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Everything he says makes sense. I’ve always known Syn was different in more ways than just his tragic past, and now we have a name for it. Like calls to like, and Ivar seems to sense the same abilities he possesses in my mate. I’m not actually surprised by this. I turn to Syn, expecting him to deny it, but he’s actually frowning in consideration. Reaching for the bond, I find a turbulent mix of fear and hope. He’s finally getting some answers about who and what he is.
“That must be how you’re able to blend into shadow sometimes,” I comment lightly, reaching out and taking his hand in mine. “It makes sense.”
Hoping that he reads between the lines, I smile softly at him. I need him to know I don’t see him any differently to how I did before, we just have some more answers. He meets my gaze, and I hope he sees my honesty and love. Most of all, I hope he sees my acceptance of him.
We stay like this for countless minutes, Ivar simply watching us communicate silently. Eventually, Syn grunts and drops his gaze. Huffing out what sounds like a cross between a sigh and a cough, he looks back up and brings his brooding eyes over to Ivar. “That’s why I’ve never fit in?”
My heart breaks for him. I want to wrap him in my arms and tell him that he’s found his place with me. However, I keep quiet as I watch the two of them. This is his moment, not mine, and he needs to work this out for himself.
Ivar nods his head slowly, as if understanding the weight of emotion behind the question. “Most likely. Our natures make us comfortable in the shadows and cause our differences to stand out in the light.”
We fall silent with those words, and Ivar nudges Maliki into action once more. As we continue our descent, I can almost hear Syn thinking over what Ivar said, his end of the bond heavy. My own mind is turning, taking in everything that’s happened today and how I potentially put us all in danger.
As if he’s able to sense the direction of my thoughts, Ivar clears his throat and glances at me over his shoulder. “The queen will be coming for you now. You should be prepared,” he warns quietly, not sounding like the jovial Ivar I’m used to. “You frightened her today with your show of force, and frightened people make rash, impulsive decisions.”
Shit, if he’s warning me, then it’s serious. He’s loyal to the queen above all things, and he knows her better than anyone else, so for him to tell me this is significant. He’s right though, the queen will lash out. We need to be ready for when she does.
Reaching out, I place a hand on Ivar’s shoulder, squeezing slightly in gratitude. “Thank you for the warning.”
His body tenses under my hand, and at first, I think he’s stiffening because he can’t stand my touch. I’m about to pull my hands away, but before I can, he reaches up and places his over mine. His responding smile is open and exposed. With how he’s avoided by almost everyone, I realise that he’s probably rarely touched like this. My heart aches for him, and I squeeze his shoulder once more before pulling back.
We finally reach the bottom of the staircase, and Ivar pulls Maliki to a stop once more. It’s almost comical, and I’m sure the male is raging underneath the shadows.
“You should return to your rooms,” Ivar comments, his body language shifting as he glances around the poorly lit corridors. “You’re safer with your mates. You should all stick together.”
Jerking my head towards Maliki, I try to ignore that the change in him is making me anxious. “I need to take him—”
“You need not worry, I will not hurt him,” he assures me, cutting me off. A slight frown furrows his brow as he meets my eyes. “If the queen orders me to, I won’t have a choice, but I’ll try to talk her out of any rash decisions.”
Relief rushes through me, and I release a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding. The need to get back to my mates has been building in me by the second, but I wanted to see this through. However, I trust Ivar’s word that he won’t kill Maliki unless he has no other option.
Smiling softly, I take his hand in mine and squeeze gently. “Thank you, Ivar.”
He smiles, and this time it feels more genuine. “That is what friends are for.”
* * *
Syn and I quickly race up the stairs and make our way through the corridors, trying to remember the way back to my rooms. At first, we have a smooth run, but as we pass the meeting hall, we come across a large group of witches who seem to be waiting for something.
“The chosen one! She’s here.”
The group quickly converges on me, and I instinctively react by creating a shield around myself and Syn. I’m sure they don’t mean any harm, but my heart is racing, the recent attack making me a little twitchier than usual. Their voices all raise to be heard over each other, clamouring to have their say. The guards might have been afraid of my shield, but these witches have no such reservations and reach out to lay their hands on it.
“Laelia, we support you. We know the queen set up that situation to force you into killing the traitor.”
“You are so humble for sparing his life, I know many would have done otherwise.”
“You are truly our saviour.”
Overwhelmed, I look around for an escape route, but I’m completely surrounded. Everyone here has something they want to say, a compliment to offer or to pledge their support, and while I appreciate the gesture, it’s completely overwhelming. I don’t want to go against the queen, and nothing I did was brave or humble.
“I only did what was right,” I mumble out with a tight smile as I attempt to push forward through the mass of people. “Please, let me pass.”
Syn seems to swell behind me, a low rumble emanating from his chest as he senses my rising panic and discomfort. He can’t hurt anyone while in my shield, but things are going to escalate if we don’t get out of here soon.
“Yes, yes, I know, she’s magical,” a familiar, lyrical voice says, her annoyance clear. “Let me through!” she demands until I see a small pair of hands appear between two witches before they are suddenly shoved aside to admit a frazzled Luna. “If you lot don’t back off and give us some space, I’m going to go apocalyptic on you.”
Her threat seems to work, and the group disperses. They still hang around the hallway, trying to get a glimpse of me, but I immediately feel better, the crushing weight of their expectation lifting from me.
