Page 68 of Hearts on Fire
He paused with the carafe in his hand.
“You said you haven’t been in Nerifir for long, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Why?”
He calmly poured the wine into two tall crystal glasses. “You obviously don’t know not to accept food or drink from a fae.”
I lifted my left hand and wiggled my fingers. Elex’s ruby ring caught the light from the fireplace, breaking it into a myriad of marvelous sparkles.
“I’ve got that covered.”
“Oh,” He raised an eyebrow in that curious expression of his. “Is the ring warded?”
“Yes, it is.” I plopped into one of the armchairs by the fire, not waiting for an invitation.
Without Elex next to me, the night chill had found its way under Voron’s cloak I was wearing. I stretched my legs toward the fire, soaking in the warmth radiating from it.
The large cave was dark and empty, save for this cozy area by the fire. In addition to the two armchairs and the table with wine, there was a thick rug on the floor. A large, painted trunk stood at the wall near the fireplace. With its lid open, a folded fur throw and an embroidered pillow came into view. A tall basket on the other side of the fireplace held hundreds of tightly wound scrolls with a stack of leather-bound books sitting on the floor next to it.
Voron must have a bed somewhere else, and there had to be dining and living areas for all the gargoyles. But this here clearly was his own personal space. I imagined him reading here in complete silence and solitude as the rest of the kingdom turned to stone at night.
“It’s not a bad set-up you have here,” I said, glancing around. “Despite the bats.”
Voron scowled at the animals swarming in the corners of the ceiling above.
“Well, they have their uses,” he admitted. “We’ve learned to co-exist.”
I swirled the wine in my glass, admiring the colors of the liquid. If Voron meant to trap me by adding something to it, why warn me by telling me I shouldn’t accept it?
Just in case, I waited until he had taken a sip from his glass first before taking a drink, too. The wine was light, warm, and a little tart, with a hint of sweetness. It slid easily down my throat. Way too easily. I made a note to pace myself.
Voron stretched his long legs in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. “So, Amber. What brought you into this wretched world?”
I smirked. “Notwhat,butwho. Elex did.”
“He stole you.” He nodded, as if stealing people was a natural thing to do.
“No… Kind of… Well, actually, I stole him first.” I shrugged awkwardly. “It’s a long story.”
He waved a hand, his elbow propped on the armrest of his chair. “I have time.”
“Yeah, but I don’t.”
Before the sun was up, I had to figure out whether he meant help or threat. And act accordingly, hopefully, before Voron’s people woke up.
“Fine,” he conceded. “Let’s get to the point, then. Why are you here? Shouldn’t you and your dragon be in the Bozyr Peak? Celebrating the victory with the king?”
“I’ve nothing to celebrate.” I scoffed. “The king never showed me any kindness. And he was cruel to anyone who has.”
“He was cruel to your friends?”
I’d been too careful to call anyone my friend. But despite my mistrust and caution, a few people in Dakath had found their way into my heart, along with Elex. To some degree, I grew to care about all thesalamandrasof the Sanctuary. Now, they all were dead because of King Edkhar’s neglect and indifference. Or because of his spite. Did he send the women to that mountain to punish them for my actions?
I winced, rubbing my chest against the burning guilt rising inside. “King Edkhar is cruel to many people.”
“Hm,” Voron hummed noncommittally, taking another drink of his wine. “But isn’t Lord Elex related to the king? Some say he’s his bastard son…” He let the end of the last sentence hang in the air, as if inviting me to elaborate.
“Elex isn’t his son. God forbid having a father like that,” I muttered into my wine.