“Oh yeah? And why’s that?” I ask, wiping a few flakes off the tip of my nose.
His eyes linger on me longer than necessary. “Besides being a pale redhead that should probably avoid the sun?”
I level him with a flat stare.
He leans closer, voice low. “Because you appreciate the beauty in cold things. Things that can be deadly and harsh but treat the right person with reverence.”
Pulling back, he walks over to the battlement wall.
I swallow.
Well, that was poetic and unexpected. “And here I was thinking you brought me up here just to push me over,” I say to his back.
The black fabric of his uniform hugs his form. His hair, dark as midnight and slicked back flawlessly, is dusted with fresh snowflakes. “Careful, you almost sounded grateful,” he replies over his shoulder, his lips curling into a smirk.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d almost say you like having me around.”
He turns toward me, his body rigid. “I brought you up here to talk freely, without prying ears.”
I scrunch my brow in confusion at the turn of the conversation.
“Are you familiar with the history between the Noctryns and the Veils?”
I give a slight nod in response. “History happens to be a favorite subject of mine.”
His jaw tenses. “That’s not history, that’s what they teach you. What they want you to know,” he replies in a low tone.
“Are they not one and the same?”
“Hardly.”
“By all means, indulge me, then.”
He runs a hand slowly down his face and over the short stubble. “Salaryan is an oligarchy. Power lies with a few egotistical men who control it by placing their personalendeavors at the forefront. They decide where soldiers are stationed, which cities deserve protection, and which information the general population should be made aware of. It’s self-preservation at its finest, and transparency at its worst,” he says, giving me his undivided attention. “The underprivileged and those with less to offer feel the brunt of it,” he finishes, something deeper lacing every word.
This is all common knowledge, but to speak it aloud is heresy. I cast a glance around to be sure we’re alone. “This is dangerous territory, Adair,” I whisper.
“Which is why I brought you up here, where we’re alone.”
I huff out a laugh. “And you trust me not to repeat any of this?”
“Yes,” he answers without hesitation, inclining his head. “This information is important and not something you’re going to learn in any classroom,” he states. “The realm used to be run by those who were taught the responsibilities and sacrifices needed to rule a kingdom from their very birth. It was granted to men and women through hereditary succession. Those who had an entire upbringing of duties and obligations thrust upon their shoulders.” His words are heavy, but his deliverance is executed with passion. “They bore the weight of an entire kingdom with the well-being of their citizens at the forefront. Their crowns were crushing, but they wore them with resolve, and the kingdom prospered because of it.”
My mouth opens and then closes.
For a second, I say nothing, just stare at his warm brown eyes that watch me with an unreadable expression. “Are you telling me that Salaryan used to be run byroyals?” I question, full of incredulity.
“That’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
I pace back and forth in front of him, my boots wearing a thin trail in the freshly fallen snow. He patiently waits for meto absorb what he’s telling me. His broody form is now resting against the wall, his legs crossed in front of him and arms folded.
I stop and face him, nodding once for him to continue.
He indulges me. “Members of the royal family, whether immediate or extended, were classified as Noctryns.”
The breath lodges in my throat. There’s no fucking way.
“It was a right bestowed at birth and not by a military academy,” he continues, like he didn’t just rob me of my breath. “Their dark manifestations were revered, not feared. And they were manifestations, not something given because they sacrificed abilities to wield darkness. It’s all propaganda shoved down our throats, and we chew and swallow without questioning it,” he says, disgust evident in his tone. “They protected their people from outside forces of any kind, even building walls to keep the enemy out and performing blood magic to keep the wraiths at bay. The Noctryns were respected and loved by their people. Their armies were feared across the domains.” His eyes bore into mine. “The most elite and powerful stood guard at the royal’s side.”
