Chapter 45 #2
“I went to see you last night,” I admitted and he looked over his shoulder at me, the dark slashes of his eyebrows lowering to narrow silver eyes that held a wealth of hurt and doubt that I wanted to banish.
I strode towards him, not letting him get away.
Not letting him be alone. Because I hated the sight of him alone just as much as he had hated watching me sitting on that wall.
“I went to see you because you shook the castle… and I had known the nightmares would come, because you had opened your past to me, allowing all the pain to resurface. For my sake. I went to you, and I spoke to you and stroked your brow.”
I mirrored what I had done, sweeping my fingers softly across his brow, smoothing that frown from his face.
“I held your hand, and I sat with you, until you were in a deeper more restful sleep. And then I did this.” I caught him around the back of his neck and lured him towards me, and he came willingly, lowering his head towards mine, his expression so reverent that I couldn’t stop myself.
I pressed my lips to his forehead.
I drew back and he straightened, his brightening silver eyes on mine.
“I wasn’t thinking anything bad when I was sitting on that wall.
I didn’t feel alone.” I let my hand slip from his neck to his chest, and felt the drumming of his heart, so proud and strong.
A heart that was mine. “You were with me. I always feel as if you’re with me here, in this place that is so much a part of you. In this place I will always call home.”
“What were you thinking?” His voice was low, cautious, but edged with curiosity and hope that had brightened his eyes the moment I had called this place I loved so much my home, showing him I had no intention of leaving.
“I was thinking that whatever happens, I won’t let her have this.
I won’t let anyone take this.” I pressed both palms to his chest. “This heart is mine. I won’t give it up so easily…
because it’s the twin of mine, and without it mine might cease to beat.
Whatever comes… nothing will take you from me.
You are mine, Kaeleron. Mine. I would fight the world for you. ”
He caught my nape, pulled me against him and pressed his lips to my forehead.
“And you are mine. I will do whatever it takes to make the world recognise that… I will do whatever it takes to free myself of this foolish fate I recklessly subjected myself to. Had I known what my future held for me… had I seen you there in it, I would have chosen you from the start, surrendering this court to my uncle.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” I said softly. “Because that’s not who you are. You wanted to protect it, and your sister, and you were right to do whatever it took to ensure her safety and that of your people, and that the ruler of this court was someone as noble, and caring, as you.”
“It does not feel as if I did the right thing back then. Not when I am looking at you. Not when I think of what it means for us now. But I will do the right thing now. Even if I must let go of my vengeance. Even if it means war. I would fight for you too. I would fight this entire realm alone to carve out a future for us.”
“I know.” I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest and listening to that heart beating so fiercely, as if it was trying to break free of the cage of his chest to reach me.
“But I don’t want you to give up on your brother.
We’ll figure something out. But that’s a conversation for later.
I believe you said something about testing me…
and I like the thought of landing a blow or two on you right now. ”
“What was the word you used?”
I could hear the smile and the amusement in those words before I saw it curling his lips as he caught hold of my face and eased back from me.
“Are we feeling a little stabby, my love?”
I nodded, a smile of my own curling my lips as I thought about sparring with him. “Promise me something.”
His expression grew deadly serious. “Anything.”
A thousand things I wanted to ask him sprang to mind as he said that, his look so solemn, as if he really would promise me anything. I held them all back because there would be time for that later, once my fated one was dead and my friends were freed.
“Don’t go easy on me.” I shook my head in warning when he looked as if he wanted to protest. “This is meant to be a test. Pulling your punches won’t teach me anything.
Spar like you mean it, because I won’t be holding back.
I want to know that if I face the seelie who are looking for me, that if something happens and we’re separated, that I’m strong enough to survive and do what needs to be done, whatever that is.
I need to know that just as you do, because I’m scared that if I don’t, if I find myself without you to protect me, I might crumble and surrender, rather than stand and fight. ”
“Very well.” He inclined his head, and his sword appeared in his grip.
He backed off several steps towards the centre of the glade, his skin paling to the colour of moonlight as ashy black branched from his eyes. His irises shifted, crimson swirling among the silver to devour it, and his lips darkened.
He came to a halt and straightened to his full height, his sword held point up behind him as he angled his body away from me, his booted feet positioned precisely against each other, one pointed towards me and the other resting side on against the back of it.
He raised his free hand and rolled his fingers, his fangs flashing between his lips as he beckoned me.
And his voice held a hint of amusement, of a smirk that thrilled me and filled me with a need to prove him wrong as he uttered a handful of words.
“Come, little wolf. Show me your glorious fangs.”