Page 47 of Oath of Betrayal
‘Could easily be tempted by such a gorgeous woman,’ the soft baritone finished behind me, and I glanced over at him. Alaric had changed from the clothes he was wearing earlier. It was strange to see him here in his grey kaftan and matching trousers. He looked refined—and, I had to admit, dangerous—with the silver embroidery highlighting the natural light grey colour of his skin and the glint in his golden irises.
Annika’s snort made me turn back, surprised.
‘Well, as much fun as it is to have you two chase me around the castle dressed for high tea, I don’t recall asking for assistance. I’m perfectly capable of finding the way upstairs myself,’ Ani grunted as she fumbled with the ties on the back of her dress.
I couldn’t help staring as the shape of her body became visible through the thin membrane of Vahin’s wing. I was about to offer my help when Alaric stepped in. ‘Let me help you,’ he said when it became clear she was struggling.
‘Really? What about you, Orm? Do you want to help? Was that the reason you visited me while I was sleeping? Poor Agnes willbe so upset if you replace her.’ I didn’t take it to heart, expecting scorn after my impromptu visit.
I stepped closer to explain myself, but Ari smirked. ‘Orm is only good at taking a lady’s clothesoff. I’m afraid he couldn’t assist you prepare to face the world if his life depended on it. I, however, can do it with my eyes closed and with one hand tied behind my back. Besides, the privilege of touching such beauty should fall to the most handsome man in the room,’ he said so confidently that it caught my attention.
Something felt odd in his demeanour. The elaborate clothes, the compliments as if he were trying too hard to impress her … I stood to the side, observing him. He was trying to gain Ani’s favour at my expense, but I didn’t intervene, unsure why his attitude had changed. I watched the conflicting emotions rush across her features. In the end, she laughed, shaking her head at Alaric’s playful expression.
‘Let him help you, Little Flame.’ Vahin’s voice seemed to help her decide, and with a heavy eye roll, she turned her back towards Alaric, lifting her hair.
‘Fine, but I demand two things. First, he has to admit no male, human or otherwise, is more beautiful than my dragon. Second, as soon as I get to my room, I’m burning this dress. I need something practical, not some elaborate court garment.’
‘I will admit no such a thing. My dark fae beauty has been honed over centuries, and you’re asking me to relinquish my crown to a dragon? As for your clothes, you can burn them or have them ripped off your body. Our tailor will be overjoyed to provide a new wardrobe, I assure you. I can even help you select the best practical designs, if you’d like.’
I didn’t fail to notice how gently Ari held the laces, tying them slowly while his fingers trailed over her back. When he was almost done, my friend traced his fingers under the edge of her collar to straighten it. The move was slow and sensual,and despite a sharp pang of jealousy, it surprised me how much pleasure it gave me to observe his interaction with Ani.
She inhaled sharply when he brushed her bare skin and pulled away. ‘Are you done playing around? Or do you plan on standing here all day?’ She looked over her shoulder with a frown and I saw Alaric’s mouth twitch with the hint of a smile that mirrored mine. Ani wasn’t easily swayed, and knowing my friend, he took it as a challenge.
‘You are ready. Shall we let Vahin hunt for his breakfast?’ he said, pulling away before gesturing towards the stairs. Ani nodded, but before she stepped out of the dragon’s reach, she bent over and kissed his snout. ‘Thank you. For everything. I had a wonderful night.’
I felt waves of joy and pleasure radiating through my bond with Vahin. My dragon was happier than I had ever felt him being before. ‘Any time, Little Flame,’ he said, his voice almost a purr. The smile he received in exchange made me wish it was directed at me.
‘Let’s go, please. We can’t let Vahin waste away,’ I said, and Ani walked towards the exit before she stumbled, hissing and hopping on one leg. ‘Bloody rocks … Next time you bring me clothes, please bring boots too. This place is full of rocks.’ She lifted the hem of her dress to check her foot.
I saw the blood smeared across her heel, and before I knew it, Ani was in my arms. It was a minor injury, but it angered me; I could have prevented it if I’d been thinking clearly. Then came the fear. She’d walked down here barefoot and could have fallen to her death with no one the wiser.I could have lost her…It was a startling thought, and what followed was a choking fear that I couldn’t understand. As if on command, darkness rose from inside my soul, turning into a fury that I struggled to contain.
‘How the fuck did you get here barefoot and barely dressed? You should be more careful, not acting like a toddler strollingaround the place in their nightgown,’ I scolded her, gesturing to Ari. ‘Check her wound.’
‘It was just happenstance. I wouldn’t have come barefoot if I hadn’t given Agnes my boots to clean. Next time, I’ll take yours, since they were set out so neatly next to the door.’ She rolled her eyes, unbothered by my outburst. ‘Orm, don’t be so ridiculous and put me down. It is just a minor cut, not a mortal wound.’
‘No,’ I said, tightening my grasp. I wouldn’t let the cut get infected because of stupid pride. ‘You are bleeding, and the cave floor is filthy,’ Ari added calmly, taking on the role of mediator between us. I saw the bright hue of his magic wrapping itself lazily around his arm, changing from silver to green as he chanted a healing spell, weaving it together.
‘You’re healing me again. I know you’re dark fae, but with your healing ability and all those glyphs … your power looks more like high magic than foul. There’s no hint of purple. How is that possible?’ Ani asked, leaning forward to observe Alaric. I used that as an excuse to press her to my chest, inhaling her herbal scent with its hint of verbena.
‘My mother was human. I inherited both abilities, but I prefer to work with high magic than resort to my dark fae heritage. I don’t think the citizens of Varta would like it if I started raising their friends.’ He lifted her foot higher, and I frowned, noticing the scraped skin on his knuckles.
‘I will tell you more later. First, I need to address this before Orm loses his patience with us. Judging by his expression, he’s already getting testy,’ he teased, and as soon as she nodded, his hand slid over her damaged skin.
‘Siltin o’goth.’1
I felt his magic affecting me as well, the tiredness of last night vanishing and energy suffusing my body. Ani gasped, stiffening in my arms. She looked at Alaric with a deep frown, but his only response was a gentle smile.
‘Yes, I didn’t mask it this time, and I know what you felt. I didn’t want to burden you, but from the moment I helped you deal with Vahin’s Anchor, I knew that our magic was in synergy.’ I watched the damage to her foot disappear, but Ani didn’t pay attention to it or to me, her gaze solely focused on Alaric. ‘That was more than synergy,’ she murmured hesitantly. ‘You shouldn’t have hid it from me. Is that why you want to be my Anchor?’
‘Not initially, no, but you have to admit it makes sense now.’ He didn’t even try to deny it. ‘How many mages with perfect synergy is it possible to meet in one lifetime?’
I felt unease build in my chest. With no knowledge of magic beyond a basic education, I didn’t fully grasp what my companions were talking about, but it seemed to have significant meaning for both of them.
‘I can’t let you do it. It is too dangerous,’ she said, disturbing my thoughts.
‘It is far less dangerous than Anchoring a dragon, but I understand your objections. I’m willing to risk it, but it will always be your choice. Still, shielding you from my magic would make little sense in the long run. Sooner or later, you will see how compatible we are,’ he affirmed, and Ani sighed.
‘And you couldn’t find the time to tell me earlier? In your workshop or in the library? I spent days in your company and you failed to bring it up. Why?’
