Page 85 of Enchanted Crown
I arrived backwith the team from our healings late that night to find Esta sitting on my bed in her robe with her grandfather’s crown in her hands. I’d left it on my nightstand before we left.
“Es?” I asked.
She looked up, tears in her eyes. “I—” she swallowed hard, “I never wanted this.”
“If you don’t like the crown, I won’t wear it,” I told her as I took off my hooded jacket. “I can wear my other one. Or send for a different one from Wylan.”
“No. It’s not the crown.” She paused as if she did not trust her voice. Down the bond, she added,After seeing Nana destroyed when my grandfather passed, I told myself as a future ruler, I would never have that. Never become soul bound. I promised myself to never have that weakness. I wanted to be bonded to you, yes, but I preferred a heart bond over a soul bond because I witnessed what the breaking of a soul bond looked like.
I fought the urge to go to her and stilled, leaning against the door, giving her the space to speak.
I think that was part of the reason I stayed with Zaire longer than I should have. I cared for him, but I also knew we would not be soul bound. It was... comfortable.Another pause.And then you came to Dra Skor, refusing to take no for an answer. Refusing to do anything but help us, help me. And I found an ally in the most unusual of places. I found the heartbeat which matched my own. I found you.
I sent out a lone slow tendril of my power to warm her.I thought we already established that you have an affinity for pretty things and also that I am not going anywhere.
She snorted a laugh.We have. My annoying moon kept following me until he became the one thing to me I always feared to have. A person I love so much that they are woven into my very soul.
I’d follow you to the ends of the realm, Es.
I know. And I’m sorry again for yesterday, Keir. Had I listened to you, we might already have Morana.
I didn’t bother to say anything to that. We’d both know when I was lying. I wasn’t going to say that we’d have Morana, but yesterday would have gone much better had she listened to me. An “I told you so” also felt unnecessary.
I know Nana gave you this crown more for me than for you. To remind me of exactly how powerful they were.She placed the crown back into its box and began walking toward me slowly.I don’t know how to flush Morana out. I don’t know what the next step is. I don’t even know what I am doing in the morning. But I know I’m going to do it all with you if you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
I reached for her hand and tugged her closer.No more punishing yourself?
No more punishing. I am stronger with you than without.
I gently brushed my hand up to her cheek and leaned in until our lips almost touched.Do you really believe for even half a moment Morana stands a chance against the two of us together? Againstthis?
Our mouths moved at exactly the same time. I was a starved and dying man, not for food or water or air, butfor her, more thanglad to let her invade and take over my senses. One little gasp from her was my total undoing. With no warning, I moved us, lifting her and pressing her into the wall. I didn’t know if it was possible to kiss Esta’s fears away, but I would give my very last breath to the cause.
CHAPTER 30
Iwas distracted in feeling that Esta was moving closer to me. As if sensing my distraction, Dex swung forward at that exact moment striking with his free arm down on my wrist. The result that my sword fell from my wrist to the sand of the training pit. I was weaponless.
Granted, I still had my Enchantment and my wings, but Emric was having us train early in the mornings without our Enchantment. A way to make sure we were ready to defend ourselves should any need arise. Usually, Emric gave the guys a full day to rest after the healings, but the second day, he would train the team hard. And I, a glutton for punishment, decided to join in.
But I was not about to go down like that in front of my woman.
So on his next lunge toward me, I stopped his arm with both of mine, swung around and elbowed him in the back.
He grunted out in pain but didn’t drop his weapon, unfortunately.
On we went, his trying to finish me, and me not allowing it.
In one such case, I again blocked his arm, grunting against theforce he had put behind his swing. I knew I was going to pay for it later, but I moved to headbutt him.
I hated doing it. It was such an Owen Raikes move and would make both of us hurt, but if that kept him from forcing me to yield in front of Esta, then so be it.
He cursed and fell to the ground, time enough for me to grab his arm and pull it behind his back until his sword also fell to the sand.
We were even now.
I do like watching you train,Esta sent to me.
My eyes couldn’t help but go to her.We have more than established your affinity for pretty things, but what about your affinity for violence?
