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“I’m not sure that was a quality pun.”
“You think? Huh. Whatever. I’m just saying don’t be afraid. If I could go back and be brave those first few days, if I’d known what Draven was to me, I think I would have embraced it, especially knowing now what I didn’t know then. I’m not saying you should go from zero to pregnant in 40 seconds flat. I’m saying trust what you feel. Unless you feel like running away. Don’t trust that at all. In fact, forget I mentioned it in case it’s giving you ideas.”
“You’re quick with wit, Lyric. I appreciate your humor,” I told her with complete sincerity. The haughtiness of the fae at Ansley Keep had been tiresome. It wasn’t their nature to constantly act in such formal and pretentious manners. Sersha had greatly damaged the atmosphere of the court.
“Thanks. I couldn’t tell because you don’t show much emotion on your face.”
I gazed off into the nearby woods. “I know.”
“But, hey, you’ve rallied like a champ considering what happened to you. If you think you need time, take it. I’m not exactly an expert on relationships considering the one I’m in is the only one I’ve ever had.”
“Really?”
“Yep. So, ignore what pops out of my mouth, if you need to. I don’t have a great filter.”
“I hardly noticed.”
“Hey, she made a joke!”
That one finally drew a smile from me and Lyric clapped her hands elatedly. “Okay, enough girl talk. There are still things I want to show you. I think you’ll like it here.”
Lyric took me around the grounds not far beyond the protective wall that circled the primary building. I finally got a look at the multiple barracks scattered strategically with large training areas between them. Shadow warriors moved about carrying on with their daily routines.
I spotted Phalen and returned his friendly wave. He was working with several groups practicing swordplay. Closeby was the archery range crawling with a line of marksmen taking turns.
Several Shadows stopped to greet Lyric. She introduced me as Raven, not as Casimir’s mate, which was important to me. I didn’t fully know what it meant to be his mate yet. If this was to be my home someday …
Great goddess above, am I really willing to live away from Terek? Forever?My subconscious was acting like I’d already decided to commit to Casimir. I had a choice, damnit. I would choose my path, not have it chosen for me.
When we got to the armory, Lyric’s face lit up. The large rectangular structure was made of the same black stone as the fortress. I couldn’t recall the name, but I did remember Father saying it was fireproof and virtually indestructible.
Lights came on automatically when we stepped through the doorway. Rows and rows of blades, tactical axes, bows, and other weaponry lined the walls. Hundreds, if not thousands of wooden boxes were neatly arranged on shelves that ran parallel to the walls of the long building. I scented explosives and felt the slight tingle of iron somewhere further inside.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Lyric sighed dreamily.
“It’s … something.”
Weapons must have been to her what magic and spells were to me. While I could wield a sword, I preferred my offensive powers. Still, I pretended to be impressed and ignored the itch of the poisonous alloy I’d come to hate so much.
As if sensing my discomfort, Lyric tugged on my sleeve. “Come on,” she said as she brushed by, heading towards the main entrance. “There’s a lot of metal in here and I don’t want to hear Cas bitch at me if you get close to it.”
“Being in the same room with iron for a few minutes won’t harm me.”
“Yeah, well I’m not interested in fighting him.”
My skin buzzed unexpectedly and I inhaled swiftly. It had been a while since I’d heard an outright lie.
“What?” Lyric asked suspiciously.
I tapped my ear. “That was a patently false statement.”
“Shit. I’m going to have to work on that.”
“On wanting to fight Casimir?”
“Uh, no,” she snorted. “I need to work on lying about it.”
“A sensible thing to work on, indeed,” I replied sagely, unable to stop the smirk from forming.
