Page 126 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“It took a few hours,” he sighs, taking my hand in his and entwining our fingers.
“Did you get any results?”
“Not really. Aylin was able to get a hint of a connection to Royan, but we couldn’t keep it up. It seems like she has more up her sleeve, though, and will try it.”
“Maybe the creature is the key,” I tell him.
Endellion seems to be surprised. “The creature.…”
“Yes, Artio,” I say. “He is clearly being enchanted by something. Maybe if we followed him, we would find out more.” I pause when I see him staring at me. “It’s probably a bad idea. Too dangerous.”
“It’s… the best idea we had in a while,” he says.
“But, it’s dangerous,” I point out, almost regretting that I brought it up. The last time we had a run in with the creature, it ended with Alana’s team dying, and Alana almost dying too. We had quite a high number of casualties.
“We could follow it secretly,” Endellion says. “I need to talk about this with Aylin. Maybe she can find a way. Maybe she can even find a connection to the creature.” He smiles at me. “You look well rested, by the way.”
“I am.” I toss him what I hope is a seductive smile. “I think our night activities had something to do with that. We should repeat that… after all, I have a favor to repay.”
Something flashes in his eyes, his silver eyes turning almost black for a moment, and a possessive growl leaves his lips. I’m amazed I have this effect on him and Caspian. It still strikes me as such a mystery as to why they want me, as to why they’d take a chosen mate, but I’ve decided not to feel self-conscious anymore. I have no reason not to trust Endellion.
I take a step further to kiss him when we get interrupted by an angry voice coming from further down the corridor.
“How am I?” Tynan huffs.
Endellion and I turn around, spotting Flinn and Tynan. Flinn looks calm but worried, while Tynan seems to be fuming.
“Wait, let me think. One of my best friends is dead, the other best friend is in a coma, and my mate is in the claws of a cult.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, Ty.”
Endellion takes my hand as we step closer. “Alana will recover,” Endellion says with confidence. “Believe me, as her brother, I’m incredibly worried too, but she is a warrior.”
Tynan sighs tiredly. “The Warrior Princess.…”
“She won’t give up.”
Tynan lets his head hang down. “I know, but it sucks I can’t do anything.”
“But you can,” Flinn says. “You can keep it together and help us track them down. Shayan is your mate. You feel a mate bond.”
“I haven’t marked him though.”
“That doesn’t matter. There is still a bond between you.”
“Actually, that’s not a bad point,” Endellion says. “We should ask Aylin if she can track Shayan through your connection.”
Tynan and Flinn look at Endellion in surprise while his words sink in. Slight hope flashes in Tynan’s eyes.
“Flinn is right,” Endellion continues. “You need to stay strong. Shayan might feel your troubled emotions and your pain through the bond. I don’t know how the bond to a human works exactly, but there is a chance that it affects him.”
“Tynan, I’ve known Shayan almost my whole life,” I say. “He is one of the most experienced soldiers my father has had. His rank as general doesn’t come from nowhere. To us, this means something.” I pause. “Shayan has a lot of experience. Don’t give up on him.”
“And, Royan is there too. He is one of our strongest elite warriors,” Flinn adds.
Our words seem to have some effect on Tynan, because he straightens his back and looks at us.
“Alright, I will stop moping and throwing a pity party. I want to find my mate! I will go to Aylin now.”
