Page 82 of Owned By the Fae
It’s a small thing, and I can’t help but notice that its size and shape bear a striking resemblance to the box I was sent for not long ago. Varrik takes it from her and places it on his desk without unwrapping it.
I struggle to contain my emotions. I know why she’s feigning indifference, and I understand. Orders come first, and she has a job to do. But I can feel my hands shaking a little as I wait for her attention to fall to me, and it’s more than a little awkward just standing there next to Varrik as she pretends I don’t exist after all this time ‘You've done well,’ Varrik says warmly, and she bows her head from the neck regally.
Only then does she rise and turn to me. She steps forward, a small smile on her face as she searches mine.
‘I didn't know you'd be here,’ she murmurs. ‘Gods, Dane. We all thought you were dead.’
‘I couldn't die,’ I tell her. ‘I had to come back to you.’
Her lips upturn demurely, and I can’t help but notice that her expression doesn't reach her eyes as I step forward and embrace her. I push back the realization that I’ve seenthe Harbingerlook happier to see me in the past than Fiana does at this moment.
She’s a bit wooden as her arms come up to hug me back, but she’s likely been in a dangerous world for months, I rationalize. She’s probably tired, and it’s been years. It’ll take time for her to relax with me again.
‘I've missed you,’ I say, and she smiles.
‘Me too.’
‘Come with me,’ I murmur, conscious of our audience. ‘Let’s talk.’
She draws back. ‘If my lord will allow it.’
Varrik gives her and I an apologetic smile. ‘I just need her for a few moments,’ he says. ‘You've done so well, Fiana.’
‘Thank you, Varrik.’ She turns to me. ‘Meet me in my room in a few minutes,’ she says, gripping my hands tightly.
I nod and leave the room quickly. I know which room is hers, of course. We spent many a night in there before I left. I go inside and find that it looks almost exactly as it did. Perhaps with some new and more elaborate possessions, I note as I see some golden fragrance bottles and jewelry she didn’t have before. She’s been doing well for herself.
I pace the room in impatience, too excited to sit down. I ache to embrace her, to talk to her, to find out what's been going on and what she's been doing all these years. Has she waited for me? I don’t mind if she hasn’t, of course. I was forced more than once to seek solace in the arms of others. It’s been a long time, after all, but Varrik hasn't spoken of her being with anyone else at the keep, and she doesn’t seem to have any suitors here.
I hear the door, and I whirl around, practically running to her. She lets out a small laugh and urges me back to close the door. I kiss her, and she goes slightly rigid under my embrace, but her lips yield to mine, and she kisses me back, though she seems a bit distracted.
‘I'm sorry I was gone for so long,’ I whisper.
She draws back. ‘We really did think you were dead. Seven years with no word.’
‘I wish I could have found a way to send a message, but we were stuck in a city behind wards. There was no way of getting out.’
She pats my hand. ‘It sounds awful, my love. Varrik tells me you returned some weeks ago and that you brought the Harbinger. You did well.’
Her slight condescension rolls over me, and I try to ignore it.
‘And you're an elite now,’ she continues.
I nod and pretend humility. ‘The lord, in his infinite wisdom, saw that my strengths would be an asset to him.’
She nods and turns away, walking across the room.
I frown slightly at her back. I'm not sure how I thought this reunion was going to go, but I thought perhaps she’d be a bit more excited to see me.
‘It must have been awful,’ she says, going to her bureau and carefully taking off the silver pearl earrings that she's wearing in front of her mirror.
‘What was?’
‘Being gone for so long. Having to track down that horrible human and then travel with her. She’s so devious and spiteful.’ She gives a theatrical shudder and makes a face. ‘I can’t even imagine. At least you had Grey and Kallum to help you.’
‘Yes,’ I say, ‘of course, but orders are orders, and we were finally able to capture her. Traveling with her was tedious, but we got here in the end.’
I find that I don’t want to elaborate on our time with Lia, and I don’t actually want to talk about her with Fiana at all.
