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Lyra’s eyes are locked on him. “Actually,” she says as she removes the napkin from her lap. “I was wondering if you’d like to join me on a walk through the garden this evening. It’s too beautiful of a night to not enjoy it.”
I swear I see a hint of pink flush across Izan’s cheeks as he says, “I’d love to.”
Lyra stands from her chair, taking Izan’s outstretched hand as she rises, their eyes never leaving each other. She keeps her hand in his as they begin walking toward the doors.
She turns to look at me and Arryn as they reach the exit. “Thank you for a lovely dinner, Arryn. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he beams at my drop-dead gorgeous friend.
She offers him a gentle smile. “Goodnight, Adeena. I hope Dreyden’s pissy mood improves.”
“Hmm,” I tap my chin. “Me too. He’s rather exhausting lately, isn’t he?”
She laughs, “He is, indeed.”
“Goodnight,” I sigh, waving to her before they disappear through the doorway.
Arryn and I are all that’s left. I can’t explain it, but I feel protective over Arryn. We need to figure out what’s going on with him and why he was in the Bloodred Forest in the first place.
We sit in silence for several seconds before Arryn turns toward me with tired eyes. “I think it’s time for me to retire as well.”
I couldn’t agree more. The muscles in my back ache from flying for so long, and I’m ready to have a little chat with Dreyden about his attitude problem. He can’t treat house guests like shit just because they’re male. I don’t act this way when we have female guests in the castle. It’s not fair and it’s immature, especially for a four-hundred-year-old high lord.
One of the castle staff members waits outside the dining room for Arryn, ready to take him to his room. We walk out together, then part ways for the evening as I leave to find my mate.
* * *
Dreyden is workingat his desk when I enter our bed chambers. Loose papers are scattered across the darkly stained wood as he scribbles notes on a pad above them. His eyes leave the desk, glancing up at me as I cross the room, walking toward him.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask as soon as I reach the opposite side of his desk, bracing my hands on the wood.
He drops the pen from his hand, crossing his arms as he leans back into his chair. This is what I call his relaxed alpha male posture. “What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with him?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “He was being friendly, not a flirt. You’re being unfair.”
“That’s not what it sounded like when I walked into the dining hall.” His voice is cold.
I lean over the desk, trying to flex the brittle air between us. “You were in a horrible mood long before that. What happened?”
Dreyden sits forward, leaning closer to my face as he rubs his rough hand along his jaw. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.” His knee rising and falling catches my eye. He’s anxiously tapping his foot against the floor. “And don’t you think it’s a tad suspicious that the healers couldn’t find anything wrong with him, yet he says he can’t remember anything? That’s not weird to you?”
“Of course, it’s weird to me, Dreyden. Why wouldn’t it be?” I toss my hands in the air, already frustrated with how this conversation is going. “But, he hasn’t given usanyreason not to trust him, and I think he needs our help.”
“He needs to find a new place to stay,” Dreyden growls under his breath, his patience running thin.
“He’ll stay here until he’s ready to leave,” I snap. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“I don’t think I am, Adeena. I’m being cautious, and you should too.” His voice is more gentle than I was expecting, considering I’d just told him he was being ridiculous.
“And I appreciate you being cautious, but something is telling me we need to help him. You know I can take care of myself and there is no need to be this protective. I’ll be fine.”
Dreyden rises from his chair, slowly walking around his desk until he stops behind me. He places his hands on his desk, hovering around both sides of me as I brace the wood. His woodsy-amber scent sends chills up my spine as the air around us grows heavy.
“You are mymate,and Iwillbe protective of you. I know you don’t need me to look out for you, but we both know I will go insane if I don’t. It’s my job to protect you. Our mating bond writes that into my brain chemistry.” He presses into my body, pooling heat between my thighs.
I drop my head lower, closing my eyes as I shake it in disagreement. “Yourjobis to be the high lord.”
“Mmm, maybe,” he breathes without missing a beat. “But you come first.”
