Page 54 of Stone Heart
Chapter 18
“Rest for now,” Vikuth said, guiding Rina toward her suite.
She’d ensured her parents were secured in a suite with the promise of them talking soon. She had too much on her mind with Rhodack’s capture to focus on anything else.
“I don’t want to go to my room. I’d rather be in Rhodack’s,” she murmured. There was no way she’d be able to sleep in her bed alone.
“Get some rest. We’ll meet after we all get rest. Rhodack will have my ass if you’re not taken care of.” He turned his human eyes to her, having shifted once they’d returned down to the lair.
If it hadn’t been for Vikuth, she would have left to search for Rhodack on her own.
“It should have been me,” she muttered, pushing her hair behind her ear.
The necromancers were sending creatures to this realm for her. If only she hadn’t let the winged serpent take her, then they’d be together, fighting side by side. Anger coursed through her veins at the feeling of helplessness.
What good was harnessing all of this power if one couldn’t use it?
“And he’d still be gone. He wouldn’t have rested until you were returned,” Vikuth said,
They paused outside Rhodack’s suite.
“And I should not rest.” She stomped her feet.
With the sun rising, the gargoyles were unable to continue their pursuit. She could withstand the sun. Her thoughts instantly raced. She could gather her father’s men and—
“Stop.”
Her gaze flew to Vikuth’s eyes, and the knowing glint in them hinted he knew what she was thinking.
“You will not leave the protection of lair. If I have to, I’ll take you deep within the lair and lock you up. No harm will come to you while I’m in charge.”
“But I can go out in the sun—”
“You will not leave the sanctuary of this building without a gargoyle protector with you.” His voice dropped low, and he met her gaze.
She swallowed hard and nodded before looking away.
“Now go, relax and rest. Tonight, we’ll notify the other clans and by then we should have heard word from my men.”
She grasped the door handle and paused. She glanced over her shoulder at Vikuth with a sad smile on her lips. “Thank you.”
“Thank me when he returns.”
She turned the handle and walked into the eerily silent suite. She closed the door and fell against it, trying to will the tears from falling. Her world had been turned upside down since meeting Vikuth and Rhodack. It was because of them she now knew who she truly was.
She was to be a leader for her people in Faery, and future queens didn’t cry.
They fought back.
She pulled back her shoulders and stood straight. She’d take Vikuth’s advice and rest. Tonight, she’d be the fierce Fae princess she needed to be.
She pushed off the door and padded toward the bathroom, her mind on a hot bath to soak in. Muscles in her body she didn’t even know existed ached from the battle.
She looked down at her dress and cringed. It was in tatters, and she was surprised that it held on.
Using her powers, she started the bath water and blinked her clothing away. She strode up to the large mirror in the room and took in her new look.
She could see the different features of her face that she’d never seen before. She brushed the mirror with her fingertips while memorizing her new visage. Her blue eyes were a shade lighter than before. They almost held a translucent appearance to them.
