Page 46 of Blade of the Nightking

Broken only by the sound of laughter.

Veylan.

Low at first, then rising into something sharp and grating that scraped along my nerves.

Aedric turned to me. His expression was controlled, the anger beneath it banked but unmistakable. Not directed at Veylan.

But at me.

My magic receded quickly, retreating into the hollow at my center. The numbness ebbed with it, and as sensation slowly returned, one emotion rose above all the others.

Fear.

I was afraid of Aedric.

I reached out, my fingertips brushing his sleeve as I fought to steady the tremor in my voice.

“I'm... I'm sorry, Aedric. I couldn't... after the healer...”

For the briefest moment, something softened in his face.

“Let me talk to him,” I pleaded. “Please.”

He didn’t answer immediately.

“Please, Aedric,” I repeated.

He loosed a long, controlled breath.“I won’t leave you alone with him.”

I nodded, and we turned back toward the cell, my heart pounding.

Veylan lay sprawled on his back now, one hand resting loosely over his stomach as his laughter echoed through the chamber.

“Veylan.” My voice cut cleanly through it. The laughter died at once.

He pushed himself upright, dragging the back of his hand across his mouth and smearing the blood there. Slowly, his shadows began to return, slipping from his body in thin, wavering tendrils. They hovered close, restless and wary, as though reluctant to stray too far from him.

“I said just you.”

“That’s not going to happen.” I folded my arms across my chest. “Aedric is my mate. What you say to me, you can say to him.”

Aedric stepped closer, the heat of him brushing along my side.

“Last I checked,” Veylan said, voice roughened but no less amused, “you had two mates.”

Aedric went rigid, rage flaring immediately at the unspoken name.

“One true bond,” I said evenly. “And one that was stolen.”

Veylan gave a low, rasping snort. “It doesn’t work that way, girl.”

“I chose Aedric.” I held his gaze, unflinching. “He is mine. And I am his.”

For a moment, something in Veylan’s expression shifted. Then his mouth contorted, the humor draining into something uglier. “Stupid human.” Aedric’s growl rumbled low beside me. “Stupid, foolish little⁠—”

“Shut your mouth.” Aedric slammed his hand against the wards, the impact ringing through the chamber.

Veylan didn’t so much as glance at him.