“Don’t waste my time, Prince Kamoi.” I glanced at the princess and nearly-queen. “We don’t have the luxury to waste time.”
Kamini nodded frantically though her gaze slid to check on her cousin in a way that told me she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
Lani stepped back, chin raised. “I have come to cloak the Zivost Forest once more so our people are safe.”
“Our people,” the prince muttered, his expression dark.
“Kamoi,” I said, my voice dangerously low. “My ears may not be pointy, but I can hear just fine, even better than a Phaetyn in case you’ve forgotten.” The smile I offered when he met my gaze was hard. “I owe you a debt for saving my life the last time I was here, but I won’t let you insult your future queen. You have no idea what she’s been through or how she’s longed to find her people,” I snapped, my fangs elongating with my heightened emotion. “Pull your freakin’ head out of your butt, or I’ll do it for you.”
Khosana? Tyrrik’s voice reached into my mind.
I kept my gaze fixed on Kamoi, my jaw set while mentally answering my mate. Just laying down the law.
Good for you, love.
My lips twitched, and if I had to venture a guess from the way the prince paled, I’d say the gesture looked borderline psychotic. I’m on a roll.
I felt Tyrrik chuckle but kept my attention on the Phaetyn prince.
He held my gaze, nevertheless, his shoulders suddenly sagged, and he dropped his eyes. The prince turned and bowed to Lani. “I apologize most sincerely, Lani. The last few weeks has us all on edge, and I’m afraid stress got the better of me. Please don’t feel unwelcome here. Both Kamini and I are overjoyed with your return home.” He flashed her an apologetic smile I was all too familiar with. “Even if I’m doing a poor job of showing it.”
Kudos to Lani; she didn’t ease up for a second.
“Hmm,” she said, observing him through narrowed eyes. “Your apology is accepted, cousin. However, considering your stress levels may impede the coming discussions, perhaps the next hours are better served resting while Kamini and I decide what is to be done.”
Her voice was laced with steel, and Kamoi looked like he’d dropped his plate of syrup-covered honey cakes.
Don’t laugh in Kamoi’s face. Don’t laugh in his face. A small, wheezing noise escaped my lips, but I kept my expression smooth as I covered my mouth and cleared my throat.
The prince glanced at Kamini, but the younger Phaetyn only had eyes for her sister. He bowed again, back stiff, and his tone was flat when he replied. “Of course. You are very wise, cousin. I will take this opportunity to rest.”
I withheld my snort. Tyrrik, I thought. Lani totally gave Kamoi a verbal beatdown.
Good. About time. If you want to slice his head off, I wouldn’t be opposed.
Not a fan of the Phaetyn prince. Nothing surprising there, and funnily enough, I was siding more and more with my mate. An image flashed through our bond, a Drae-eyed view of the Gemond mountains, and I smiled, realizing Tyrrik was on his way. Where are you?
Only a few hours from Gemond.
Fly safe. Remember—
Remember the emperor was around last night? he asked, amusement floating through our connection. Funny enough, that completely slipped my mind.
I sniffed. Sarcasm is very unbecoming.
I find it sexy.
Umm . . . A thread of heat shot through me, and my mind blanked.
Why did your heart rate just increase? Why is your body warmer?
I’m . . . running. Holy Drae-babies, he could sense my reaction to him from a bajillion miles away?
Yes, I know, he said with a growl. You’re running from me. But I will catch you eventually. You’re mine, mate.
The deep rumble of his thought radiated through me, and I caught a glimpse of the two of us locked in an embrace. Was that a daydream?
“Uh . . . Ryn?” Lani shook my arm.
I squeaked, face flaming. “Yes?” I pulled my thoughts back to the Phaetyn in front of me, blinking as I noticed only Lani remained. “How can I help you?”
8
Kamini pulled together two upholstered chairs inside the large conference room in the Rose Castle. A glance over Lani’s head told me the room held a huge desk, several chairs, and what appeared to be a trickling stream to the right of an ash bar with small wine glasses set out across its top to the left.
Lani lowered her voice and jerked her head toward the doorway. “Are you coming in with me?”
“Come in with you,” I repeated, thickly. The lingering haze of my discussion with Tyrrik burned away, and I shook my head. “Right, Uh . . .” I wasn’t going to be there to hold Lani’s hand forever, and really, she didn’t need me to. The gal was fifty, and now that Kamoi was gone, I’d lost the urgency for moral support. Lani and I were on the same page. Kamini was plenty smart, and honestly, I was hungry for something more than dried meat and day-old bread.
“No,” I said, reaching forward to squeeze her hand. I gave her a smile I hoped would be encouraging and added, “I trust you. Kamini’s smart, but you’re smarter, and you’ve got the perspective to make wise decisions. You’ll do great.”
Her face softened, and her mouth curved when my stomach growled. She arched a brow and laughed. “You’re going to eat, aren’t you?”
“Well, yes. I plan to partake in a bite or three. But I still trust you.” My stomach rumbled again because I really was hungry.
Lani’s laughter faded, and she stepped toward the doorway, heading after Kamini, but the Phaetyn queen turned back on the threshold, violet eyes shining. “Thank you for sticking up for me with Kamoi.”
I winked at her. “That’s what friends do.”
“Just a bite or two?” someone asked from above.
I recognized Lani’s voice and didn’t bother to open my eyes. The heat filtering through the trees combined with a slight breeze had me at the perfect snoozing temperature. The pale-green leaves of Queen Luna’s elm tree shaded my eyes, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle surrounded me. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re cradling your stomach like you’re pregnant.”
So I’d eaten more than a bite. The Phaetyn had chocolate, and I might’ve dipped fruit into the concoction for the better part of an hour. “I’m recovering my strength,” I lied, opening my eyes now that my peace was ruined. I sighed and looked at my Phaetyn friend. “Drae tend to eat a lot after flights.”
Lani raised her eyebrows, letting me know she wasn’t convinced, and then her gaze went to the tree trunk behind me. “This was my mother’s tree.”
“Yep.” I gazed up at the shriveled leaves. “It’s seen better days. When I was here last time, it was green and vibrant.”
“What happened?”
“With the tree?” I asked and then shook my head. “I have no idea.”
The Phaetyn stared at it, and I recalled the deep pull I’d had to touch Luna’s elm when I first saw it. A hint of fear entered Lani’s eyes, and she tore her gaze away, giving me her full attention again.
“You should touch it and find out.” I studied her as I reached back overhead to pat the thick bark. Was she scared of what she’d find if she touched it? Her memories of her mother had to be dim; she should be clamoring to touch the tree. But Lani and I hadn’t really talked about Luna much. Maybe there was a reason. Or was she feeling nervous about the results of her talk with Kamini? “So . . .” I said, breaking the awkward silence. “What’s the verdict?”
Her face brightened, and the tightness in my chest loosened.
“Tonight, I’ll be crowned Queen, and I’ll put the Veil back up.” She flashed me a smile, her pulse feathering. “They’re already setting the tables up for the feast.”
I continued to hold my stomach with one hand, propping myself up on an elbow. “You nervous?”
“If a tree falls and no one hears it, does it make a sound?”
“Um . . . I’m not sure what—”
“Yes,” she interrupted. “Yes, I’m nervous. Not about the barrier so much. It might require all my strength and focus to get it in place, but I know I can do that.”