Neither of us speak for the rest of the trip to the mountains.
We arriveat the monastery close to midday. The moment I set foot on the solid ground, I’m stunned by the most beautiful view of dark mountains and snowy peaks.
The air here is different.
Closing my eyes, I inhale greedily, filling my lungs to the brim with the crisp mountain air.
Don’t forget to breathe, darling. Or you may faint.
My eyes snap open, and I’m met with a cheeky smirk on Jax’s face. He leans against one of the carriages, one ankle casually crossed over the other, hands stuffed in the pockets of his black leather pants.
Just because we’re bonded doesn’t mean I won’t stab you at night.
His eyebrows shoot up.Aw, you went through all this trouble to free me just so you could murder me yourself?He wiggles his eyebrows, then adds,Twisted.
I narrow my eyes at him.If you annoy me enough, I may change my mind about needing your help.
His smirk deepens.Then I’ll just need to find a new way to prove to you just how useful I can be.
Don’t read between the lines, I tell myself.
I inhale.
Exhale.
Don’t read between the lines, Phoenix.
Jax’s chuckle echoes in my mind.
“You two done yet?” Kazh grumbles, passing me and heading towards the monastery where, by the entrance, four monks are waiting for us.
The urge to defend myself is almost impossible to resist. Almost.
I press my lips into a thin line and follow after her.
“Ezkai General Phoenix Wildarrow,” one of the monks says, stepping forward. “It’s an honor to host you here, in our monastery.”
All four monks bow to me.
“Thank you,” I say. “I appreciate your hospitality and willingness to assist in my journey. What are your names?”
“I’m Ren,” the monk who greeted me first says. He gestures to the fae woman on his right. “Yara.” Then he points at a dark-skinned fae man on his left. “Dravon.” Last, he waves at the silver-haired fae man. “Lireal.”
I nod my head at all of them as Ren introduces his peers. All monks are fae. While not all are young, all are stunning.
Will I ever get used to fae being stunning almost all of the time? I doubt it.
Checking out the monks? Naughty.
My cheeks heat.Fuck off.
“Allow us to show you to your rooms, and then we can head to the dining area where we have prepared lunch for you,” Ren says.
“Sounds great. Thanks,” I murmur and follow Ren inside the monastery.
When we stayed here during the Trial of Wisdom, I was so preoccupied with the trials that I didn’t even notice how beautiful this place is. The limestone floors and walls are neat, the tall ceilings held above our heads by thick round pillars.
Every wall is covered with the most stunning canvases featuring the surrounding mountains during different seasons, the forests and all the hidden fauna. And of course, the dragons.
