Page 35 of The Silent Mountain
It saddens me that he sees it that way. His fate and my sister-in-law’s, my brother’s mate and reigning queen, are connected. Favian was essential in ending this war, which was also affecting the werewolves. Furthermore, he and I are mates, and my siblings see him as part of the family.
He can’t shake this feeling off,Ros says.And I thought werewolves were proud. No, we got our own proud Dragon King.
She tries to sound displeased but fails miserably.
Maybe we can take him out on a date,I hear myself offer, shocked at my own thoughts.
Ros is instantly head over heels.And you’ll let me spend time with him too, right?
Of course, you can take over and spend time with him.
Ros is so excited; she is almost making backflips in my mind. Now that I’ve promised her, I need to make sure to follow up on my promise. When Stefan and Barbara have left, Favian is about to head out to training, something he does daily for hours to make sure he stays fit. He trains all his warriors, with Stefan and Barbara leading the training of new recruits. Their advantage is that the dragons who survived the war are used to fighting and are fit, but they aren’t great in numbers.
I take Favian’s hand before he can leave. “I was thinking,” I say, gulping thickly. “We said we would go out, didn’t we? A while ago, before the first albatross was found. Didn’t you say something about showing me this romantic spot, on top of the mountains?”
Favian halts, his eyes snapping up to meet mine. “Are you suggesting what I think you are?”
“I think I am,” I say.
Favian reaches out his large, strong hand to lightly cup my cheek. A shiver goes down my spine, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. It’s been so long since I felt like this that I almost thought I would never feel it again. “I would love to,” he says. “Right after the ceremony, I’m going to steal you away.”
For a moment, we look at each other, both unable to move closer but reluctant to move away. Goddess, what am I even doing here? He is my mate! If the goddess mates us to random people, why the fuck doesn’t she hand us a manual with them!
Favian’s thumb brushes over my cheek. I take a step closer, not sure what for, but I do it anyway.
“Favian!”
We both draw apart from each other when we hear Elio’s voice. Favian hides his face behind his hand. “I love my brother,” he says, “but seriously…”
I clear my throat, trying not to show how flustered I am. “Don’t pretend you don’t have a brother complex. But it’s cute!”
Favian groans.
“Favian?” There is a knock at the door.
“I’m coming,” Favian says, before approaching the door in long strides and opening it.
Elio beams at him. “I did so well in my test today!”
“Well, that’s great. I knew you could do it.”
“You promised I could join training if I did well,” Elio says.
Favian nods. “I did. Get dressed, and we’ll head out in five minutes.”
Elio’s smile lights up his whole face. He shifts his head slightly, his gaze falling on me. “Oh, Alana is here too.”
I clear my throat. “How’s my favorite dragon prince doing?”
“Fantastic!” he exclaims. “After training, I want to tend to the horses.”
“I will see you there then,” I reassure him.
Favian and I exchange a short look. “See you later for dinner,” Favian says.
“See you later,” I say, trying to sound relaxed and like it’s not a big deal that we couldn’t continue what we were about to do, though I have no idea myself what that was. Once Favian has left, I decide to get some training done as well, with Ludwig.
Barbara is too busy with her new task, which is why I decided to start my training with Ludwig instead of bothering her. She is currently checking on the warriors, who are guarding the camp where Cassie took the deceased birds. “I apologize in advance,” Ludwig says. “Barbara is the better warrior and probably more on par with your skills.”
