Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(38)

Amusement flooded his eyes. “And where do you think that human tradition came from?”

A moment passed before I got it. “Really?” I asked pointing at him. “It’s a Drae thing? So, does that mean I would’ve been Draeryn because the emperor is Draedyn?” And I thought Tyrryn was odd. “I like Ryn.”

His features smoothed, and I grasped his thoughts just a fraction before he spoke them aloud. “If I compromise on this, will you promise to remain by my side?”

“Like conjoined twins?” I asked glibly.

“No, just within the vicinity,” he said, throwing his hands in the air. “I want to be able to get to you quickly if someone tries to hurt you. That’s what I mean. If you’re days away, I can’t protect you.”

His words hung heavy in the air. I frowned, struggling to separate my wants from his. A part of me desperately wanted to never be without him, but swearing to always being that close was a big issue. Always left no room for freedom. “Are we starting that again? After what we shared last night?”

“No, my mate,” he said, kissing away my frown. “I would not have that.”

But the sad ache of his forlornness at my answer echoed through me, battling against my resolve. This bond might take some getting used to.

“Tyrrik?” I said, reaching up to loop my hands around the back of his neck as I let the sheet go.

“Yes, my Ryn?”

I took a deep, happy breath. “I love you. So very much.”

A rumble, almost akin to a purr, filled the space between us, and his joy swelled within me.

I stared at him, my heart full, and realized I’d never said the words before. I’d mated with him, mentally and physically, and yet never acknowledged what that meant out loud.

His eyes shined as he lowered his head to place a tender kiss on my forehead. “I love you more than life itself, my mate. I hope you enjoyed last night.”

I nodded, smoothing my face though I couldn’t conceal the way my heart leaped. “It was pretty good.” I pulled him closer and whispered in his ear, “I think we should play cards again tonight.”

“Play cards?” He laughed when I blushed, his body shaking me and the space around us. But he shook his head. “No, you’ll be sore from last night.”

Ha! “That might be true if I were human or just Drae. But us Phaetyn? We’ve got all the skills.” I tightened my embrace and grinned impishly before licking his ear. “Come on,” I whispered, my heart pounding. “Play cards with me.”

“What have I started?” he replied.

Honestly, I was wondering that too.

A slow smile spread across his face, and I let out a squeal of delight as he knelt upright and ripped away the blankets between us. His handsome face and boyish grin was all I could see as my Drae reached for me.





15





Hunger drove us out of the lapis chamber, and my stomach growled as we walked through the empty corridor. I was going to eat an entire boulder-sized potato. Mmm. Roasted with rosemary and salt. Maybe Tyrrik can breathe fire on one. I snickered.

Tyrrik and I held hands as we wound up through the kingdom, and by the time we reached the level of our old rooms, I pulled him to a stop as the silence settled in. I grimaced up at Tyrrik and asked, “Where is everyone?”

“My thoughts exactly,” he murmured.

That had been his thought? Had I mistaken it for my own? I blinked several times, trying to untangle him from me.

It was your own.

I narrowed my eyes at the amusement in his mind voice. “Yes, I know,” I huffed, even though I knew he’d know I was lying. “But when I start thinking about it all, my mind gets weird and twisty.”

Your human notions are getting in the way.

I snorted and tugged him forward. “Whatever, Ryrik.”

He growled, and I smirked. Definitely needed to remember that quip.

Two golden-guards clattered down the gem-encrusted passage toward us.

They bowed, and the smaller one said, “Lord Tyrrik, Lady Tyrryn.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Why were they calling me Tyrryn? My eyes rounded. Drak, they knew we’d mated? My cheeks flushed. How did they know?

“Where is everyone?” Tyrrik asked, ignoring my imagination of rocks crashing and Drae roaring.

Please tell me that didn’t really happen.

At the same time, the guard rotated his attention to Tyrrik. “The army left five hours ago, my lord. King Zakai instructed you to be left alone until . . .”

I fixed the man with a cool glare. He better not go there.

He never even glanced my way but still blanched and wisely didn’t finish the sentence. Maybe Tyrrik had shown some fang.

“They expected you’d be able to catch up,” the second guard said.

Right, we had wings. Pretty safe assumption.

“Indeed. Thank you,” Tyrrik said. Grabbing my hand, he led me around the guards.

Do you think everyone knows we were playing cards? I asked.

He didn’t even glance my way, but a blind man could’ve seen Tyrrik’s huge grin. In one word? Yes. What we did is nothing to be ashamed of, my love. I’d imagine everyone else wishes they were doing the same.

I wrinkled my nose then tried to un-judge my judgment of everyone judging us. Sex was a pretty natural thing; every person, human, Phaetyn, and Drae was the result of playing cards. “Well, I’m not confirming any rumors, regardless of how natural spawning is.”