Page 155 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
Into a Clan that had been the Protectorate’s enemy since Dria Vegheara herself had walked these lands.
To the Blood Brotherhood prince they called The Dragon I’d been raised to hate and fear.
And I had to write him a bloody letter about myfeelings.
Zorrin trotted proudly up to the stable, constructed out of deep mahogany, with feeding troughs filled to the brim.
“Someone’s living like a prince.” I patted his side and jumped off, feeling the sting in my reddening palms from the reigns I wasn’t used to gripping. “What’s the final verdict–saddle or not?”
Adara had mentioned a saddle would help in battle so Zorin and I tried it. The black leather contrasted against his shimmering coat; it had that tangy, new tanning smell, its lines still too crisp and biting.
Zorin swished his tail and flicked his head back, as if he wanted to rip the saddle off with his teeth. I laughed and unbuckled him. “Yeah, I’m not super thrilled about it, either.”
My backside hurt in ways I wasn’t in a hurry to get accustomed to. “Maybe we’ll like it better next time.”
Zorin huffed, lips flapping. That was a no as clear as if he’d spoken it plainly. I loved having an opinionated horse.
I patted his long neck, scratching the spot right next to his ear that he loved. His left front hoof hit the dirt as he angled his head for more.
“I wish you’d come into Phoenix Peak.” I scratched harder. “I worry about you here all alone.”
On cue, another set of hooves approached us. More cautious. More graceful. I turned to see Madrya approaching, beautiful mane flowing in the wind like she commanded it. She stopped a good distance away, waiting for me to leave.
“Ah. You’re not alone. I’m glad.” A slow smile spread over my face. “Someone’s also been making friends, huh?”
Zorin huffed again, feigning ignorance. Poorly, too, because I saw the way he watched Madrya from the corner of his eye.
“Fine, I know when I’m not wanted.” I chuckled and ruffled his mane before leaving them to whatever nazdrans did when us humans weren’t around to inconvenience them. “Just make sure you get enough sleep tonight. We have a long journey tomorrow.”
All the way to the Fiery Plains, west of the Capital, which sounded just…charming.
We had to pass one of the most important pre-wedding rituals–when Zandyr and I would be split up, and he’d have to find me. Since my family couldn’t visit the Capital yet, Adara, Goose, and Leesa would accompany me on the short trip.
“The Fiery Plains get their name from the fields of marigold, stretching as far as the eye can see,” Adara had explained. “Only farmers and priests out there. Flat as a lake, no ambush spots, and the Dragon can find you before the sun sets. You’ll be safe.”
I should be, it was half a day’s journey.
I was more concerned about another tradition–the letter. I’d placed Zandyr’s in the breast pocket of my own armor. It sat very close to my heart, and I felt it bend and crinkle as I rushed up the secret path Zandyr had shown me on that night when Zorin had returned.
I still wanted to rip the envelope open, but I refrained; I’d learned to control more than my powers in Phoenix Peak. But how could I possibly write my own, when I had no clue how I felt about Zandyr?
Tall, gorgeous, sexy. Powerful, cunning, great fighter, with the grace of a feline and the mind of an assassin.
All great words that fit him perfectly, but they were nothing but objective. Anyone could notice the strength radiating off him.
We were about to spend the rest of our lives–long,longlives, according to the Oracle–together, and I needed to dig deeper.
But whenever I did, I got flustered and my heart began to beat too fast, butterflies scattered in my belly, and I felt too hot in my own skin. My mind went to places it had no business going to. I saw the same cuddles and laughter filling the room as we lounged in bed in the morning sun.
I felt the need to be close to him. I couldn’t sleep without him by my side, not anymore, and I enjoyed the barest hint of him at the barrier of my mind more than I should have.
I felt safe andseen. Understood. Even liked, for all the small oddities I’d been taught to hate about myself.
But there was still a hint of…something. A doubt. That if I opened up, he’d have the power to wreck me.
How could I put that to paper?
I didn’t figure out a solution on the long path to Phoenix Peak, as I squeezed through the small wall gap Zandyr had magicked to open for me when I visited Zorin. Another one of our little secrets.
