Page 203 of The Call of Crimson
I just shrug and mumble around my food, “You should know better by now.”
Breyla chuckles and hands him his own plate, complete with a chocolate pastry.
He takes it, nodding his thanks. “At least one of you cares about me.”
Finally managing to swallow, I pat him on the cheek and say, “I think I showed you just how much I care about you this morning.”
Elijah’s nostrils flare, his eyes dancing with heat as he looks me up and down.
“Oh, we know,” Breyla says dramatically, taking a seat on one of the couches surrounding the fireplace.
We take a seat on the empty couch, and I tuck my feet under me as Elijah wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“So, tell me more of what’s going on in Rimor,” Breyla says.
Before Elijah can respond, Aurelius cuts in. “I think that can wait a day, Princess. Let’s just relax and enjoy this time together.”
She raises an inquisitive brow before Ayden adds, “Elijah already briefed me. Aurelius is right. Let’s just enjoy the day.”
AYDEN
I lean against the bookshelf nearest the group currently playing cards. The pure joy I see in Breyla’s face nearly breaks my own heart. A piece of her has been missing all these months away from Elijah. Seeing her now is bittersweet.
“You’re hiding something, brother,” Ro accuses. I hadn’t even noticed her approach.
Discreetly, I cast a sound shield around us. “Use your Gift, Ro. What do you feel from Elijah right now?”
Her honey-gold eyes slide to him, focusing intently. “I feel joy and love. Something that tastes an awful lot like acceptance and regret tangled together…” Her voice trails off before a startled gasp leaves her lips. “Oh gods.” Tears gather in her eyes as she stumbles from the intensity. Rubbing at her chest, she croaks, “Pain, so much pain.”
Her gaze turns to me. “What’s going on?”
“He stopped a poisoned arrow meant for Ophelia on their journey here. She doesn’t know he’s dying.”
“How the hell does she not know?” she all but demands.
“He kept the cut hidden from her and Cillian, and he’s a master at masking his pain. He wants neither Breyla nor Ophelia to know.”
“Why would he keep this from them?”
“Is it not obvious?”
“Explain it to me.”
“He wanted this.” I gesture to the laughing group. “He wanted to enjoy his last moments without them fussing or trying to change the fates.”
She nods in understanding, her lips thinning. “Then I shall help him enjoy it pain-free.”
With smooth strides, she crosses the room to where Elijah sits. A delicate hand runs across his shoulders as she leans down between him and Ophelia.
I see Elijah’s shoulders relax, his pain fading away at the touch of Ro’s Empath Gift.
“What do you say to us escaping this stuffy castle to go dancing?” Rowina suggests, grinning and wrapping her arms around the couple.
“Dancing?” Breyla perks up at the mention of her favorite activity.
“Yes, Princess.” I grin. “There’s a tavern in town that local musicians frequent. There’s music playing nearly every night of the week.”
Aurelius’ eyes narrow at the use of his pet name for Breyla, making me stifle a laugh.
