Page 102 of The Silent Mountain
“You mean, it was all planned?” Elio asks.
“Yes, from the mare invading the clan, to the birds, and even the curse spreading, it all sounds planned. It’s only thanks to Favian’s fast thinking and his ability to put his own feelings aside that he asked for Erin’s help, and Erin managed to provide a protective potion for us.”
I feel a twinge of pride for my mate. Despite all his trauma, he managed to put it aside during the moments that mattered. He is going to be a fantastic leader. And I am going to make-it-the-fuck out of here alive to support him!
“I think the mare was supposed to attack you,” Elio says.
“You already said that once, and I think the same now,” I admit.
“I did, didn’t I?” he says, looking flustered.
“You have good senses, Elio. Don’t put yourself down. Soon, you will be eighteen and your dragon at full power. I know Favian is counting on you, and I am too.”
His eyes gleam slightly when he hears my words. “Let’s make sure to get out of here in one piece.”
“Exactly what I was about to say.”
*FAVIAN*
I am heading back to the palace at such a fast pace that the others can barely keep up. Stefan is basically chasing me, while Erin gives up midway and settles for a slower pace.
“Your Highness,” Stefan pants while he runs after me through the corridor and into my office. “Wait… Favian. We can’t do that!”
“You don’t even know what I have planned,” I say shortly. Not that anything he has to say could stop me.
“You plan on following the birds,” he says promptly.
“Then youdoknow what I have planned,” I say. “And I don’t need to explain it anymore.”
“You can’t do that, Your Highness!”
I feel my eyebrow ticking again, as with every time I can’t quite control the anger burning inside me. I have tried to be more patient with Stefan after my talk with Alana, but he is not choosing a good time to push my limits.
I notice how Erin and Theodor come into the room too, and I only vaguely wonder when and how Erin alerted Theo, but I am not complaining. I’ll need all the help I can get.
“It will put your life in danger,” Stefan points out.
“My life? All I know is that Alana’s and Elio’s lives are in danger.”
“But Your Highness, you have to think of the clan and-“
In a sudden burst of anger, I slam my hands down on my desk, feeling how my beast is pushing to come forward. “The clan?!” I snarl. “Every single decision I made was for the clan! But now I am going to be selfish, because Alana and Elio are more important to me. Can’t you understand that?”
“But the clan and the dragons will become extinct without you,” Stefan utters.
“The clan, the clan!” I spat. “You are always pointing out what I have to do for the clan. But what did you do for the clan? As far as I am concerned, you weren’t around much. While one clan member after another fell, you were hiding.”
I can notice how he pales at my words.
“What does the clan even matter to you?” I hiss. “Why are you even here?”
“I am here for you,” he blurts out. “I am not going anywhere as long as you are here!”
I stare at him. “What?” I gaze at Theodor, who looks equally surprised. I know he doesn’t like Stefan at all, for simple reasons. He knows Stefan could have probably saved Elio, Maggie, and him had he searched for them. Some things are hard to forgive and forget. I don’t link him for his thoughts, I already know them. It makes me miss Alana even more, since she has a much more rational and calmer outlook on things sometimes.
“Explain yourself,” I demand. “This has been going on for too long now.”
Stefan looks torn but doesn’t say anything.
