Thirty-Seven
CHERYL
ELLNESARI, PRESENT DAY
We arrive in Dalune, the capital of Lynx, at sunset, riding rombolos, animals that resemble buffalos but are twice as large. The soldiers from Aquila didn’t accompany us. They returned to their posts in Mistral, which I learned is the name of the city where Vivi and Rikkon were born, the capital of their kingdom.
Dalune is built against a tall mountain, and the houses hug the rocky wall in an upward spiraling fashion. At the very top stands the Lynx castle. Despite coming here against my will, I can’t help the sense of wonder that takes me over as I stare at the beautiful dark stone construction straight out of a fairy tale. In the valley below, a forest of blossoming trees with pink and lavender flowers creates a dreamlike landscape. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the sky is painted with hues of deep purples and pinks, casting a magical glow over everything.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Castiel stops next to me on his rombolo.
“Yes, it is,” I say.
Rio coos happily in the improvised baby carrier I made from a piece of fabric. Even though he’s snug against my body, I keep one arm around him at all times.
Ronan stops on my other side with Ollie, who’s fast asleep across the broad back of his rombolo, securely fastened to the saddle. We trade a loaded glance, and the yearning in my heart grows exponentially. There are so many things I want to tell him, though I don’t know when we’ll have a moment alone now that we’re in Lynx. Our fate is a mystery.
We couldn’t walk the wind to get here, but the trip took only a few hours by mount. Salthollow isn’t far from the palace. The weather is a bit cooler, and when a gust of cold wind sweeps across our party, I shiver.
“Come on. Our journey is almost over.” Castiel kicks his rombolo in the sides, urging the animal forward.
I break eye contact with Ronan and follow the Nightingale prince. Rio is getting fussy, and I can’t check on him while on top of the rombolo. I don’t think he’s hungry, because I just fed him, but I offer him my bloodied palm again anyway. He turns his face away from my hand, scowling. He looks downright annoyed.
“What’s wrong with him?” Ronan asks.
“I’m not sure. Maybe I need to change his diaper.”
I check and confirm the makeshift diaper is full. I wonder if they have proper diapers in the castle.
“What’s the matter?” he asks.
“Nothing. I mean, not nothing. Just thinking about practical things.”
He glances at Ollie, asleep in his saddle. “Yeah, me too.”
We both stay quiet on the way up the hill, but he keeps his mount close to mine. I’m nervous about what we’ll encounter inside the palace, but Ronan’s proximity is helping with my anxiety. Even my wolf is calmer with him near me.
In another fifteen minutes, we cross through the tall gates of the castle and enter the courtyard. We don’t find a large greeting party here, and it quickly becomes evident why there aren’t many people mingling about. The shadowbeasts are with us, and my guess is that, if you don’t need to be present, you make yourself scarce in their vicinity.
We’re currently in the outer courtyard where the stables for the mounts are, another gate separating us from what I guess is the inner courtyard. Castiel dismounts first, and I take that as my cue to do the same. But these animals are much taller than horses, and I can’t say I was ever a fan of horseback riding. This is far worse.
“Take my hand. I’ll help you down,” Ronan says from the ground. I didn’t even see him get off his rombolo.
“Where’s Ollie?” I ask to buy time. I’m such a coward when it comes to him and the feelings he evokes in me.
“I’ll get her in a second.”
Ollie is still secured to the rombolo. I glance at Ronan again, and the damn butterflies decide to wake up and wreak havoc in my belly. His pupils dilate, and I curse our bond for telling him exactly what I’m feeling. I give him my hand, and I swear electric sparks ignite upon contact.
I keep one arm pressed around Rio, even though I know he’s safe, but because of that, when I land ungraciously on the ground, I lose my balance and end up flush against Ronan.
“I got you.” His lips curl upward, and fire seems to burn inside his blue eyes.
I should look away, or better yet, step back, but I’m frozen, ensnared by his scorching gaze. The fluttering in my belly travels south, and my hormones take control. I feel cold and hot at the same time. He seems to be moving closer—he’s leaning in. Oh my God. Is he going to kiss me in front of all these strangers? And am I going to let him?
Yes, yes, I am.
But Rio has other ideas and wails at the top of his tiny lungs. Thank goodness.
