So we would be sharing rooms. Interesting. I knew some mates didn’t. As I pondered what that meant, Alaric gave me a tour of the main floor from the elaborate ballroom to the dining room with the biggest fireplace I’d ever seen and a table big enough to fit nearly fifty people. My favorite place after the library, though, was the greenhouse and lush gardens. I didn’t think there’d be a garden since we were so far north and as far as I knew, it was nearly always cold. Magick must keep the beautiful blooms alive.
Alaric led me through the garden, humoring my questions, as I studied each bloom. It reminded me of the gardens I used to tend at the temple, which felt so far away now. So much had changed.
“He has no family left. His father went on to be with the Goddess a long time ago and his mother died in childbirth. There were no other children,” Alaric said, when I asked about Rhys’ family.
So we were alike in that regard. I wonder if that’s why he agreed to help me with my father.
“How many clansmen live here?” I asked to distract myself from images of little ones who had Rhys’ eyes and baby dragon wings. Goddess help me, but the image made my stomach turn to mush.
“Most of the Dragon-Clan live in the city and a good portion work here in the castle. There aren’t as many left so Rhys likes to keep them close.”
I bent to sniff a red rose which bloomed from a bush nearly as tall as I was that grew from a chunk of ice. “Incredible,” I whispered. “They must be an extraordinary clan to come together during such strife.”
“As close as I’ve ever seen.”
Straightening, I turned to Alaric and tilted my shoulder. “How do you know Rhys? I’ll admit, I’ve never met a fae outside of their own territory, so I’m curious. Are you under punishment like Soren?” Somehow, I didn’t think so. Alaric didn’t give away much, but from our brief interaction, I didn’t get the impression he would give in so easily. Behind the congenial facade was a calculating man. I had no doubt he observed me for any faults or areas of weakness.
He could observe all he liked. There would be no weakness as far as he and Soren were concerned.
Alaric led me to a garden bench and gestured for me to sit. “Rhys is a smart man, smarter than many give him credit for. He found me near death one day during his travels. He saved my life in exchange for my fealty to him. I’ve been with him ever since.”
“Forgive me, but it sounds like enslavement.”
“No, my lady, on the contrary, a man’s word means everything to the fae. He promised to save my life. When he made good on his promise, I made good on mine. Fair’s fair.”
It never made sense to me howfae could be so wily and so dependable at the same time. I tabled my curiosity on the subject for a later date. I had enough problems to deal with.
“Is there anything else I should know?”
He hesitated. “I would stay away from the crypts underneath the castle, if I were you. Rhys is very protective of them.”
“The crypts? What is?—”
“Why don’t I show you to Rhys’s room? He should be finished now and I’m certain you’re weary from your journey.”
I knew when I was being brushed off, but I didn’t argue. Pushing my luck on the first day wasn’t wise, but I was sure there would be other opportunities to discover the secrets in the mysterious crypts.
I wondered if it had anything to do with his former mate.
There were still so many things I had yet to learn about Rhys. Before I’d left Aurelia, I’d been certain I didn’t care about his past. Our arrangement was business-like and that was fine with me. Then, I’d nearly lost him and I realized, somehow, it had become anything but business.
18
Rhysander
“It’s truly not necessary,” Elena protested. She perched at a vanity, brushing out the dark sheet of her hair as I sat on the bed, watching her. I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off her.
Alaric had deposited her safely at my door and I wasted no time informing her of a welcome ball we would throw at the castle the following night in her honor. Members of my clan had been waiting lifetimes to see me mated. Or rather, they’d waited lifetimes to see the curse broken. All their hopes were on me, on us. It hadn’t occurred to me before, but I wondered if she felt the pressure to save them as I had for so long.
“I can’t think of anything more necessary.”
Goddess help me, but I wanted to show her off to all my clansmen. Not because I believed she would break the curse or because I wanted her to be the mother of my young, but because of who she was as a person. She was strong and capable. Kind and thoughtful. Truly better than a beast like me deserved.
My dragon wanted to have her on our back and fly her around the Northlands again, like a prize we’d claimed. I compromised with a ball instead. She was lucky I convinced him otherwise because I was starting to think he had more influence over my decisions than I thought where she was concerned.
“But I’ve only been here one day. I won’t know anyone.” She bit her lip, worrying the flesh between her teeth.
She was impossible to resist. The bond between us was an ache in my stomach every time I was away from her. After I left her with Alaric, I tried to distract myself with checking on my men once they arrived, then directing where to put our things. The longer I was away from her, the more I needed to see her. I’d never heard of the bond being so strong and I’d certainly never experienced it.
