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Brovyn turns to me. “I’ll admit it will be difficult to convince them.”
“Why?” I ask. “Ruhaen shares a border with you. If the Mages are controlling the Wraiths, why would they not wish to help expel them from my uncle’s kingdom.”
“Because it is considered a “human” problem, not a Dragon one,” he points out. “Regardless of the fact that Ruhaen shares a border with us.” His expression sobers. “Then, there is the matter of your mating, or… absence of it,” he says bluntly. “You are not yet Queen, and therefore the topic of going into battle for your people is one that will have to be addressed to our kind very carefully if we are to gain their support. You are T’kara to our King, but you have not taken him as your mate. If you were Dragon—”
“Brovyn,” Aurdyn issues a warning growl, but Brovyn only scowls at him. “She must hear the truth of things so that she understands the workings of the Council and your people.”
Aurdyn narrows his eyes, but I put a hand on his arm, and he turns his attention back to me. “Brovyn’s right. I need to know this, Aurdyn.” I look at Brovyn. “Continue.”
He gives me a quick nod. “Many do not understand why you have not taken Aurdyn as your mate. Among our kind, any who find their T’kara take them immediately and without question. They usually issue the challenge of the mating battle within an hour of this discovery.” He pauses. “Thus… they do not understand your hesitation.”
From the look Aurdyn gives me, I know that he does not understand either, and I hate that I cannot tell him the truth. No matter how much I may wish to.
When we returnto our rooms, Aurdyn takes my hands as soon as we’re inside. He studies me a moment before sighing heavily. “My aid for your family does not come with the condition that you must be my mate and my queen. I will make sure my Council knows and understands this tomorrow when they make their decision.”
Tears sting my eyes as I realize that he is not just saying this to make sure I’m not pressured, but because he is worried that I might be tempted to choose him, thinking it’s the only way to help save my people.
Gently, I squeeze his hands in return. “And I would never use you as a means to an end, Aurdyn. I—” I start, but stop abruptly as tears gather in my eyes, but I blink them back. “You are so very important to me, and I—” My voice quavers softly. “I am so afraid I will lose you.”
His brow furrows deeply and his gaze holds mine, full of confusion. “You desire me as yours. I know you do. And yet… you deny this to both yourself and to me,” he whispers. “Why? What have I done to make you doubt me?”
“Nothing,” I answer quickly.
“Then, what is it?” Frustration laces his tone. “Tell me.”
“I cannot,” I state firmly.
“Why?”
Emotions lodge in my throat, but I somehow manage to speak around them. “Do not ask me again.”
Frustration burns in his eyes as he stares at me. Without warning, he spins on his heels and then lifts into the air, flying out of the glass dome overhead and into the night sky.
“Aurdyn!” I call, but he is already gone.
Anger wars with sadness and I curl my hands into fists at my side as I make my decision. I must return to the heart tree. I need to know why I cannot speak the truth to Aurdyn. And it had better give me a bloody good answer, because I’m tired of hurting him.
Wrapping my fur cloak tightly around me, I pull my hood over my head and then make my way through the castle and out into the gardens, following the long path to the temple nearby.
I do not care how late it is. I need answers, and I need them tonight.
CHAPTER46
FREYJA
The full moon shines brightly overhead, casting a silver glow over the temple. The heart tree stands tall and proud in the center. The wind catches the delicate leaves as they fall, swirling and dancing around the columns before gently falling to the ground below.
My boots crunch softly over the light layer of snow blanketing the earth as I walk up the steps to the tree. Standing before it, I gaze up at the long, bending branches that hang down as if to shelter me from the outside world.
Cautiously, I place my hand on the dark trunk and soft light begins to glow beneath the bark, tracing a pattern around my hand before twining its way up, spreading out over the branches and leaves. Warmth fills my body like a soothing balm.
I blink and a woman comes into focus, standing before me. Her long white hair flows down her back in soft waves. White lashes frame lavender eyes as she studies me. Her skin glowing an unnatural shade of silver that is almost too bright to look at.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“I am the spirit of the heart tree,”her voice whispers in my mind, as her lips remain unmoving.“Why have you come to me?”
“I’ve come to ask about the vision you showed me.” She watches me in silence and I continue. “What did you show King Aurdyn? Because I know he could not have seen the same future I did. If he had… he would understand why I push him away.”
