Chapter 26 #2
I was silent as I unpacked a fresh dress and my toiletries before disappearing into the small washroom attached to our bedroom. If something was bothering Dion, of all people, it would have to be an enormous problem indeed.
After getting dressed, I tried to find Fig to report what had happened and the urgent changes that had to be implemented.
Happiness was something I rarely encountered, but here I was, pretty sure that I was grinning like a fool.
The miracle had happened, and I’d reclaimed what had been stolen from me, and it was time to deliver a blow to the thief, so he’d never forget to keep his hands off Nayana.
I found Fig in the dining room—which was the same as the tavern where I’d been drinking myself stupid last night—and he was eating breakfast together with Antas. I ignored my pounding head as best as I could and sat down next to my uncle.
“You look like shit, Dion. Have you gotten drunk last night?” Fig raised an eyebrow.
“Doesn’t matter.”
“It matters if my comrades endanger the mission with their reckless behavior.”
“Cut the crap, Fig. There’s something more important you’ll have to listen to.”
“It better be, considering how you’re talking to me.”
This wasn’t the time for Fig to pull rank—which was standing on shaky feet anyway—but sadly, also not the one for me to tear him a new one, so I ignored his last comment with far more leniency than he deserved.
“We need to delay our plans and have a conversation with everyone present. Last night was eventful in more ways than one. Also, I need to talk about implementing some changes that have been overdue for a while.”
“It better be worth it, Dion.”
I couldn’t help but want to roll my eyes. Fig’s attitude was just so ridiculous. Antas gave me a thoughtful glance instead of looking pissed off like Fig, so I focused my scrutiny on him. “I know that expression. What is it, Antas?”
“Nothing.”
I peered at him through narrowed eyes with my head canted, but my uncle’s face gave nothing away. Distracted when movement caught my attention, I noticed Nayana approaching, so I leaned over, grabbed her hand, and pulled her next to me. “Sit.”
“Back to being bossy, Dion?” Her delicate brow arched, and I smirked. Maybe I enjoyed riling her up a little bit too much.
“When you’re done flirting, maybe I can have a seat too?” Ireas said. He and Thain had joined the table as well.
“We aren’t flirting,” Nayana replied instantly, and a delicious blush crept into her cheeks. Hmm, did she know how easily her face turned red? “We’re friends.”
I chuckled and resisted the urge to nip her earlobe—but the temptation was there, urging me with intensity to graze her skin with my teeth.
Thain placed himself next to Nayana, and for the first time, I allowed it to happen without even so much as a scowl.
Instead of lashing out, vindictive satisfaction in anticipation of the blow I’d deliver to him soon filled my chest, and I held his provoking gaze with a calmness that even surprised me.
Finally, everyone was gathered around the table in a deserted corner of the tavern.
I noticed how we were the only patrons, and after we ordered breakfast, even the staff scattered when I bestowed one of the darkest stares at my disposal upon them.
When we were certain no one could eavesdrop on us, I was ready to start the conversation.
But Fig made me wait until everyone had received their food, and then he addressed the table first. I was so fed up with following his lead.
“There’s a change of plans, according to Dion, who wants to discuss something he hasn’t told me yet. Dion?”
“Last night was eventful.”
“Nobody wants to hear stories about your drunken shenanigans.”
Thain received one of my darkest warning growls, and I showed him my teeth, but at least I resisted the urge to snap them at him.
There was one thing I knew with absolute certainty, if I had to control myself around him and he was allowed to keep grating on my nerves, I’d lose it pretty quickly. “Shut up, Thain.”
I was furious when that dumbass chuckled, and I was about to blow up when Nayana placed her hand on mine, which instantly calmed me down. What in Kalag’s name was happening to me?
“Dion is right, Thain. Be serious for a change, will you? Last night was eventful. I read something that unsettled me while we were at the library. And back at the inn, Dion and I had a fight, and I threw him out.”
All the confused attention was on Nayana, and she shifted in her seat. I turned my hand and took hers in mine, pressing it in comfort, which she rewarded with a tense smile.
“I was pretty much out of my mind, so I took my things and left without intending to come back.”
“You could have kept that to yourself.”
“Better to be honest than lying or omitting parts of the truth.”
Damn. She couldn’t know how deeply her words cut.
If she knew how much I—and the others on my behalf—were keeping from her, yesterday’s fight would be insignificant compared to the trouble I’d be in.
I could only hope she’d never find out about the secrets we were keeping from her.
I had my reasons, perfect ones indeed, to be honest, but knowing her, she wouldn’t accept that.
“So, you intended to run away? What did unsettle you so much to consider something drastic like that?” All eyes were still on Nayana, and it was Ireas who had found his voice first.
“I discovered a book about magic that mentioned the Rite of Binding. And, well, no one told me about its existence, and I—sorry, now that my head is clear, it sounds so stupid to me.” Nayana’s shoulders sank deep, her eyes darted across the wooden table, her head hung, and with a frown, I tucked her under my arm.
“You weren’t irritated when we spoke in the library,” Thain said, and all my muscles tensed.
Did he really just casually mention that he’d stalked her in the library and had a one-on-one chat with her?
Not a single inch of my body moved as I locked my gaze on him.
If I found out he had anything to do with Nayana’s dumb decision to put herself in danger, I’d definitely kill him.
“For you, it was obvious we’d be doing the Rite soon. Thanks for asking what I think about forever-bindings, by the way.”
Hot fury was coursing through my veins. And only when Naya touched my cheek did I realize I was clenching my jaw so hard that it was painful.
Her touch grounded me, and I relaxed, at least a little.
I couldn’t wait to let Thain know he wouldn’t have access to my Nayana anymore, and that was the only thing saving him.
I would enjoy delivering that message to him.
Thain frowned. “Why should you be against it? You’ve never heard of the Rite before, and it’s what’s done between a Wielder and their chosen Amplifier.”
The alarm on Fig’s face told me he thought it was necessary to step in, but I raised my hand to shut him up. There was no need for it—I had a much better way to deal with Thain’s misguided, possessive behavior.
“Well, there’s no need to continue this discussion because Nayana won’t be training with you anymore. Nor will you use her Potential ever again.” Smugness and utter satisfaction crept into my voice.
“Since when do you speak for her?” Thain glared at me, then turned to Nayana. “Also, since when do you allow him to do so?”
“Good questions, but let me ask one of my own. Since when do you care what I want?”
The biting remark that Nayana delivered—her voice dripping with sweetness—warmed my cold heart. Sadly, she softened almost instantly. The corners of my mouth curled up as I imagined all the ways I could teach her how to wield her sharp retorts like weapons—and how not to regret it afterward.
“Sorry, that comment was mean. But what Dion said is true. He spoke for me because he knows it’s my choice.”
“But it’s such a waste of power.”
Nayana’s already tense posture changed to rigid at Thain’s last remark, and I glared at the redhead through my eyebrows. To soothe her, I tugged her even closer and stroked small circles on her arm with my thumb.
“That’s all just Dion poisoning you with hateful words, isn’t it?”
“Thain, calm down.” Fig intervened, and it amused me. Typically, I was the one being told to let it go.
“I still wonder what all of this has to do with the fact you ran away, Nayana.” I knew what Ireas intended.
He was aiming to defuse the discussion with distraction, not that it would have been too successful if I hadn’t controlled myself as well as I did.
But in a way, the medic had done me a favor, so I indulged him, especially since both Fig and Antas nodded approvingly.
“Yes, Nayana climbed out of the window. I don’t know how she managed to do so without getting hurt.”
She shot me a dirty look, but it was worth it because it eased some of the tension in her muscles. “Cocky bastard.”
I couldn’t stop myself from blowing her a kiss. “Well, when I couldn’t find her, I went to search for her.”
“I’ve never asked how you found me. I had a decent head start, and you were so very drunk. Even though you rode your horse and I was just traveling on my own two feet, you should’ve had a much harder time locating me.”
“Good question. How, Dion?”
“A while back, I forged a magic dagger for Nayana, and she took it with her.” Burning stares hit me from all sides.
“You crafted a permanent weapon out of magic and gave it away?” Antas narrowed his eyes at me as if he was seeing me for the first time, and I nonchalantly inspected my fingernails.
“Is that such a big thing? And what does it have to do with Dion finding me?”
Sometimes, it was cute how clueless Nayana was. Unable to resist the temptation any longer, I nuzzled my nose into the crook of her neck, inhaling her citrusy notes as I cherished her playful squeals of protest. Chuckling, I straightened up and ignored the reproachful looks of my fellow males.