Two Yvri, the first of which made Bastion reach for his long knife.
Taro.What was that slippery bastard doing here?
At his side, a tall, imposing Yvri man with eyes like ice tracked the gesture, his frown deepening.Long twisted horns banded in silver curved over his head, and he wore the black robes indicative of a university master.He came straight for Bastion, a stitched blue and white wave design peeking out as he approached.
Suddenly, Ulla’s claws bit into the back of Bastion’s arm, and their heartbeats tripled together.Bastion’s lungs seized, every muscle taut and ready to strike.It took everything not to cast an incredulous look at Ulla.
“Master Lyanthis,” Bastion said.His eyes darted to Taro, whose lip curled.“I’m surprised to see you here.”
Lyanthis’s nostrils flared as his gaze glided over Bastion and settled on Ulla.She squared her shoulders, jaw clenched.Then, she made a sign like a salute, spread her fingers, and touched her thumb to her forehead.
Bastion blinked, a sickening realization rooting him in place.
Lyanthis sighed deeply, like this was an old argument, and said, “Hello, daughter.”
Chapter 21
“Bastion, are you listening?”
“Hmm?”
Bastion was, in fact, not listening.He hadn’t been listening to anyone or anything since seeing Taro among the nobility and being clothes-lined with the news that Lyanthis was Ulla’sfather.
It was a miracle he remembered anything up until now, when he and Endre escaped to a secluded balcony.
Laughter echoed through the room below, barely dampened by the ancient tapestries and sheer drapes that hung between the arched supports.Servants were busy clearing tables, dishes and cutlery rattling as they made room for dancing.Others brought in rolling carts of desserts.It had been a month or more since Bastion left for his Trial of Knighthood, and he’d forgotten just hownoisythe palace could be.
Near the high table, Nesrin sat across from Ulla, who was doing nothing to disguise the disgust on her face as Taro and Lyanthis, positioned to either side of her, talked over her.The two males pointedly ignored Minato and Lawrence, who completed their table.
Bastion clenched his jaw until his teeth hurt.He’d been fighting a sneer all night, but it felt permanently pressed into his face.
“Bastion,” Endre said again.
He finally dragged his attention back to the prince.“What?”
“My father has granted your request for a private audience.First thing tomorrow.”
It took a moment for the words to register because half of Bastion’s heart and mind were still a stone’s throw away, boiling with contempt.
Internally, he wept every time he felt a little flash of anger pulse through the bond.He and Ulla were still connected, but it was thinner, frayed, like weak winter sunlight through a heavy curtain.
“Thank you,” he said.It seemed to be the appropriate response because Endre beamed.
“He’s eager to hear what happened.We all are.”
From the way Endre tilted his head, Bastion knew he wanted to talk about it now.
“The full story will have to wait until tomorrow.”Bastion turned his gaze back to the room.“There are details I don’t want getting out.”
Endre leaned away from the pillar he’d anchored himself to and smacked Bastion playfully.“Will you at least tell me about the Thatian?”
Bastion shook his head and shrugged.“What’s to tell?We needed a horse, and he was the only one in the stable.”
“Yes, about thatwe,” Endre said with a barely suppressed smile.A flush crept up over Bastion’s collar.“She’s very beautiful.”
Bastion closed his eyes and took a steadying breath.When he opened them, they landed on Ulla immediately.That inner compass always pointed right at her.How did he tell Endre that it wasn’t her appearance that drew him to her?That it was her ferocity and tenderness, her determination and bravery–the fact that she didn’t give afuckwhat anyone else thought?She was as lovely now, boiling like a tempest on the horizon, as she was the day she appeared in front of him, naked and wild.But it wasn’t what made herbeautiful.
“You couldn’t have picked a worse adversary than Lyanthis, though,” Endre said.“You aren’t really considering courting her?Are you?”
