Page 79 of Blood Weaver
I glanced at him, taken aback by his unexpected perceptiveness. “That's none of your concern.”
“You wear your emotions like an open book, Leila. Or should I say,Lyanna?” His gaze sharpened, revealing the depth of his resentment.
I narrowed my gaze. “Youknew…!”
He shrugged. “I put the pieces together. It was fairly obvious, given your rather visceral reaction to learning about the prophecy. I’m just surprised no one else has uncovered your true identity. So … is the Princess Lyanna thinking about Ronan?”
“Again, none of your concern!” I snapped. “Ronan and I … It's complicated.”
He scoffed. “Isn't it always? Love, loyalties, responsibilities. They're all a web of entanglements. But remember, Princess, while you're tangled in your personal affairs, there's a war looming.”
My eyes met his with a steely glare. “I’m well aware of that. And you? What areyoudoing here? Keldara has no business in the Central Plains.”
He leaned in closer, his breath warming my face. “Perhaps we have interests that align.”
A cold shiver ran down my spine. “Or maybe you're just here to further your own goals, and Keldara intends to use me as a pawn.”
He smirked. “Ah, the sharp-witted princess emerges. Good. It's far more entertaining this way.”
I took a deep breath. “Whatever games you're playing, Mykal, remember this: I’m not someone to be trifled with.”
His gaze roamed my face, searching for any hint of vulnerability. “Oh, I don't doubt that for a moment,” he replied, his voice dripping with dangerous intrigue. “But like I said, maybe we don't have to be enemies.”
As much as I wanted to deny any possibility of an alliance with Mykal, deep down, a small part of me wondered if there was a sliver of truth in his words. The lines between enemies and allies constantly shifted in the game of war and politics. And in this treacherous dance, one could never truly know where they stood.
“We’ll always be enemies,” I growled before standing. “Am I a prisoner here, or can I leave?”
Mykal laughed. “So quick to go? Of course you’re a prisoner. But don’t fret, Princess, I’ll let you leave soon.”
I frowned. “What are you planning?”
He smirked. “Oh, you’ll see.” With those parting words, he stepped back and gave me a quick once-over, then laughed and strode out of his tent.
I wrapped my arms around my middle, not quite feeling uncomfortable, but feeling bare. Exposed. It seemed that my secret was no longer a secret. I was out of options.
It was time to return home.
23
Ilaid on Mykal’s bed and picked at a bowl of grapes that had been delivered earlier. After Mykal left, I attempted to step out of his tent but was met with half a dozen guards outside watching over me. I should’ve known the commander wouldn’t leave me with an escape route. Especially after what happened earlier with his soldiers.
Nightfall finally arrived. By my calculations, I’d been sequestered in the tent by myself more than five hours. A guard brought a tray with my dinner and two jugs of wine. Mykal was probably hoping to get me drunk, but he had the wrong prey. I knew when and whennotto drink. And right now, I needed to keep my wits.
Laughter and shouts rang out from the camp as the Keldaran soldiers drank to their hearts’ content and feasted on meat. I could hear them all the way across the camp, along with grumblings from my guards who were upset they were missing out on all the fun.
It was the ideal time to escape with the Keldaran army distracted by food and wine, but fighting the half dozen guardswho stood outside the tent would cause a commotion I didn’t want or need.
I was pacing the tent when I heard a rip behind me. I whirled around and watched as a knife cut through the back of the tent. With widened eyes, I watched a man in a black cloak slip inside. The hood of his cloak concealed his face. When he reached up to pull it back, Orion stood there with a mischievous grin.
“Ah, there you are,” he whispered. “This camp is so large, I thought I’d never find you!”
I sighed in relief. “Thank the gods you’re here!” For the first time, I was actually happy to see Orion. “What took you so long? I thought you were supposed to protect me!”
Orion chuckled. “Correct, but it’s not easy getting through the Keldaran wards. They’re set up to keep the fae and half-fae out. Luckily, I found an unprotected area.”
“Don’t you find that odd?” I questioned. Keldarans, particularly Mykal, were very careful and deliberate, from what I’d observed so far. He wouldn’t leave the camp with any weaknesses.
“I find it extremely odd, but I’m not going to dwell on that now. It’s best we leave while they’re all drinking their fill.” Orion extended his hand to me.
