Chapter 26 #3
I turned my head and found Gunnar sitting next to me at the table.
His black robes reflected the light in the room, and his beard finally moved enough that I spotted an emerald dragon embroidered on the front of it.
I was used to seeing him in blues and yellows, and the sight of him in black was odd.
I scanned his face and once again noticed his age, how much older he looked.
The wrinkles around his sunken eyes, the way his arm shook slightly as he raised his glass to his lips.
“I wish I could,” I said, taking a long sip from my cup. Gunnar looked confused at that but didn’t push. Gunnar shakily put down his glass and I watched him nervously. “How are you feeling?”
Gunnar snorted, his eyes sparkling with their usual mischief. “I know I gave you all a fright, but you do not have to worry about me. I am fine. I just needed some rest.”
A disapproving noise sounded deep in my throat, and Gunnar rolled his eyes at me. He shook his head, his beard swaying across his robes.
“I asked too much of you,” I started, but Gunnar stopped me by laughing, his stomach shaking with the motion.
“You did not force me to do anything, son. I am an old man, and my age unfortunately finally caught up to me. That is all that happened.” Gunnar’s smile dropped as I frowned at him, and he rested his hand on my shoulder, leaning in.
“You are doing everything you can, and we are all just trying to do our part as well. You couldn’t have stopped me even if you tried.
” Gunnar leaned back in his chair, his wrinkled hand falling away.
He chuckled again, lifting his glass to his lips.
“But as it turns out, you didn’t even need me to figure it out.
” He grinned, knocking me on the shoulder.
I huffed out a breath, and we both glanced over at Theo, who for once wasn’t drinking or eating anything. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he seemed to be glaring at that girl. Cynthia.
Cynthia sat beside him, shoveling food into her mouth as if it were about to be snatched away. She was laughing with the villagers at their table, while Theo watched her, mesmerized, as she took bite after bite. A small smile touched my lips as I glanced at Gunnar.
“That boy’s in trouble,” Gunnar smirked, following my gaze.
We watched as the stew from Cynthia’s spoon flew up and splattered Theo’s face.
Theo let out a curse as Cynthia feigned apologies, but we both saw the secret smile playing on her lips.
Theo batted away her attempts to wipe his face, standing and glaring down at her.
Cynthia winked in our direction, and Gunnar and I burst out laughing.
Theo snapped his gaze toward us, but that only made us laugh harder.
A nasally cough sounded beside me, cutting through our laughter, and my stomach dropped.
“Your Majesty, may I have a word?” Slowly turning, my gaze landed upon an ashen-haired man with a long, pointed nose.
Soren’s nasally voice rang in my ears, but my attention went straight for his eyes.
The tension in my shoulders relaxed a fraction as I met his usual black and beady stare.
I stood up from the table, towering over him, as I folded my arms tightly across my chest. “Soren.” I nodded, having much more respect for him now that I knew a fucking god inhabited his body.
Soren didn't bow, but instead held my gaze, waiting for my reply.
My eyes drifted to his outfit, and I raised a brow in surprise.
He was dressed entirely in black, with long, sheer, shimmering ribbons cascading from his shoulders that tied at his waist. His shirt was matte black, with a thin V-cut that plunged to his mid-chest. His black pants appeared lumpy at first, but a closer look revealed embroidered black rosebuds stitched onto them.
It was one of his less flashy ensembles, and it almost looked normal.
“Now isn’t a good time, Soren.”
I was being gentler than usual with him, and he noticed. I waved my arm to indicate the room, the wake, and then Soren's eyes flashed blue for the briefest moment, making me stiffen.
“I think now is exactly the right time, don’t you think?”
I blinked. Had I imagined that? I shook my head. Soren then angled his body, allowing me to pass. I hesitated and then sighed, “I'm assuming you'd like to go to my study to discuss whatever matter this is?”
“Privacy is preferred, yes. This is a delicate matter, Your Majesty,” Soren lowered his head a fraction, and I glanced over my shoulder, meeting Gunnar’s inquisitive gaze.
“I'll be back. Can you try to find Jaxon for me? I have things I need to discuss with him.” My gut soured at the conversation I needed to have, but Gunnar nodded, and I turned my attention back to Soren, who remained unmoving. I reached for him with my shadows, and in less than a second, we were standing in my study. Soren hadn’t seemed phased, and his beady eyes scanned over the room.
Just weeks, or maybe even months ago, I couldn't have taken us that far. My magic has been changing, evolving somehow, because of Zara, our bond, and I knew I could have gone way further if I tested it.
I gestured for Soren to speak, and he squared his shoulders, his eyes locking with mine.
“I have a message from Caelan.”
My blood ran cold, and I straightened. “And?”
Soren reached into his pocket and pulled out a rolled-up piece of parchment, extending it to me. I eyed it nervously, but Soren spoke again.
“You can’t tell Jaxon about Flynn.”