Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(20)

The feeling is mutual, he shot back.

I closed my eyes and let my energy flow to him through our bond, feeling his uncertainty and concern flow back to me.

After a moment, he asked, How long have you wanted this?

I frowned. Tyrrik’s pure masculinity and raw sex appeal was undisputable. I’d always wanted to touch his body, but would I have ever acted on that without understanding my feelings? No. Not unless Dyter’s brew was involved. I don’t know. When did I first meet you?

He laughed. Again, the feeling is mutual, but then why have you been running?

There was no accusation in his voice, which was probably why I didn’t feel defensive. I had been running from him and us. From what my body told me I should do. However, being away from him wasn’t better or easier. It kinda sucked.

His next words came through our bond just over a whisper. Is it because I’m both older and more . . . experienced?

A snarl tore from my lips, and I snapped my fangs. A group of Phaetyn passing by screamed and ran off.

Ryn? Are you al’right?

Drak. I blinked in the wake of my intense reaction. Where had that come from? Was that . . . jealousy over Tyrrik’s past. Wave after possessive wave pulsed through me, and I reeled from the intensity. I did not want to become like that crazy girl in my cell, losing who I was because of my feelings for Tyrrik. Uh, is it normal to be . . . possessive?

I wasn’t sure how much of my freakiness I wanted to share with him. At least not yet.

You don’t need to explain, love. I struggle with that too. Often.

I let out a shaking breath. How often?

Right now, when Kamoi is probably panting after you? Every second. I’d like nothing more than to shove him over one of those jagged rocks, right through the spleen.

My brows lifted, but considering my reaction only a moment ago, I’d say that was pretty close to how I felt. That’s . . . pretty violent.

Mates fight for each other. Our bond is the most valued relationship we could ever have; in truth, you complete me.

My fears melted away with his words. I tucked my silver hair behind my ear. That’s why you have me. I stilled as the truth resonated through me.

Yes, my mate, he said in a whisper. That is why I have you.

“Are you serious? Ryn!” Lani shouted in my ear.

I jerked back to the present, arms flailing as I clutched my ear. Spinning to her, I grumbled, “What?”

“You’ll see him tomorrow,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I know, and ouch,” I complained, rubbing my ear. Then I remembered what she’d been doing. Talk later, I shot at Tyrrik.

I’ll wait for you, he purred.





9





“Al’right, I’m yours. So?” I nudged Lani. “How’d you do?”

The Phaetyn peered up at the elm tree, and I followed her gaze.

“Holy pancakes,” I exclaimed. The sickly green color of the elm tree’s leaves had morphed into a vibrant grasshopper green. The deep rivets in the gray-brown bark were filled out, and the trunk had swelled to half again its size. I blew a breath out. “You give it a little juice?”

Lani pursed her lips. “I couldn’t help it. The tree is mine now. It’s the ancestral tree.”

The rich warmth in her voice had my heart expanding, and I understood the implication—it could’ve been my tree had I stayed. Maybe that’s why the leaves had shriveled after I left. “I’m so glad for you. And Queen Luna?”

“You were right,” she answered. “My mother was a beautiful person. I hope to achieve half as much as she did in my time.”

We stared up at the tree. No matter what my reservations regarding the Phaetyn had been, looking at the elm tree, I was certain that with Lani’s guidance, they would find their way. And whatever doubts she’d had about her capabilities, it appeared as though a trip down memory lane had refocused her determination.

I grimaced, rubbing my stomach. No one should be allowed to eat that many strawberries dipped in chocolate or that many peaches. “I’m going to go lie down. I think veiling for so long made me sick.”

Lani snorted. “I’m sure that’s what caused it. But no. There’ll be no lying down until I’m done with you. I’ve taught you to focus your energy and how to veil, but our time is limited, and I still have a few more things I need to show you.”

“I thought the rest of the Phaetyn mojo was instinctual,” I countered. “I’ll just pick it up as I go.”

“You don’t want to get a jump start on ancestral tricks it took me fifty years to figure out?”

The Phaetyn queen could negotiate; I’d give her that, so I hedged. “What kind of tricks?”

“How about I show you how to spear Druman with roots?”

I promptly forgot my aching stomach and leaned toward Lani. “Where do I start?”





I spent the rest of the afternoon with Lani. During my last trip to Phaetynville, I’d noticed a golden path, and apparently the path led to Queen Luna’s castle. Or so Lani was telling me after her mother-tree encounter—no, queen tree.

I followed the lustrous path beside her, and we eventually stopped in front of Luna’s empty home. Home was an understatement. Different than the Rose Castle, Luna’s abode was ginormous, and the milky green stone slabs it was constructed from contrasted with beautiful gold inlays.