“I know you’re afraid,” he said softly, his breath warm against my ear.“I also know you have feelings for the king.”
My heart stopped dead in my chest.
“I—” The word died on my tongue.
“I see it in the way you look at him,” he said, his grip tightening but his expression calm.“And in the way he looks at you, when he thinks no one is watching.”
My hand flew to my mouth, as if I could physically catch the confession before it escaped.He didn’t know the truth.He didn’t know what I had done.
“It’s not—”
A sudden tremor shook the earth, sending loose rocks skittering across the ground.Tavrik and I locked eyes.
“Shit,” I hissed, grabbing his arm and yanking him behind a pillar.
The cold surface bit into my spine as a wave of power rolled through the clearing.The air shimmered like heat over desert sand.I pressed a palm against the ancient stone and peered around its edge.
Dalkhan.
He stood at the centre of the ceremonial grounds, flames licking across his bare chest, casting an amber glow on his skin.The fire craved destruction, burning with the same fury that lived in his veins.
Even from where I stood, heat pulsed over me in bursts.
Six robed figures surrounded him, their faces lost in the shadows of their hoods save for the occasional glint of an eye or a flash of teeth.
Dalkhan’s voice rang out, sharp in command.
“My patience bleeds away to nothing.”He paced in a tight circle.“When will it be done?”
One of the robed men melted into a low bow before responding.“We are working around remaining obstacles, my king.”His voice was oddly melodic, almost hypnotic.“But fear not, it will be done soon.”
Dalkhan exhaled an impatient breath.He raked a hand through his hair, the flames flaring brighter.
“Not soon enough,” he growled.
I pressed harder against the pillar, heart racing.I couldn’t risk being seen.I tugged Tavrik’s hand, nails digging into his flesh.He didn’t make a sound.
He understood the danger as much as I did.
Together, we backed away, careful not to snap a twig or disturb a leaf, until we were a safe distance from the ceremonial grounds.
The reality of what I’d just witnessed crashed into me.Zaheera was right.The Veil would fall, and I was running out of time.
As I turned to leave, something tightened around my throat.Dalkhan’s voice slipped into my mind, burning hot.
“Tell him to leave.”
I gasped, clutching at my neck, finding nothing but my own skin.
“Tavrik…” I kept my voice steady despite the pressure crushing my windpipe.“I… I want to be alone for a while.Just tell Mira I already went back.”
His eyes narrowed.
“No.I won’t leave you alone.It’s too dangerous.”
He stepped closer, scanning the trees.
“I’m not an idiot,” I snapped, pushing against his chest to stop his advance.“I just need a moment.The forest… it makes me feel at home.”I softened my tone, forcing a smile.“Please?I promise I’ll be back soon.I just need to clear my head.”
