Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(42)

I exhaled as the moss-green power shrunk, and then when only Tyrrik and I were covered, I let go of the Phaetyn veil completely. My knees shook, and although letting go of the veil felt amazing, my muscles trembled with exhaustion.

Tyrrik leaned over and scooped me into his arms.

“Hey,” I accused, half-heartedly narrowing my eyes at him. “You landed inside my veil.”

“You can’t keep me out now that we’ve fully mated,” he said with a smirk.

I laughed at the burst of male pride radiating through our bond. “That comment would be super creepy if it weren’t true.” Now, I had no defenses against Tyrrik, not that I even wanted or needed any defenses against him. I nestled to his chest. I mean who’d want to keep out a handsome hunk of Drae like Tyrrik, except for past-Ryn who couldn’t see clearly. Maybe past-Ryn could’ve done with a few wakeup slaps.

His features softened, and he added, “You look tired.”

“Lord Tyrrik, Lady Tyrryn.”

Mistress Moons. What was with the guards? I listened to Tyrrik’s quiet snicker, making a mental note to inform Zakai my name was, and would always be, Ryn. There was far too much pun potential with Tyrryn. Tyrryn down walls. Tyrryn toward danger. The world couldn’t handle all the puns I would make if they continued to call me Tyrryn.

I eyed the man, surprised my eyelids still worked because my body had checked out for the foreseeable future.

“Your tent is set up this way.” The guard bowed.

What did I say about liking Zakai? I yawned.

I’d much rather stare at the stars, Tyrrik answered.

Privacy.

I didn’t have to say more. Tyrrik picked up his pace, following the guard through the pine trees to the middle of the encampment.

Good, if the army was camped around us, I’d be able to cover more of them if we received a night visit. Though I’m not sure how I’d do after holding the veil up all day.

. . . Drak.

I was exhausted. My stomach churned uneasily as I thought of our camp exposed all night because I’d overextended myself with practice during the day.

“Do you require anything else?” the guard asked, gaze shifting to where other soldiers were trailing out of the trees, back to the main valley.

“What’s happening?” I mumbled, too tired to even properly fume over my mistake. I couldn’t wear myself out to this extent again. The potential weakness in the veil due to my familial bond with Draedyn was one thing, but if I couldn’t put the defense up at all—or couldn’t hold it because I was spent—we were all goners. I’ve got to do better.

You will, my love, Tyrrik answered.

I shot him a weak smile.

“Prince Zarad is running a drill,” the guard said. “If the emperor attacks, the prince wants us close together so it’s easier to spread your power of invisibility over the group.” The man’s eyes were round with awe.

Tyrrik coughed.

Power of invisibility, huh? I liked it. I nodded sagely. “Practice hard, soldier.”

He bowed low, and Tyrrik coughed again, not speaking until the guard had joined the line leaving the forest.

“You’re going to call your veil that from now on, aren’t you?” Tyrrik asked. He ducked us into our tent.

“Hmm, what?” I asked as he set me on top of a blanket, and I lolled there like a blob. “What are you talking about?”

“The power of invisibility.”

“Oh that,” I said casually. “Maybe. I hadn’t really thought about it.”

Eyes narrowed, he stared at me until I couldn’t hold my grin in. He snorted and dropped from his stooped position to sit by my side. I wasn’t sure who’d carried our tent and set it up, but I was glad for it. Really glad. Like, I would maybe show the person something from my hoard in return. Except I’d hidden it back in Gemond, so it would have to be an IOU one glimpse at my hoard kind of thing.

The tent ceiling was low, only to the middle of Tyrrik’s chest, and the tent appeared to be made of a quilted material. Whoever put it up had strung it between two trees and then stretched out either side before lining the interior with soft cushions and two thick blankets.

There were perks to being a Drae-Phaetyn with the power of invisibility.

“Aren’t you tired?” I asked Tyrrik, who was staring out the entrance to the tent.

“After my battle with the one-eyed squirrel? Exhausted.”

He blinked and picked up my legs, removing my boots. I groaned as he rubbed my calves.

“Sweet potato pancakes,” I mumbled. “Please don’t ever stop doing that.”

“I’m not inclined to when you make sounds like that.” He kneaded the muscles down, rotating my ankles before moving onto my feet.

At this rate, I’d be asleep in the next few minutes, but there was one thing I needed to do first. I handed Tyrrik the pouch of seeds and said, “Would you go scatter some of these outside. We’re going to need to eat tomorrow.”

I pulled up the two thick blankets covering the ground and pressed my palm atop the dried pine needles beneath.

“Are you sure that’s wise, my love? You’ve expended a lot of energy today already.”

I yawned and shooed him toward the door. “I’m no use against Draedyn tonight anyway, and growing stuff doesn’t take much energy. But food will keep the army’s strength up so they can fight.”