“You’re giving your life to the kingdom so she can live. That’s protecting her. If it’s a contest, you win.”
“But that’s the big picture. Wes is with her daily. He’s the one she turns to.” And that’s what drove me insane. Maybe… maybe hewasstarting to know herbetter. Not right now, but maybe in the future. And that was fucking terrifying. I’d given Clara my whole life and now she was just replacing me.
Kieran scratched circles under my shirt, and I relaxed into his touch. Gods, I was really falling for this man. When I felt like my walls were crumbling and my world was falling apart, it was him I went to. I didn’t bottle it up like I normally did.
When did he become so special to me?
“She’ll be moving back with you soon.” Kieran paused. “But, she will grow up, Selena. Everyone does. And that’s okay.”
“I don’t want her to.” I exhaled. “But I also don’t want her to be alone. I guess it’s good she has Wes with her, even if he is an ass.” The last part pained me to admit.
“It’s genetic.” Kieran grinned, and his hands lowered to grip my waist, sending a spark of heat to my core. “We’ll get through this. We’ll get the eggs and stop the war.”
I wanted that so badly it hurt. I leaned down and pressed my lips against his. It was soft and sweet and so different from our frantic couplings. And, really, all of my past connections. I never had this vulnerability with anyone else. “Thank you for calming me down.”
Kieran smiled. “Always. You can count on me.”
And by the gods, I believed him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Two weeks had transformed Elidad. Nearly all the booths had a color combination of green, gold, and black—and so did the clothing the locals wore as they flooded the streets to visit the various stalls. We went to some of the stalls, ate some street food, and played some games. I couldn’t enjoy any of it. Not when I knew how this night would end.
After a couple hours of wandering, we stopped at an amphitheater in the center of the capital to watch a play. We sat in the second row. The seats were specifically reserved for us, though I would’ve preferred to sit in the back if I could. I knew Kieran felt the same since there was an ever present chance his stepmother might make an appearance and join us—being that the first row was reserved for the Caddel family.
“This feels like a waste of time,” I muttered under my breath as people filed into the amphitheater.
His lips brushed the shell of my ear. “It’s important we play our role. They’re watching us.”
A chill shot down my spine, and I forced a smile. “You really know how to make a woman feel secure.”
His laughter warmed my neck. “It’s a talent.”
I willed my body to relax. Kieran was right. No doubt Andovan spies were here, watching us for any hint of a lie. We needed to sell the idea that we really were here just to see the festival and scout out gryphons. The sooner we got to Treave, the better. It might turn into a foot race or an all-out dragon battle. I studied the curve to Kieran’s jaw, and the way his eyes darkened. We couldn’t let it come to that. I refused to let Lusadia fall into another war.
A hush fell over the crowd when a group of actors stepped onto the stage. Joining them was a huge ‘monster’ that looked to be some kind of dragon knockoff. I hoped this play wouldn’t take too long. We had way more important stuff to be doing.
The group of actors screamed when they saw the beast and ran off stage. The knockoff dragon ‘attacked’ some of the slower actors and ‘killed’ about half. I had to admire their dedication to the bit. The bloodcurdling screams—while hurting my ears—left a chill down my spine.
A group of dragon riders came out—obvious from the leathers they wore as well as the taped on pointed ears. They surrounded the beast. In the battle, about half died and only eight remained alive. One of the women landed the killing blow. When the beast succumbed to its wound, the woman raised her blade and cheered. “No more will our people suffer.”
“Dragonsguard Yesenia has slain the monster!” one of the male dragonsguard said. “It can harm us no longer. But we must prepare a wall, to cut off the evilwhere it resided.”
“We cannot allow it to taint our people,” a woman said. “We have to get started immediately.”
“The king!” another dragonsguard said. “The king is coming!”
The ‘king’ came onto the stage not a moment later. He smiled at ‘Yesenia.’ “Dragonsguard Yesenia, thank you for your service. To the eight of you that have survived, I will make you Lords and Ladies of the kingdom as my gift to honor your dedication to the kingdom. Your descendants will be my chosen riders now and forever more.”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Bullshit propaganda, that’s what this was. This bit might’ve been true, but there were enough dragons to spare back before the civil war. This was just an excuse, then and now, to keep commoners from ever gaining power. And I seriously doubted it was actual lords who fought. Probably their vassals instead. Or maybe even their spouses.
“My King, I need to tell you something,” Lady Yesenia said. She lifted her sleeve and exposed a black tattoo. “I was hesitant to say this since I am merely a rider, but my heart cannot bear keeping it a secret. I noticed that you share the same tattoo on your neck.”
The king's expression tightened “What are you trying to say?”
Lady Yesenia visibly steeled herself. “I was going to keep it a secret since I have no title to my name. And since I am fae and you are human. But our tattoos—they have a special meaning for my people. Theyappear when two souls who are destined to meet each other come face to face. You are such a person to me. You are the one that lights my soul. I know that I am not of noble blood. And I know you have better options, but if you still choose me, I will fight for your kingdom. Our children will be the lifeblood of dragons. On my magic, they will only hatch for our royal line.”
The king inhaled sharply. “Lady Yesenia…”