The building next to it was an open structure without any walls, just pillars staked into the ground surrounding the hearths and tables for the rare times it rained. A thick, fire resistant tarp would connect to each end, keeping the precious metals dry while they were still being shaped.
A few drakins were working by the tables with thousands of weapons spread before them.
She blinked, then blinked more, and I knew she already saw it. One of the riders was morphing a longsword in the air—except the only tool he was using was his mind. It wasn’t supposed to matter. MonClem was for riders only, so using our powers here was fair game. Except now, I had broken the rules by bringing her.
“Drakins won’t take it well if they see you here,” I said, trying to urge her to follow me.
“Because I’m from Moriann?” she asked, those bright gray eyes flitting to me.
“Because you aren’t a drakin,” I corrected. “You’re a Wielder.”
“I thought drakins were allowed to be with Wielders. If they were sterilized…” Her voice trailed off and her cheeks turned an even brighter shade of pink.
“We can fuck Wielders,” I said, “but that doesn’t mean we can bring them back here. MonClem is a sanctuary for riders, and while most drakins are at the sterilization and breeding ceremony right now, not everyone is. You could still be seen. Come on.”
I started walking and thanked the Moons when I heard her quicken her pace to follow.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“My cabin.”
Whatever she thought of that, she didn’t comment, just followed me silently as I walked her toward the edge of the village.
I held the door open for her, utterly aware of her taking in my lack of decorations. Most drakins had a floor mat, or banners and wreaths celebrating the Vargothi.
Mine was always empty.
She walked inside and froze in the doorway. I stepped around her, making my way toward the kitchen. The two windows that existed on the wood paneling were shut with the curtains drawn, and even then, the six moonlights did little to brighten the place. I didn’t care. I only came here to sleep and occasionally eat.
I lit the candle I left on my table with a match before turning to Nollie.
“Bathroom is through there,” I gestured toward the other door.
“I—I don’t need it.”
I nodded, staring at her for a minute too long before I walked around the table toward my kitchenette. My cabin was bare. The entire thing was one singular room minus the bath. The kitchenette lined thewall to the left where I stood, and a large bed nestled along the adjacent wall across from Nollie, with a worn-in sofa to our right.
That was it.
I opened a cabinet, grabbing an empty glass before filling it with water. I turned, slowly walking back to her still frozen in the doorway before extending my hand.
She hesitantly took the glass, but didn’t move to drink it.
“Cash shouldn’t have taken you there. I’m sorry,” I said, having no idea what to say. Honestly, I was fucking losing it for even bringing her here, but it was the safest—closest—place I could think of. There was no way in hell I was bringing her back to the castle. Especially since I found out Cash had been going into her room to train her.
I walked over to the table and slumped into a chair, already mentally preparing myself for the hell Elion was going to put me through for bringing her here.
I needed to get her out of here because I was terrified of how far I’d go just to keep her safe?—
She slid into the seat across from me, clutching the glass of water I gave her.
“I told you to run,” I said, breaking the silence, hoping that maybe after tonight, she’d actually consider it. Things were only going to get a hell of a lot worse.
“I can’t,” she admitted, her knuckles turning white against the glass.
I leaned back in my chair, assessing her, having no idea what to make of what she just said. There was more to it than just escaping Moriann, I just couldn’t put my finger on it yet.
“What did I see back there?” she asked, changing the subject.
