“Just hold me.”
His hands slid around me, and as he pulled me in, his heart echoed. We were still for a moment—only birdsong sounded in my chambers.
“If you choose me, if we choose to be together in that way—it will only be when you are ready.”
Something shifted within him, like a deeply rooted pain had taken hold. He meant every word he said. I knew how hard it was to fight the celestial magic. I would have caved myself if it weren’t for the fire breaking my trance.
I reached for him. “Can you stay with me for a while?”
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be, my love.” He lifted my hand to his lips.
He sat with me until he couldn’t anymore—emergency council was summoned. His eyes darted from Fyn to me when Fyn arrived with news, almost as if duty couldn’t pull him away.
“Everyone will meet shortly.” Fyn studied us both. My hand trailed Lioran’s. “Aelira, you should come, too.” Fyn’s solemn voice shook. “We have news from the other side of the divide.”
My stomach sank further. “How? Where did the news come from?”
“Elric.” Fyn hesitated. “He claims he has ties to someone across the divide.”
“Thalen.” I choked on his name. Lioran’s fingers twitched beneath mine. “Everything he’s said to me…What he put us through. Thalen was behind it all.” My lungs clenched in my chest, the pain intensifying with each passing second.
“We don’t have the proof of that yet. You’re only assuming…” Fyn thumbed the buttons on his tunic.
“It’s not a far-fetched assumption,” Lioran grumbled.
“I changed my mind, Lioran. You can do what you want with him now,” I said.
A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of Lioran’s lips.
“You know I’m normally up for whatever, but I don’t think we need to attract that type of attention right now.” Fyn gestured toward the door.
I wrapped a leather band around my hair, pulling my locks slightly loose to cover my ears. Council would have enough to discuss without discovering the half-human in their presence.
The three of us began walking down the lengthy corridor. Lioran rested his hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay if you want to stay here. We can let you know what is shared after.”
I wasn’t sure if I’d be allowed in such a space—if I had earned the right to stand beside them. Bailoc was still my home, even despite everything that happened there—and I deserved to hear the news myself, if he allowed it.
“I want to come with, if I can,” I said.
“You are welcome to be there. I just don’t know what willbe shared. No matter what Elric says you need to remain composed. No one can know the truth about who you are there.” Lioran’s voice lowered as Fyn stopped ahead.
“What do you fear if they know the truth? Pyrran already does.”
“Pyrran may. Elric may know it too, but we don’t know who they’ve told yet. Once they know who you truly are—the strength of the magic you possess…the threat may become greater than Pyrran and Elric.”
I had wondered how many prying eyes may have seen me practicing with Cora. In a single glance all they would know was that I made flowers bloom, or a tree branch grow. The depths of my magic, the way I felt the land’s energy shift through my fingertips remained concealed.
Fyn walked back over toward us—his hand settled on my shoulder. “Maybe you two should not enter together. Everyone has been wondering where you’ve been all morning. Lioran, go ahead. I’ll bring her with me.”
“Don’t let Elric near her,” Lioran said to Fyn before he strode ahead.
“Oh, I most certainly will not.” Fyn’s smirk stilled. His hand hadn’t lifted from my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I didn’t even believe my own words.
“I know you see me as Lioran’s friend, but I’m yours, too. And if anyone ever hurts you…I don’t care who it is. I want to know.” He towered over me.
“Thank you, Fyn. I am honored to have you as a friend.” I hugged him and he stumbled back for a moment. “Sorry. Should I not have done that?”
