The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly #1)(56)

“So at least you have more power than me?” I actually felt a little disappointed at that thought. I hadn’t shown signs of power since Faraway saved me.

I have power because you chose me as your Guardian, Faraway encouraged, knowing that I was feeling down. I have power because of you.

I heard someone calling my name.

They are looking for you. They are worried, Faraway reflected calmly.

“I don’t want to go in,” I said stubbornly. “I refuse to look at or talk to Kael ever again.” My response caused an exasperated snort from Faraway who pushed me in the back with his muzzle, forcing me to walk forward or get knocked on my butt.

“Watch it, Horse!” I joked. Leaving my hand on his shoulder we walked back to the stables. It was interesting; now that we were bonded I couldn’t get enough of touching him. Faraway didn’t mind, he loved it, but touching him seemed to calm me on many different levels. It was like a drug and it was addicting. It was similar to constantly touching a power source that could rejuvenate and calm you at the same time.

The closer we got to the stables the more chaotic it became as guards and soldiers, who were moments ago laughing and teasing each other, were now searching the grounds, faces serious and deadly.

The Denai students were mingling about in small groups, whispering nervously. I put Faraway in his stall and gave him fresh water and hay, delaying the inevitable as long as possible. When there was nothing else to do but go inside I stepped outside and almost immediately wanted to hide again, as all five of the Adepts descended on me. All five surrounded me like an armed guard and ushered me inside the Citadel.

I watched as the iron doors shut and were locked. I knew it was to keep anyone from getting in but in this moment if felt more like they were trying to keep me from getting out.





Chapter 23





I was beginning to hate the chair.

I was sitting in the same hard chair in the Adept Council room again. I shouldn’t be surprised. I was almost tempted to ask to stop by my room and get a pillow to sit on, but one glance at their faces and I knew to not even ask.

The meeting was kept short, they wanted me to recap my steps the previous day and what happened when I got to the spare room. I gave them a condensed version of everything, leaving out Kael’s erratic behavior, not really understanding why I chose to.

Since it was almost dawn, I was dismissed to go to my room. Adept Lorna said that I would have a guard assigned and to get some rest. I made a motion to argue and she cut me off with a look that said: don’t you dare. Sighing in defeat, I left the meeting room.

Not really caring one way or the other, I went out the door and came face to face with a worried Joss. His handsome face looked ragged and tired but lit up when he saw me; he pulled me into a bear hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he murmured into my hair. When he reluctantly let go of me, he still held onto my hand.

Too tired to pull it out I let him lead me back to my room. I gave him my key; his sure hands inserted it and unlocked the door.

Lighting a lamp, he did a thorough search of my room, under the bed, in the armoire behind the curtains. His actions made me smile as I pulled off my boots, and washed what was left of the grease paint from my face. Most of it had rubbed off in the fight and I was too tired to go to the baths or care.

Crawling into my large bed I collapsed into my pillows and felt Joss pull a blanket over me, stopping mid motion to pull a flyaway piece of straw from my hair. He reached for my injured arm and I started to jerk it away when he caught it and pulled it into his lap. I watched him close his eyes in concentration. Warmth spread through my arm as the cut slowly healed and turned a faint pink. Rejuvenating energy flowed into me followed by a calm and content feeling. My eyes started to droop.

“Thank you, Joss,” I mumbled sleepily.

“I wish I could do more,” he grumbled. Going over to the couch he stretched his large frame out upon it, trying to get comfortable.

Sitting up in alarm, I cried out, “What do you think you are doing?”

“Taking a nap. What does it look like?” he retorted.

“You can’t stay here! It’s not proper.”

Joss just gave me a stubborn look. “I really don’t care about what’s proper or not. You have been attacked twice in the last two weeks. For goodness sakes, this is Citadel! It’s supposed to be the safest place in the city.”

“Obviously not.”

“I don’t care how many rules it breaks, or how many guards you get, or even if I get expelled. I’m not letting you out of my sight. So get some sleep, I’m not going anywhere.”

Giving him an icy stare wasn’t making him change his mind, he just walked over to my sparse bookshelf, picked up a book and went back to the couch and began to read it; completely ignoring me.

I made a noise and gave in, plopping down on my pillows. I made a childish show of trying to get comfortable again, punching my pillows to show my displeasure at him staying. Finally, sleep took over and I dreamed.

This time I dreamed I was back in the prison and it was burning. Fire surrounded me, the beams in the ceiling were burning and behind me the tunnel came crashing down. Flames licked at my feet and I could smell burning flesh. The smell made me gag. The smoke made it difficult to see and breathe. I tried to move down the hallway but a ring of fire was in front and behind me.