Page 226 of The Call of Crimson
“I’ll join you.”
“Are you certain?” he asks cautiously, as if a council meeting might break me. Bore me to death, perhaps, but it wouldn’t break me.
“I’m sure.”
That earns me a small smile. “Then, I’ll see you there.”
Eight minutes later, I find myself outside the council chamber, inhaling a deep, steadying breath.
“Breyla?” a familiar voice asks, thick with disbelief.
Aurelius.
My eyes meet his as he halts a step away from me.
It’s too much space.
I practically throw myself into his arms, wrapping tightly around his torso and burying my face against his chest. Hisscent floods my senses, calming the rapid beat of my heart and releasing every taut muscle in my body.
His arms lock around me instantly, one at my back, the other threading gently through my hair. I feel the sigh ripple through him as he melts into me, matching the release in my own chest.
In my numb, grief-consumed state, I hadn’t realized how much I had missed him. I needed Aurelius, and I had kept him away for months, torturing us both.
“We should go in,” I whisper, but I don’t make any effort to move.
He breathes in deep, his chest shuddering against mine. “Let me steal just one more minute.”
We stay like that longer than propriety allows, but all it feels isright.
“I’m sorry I shut you out,” I breathe.
“Don’t be.” His hand strokes up and down my back. “I’m just relieved to see you.”
“We should probably go in.”
“I’ll find you later, and we can talk,” he says, stepping back.
My lips curl in a tentative half-smile. “I’ll hold you to it.”
Inside the chamber, I’m surprised to find every seat is filled. The one I sat in last time is occupied by Queen Josephina, who is currently casting her critical gaze on Aurelius.
Leaning into Ayden, I ask, “Where would you like me?”
He turns his head, speaking low enough for only me to hear, “On my lap would work just fine.”
Gods help me, some things never change. Despite my entire world being turned upside down, he’s still the flirtatious, arrogant male who strolled through Rimor’s gates like he owned them.
I give him my best unamused look, making him chuckle.
He pushes back from the table, leaving the chair empty and gesturing for me to take it.
The look on my face must portray how confused I feel.
“Take it,” he says. “I will never allow my queen to stand while I sit.”
The violent switch back to the compassionate and respectable male gives me whiplash. I never quite know what to expect of him, and I fully believe that’s intentional.
Darian’s assessing gaze lingers on me as I take the seat. “Finally decided to leave your rooms,General?”Even though he says my title with his normal disdain, his question's tone doesn’t match.
