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Oh.
Don’t worry, Seren said. Nothing will keep me from returning for visits. Caledu is not above the High Dragoness. She’ll override his demands and allow me through. There’s been no evidence I’ve been corrupted. This debacle is outrageous. Aneirin wants to petition to have you readmitted.
I clasped my hands together over my heart. Why?
He’s terribly guilt ridden. He feels it’s his fault.
Please tell him it’s not. I would have left Gorlassar eventually. He was just the catalyst.
“You’re easy to sneak up on when you’re distracted,” a voice whispered in my ear.
I jumped and slammed the body of the voice against the wall.
Caedryn chuckled and half grunted as I pinned him. “I was going to say, you’ve become careless, but you still have great reflexes—for a warrior.”
“I’m so sorry.” I backed away, releasing him. Remembering our pinkies and their nighttime indiscretion, I tucked my hands by my sides.
“Were you talking with Seren?”
“Yes.”
“I miss talking with Neifion. I long for a bond such as that. And the ease of travel.”
I stepped farther back and studied Caedryn. What was he thinking? Did he know how I woke? Had he placed his finger beside mine on purpose? Heat burned up my neck, but I resisted rubbing what I was sure was bright red.
“How did Seren choose you as her rider?” He straightened his tunic.
I smiled. “Mother said Seren arrived after my birth. She waited outside the residence like a guard dog. Seren felt my essence when I drew my first breath.”
Caedryn snickered. “I like that. Seren is so meek. I thought, since she chose you at such a young age, she would have tempered some of your fire.”
I scowled at him. “Didn’t Neifion temper your conceit?” Annoyance crept under my skin. I wasn’t sure where it stemmed from. Did I feel violated by his touch? Was I aggravated that he wasn’t affected the way I was? Maybe he did know about our fingers’ nighttime cuddle. Maybe he was embarrassed. The incident was my fault; I’d crawled into bed with him.
Caedryn stepped to his left, and I mirrored him, keeping a courteous distance since I had just shoved him against the wall.
“Neifion was like me. Sensitive, perceptive.”
Without intending it, Caedryn and I paced in a circle across from each other, with carefully placed steps.
“You mean self-assured and smart-mouthed.” I winced when I realized how harsh that sounded. Why does everything Caedryn say push me? I should leave before I say something I’d regret.
“More like self-aware. I’m highly aware of my flaws.”
“But you don’t change them.”
“I’ve lived too long to change now.”
I smirked. “So you’re rigid.”
He sighed. “Niawen, I’ve been straightforward with you. I’ve made painstaking efforts to get you to realize I’m not some prince.”
Prince? Where did that come from? “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I know King Sieffre has two sons who’ve been very attentive to you.”
His words just fell from the sky. I wasn’t expecting that response. “How would you know that?”
“My particular skill set involves knowing.”
