Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(69)

I was wrong. He dipped his forehead to mine. I should’ve never controlled you like that. I thought if you were unconscious with my power, we would be done here in Azule and gone before you awoke. It was a foolish, cowardly decision, my love. I’m so sorry.

My chest filled with love for him, and I pressed my lips to his, opening my heart so he could feel the truth of my words. I forgive you. Now, let’s get out of this mess. You go get . . . anyone left, and I’m going to—

I love you, Ryn. Be safe. He disappeared as quickly as he’d come.

His determination drove me forward, and I scurried down the next flight of stairs, slid out into the hall, and sprinted through the passageway.

I’ve got the assassins, Tyrrik said. How are you?

I’m good now. On the up and up. I turned my head right and left, searching for a way out.

Tyrrik’s power ebbed, slowly draining out of me and receding back into him. Are you out of the castle yet?

No. Almost. I turned the corner and frowned. Everything looked the same: smoky glass and arched doorways. I looked around for the courtesans, servants, or slaves, but the hallways here were empty, the loudest sounds of humanity coming from the other side of the castle.

Bad sign. I ducked into an arched doorway of a small bedroom, the bedding rumpled and unmade. I had no idea if and when the occupants would be back.

I felt Tyrrik gathering his black tendrils into himself and froze. Wait! Please . . . Please don’t totally withdraw again. I could feel his hesitation and wondered . . . Why don’t you trust me to be part of you right now?

My love, I do trust you. I also know you. Your time in Irdelron’s dungeons still affects you, and I don’t want what I’m seeing to hurt you. Or distract either of us from doing what needs to be done now.

Okay, that was kind of thoughtful—and maybe necessary considering I’d dropped my Phaetyn veil by accident for that very reason. But wherever he went, whatever trouble he got into, I wanted to be there by his side, to help in every way I could. If that meant the tendrils had to be connecting us, then I’d have to handle anything I saw through his eyes. You said we were stronger together.

Yes, we are. The bond is still there, Ryn. I can’t sever it. It actually takes effort to block you, but Draedyn isn’t done in Azule, and I want you out of here. I’ll leave a few more tendrils out so it’s easier to connect. But when we talk and feel each other, images can seep through.

The problem wasn’t whether he trusted me; it was if I was willing to trust him. Was I willing to not just give orders but take some too?

What about Dyter? Have you found him? I asked.

Not yet.

I thudded my head on the wall, inhaling slowly through my fear for Dyter. Where was he?

We’ll find him, Ryn. You know Dyter can handle himself.

I could feel Tyrrik talking with someone, but he was blocking me from whatever was happening. His weariness seeped through our bond, and I shoved a wave of energy toward him.

I need you out of here, he said. Probably for the thousandth time.

I poked my head into the hallway and drew back in as quickly and silently as I could. No good. Two Druman down at the far end, headed this way. I looked at the window and tried to convince myself the idea fluttering through my mind was a good one.

How far up are you?

Ugh, he’d already caught me. I crossed the room and looked out the window, squinting to make out any details of the people below. I’m in one of the spires.

The window was nothing like the massive balcony in Tyrrik’s room in Verald. I heard grunting behind me, and the rancid stench of wet leather and unwashed bodies wafted through the room. Druman. Time to go.

I pushed myself off the smoky glass ledge and launched into the air. My stomach jumped into my throat, and I clung to the green net of my Phaetyn veil first and foremost which showed just how crazy my life had become in recent months. The flow of the air seemed so natural now. My confidence that my Drae form would save me made plummeting to my death almost fun.

Shift, Ryn, Tyrrik growled.

Geez, let a woman have her fun. But the primal timbre of his voice called my Drae to the surface. Roaring wasn’t entirely advisable with my father around, so I only let a quarter of it out, but knowing Tyrrik’s ears, Draedyn had probably heard me shift. Why wasn’t he coming after me? Was the noise of the party covering my escape?

He wouldn’t just let me go, would he?





27





The sun was well on its way to the evening horizon as I pumped my wings and headed toward the mountains of Gemond. The briny scent of the ocean faded with the setting sun. The first half-hour’s uneventfulness brought no peace. I spent just as much time looking behind me as I did in front. When memories surfaced, and my panic simmered past boiling, Tyrrik pushed calming energy through our bond. By the end of the first hour, my heart no longer raced, and the fresh mountain air beckoned me.

True to my word, I hadn’t asked Tyrrik for any details the entire time, leaving him to concentrate on rounding any others he could find. I scouted the ground, looking for hints of shimmering gold to find Lani, and remembered I’d need to drop my Drae shield to be able to see her. Drak.

Tyrrik?

My concern must’ve leaked through our bond because his reply was immediate. Are you okay?

I’m getting close, but I’ll need to drop my Drae shield to be able to see Lani’s veil.