Page 80 of Rage of Her Ravens

They’d gone in a flutter, leaving behind a table laden with steaming platters of food and tea that smelled and tasted heavenly. I partook of the tea, just to erase the grit from my mouth. Indeed, the drink wasn’t stale. It tasted like citrus and honey and awakened taste buds in my mouth I hadn’t known existed. Oh, how the girls would’ve loved it. But I didn’t touch the food. How could I eat when my stomach churned with worry?

After a few swallows of tea, I went to the balcony and sat on a padded lounge chair that leaned back, so I could stare up at the night sky. Hadn’t my veins buzzed with nervous energy, I could’ve fallen asleep on such a comfortable chair. The stars were brighter and bigger at Abyssus, or maybe they seemed that way from high up in the castle. My borrowed bedchamber had to have been at least five stories up. I imagined Draevyn’s mother had very fit legs, or else her mate had flown her everywhere. Over an hour passed, and still no sign of my mates or the girls. A cyclone twisted and turned in my stomach with each passing minute.

I stiffened when I heard the light ruffle of feathers in the doorway behind me.

“Shirina.” Draevyn cleared his throat. “May I sit with you?”

I kept my gaze on the twinkling stars above. “What do you want?”

“I brought you some refreshments.”

My nostrils flared, and I smelled all kinds of fragrant, sweet spices. I looked over my shoulder to see the servants were clearing away the untouched trays of food, replacing them with new trays.

“I’m not hungry.” A lie. I was ravenous, but how could I eat while the children were gone? They were probably even more hungry, and Nikkos wouldn’t be able to hunt for them while trying to keep them safe. I prayed he had a few more crusts of bread with him.

“How about some company?”

I wrapped my arms around myself, my spine tightening when Draevyn walked to my chair, blocking out my view of the sky. I refused to look at him. “I’d rather be alone.”

He heaved an audible sigh. “Please, Shirina.”

I finally looked up at him. His wings hung limply at his sides, and worry lines framed his eyes and mouth.

I had no idea why I relented. I didn’t want his company, and he certainly didn’t deserve mine.

He motioned toward a servant who rolled in a cart with wheels. This one had steaming tea and several pretty cakes and cookies with colorful icing. “Cook made a special tea that will help calm you.”

I fought back tears that threatened to spill over my eyes. “I don’t want to be calm. I don’t want to rest until they’re safe in my arms.”

“Then how about some food?” His voice rose and cracked, reminding me of myself when I would beg the children to behave. “The servants told me you didn’t touch your supper. You need to keep up your strength.”

I shook my head. “How can I eat when they’re not here with me?”

I flinched when he knelt beside me and took my hand. “Nikkos will protect them.”

I looked down at his calloused hand encircling mine as if it was a foreign parasite.

He rubbed warmth into my hand. “You’re chilled.”

A zing went through me at the feel of his heated skin on mine, desire awakened, making my thighs quake with need. I jerked my hand away as if I’d been scalded and swung my legs over the other side of the chair. Why was he touching me? Did he think I’d forget the horrible way he’d treated me?

Wrapping my arms around myself, I crossed to the other side of the balcony, needing to put as much distance between us as possible while being ashamed of the way my body had reacted to his touch. I cringed when I heard his feathers ruffling behind me. Was he deliberately torturing me?

I stiffened when he draped a blanket over my shoulders. I wrapped the blanket tightly around me, using it as a shield from the warmth radiating off him.

“Is that better?” he murmured, his breath tickling my ear.

I spun around, snarling like a wounded animal. Was the bastard trying to seduce me at a time like this?

He stepped back, his eyes widening. “Forgive me, Shirina. I was only thinking of your comfort.”

“I don’t want comfort,” I snapped, throwing the blanket off me. “I want them!”

A look of pain flashed in his eyes before he plastered on a smile. “I know. The blanket was only meant to keep you warm until my brothers return.”

I shook my head, swiping hot tears from my eyes. “Blaze should’ve found them by now.”

“He probably has. Blaze can fly supernaturally fast.” He took a hesitant step toward me. “My brothers will do whatever it takes to keep the girls safe.”

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