Page 85 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“Ah, I’m back to being Your Highness again? I believe I already told you, Wildfire, I like the sound of my name on your lips.” He stepped closer, his eyes darkening with every move.
“If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll surprise you again.”
“Let’s hope the gods bless me with such luck soon.” His eyes roamed over my ensemble. “That’s a lot of feathers.” He covered his mouth with his fist, trying to conceal the laugh that was bubbling through.
I rolled my eyes dramatically as I did a little spin. “In place of real wings, your father thought it best they be plastered all over my body.” I snorted.
Declan extended his arm towards the table with books on top of it. “I figured after last night, we could do some less strenuous activities today. Today’s training involves strengthening the mind. There’s also something I’d like to share with you.”
We both sat down at the table, and he slid the books he had selected over to me. Giddily, I started pulling them from the stack, reading the titles as I went. There were so many, but a few caught my eye, likeThe Histories of Ehora,andA Complete Guide to Elemental Magic.Excitement hummed through me as I thought about diving into each one of these books by the fire in my room tonight.
Declan laughed quietly, and I peered over the open book I was holding long enough to see his eyes sparkling down at me.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“What’s so funny, Declan?”
“Something about watching your entire body light up when you are looking at books makes me unable to draw my eyes away from you. If I’d known it would cause this enchanting reaction, I would have brought you into this library on the first day.”
Warmth spread over my cheeks. “This library is incredible, Declan. I think the only thing I love more than books is…food.”
“You sure that’s the only thing you love more?” His eyes darkened as his gaze roamed slowly over me.
“I’m sure.” My voice faltered. It came out more like a question than a statement.
He tilted his head away from me. However, I could still see a smile forming on his lips.
“Alright, Shadow Lord, say what you need to say so I can lose myself in these books for the rest of the day.”
He pulled his chair closer to mine. When his knee brushed mine, it sent shivers across my skin and my heartbeat accelerated.
“Business outside of the kingdom will require me to be gone in a few days, and I’ll be away for a week. I want to make sure that you have a strong enough ward before I go. Nobody knows you’re an Empath yet, so this ward will help you keep your emotions in check and stop you from pulling them from others unconsciously.”
Panic rose up my throat at the thought of him being gone for an entire week. My emotions must have been written across my face, because Declan laid a hand across my knee.
“I promise no harm will come to you when I’m gone, Lena. I’ve spoken with Nayla, Liam and Killian. Each of them will take turns watching over you, as well as continuing your training.” He removed his warm hand from my knee, and I already missed its heat. “Close your eyes, Elena.”
Sighing, I closed my eyes, preparing for what was to come.
“Let’s see if you can read the emotions I send to you.”
Instantly, I was hit by a blast of wind, carrying the warmest feeling I’d ever felt. Its silky caress floated over my skin like sunlight. It reminded me of the night that I had dinner with the king and Alastor. I remembered anger had surged within me when they had repeatedly called me insignificant. Before I could unleash my fury upon them, this warm feeling had spread across me, calming me enough to refocus and say what I needed to say in a more eloquent manner.
Stillness captured my body as the answer struck me. My eyes flashed open to find Declan’s intense eyes already set on me.
“You are an Empath too, aren’t you?” I whispered.
He smiled and held a finger up over his lips.
I lowered my voice to a whisper. “So, the entire journey, dinner with your father, last night…you could read everything I was feeling?” The words floated through my lips as I adjusted to the shock.
He nodded.
Dear gods.
Declan cleared his throat. “Now you understand the importance of learning how to build your ward.” He chuckled.
