Page 65 of The Silent Mountain
I disagree. It’s always the right timing. Just look at him.
I gaze at my mate, taking in his perfectly chiseled chest, his smooth skin and his serious expression. Really bad timing, but Ros is right; I can feel the tug in my stomach, pulling me to him. I really want him so badly.
Fortunately, I can see shadows approaching above us, pulling me out of my thoughts. The island is too small for Ludwig and Theodor to both land, so only the latter does. He looks sincerely relieved. “Is everyone safe?” Theodor asks. “Your Highness, are you or my prince hurt?”
“I am fine,” Favian says. “We will make sure Frederick checks on Elio once we are home. The threat has been dealt with.” Favian gazes into the sky. There is no remainder of the birds. Now that I think of it, it makes me wonder what they were even doing out here.“ For now.”
“We should probably return,” I say into the silence.
“My queen is right,” Favian says, surprising me by the way he just called meHis Queen. Sometimes, I forget who I am mated to and what it will make me one day. “Theodor, take Elio and make sure he sees Frederick. I will fly with Alana.” He glances at his brother. “We will talk at home.”
There is not much left to say for now, so we all make our way back home. Favian flies ahead with Theodor and Elio following him. Ludwig makes sure to be the last one so that we can all return safely without being attacked from behind.
Once at home, Theodor takes Elio straight to the doctor. “How is Barbara doing?” I ask Ludwig.
“I don’t know. I would like to check on her.”
“I will come with you,” I say. “Just give me a moment to change.” Part of my reason to see Barbara is to truly check on her, the other is to give Favian some privacy to talk with his brother.
*FAVIAN*
It’s only when we all returned safely and I have a moment to myself that I realize how truly tired I am. I am so tired. I wish I could blink and then be transported to a couple of months into the future, where all my problems are solved.
Shaking my head at my own thoughts, I recall what happened the last time I was transported through time, when I fell asleep and woke up years later, to a grim reality. This reality, as tiring and exhausting as it is, is still better than being stuck in an endless nightmare.
Seeing how Ludwig is accompanying Alana, I decide to link my advisor.Stefan, bring Elio to me. He should be done at Frederick’s.
Of course, Your Highness.For a couple of minutes, silence and calm engulf me, and I decide to relish this moment to regain some of my mental strength. While I am going through some correspondence, I notice the time is ticking by without a sign from either my brother or Stefan.Stefan, what’s going on? Where are you?
Well…I can instantly hear the hesitation in his voice.I am still looking for your brother.
He should be at Frederick’s place.
He was there,Stefan explains.But Fred told me Elio was well, and he’d sent him back to the castle.
I feel a headache approaching.Keep looking for him. I will meanwhile talk to Theodor.
Yes, my king.
It’s easy to find Theodor. He is in the training hall, doing some work with his sparring partner, a promising young dragon shifter, one of our new clan members. I make sure to acknowledge the young man and comment on his training progress, noticing how proud he looks.
“Theodor, a word, please.”
Theo nods, gesturing for one of the warriors to take over his position before stepping outside with me. There, we bump right into Stefan. “I haven’t found him, Your Highness,” Stefan says.
“But he was at Frederick’s right before?” I query.
Stefan nods. “Frederick verified that.”
“Elio?” Theodor asks, his expression turning into one of worry. “I brought him to Frederick and stayed with him for a bit. I should have stayed longer! I apologize, Your Highness.”
“You had your duties to attend to,” I tell him.
“Did he fly off again?” Stefan asks. “He wouldn’t follow any dangerous creature twice, would he?”
“Definitely not,” Theodor answers promptly. “The first time was just a spontaneous reaction, but he is too smart to make the same mistake twice.”
“Then, where is he?” I ask. “I’d hate to call on Favia for such a private issue, and my dragon has over-exhausted himself during the last couple of days. I want him to get some rest.”
