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I nodded toward the book. “What does it say?”
“That can wait. You’re exhausted. Now. Let’s get you back to bed. I don’t want to strain you too much after what you’ve been through.”
Part of me wanted to argue with him, but when he took my hand and led me back to the bed, I felt the fatigue weighing down my body. Araki pulled me against his chest and put one arm around me. With his free hand, he opened the book. I tried to stay awake, but I fell asleep listening to the sound of his heartbeat.
Acceptance
Reilyn
I woke to the sunlight shining on my face. It was a bright morning for this late in the year. I squinted against the light. Too bright. Why hadn’t I closed the curtains before I went to sleep? I turned in the bed, finding Araki’s face inches from mine. I smiled. After falling asleep the previous day, I’d woken into Araki snuggling closer to me in the night. We’d been more feverish in ripping each other’s clothes off than the first time. After that, we drifted between sleep and lovemaking several times at night.
I’d never made love before. Never had this connection. Never been in love. I enjoyed the sensation… even though it was terrifying to have so much emotion wrapped up in another person. Terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. And he felt the same way. I could feel it. It was more than the words he’d whispered to me last night. It was deeper than words, and I could only feel. He stirred, one eye cracking open. He blinked before rubbing his eyes and pulled himself up. The book Klaus had given him the previous night fell off his chest to land open on his lap. I pushed myself to one elbow, bringing myself to his mouth.
“Good morning,” Araki grinned, his gruff morning voice washed over me. My eyes twinkled with happiness. I leaned in and kissed him. I kissed him long and slowly, revelling in how I felt his delight slide through our bond. I nodded toward the book once we broke the kiss. “Did you learn anything?”
“Maybe. It’s an account written by a priest of Gunthur and keeps talking about how the Dhajork are terrible mindlessbeasts. So it’s hardly a good representation. There’s a section in here about Dhajork magic, though, that I found interesting.”
I rested my chin on his shoulder. “What does it say?”
“Remember, this is a heavily biased account,” he warned, “but it says that the Dhajork were the original tenders to the Forest of Shadows. They would wander the trails, keeping it safe for pilgrims who wished to increase their magic. Apparently, dark creatures are drawn to us, and our magic is only intensified, not twisted, by the forest. The priest claims this is because the Dhajork worshiped the demons of the forest, but it seems that he had a lot of anti-magic rhetoric in general.”
I frowned. “The forest brought a beast-like creature out of you. Did the Dhajork look like animals?”
Araki shook his head. “My mother looked fae. As for pure-blooded Dhajork, I’m assuming they had a strong animalistic appearance. But I can’t say for certain. I think, perhaps, they had some shape-shifting abilities.”
“Did you learn anything else?”
“Not yet. It’s difficult to read someone saying such awful things.” Araki gave me a dry smile. “Besides, we have to concentrate on Opaline—”
A knock came on the door, interrupting him. Araki put an arm around my shoulder as he called, “Enter.” I pulled on the nightdress I had discarded at some point in the night, and Araki summoned his clothes with magic.
Klaus stepped through the door. “You told me yesterday you wanted an early day to get some swordplay practice in.”
“Right.” Araki pulled the blankets off. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” Then, with an apologetic look at me, he added, “we’ll have to continue this discussion later.”
“Can I join the practice?”
Klaus shook his head. “You’re still recovering from being poisoned, Reilyn. If you want to get up, I’ll send Nadine to stay with you. But you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”
“He’s right,” Araki said sympathetically. He kissed my forehead. “I’ll be back by noon.”
He headed for the door, but I called, “Klaus, will you stay and talk for a moment?”
The fae general gave me a puzzled look but stepped aside after seeing Araki’s nod. After Araki had left the room, I got out of bed. Being in a vulnerable position with Klaus in the room was uncomfortable. Not that I thought he’d try to harm me, but just because he was mistrustful of me. I needed to change that. At least I needed to try.
Now. How was I supposed to say what I needed to say?
I squared my shoulders and met his wary eyes. “I’m not sure how much Araki plans to tell you, but I also wanted to talk to you about this. Opaline lied to me and manipulated my memory. Every reason I had to kill Araki was based on lies I can see through now.”
Klaus cocked an eyebrow.
“Even if the Union spell wasn’t on us, I wouldn’t harm Araki.” And now came the most vulnerable part of my confession. His expression was open, listening. I couldn’t tell if he believed me, but I knew he was giving me a chance. “I thoughtI was too broken to fall in love. But somehow, it’s happened anyway.”
Klaus bowed his head as though thinking it over. I felt oddly nervous as I waited for his response. Eventually, he nodded once. When he lifted his head, he was smiling. It was strained but genuine. “Nadine already figured that you love him. But I’m glad that you told me. It can’t have been easy, considering my past behaviour.”
I shrugged wryly. “You were protecting your brother. I can’t fault you for that.”
“And I thank you for your understanding. “Thank you, Reilyn. I will make sure Nadine comes to see you shortly.”
