Shadow Wings (The Darkest Drae Book 2)(83)

Tyrrik jolted at the movement and then blinked up at me.

“Evening,” I said, reaching for a platter of fruit. I grabbed a bunch of grapes and popped one in my mouth.

We’d received plenty of food yesterday, and the guards had brought us more. This king was no good. If he could spare all this, he could afford to feed his people.

Tyrrik rolled onto his back, and I stiffened as the blanket fell mid-way down his bare chest. I know I usually slept next to that each night, but at night I could pretend our sleeping arrangements didn’t mean anything. In the light of day, noticing his sculpted chest somehow meant more. Tyrrik plucked a grape from my hand and dropped the red globe in his mouth. He leaned back, placing one hand behind his head.

I took him in and swallowed. Holy pancakes. Look at the sparkling gems, Ryn. But I just stared at the Drae.

“So . . .” Dyter said, breaking the spell.

“Yes?” I said, facing him eagerly. I needed to get myself under better control. If he laughed, I’d hit him.

He didn’t. “We’re expected in a couple of hours.”

Great. I cracked my knuckles. “Time to heal Tyrrik then.”

Tyrrik shook his head. “I’m fine. In a few hours, I’ll be able to get through the meeting with the king.”

“You’re fine? You exhausted yourself and collapsed on the ground . . . unconscious.”

“But I slept eighteen hours,” he said. “There’s no need for you to deplete your energy.”

I rested my hands on his chest under the guise of healing him, which I guess I was, but—yeah—there were also ulterior motives. Classic trick.

I peeked up at Tyrrik and scowled at the wry smile on his lips.

I ignored him and tuned into my Phaetyn energy. Kamini was right, each time I used my powers, healing became easier, just like making plants grow. There wasn’t any gold poison in Tyrrik at all now. In fact, his body was fine, just like he’d said, but the flow of his blood was sluggish, and I could feel his exhaustion.

I studied the pulsing blue power coursing down my arms and gathering in my hands, invisible to all but me. I guess I’d stuff as much in as possible to help him regain his stamina. I exhaled and opened the gates of my Phaetyn powers, the energy immediately flowing into him. I took another breath and threw the force at Tyrrik.

With a yell, he jolted a meter in the air and flopped on the bed.

I echoed his yell, jumping away from the bed, frightened by the strength of his reaction. Holding my hands in the air, I stared at him. “Are you al’right? What just happened?”

Dyter snorted. “I saw a donkey do that once when it was branded.”

Tyrrik panted and pushed up to sitting, the blanket puddling at his waist.

“Whoa, Tyrrik, you’re practically glowing,” I said fidgeting on the spot. There was a bluish aura around his body. Maybe I’d over healed him. Was that a thing?

“Maybe a bit slower next time,” he wheezed, slumping back. “And less at once.”

That was nice of him. I sat next to him again and cautiously lay a hand on his chest, silently wondering if glowing was healthy. I frowned as I studied his new state. I’d poured plenty of energy into him, but the aura around his body faded, soaking into him like he was a dry sponge.

“You need more,” I said. “But I think we better wait a little.”

Tyrrik’s face was smooth and relaxed now, but he rested a hand over where mine lay against his chest. “Yes, Khosana. That might be a good idea.”

I met his eyes, heat creeping into my cheeks. “And you’re not coming to dinner,” I said, my voice a breathy whisper. I cleared my throat and tried again, but my words came out more like pillow talk. “You’ll be resting.”

The tone of my voice made it sound like I was asking to rest with him, but I couldn’t seem to find enough protest within myself to clarify the point. Our bond pulsed, and I felt his desire quicken.

He inhaled sharply, and black scales erupted where our skin touched, climbing up his arm. I stared at the luminescent blue in their depths, and my breath caught at the intimacy of his response.

“I don’t know what’s happening,” Dyter said. “But I know I don’t want to watch it.”

His voice was distant and worked its way to my awareness slowly. I finally blinked, severing contact with Tyrrik’s intense onyx eyes. When had our gazes met?

My hand was shaking as I slid my arm free, but there was something I’d promised to say.

“Tyrrik,” I said, still perching on the edge of the bed though I planned to make a quick getaway after this. “I just wanted you to know that you can listen in my head.” I winced at the garbled words. “Like put your head in mine.” I sighed and stood. That bath-gem-getaway seemed like a good idea right now. “Anyway, you know what I mean. Thank you for being respectful and asking. I really appreciate that, and I’m okay with your thoughts rubbing against mine.”

I glanced back and saw Dyter’s eyes were squeezed shut.

“That’s not exactly what I meant—” I blurted.

“Ryn,” Tyrrik said.

I peeked up and saw him studying me with heightened intensity. His lips parted as he took a deep breath.

“Yeah?” Next time I told a mate they could jump in my head, I should think about what I wanted to say beforehand.