Valen growls and rises, his dark hair mussed, the muscles in his back flexing as he stalks to the door. “Coal can take care of himself.” He yanks it open.
I yelp and pull the blanket up to my chin. Valen is stark naked, but he clearly doesn’t care at all.
“Usually, yeah, butyousent him out there after that bloodbath with the Tantuns. You don’t think they’ll be out for revenge?”
“Revenge against me, yes.” Valen shrugs.
“Revenge against youandyour allies. Don’t pretend that no one knows you and Coal are working together. You aren’t as clever as you think.”
“I was clever enough to fake your death and bring you here, wasn’t I?” Valen glowers.
It suddenly clicks for me. “You’re Druin?” I ask.
David flicks his gaze to me.
“Yes,” Valen answers.
“You and Coal were talking about him in the library. You said you killed him.”
Valen nods. “Druin is of Coal’s line. I was ordered to kill him and several other Corvidions Gregor believed to be disloyal.”
“But you saved them.”
“No,” David answers grimly. “Only me.”
Valen glances at me over his shoulder. “Anything more than that would draw suspicion.”
“Oh,” I say softly, the full import of what they’re saying sitting heavily on me. How many of his friends, of his allies, did he have to kill to satisfy Gregor? To show him that the Specter will always obey?
Valen puts a hand on Druin’s shoulder, a rare show of comradery. “Coal will return.”
“No. Something’s wrong. I feel it. My blood is off. Almost … frantic. It felt the same way when you showed up with your orders to kill me.” He pats his chest. “It’s in here. A warning. Iknowit.”
“Give him more time?—”
“No. I’m not losing him.” Druin shakes his head. “I’ll fly out. I’ll find him.”
“You know I can’t let you do that.” Valen crosses his arms.
“I’m going.” Druin straightens, his eyes going hard.
“If anyone sees you?—”
“No one will see me.” Druin’s wings flash at his back, unfurling.
“Druin.” The warning in Valen’s tone makes my hackles rise. “You will not leave the wards. I gave Coal my word, and he gave me his. If anyone discovers you’re still alive?—”
“Gregor will come for your head. I know.”
“Not just mine,” Valen says evenly. “For my mate’s. I think you understand what that means enough to know I’ll never let you leave this castle.”
Mate? I have to assume he’s speaking about me, but he’s chosen such an odd word.
“You can’t keep me here,” Druin challenges.
“I think you’ll find I can.” Valen’s voice is lower now, deadlier.
Druin stares at him, the tension radiating through the room and sending goose bumps racing along my skin.
