Page 101 of Black Crown
He stroked my silver hair, and I soaked in the warmth of his touch. The vibrations of his voice stirred my soul, and all I knew, for those few precious, flawless breaths, was the feel of his body, the smell of his skin, and the warmth of his love.
“Mine,” I growled.
I pulled back, or he nudged me, and then his mouth was on mine or mine on his. The flesh of his neck turned to scales under my hands as the ferocity of our reunion consumed us. One of his hands pressed on my back, the other underneath my thigh pulling me hard against him.
“Mate,” he managed to say when we separated for air.
I certainly planned to.
But the partial glimpse of a Druman over Tyrrik’s shoulder provided enough water to put out the burning hay field.
“Audience,” I murmured, kissing him again.
His lips moved against mine.I know.
He knew. Of course he knew.
I unhooked my ankles and slid down Tyrrik’s body until my feet touched the ground, the only distance either of us allowed. I blinked and began coiling my Drae powers around my mind, allowing the bubble of Phaetyn power I’d been hiding to flood my mind and coatinsidemy lapis lazuli energy. Time would tell if this combination was any more effective against Draedyn, but I had a good feeling about it. Compared to erecting my Phaetyn powersoutsideof my Drae powers, doing it the opposite way had taken the blink of an eye.
“Emperor Draedyn, I assume,” Tyrrik said, the embers of his voice reverberating through me.
I tensed. The palace was the last place I wanted Tyrrik to be. We were stronger and happier together, yes. But I’d just royally betrayed Draedyn, and he was yet to take his revenge.
What if he sought retribution through Tyrrik? My stomach seized with the thought.
Draedyn still stood, far more composed than when my mate had first begun to push him out of my head. Lips curling into a half-smile, my father said, “My daughter’s mate, I assume.”
Calling you daughter, already, huh? Tyrrik asked.
Tell me about it, I answered.Even Dyter doesn’t call me that, and he is like a father. I choked on the question I wanted to ask.
He’s not with the army.I’m sorry, love.We don’t know where Dyter is.
My stomach sank, but I forced the emotion away. I’d find out the truth and then deal with it.
I scanned the female Drae and caught them exchanging weighted glances. I couldn’t glean what they were thinking though. Their expressions could meanmaybe Ryn did get a message to Tyrrik,orshe has a mate and we don’t; let’s ruin her life in vengeance, or something else altogether. I didn’t know any of them well enough to get a solid read.
Draedyn moved, and I gripped Tyrrik’s arm, digging my nails in unintentionally. I would not let my father hurt my mate.
If he attacks, we fight our way to the balcony and escape. You’ll have to cover us with your Phaetyn veil, but it’ll work.
Kamoi is dead, but he still has Kamini. Once we leave, he’ll never let us return, I replied with utter certainty.No way.
Hopefully not.
I kept my face smooth.I guess it’s easier to take him out if we’re here.
Yes, Tyrrik replied.And while we’re here, he’ll be less likely to attack the army.
You hope.
Draedyn rounded the table. “I have not seen mated Drae in over one hundred years. I confess, despite myself, my heart is glad to see the sight once more.”
Right.Where is he going with this?
“I’ll not be parted from my mate,” Tyrrik said, his growl rumbling long after his words.
Phew, going in early with the demands. Not that I felt any less strongly, but there were almost two dozen Drae in the room and at least that many Druman, andallof them answered to my father’s call except for the two of us. The energy in the room was all-but crackling and sparking.