Chapter 17 Cethin
Cethin
“All I’m saying is that I would feel better if we shared a horse from here on out,” Cethin said for what felt like the tenth time.
Kailia didn’t even look at him as she finished adjusting the saddle on her horse. “I’m sure you would, but I assure you I can protect you just as well from atop my own horse.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Cethin said dryly, but of course, Razik heard it.
“She has a point. Maybe you should stay in the middle from here on out,” the dragon said, wandering by with two horses trailing him. Despite drawing from Wren, he still looked exhausted, and Cethin was sure Wren was in a similar state.
“Maybe you should stay the fuck out of things that don’t concern you,” Cethin retorted, but Razik hadn’t even slowed, and he didn’t bother acknowledging the comment.
By the gods, he needed to get his shit together. Tolerating Razik was so much easier when he was a Cadre member and not a personal guard to his future wife. The male was around all the godsdamn time now. He just needed to focus on her and nothing else.
Moving closer, he sent a whisper of his power skittering along her fingers before he placed his hand atop hers where she was working on securing a saddlebag. He gently moved her hand aside, taking over working the buckle.
“I had it handled,” she said defensively, the fingers he’d touched now curled into the fabric of her cloak.
“I know you are more than capable, tiny fiend,” he replied without looking at her. “But agreeing to this partnership means you do not have to do everything yourself.”
Her features turned thoughtful, studying him as he turned to face her. The smoke swirling in her eyes was so much slower, drifting rather than the usual whirl of magic. She’d used a good amount of her power last night, and he still hadn’t worked out how long it took for her to recover.
Sending another trace of his magic, this time along her side, he placed his hand on her hip a moment later.
She stiffened but didn’t pull away, even if she did take a small step back.
Small touches. That was what he’d been working on.
Small touches to get her used to it. Used to him.
People would expect affection from their king and queen, especially if he was breaking the same tradition his father had by not taking a Fae as a partner.
He’d been told that was the sole reason his parents’ union had been accepted.
That their love and devotion to one another was so obvious and candid that no one could argue or stand in the way of it.
Some even believed they were bonded in a way known only to the stars.
Something similar to the twin flame bond but different, since that bond could only be forged between a Legacy and a Fae.
Despite his best efforts, they were failing.
He could sense the hesitancy of the advisory council as they observed her.
He knew of the rumors that were whispered—or blatantly gossiped about—in the streets.
If they couldn’t be convincing, she would never be fully accepted as their queen.
More than that, his judgment would always be questioned, even more than it was right now.
And yeah, part of him wanted to touch her more. Fuck, Wren and Razik showed more affection for each other than he did with his betrothed. Kailia was living in his quarters, sleeping in his bed, wearing those fucking nightclothes…
Yeah, he wanted to touch her. Found himself getting lost to fantasies he had no business having when he knew so little about her. When she had a clear and severe aversion to touch. When he’d forced her into this partnership. But he’d thought…
He’d thought it would be easier, if he were being honest, but there was nothing easy about her.
His hand on her hip, he swiped his thumb along the band of her pants a few times, watching for any sign it had any effect on her. But there was nothing. Always nothing.
Swallowing his sigh, he said, “I need to thank you.”
“Thank me?” she repeated, her head tilting and her black braid sliding over her shoulder.
“Yes, thank you,” he said again, slowly reaching with his other hand to move her hair back. “For fighting for all of us last night. We have no defenses against them, save for Razik and Tybalt. But now there’s you.”
And gods, he couldn’t read her because her features remained impassive. She didn’t shift on her feet or fidget. She didn’t do a godsdamn thing. Twin flames had the easier path, being able to feel each other’s emotions and hear one another’s thoughts. This was raw and real and godsdamn difficult.
He cleared his throat softly, letting his hand fall back to his side. “Did you retrieve all your arrowheads?”
“No,” she answered.
“Aside from the one I have,” he amended.
“The others collected them and returned them. Because they are mine. But you no longer have my arrow. You used it,” she accused.
“I did,” he confirmed. “To defend a member of the castle staff weeks ago and again tonight to defend those in my care. I will not apologize for it.”
“And now you have done the noble thing twice and can return it,” she insisted, a hint of pleading coming through in her words that he was surprised to hear.
“Not until the union is anointed,” he said simply.
“What will that matter?” she demanded.
“Keep your voice down. We are not alone,” he hissed, glancing around to where the others were busy tearing down the campsite. It didn’t mean they weren’t listening though.
With a flick of his wrist, darkness pooled, a hazy dome of thick black fog encircling them and keeping their words only for their ears.
Her gaze slid over the magic, and for a moment, he thought she was going to lift a hand to touch it.
Her arm twitched, fingers flexing, and then she stilled once more.
Returning her stare to his, she said, “What does the union matter? Truly?”
“You won’t be able to leave once it’s anointed.”
“You think a union will keep me from disappearing? Did you forget we have a Bargain? I do not wish to be cursed as you are.”
“First, let me be very clear. If you disappear, I will find you, tiny fiend,” he said, his tone becoming as dark as the power surrounding them. “There is nowhere you can go in this kingdom that I would not find you.”
Her smile was serpentine, and her tone just as vicious when she said, “I came from across the sea, king. You think I can’t find my way back? How will you follow then?”
His mouth thinned, and he knew his power now drifted in his glowing silver irises. “You just said yourself you do not wish to be cursed.”
“Perhaps that curse will be more tolerable than the one I’m currently facing.”
“Outside of forcing your hand in the agreement, I have been nothing but kind to you on all accounts, Kailia,” he said, his patience hanging on by its last thread. “How can you possibly have such vitriol for me when you don’t even know me?”
“I know enough,” she said simply, pushing past him to mount her horse. Looking down at him, she added, “Your reputation precedes you.”
Then she was urging her horse forward, making her way to Wren and Razik as he pulled his power back.
How could he have any reputation across the sea? The Wards had been in place for centuries. He’d never stepped foot outside the Avonleyan borders. If she considered him cursed for that, she was going to find herself in the same torment.
Because he wasn’t about to let her go back across the sea. If anything, last night had proven how much they needed her to protect the people of this kingdom.
She’d come to accept her fate, even if he had to bend fate to his will yet again.
“We need to talk.”
Cethin looked up from his midday meal to find Razik standing over him. Setting the tin plate of food aside, he stood, not liking that he was having to look up at the male.
“What?” Cethin asked sharply.
“Do you still have that arrowhead of hers?”
“It’s not your business, Greybane,” Cethin said, starting to turn away, but Razik gripped his shoulder, spinning him back.
“Do you understand she is the one real defense we have against these things?”
Razik was glaring at him as if he were stupid, and Cethin wanted to punch the male in the godsdamn face.
“Of course I know that,” Cethin retorted, shoving his hand away. “Why do you think I’m working so hard to bring her to our side?”
Razik stared back at him for a few long seconds. “You’re serious? You are forcing her into a union to utilize her weapons? For fuck’s sake, Cethin.”
“We’re not talking about this here,” Cethin snapped, turning and striding into the trees. He didn’t give a fuck if Razik followed or not, but he did, heavy footfalls sounding.
They walked a good hundred feet until they were obscured from the others before he turned back to Razik. “It didn’t start this way. She came to me looking for her arrow, and I asked for her help. She refused.”
“So this was your solution?”
“She refused to listen to any argument, and this is my fucking kingdom, Greybane,” Cethin spat back.
“People I am responsible for. People I am sworn to protect. Just as you are, but when you fail, the pressure on me increases. So yes, once again, I’m the one willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of my kingdom. I’m not sorry about it.”
“What do you mean ‘once again?’”
“What?”
Razik’s arms were folded across his chest, everything about him broody and apathetic, but his tone said otherwise. “You said, ‘once again, I’m the one willing to do whatever it takes.’ What does that mean?”
Cethin’s darkness clawed at his being, begging to be let out.
Begging to put Razik in his place. Begging to consume, but he shoved it down.
He stepped forward, nearly toe-to-toe with him, and each word was measured and controlled as he said, “I do not care that you became Kailia’s guard.
I am still the fucking king, and I still do not owe you any godsdamn explanations.
But apparently your workaround for that is persuading my future wife to talk. ”