Page 26 of Merciless Is My Crown

“I’m sure I can take care of myself.” I stared up at him, committing every line of his face to memory. “Be careful and watch after Raz. Please. I’ll worry the whole time we’re apart. Don’t take any chances and come back to me as soon as you can.”

This was the first time we’d ever been separated, and gods, I was a mess.

“Not as much as I’ll worry about you,” Zor murmured and I practically heard Tristan’s eyes roll behind us. The archer was already mounted, hazel eyes searching the sky, his red hair gathered in a tight knot, half hidden by the hood of his cloak.

“Before we part…I’ve been carrying around something of yours, Anaria.” Zorander looked sheepish while he dug deep into his pocket then pressed something smooth into my hand.

My heart stopped beating.

The keystone gleamed in my palm, still warm from being in Zor’s pocket.

“You found the keystone.” My eyes shot up to his. “I thought I lost this after…” I clutched the stone to my chest. “I lost this the day I used its magic to save you.”

“Not lost just…misplaced.” He brushed his knuckles down my cheek, his smile turning gentle. “I put it in my pocket that day, then forgot about the thing. Then last night Torin told me what this was. Practically lost her damned mind when she found out I had this and not you. Keep the damn thing close. It could come in handy.”

A hint of a roguish grin creased his full lips before he dipped his head to kiss me. For too short a time our tongues tangled together, every piece of me instantly on fire at that first brush of his mouth against mine. Sighing, he broke away. Something like pain rippled in his dark eyes. “I missed you last night. And I’ll be careful. Let’s hope we return with a dragon in tow.”

“Promises, promises,” I teased, though I was actually excited by the prospect. I wanted to ask about what I’d seen upstairs—those shadowy, phantom wings of his—but lost my breath when Raz tugged me away and spun me around.

No humor in his eyes, only cold, silent authority.

He dragged his fingers down through my hair, cupping the back of my head.

“Stay close to Tristan and Tavion. Do not touch the skulls. Go straight through the portal, and do not go through alone. Never allow yourself to be separated.” I nodded after each staccato command, drinking in his strength, how brightly his eyes shone, his lips so close to mine.

“Did you even hear a word I said, princess?”

“I’ll be careful, and I won’t take any chances.” I kissed him first, barely more than my lips grazing over his, but enough to send another wave of delicious heat spiraling through me. “Same goes for you, Raz. Don’t be a hero. In and out, then we rendezvous in the High Barrens in five days.”

That was if everything went to plan. Seven days if nothing went to plan, and if they didn’t show up in ten…I drew a shaky breath.

If they didn’t show up, they’d been captured. Or were dead.

“It won’t come to that, Anaria,” Raz told me gently as if he’d read my mind. “Five days, we’ll be together. A week at the longest. But it’s you I’m worried about.”

I ran my thumb over the raised black spot on his cheek. “I’ll be fine. The tunnels are relatively safe, and thanks to Bexley, we have enough food to last until we reach Nightcairn.” I blinked and his face turned blurry, my throat burning. “Let’s hope Lucius has restocked since we were there last.”

“I’d never leave you, Anaria, you know that.” Raz smoothed my hair back out of my face. “But we need allies, and while I don’t entirely trust Torin, our goals are aligned at the moment.” His gaze lifted, his face tightening at what he saw.

“As for Adele, keep your eyes open,” he murmured against my ear. “I trust her even less than Torin.”

“I know. You don’t have to justify anything, Raz,” I told him quietly. “Least of all why you’re leaving to fulfill a favor I owe.” I tried to smile and failed spectacularly. “Don’t you dare die. And keep Zor out of trouble. You know how he can be.”

“Oh, trust me, princess, I do.” His roguish wink was edged with worry when we broke apart, and then Torin was there, Simon by her side not bothering to dress in anything but the loose purple robe, given he’d be shifting at any moment and taking to the skies.

Torin turned her all-seeing gaze on me and I shivered. “We’ll meet in the High Barrens, Anaria. Be wary of the High Priestess. She is known to be ruthless. Let Dane handle the introductions, then wait for us before you enter into any negotiations.”

“No negotiations. Got it.”

Torin’s lips thinned out. “That was not a suggestion. Follow Dane’s instructions to the letter and keep your head down. Once we arrive, you’ll have more allies; until then, you’ll be vulnerable.” A wry smile creased her lips. “Be smart, be wary, keep your mouth shut.”

I swallowed. “I’ll be careful.” My gaze drifted over to Raz and Zor, their dark heads bowed together while a pang of longing seared through my chest.

Torin followed my gaze. “Thank you,” she added quietly. “For helping us. There are no words to tell you how much this means to me, Anaria, but if this works, I will be in your debt.”

More than I’d expected from her, and yet…something inside me warmed.

“Bring everyone back alive.” I looked deeply into her eyes. “Don’t you dare let anything happen to them, Torin, or I swear, I will never forgive you.”

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