Page 144 of Scourged

Sebastian stiffened for a moment before relaxing, slightly deflating as if weights lifted from his shoulders. He dropped his gaze into his lap, staring at his hands.

“I never meant to isolate him. I’m sorry if that was the wrong decision.”

“You know how you told me to stop saying ‘thank you?’” She leaned forward again, catching his gaze. “Well. I’m now telling you to stop apologizing. We’re past that. Just trust me. Please.”

Sebastian drew in a deep, shaky inhale. “I’ll always trust you, Mariah.”

“I know. It’s just nice to hear you say it.”

His lips quirked at the sides. “So. Nothing that happened is my fault. I need to back off and forgive Andrian. Anything else?”

Mariah smiled—a genuine smile—and stood from the table, the chair scraping across the floor. “You can get another glass of wine with me, and you can have some fun with everyone. And tomorrow, we’ll get to work on figuring out how to save this kingdom.”

She snatched her glass and walked toward the sliding balcony doors, Sebastian meeting her at the end of the table.

Inside, teams were being formed, more wine was being poured, and Mikael was depositing platters loaded with steaming food on the tables. Andrian leaned against a pillar near the doors, and her gaze found his. Something flickered in his eyes, something that spoke of more than they could discuss tonight.

More than she was ready to discuss that night. One emotional conversation per evening was enough for her.

The sound of voices greeted her when she pushed inside. Ciana’s tinkling laugh rang out, a chime amongst the clamor.

“Seb!” Ciana called, her hand waving in the air. “Get over here. You’re on my team.”

With a last glance at Mariah, Sebastian joined the group.

Leaving Mariah beside Andrian. He stepped closer to her, warm against her shoulder. She turned, tilting her head up to meet his gaze.

She opened her mouth to speak, not sure what would come out, but he beat her to it.

“Join them,” he murmured, voice low and quiet. It warmed her belly, made heat flush to her cheeks.

He smiled and leaned closer. Just a touch.

“You know how much I love that blush, princess,” he said, words just for her, “but you deserve this night. We’ll talk later. I’m not going anywhere.”

He pulled back, and she swallowed. The wild blue of his eyes was so warm, almost on fire, and familiar shadows danced in their depths.

With a final nod and a smile, she joined her court—her friends, the first she’d ever had—as laughter echoed off the mountains.

Outside on the balcony railing, a golden eagle watched on. A black butterfly floated past the eagle on its perch before soaring up on the night winds and joining the stars above.

Chapter 50

“May I come in?”

Andrian twisted in his chair, glancing over his shoulder at the figure standing in the doorway to Mariah’s study.

He wasn’t quite sure why he was in there; she wasn’t in her rooms, instead down training with Trefor and Matheo in the game park.

He was even less sure how Sebastian had found him and was halfway to forming a scowl before he noticed the way the other man stood. Anxious and slightly uncomfortable, hands stuffed in his pockets and eyes downcast, a muscle in his jaw working.

Andrian swallowed his building retort and nodded. “Sure.” He slammed his book shut and set it on the white wood table as Sebastian stepped into the study and settled in the chair beside Andrian.

The two men sat there, the air a little tense. Andrian studied Sebastian, resting one hand on the armrest, the other brushing a finger across his tightly closed lips. Ever since their return from Khento, Sebastian had been hostile, aggressive, and angry, especially toward Andrian. But that talk he’d had with Mariahlast night, that quiet moment they’d shared while the others had been making teams and settling into their night of revelry …

Andrian had always known Mariah was magic. That she had powers extending far beyond just the silver-gold light in her veins. But the way she’d drained Sebastian of his rage in just a few minutes was a shock even to him.

None of that gave him any clue whatthistalk could be about, though.