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Once I got my voice under control, I lifted my chin, meeting his jade gaze. “You don’t have to worry about me running away. I’m merely getting some air because I can’t sleep, so move.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. You could still run away.”
I schooled my features. “Look, I’m frustrated, but I wasn’t serious. I know I couldn’t make it across the volcanic wastelands by myself. I’m not an idiot.” I may want to do a little research on it rather than lay in bed staring at the ceiling, but he didn’t need to know that. And ultimately, I knew I couldn’t actually go alone.
His eyes softened. “I can’t risk it, Sol.”
Men. Luka warned me they were all like this. I hadn’t believed him.“So, you’re going to sleep out here every night?”
“Unless you want to invite me to share your bed?” He delivered the line with a smile indicative of his dragon. Entirely sly and leading.
I hated that I liked it. “Never.”
“Then, I guess here I’ll stay.” Smugness dripped from him.
“You can stay here, but I’m going,” I insisted.
“Not without me, you’re not.”
I sighed. “I am entitled to free time.”
“Sure, we all are, and I am entitled to spend my free time wherever I wish.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t what, Sol?” His lips curved up. He was enjoying this far too much.
“Start following me?”
He half shrugged. “Who knows when we’ll run into each other?”
“You are insufferable.”
“I know. And I know how much you like it.”
“Goddess, save me from this fate.” I gave up the fight. “I’m not going to the library so that you can sit and stare at me while I read. I’m going to sit out on the landing and look at the stars. If you can’t trust me not to climb down a drainpipe and run away into the night, then come with me. But don’t ruin it for me, or I’ll push you off.”
I pushed past him as he laughed. “You realize I can fly, Sol?”
Groaning, I set off for the landing. “You don’t say.”
Nyx followed but kept his smart remarks to himself for a change, walking in silence just behind me.
I looked at him over my shoulder. “Is this a taste of what’s to come with you as my shadow?”
“Don’t threaten to leave by yourself, and I won’t need to follow you.”
I slipped through the door to the landing platform, letting go so it swung closed in Nyx’s face. I bit my lip to keep in my smile and kept walking right to the edge.
Nyx came jogging up beside me and put his hand protectively on my arm. Ignoring it, I bent down, taking a seat, with my feet dangling over the edge.
“By the Goddess, are you trying to fall?”
Exasperated, I cut him a heavy glare. “Have you forgotten you can fly?”
His eyes narrowed. “There will be no more trust falls in our future, thank you.”
I looked out over the city and took in the sight. I was used to the night bringing a blanket of darkness down over the world. Here, there were lights from torches dotted everywhere. The palace grounds were kept lit by the watch posts around the walls, and the streets around the palace were lit by streetlamps. The all-night taverns that catered to the legion, who kept round-the-clock hours, were subdued in the early hours but still going. Traders would soon begin setting up and preparing their wares for the day ahead. The city never slept, and I couldn’t get used to it.
