Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(45)

So he can affect you. I wrapped my arms around myself and thought about how I could’ve attacked Tyrrik. What did you see?

No, he can only affect me through you. I’m a male Drae, not sworn to him, and no relation. And I saw an emerald-green coating the blue strands of your Drae power.

Could Draedyn do this from anywhere? I had to sleep sometime. I shivered, looking out the tent flap at the dozens more tents housing slumbering Gemondians. What could’ve happened if Tyrrik wasn’t sleeping next to me tonight? How many could Draedyn have made me kill? The entire army? I stared at the lash wounds on Tyrrik’s chest again. They’d healed into thin red lines already, but my chest squeezed.

I wish I remembered more. His thoughts were laced with frustration. Male Drae would never have left their mates if they knew their female would be left vulnerable.

Maybe they didn’t know. How many ancient alpha Drae are there to force their way into their daughter’s heads? And weren’t the Drae supposed to be the protectors of the realm?

Tyrrik’s eyes gleamed in the dark as he watched me. True on both counts.

He faced me, crouched in the tent, and held out a hand. “Come on. Let’s go back to bed.”

I closed my eyes, bowing my head in defeat. I can’t keep him out. I’m not going to go back to sleep.

He sighed, his chest rising and falling. I’ll watch over you, my love. I know what to look for now, and I won’t let anything else happen to you.

He’d stay awake so I could sleep? Because that made me want to sink into a dreamless slumber. I could feel how much he wanted his promise to be true, however, and I realized he felt just as much guilt for what happened.

I crawled across the tent and tapped on his leg. “Come down here with me.”

He joined me on the blankets and pillows. Our lapis and onyx threads wound together, and I opened my heart to him, uncaring which emotions were mine and which were his. Our bond and emotions merged, unidentifiable as belonging to each of us, and I rested both of my hands on his chest, using my restored Phaetyn power to remove the physical evidence of the pain I’d just caused him.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, speaking for both of us. “And I’m so afraid.”

If I stay awake, I can keep him out. We’ll just have to rotate our sleep schedule.

I’m not sure how I feel about that. I raised my eyebrows in an attempt to lighten the mood as I wound my arms up over Tyrrik’s shoulders. He rewarded me with a smile, albeit a tight one.

We need to keep you safe, first and foremost.

First-shmirst. I pressed my lips to his. I love you. No matter what Draedyn made me do, my feelings for you haven’t changed. At all.

That was never in question.

I chuckled, my shoulders relaxing a tiny amount. Glad to see the sunflowers didn’t injure your confidence.

Tyrrik deepened our kiss, splaying his hand over my neck. Not much can.

I broke off our kiss, staring at him in false shock. You don’t say? Is that a Drae thing or a Tyrrik thing?

He lowered his mouth to mine again, saying, A Tyrrik thing. Would you like me to show you?





Two soldiers stood barring our tent entrance when I awoke the next morning. I patted the blankets next to me. Tyrrik was gone, long gone judging by the lack of warmth under my fingers. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on my ears, growling in irritation. Not just Tyrrik, the entire army was gone.

I stared at the width of the two men. They wore golden chainmail, and their physique resembled that of a tree trunk: thick, wide, solid. Some of the Gemodians must have fed their young well before sending them off to die.

I shook my head. After last night, I was feeling acutely morbid and heart sick. Though with my father taking over my mind and forcing me to attack my mate, I was probably allowed to be disheartened for a day, especially because he could do it again.

What, my love? Tyrrik asked.

Where are you? I closed my eyes and saw the army through Tyrrik’s mind, and then he shifted his gaze to the surrounding mountains. How long have you been gone?

Since sun up.

I pursed my lips at his non-helpful answer. “Excuse me?” I called out to my babysitters.

Both young men turned to face me.

“How long ago did the army leave?”

I looked at the two young men, both of whom were surveying me as though measuring my worth. Was it written on my forehead or something? They were close to eighteen, if not already there, and curly hair the color of dry dirt stuck out in thick waves around their square faces. They were neither handsome nor ugly, and their eyes were pretty close to the same color as their hair. I’d heard of identical twins, but I’d never seen two people who looked exactly the same.

The young man on the right tossed an empty corn cob away. “Five hours, give or take.”

Five hours?

“Lord Tyrrik insisted you sleep as late as you wanted,” the other said, his eyes shifting to me.

“That sounds about right,” I said, turning my attention to the rumpled blankets.

The two young men stepped away from the tent a couple of yards and sat down in front of a pile of green husks.

I took the privacy they’d offered and threw off the blankets, running my fingers through my long silver tresses. They were silent as I pulled my aketon and a pair of hose out from under the blankets. I patted down the bedding, unsuccessfully trying to find . . . Where are my shoes?