Page 52 of Black Crown

The males of my kind occasionally would leave their mates behind to go and fight, knowing their bond would not diminish over distance, nor the ability to send energy to the male in battle.

But you’ve always said we’re stronger together, I countered.And what about now? Doyou think our bond still weakens with distance?

Yes, we are stronger together,he agreed.And I’m not referring to our bond or the sending of energy between us. I think your mental barrier against your father is stronger when I’m near. When I’m away, it’s easier to shatter. He is not only your father but the alpha of our kind. Tonight, I was able to push his presence away when I realized what was happening.He’d cut you off from me somehow. It was only when you started attacking me that I noticed.

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? Becausethatmade 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 barringour 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.

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