Page 137 of Emylia

“I knew it would take time before you could come back,” he murmured. “I know it’s hard—looking at me. But it’s good to see you again. I’ve missed you more than you could ever know... even if you try my patience.” He chuckled, and I knew he was trying to apologize in the only way he knew how. That was us—always butting heads.

When he looked at me again, something shifted. His lip trembled. He fought for composure—but the moment cracked. The last of my heart disintegrated, crumbling like stardust. Tears spilled freely down my cheeks. Thrainn’s shoulders shook as he held me.

I’d never seen him cry—not even when we watched my father burn. He was too proud. Too strong. But here, just the two of us, he let his guard down.

Wiping his eyes on his sleeve, he straightened, clearing his throat. His voice came out gruff with emotion. Smiling faintly, I wiped my own tears—though the wind had already stolen them from my face.

“It’s why I’ve been hard on you,” he said. “I promised my brother I’d keep you safe. And you are making it damn hard to keep that promise.”

I’d been too angry before to acknowledge it. But now... now I thought of it in the context of my mother. I’d made the same promise to protect her. And I understood.

“I know,” I whispered.

Thrainn cleared his throat again. “If I were to ask you to do something for me... would you?”

Ice slid through my veins, with recognition. Recognition of what he was about to ask me.

My heart twisted with betrayal.

With hurt.

He was trying to use the loss of my father to his advantage, twisting it so I sympathized with him and bent to his will. If he thought that it was going to be that easy, he was in for a rude awakening.

“I’m not going home,” I said, arms crossing over my chest. “If that’s what this is about—I’m not leaving. You won’t convince me.”

His face was carved from stone. “Emylia,” he said. “I need you to go home. I need you safe.”

“No,” I snapped. “I won’t do that.”

And without waiting for his response, I turned and walked away—leaving the words unsaid behind me in the frost-bitten air.

Nothing would convince me to leave them here to die.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Anger consumed me as I stormed away. A cold breeze rustled my hair, pulling loose strands in every direction. Ignoring the goosebumps prickling my skin, I pulled as much of my hair into a high ponytail, letting it fall halfway down my back. The air around me thickened, and I looked to the sky.

How dare he!

Any rational thought blew out with the breeze. This was my life. It was my choice if I put myself in danger, not his.

I understood his need to protect me, but I didn’t need his protection. I needed his trust. Trust that I was capable; a weapon worth wielding. He still only saw me as too weak to defend myself.

I felt the thunder before I heard it. Tension ebbed between my shoulders as I marched to the stables. Meandering through the stalls, I found Stormfire; she was in a stall three bays down, a whinny superseding my arrival.

Even without seeing me, Stormfire always knew when I was close. I couldn’t help but feel Stormfire and I shared an unbreakable connection, not once had the mare ever come close to letting me down.

Stormfire was my rock, the anchor that kept me in place when it felt like I was being ripped from the turmoil inside. Right now, a little grounding was exactly what I needed.

I let Stormfire’s muzzle lean on my shoulder, our heads resting against each other. Scratching her behind the ears, I took several deep breaths letting my anger slip away. I knew my uncle was just trying to protect me, it was hard to hate him for it. But, damn, was it infuriating.

“Am I interrupting?” I didn’t even bother looking at Sebastian.

“Glad to see you finally decided to join me.” I threw over my shoulder.

“You’re in a rather pissy mood this morning.” I ignored him. “And now you’re ignoring me.” A hole almost burnt straight through me from the intensity of Sebastian’s stare, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of looking up.

“I wonder why?” I said sarcastically.

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