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Elara wrapped her arms around me. “Soon.” She murmured. “We’ll be home soon, my love.”

I pressed my face into the soft crook of her neck, my lips resting against the steady rhythm of her pulse. “Yes. We will be.”

I said it too quickly. A promise I didn’t know I could keep. A promise I had forced her to make. A future I didn’t know how to grasp. But I had to hope, as I held her in my arms and felt the silver coil that held between us heat my blood, that one day I would have everything she had promised me.

Chapter29

Elara

Iwas surprised to see Theron when the door to my chamber opened, and even more surprised when I saw that we seemed to have matching outfits. His sapphire blue velvet suit perfectly matched the color of my silk dress, and the heavy gold chain around my waist was almost identical to the one he wore around his neck.

He leaned against the door frame, looking me up and down appreciatively. “I do always love it when you wear blue, dear one.” He sounded so adoring.

I gave him a polite smile as I threaded a filigree earring into my earlobe. “Thank you, Sire.”

He walked into the room, withdrawing a small box from his pocket. “I have something for you.”

“You do?” I said, willing him not to come too close. “How thoughtful.”

He opened the small box, and inside it lay a gold ring, set with an enormous yellow diamond. “A Velesian diamond,” he said, smiling warmly. “They are incredibly rare and as such, very valuable.”

“You wish for me to wear it tonight?” I asked lightly.

Theron cocked an eyebrow. “I wish for you to wear it always, dear one. It is a gift.” He retrieved the ring, letting the box drop to the floor, and took my hand. “And perhaps I might make the announcement that it will be more than that?”

I watched as he slid the ring on to my left hand. It was a little big, but not so that it would fall off easily. I felt dread rising in me as my eyes met his. “More than that, Sire?”

“I was rather hoping we could announce our engagement this evening,” he said, not letting go of my hand.

I tried to keep my breathing even. “You still believe I will marry you, Sire, even though I have now earned my freedom?”

Theron’s eyebrows shot up. “You believe you have earned your freedom now?”

“Certainly," I replied. “My parents are safe, you have again killed my Betrothed and my home is destroyed, what more is there for me to win back?”

He pulled me close to him so suddenly I saw Drusilla jump out of the corner of my eye. She scurried out of the room and into her chamber, leaving me alone with this man who was now looking at me with an almost crazed expression.

“You continue to insist on testing me, don’t you?” He said in a low voice.

“I am merely adhering to the parameters of this bargain you set down when you captured me,” I replied. “What else is left? I have nothing else to win. Nothing else to gain.”

“Then perhaps the parameters of the agreement have shifted.” His green eyes narrowed. “Perhaps it is no longer about what you have to win, but what you are willing to lose?”

His words sent panic down my spine. “What do you mean?”

A smile broke across his face. “Come now, dear one, do not worry yourself. The ball awaits.” He led me out of my chambers, down the passageway, swinging my hand as he had that night he had shown me the temple.

And I did not feel any safer in his presence tonight than I had that night.

“Have you ever met a dragon before?” He asked me as we walked.

“No Sire, I was of the understanding that they kept to themselves,” I replied.

Theron chuckled. “They are a solitary race indeed, though they do come out every now and then to try and get back into my good graces.”

“I imagine that is no easy feat,” I replied, wishing he would release my hand. I couldn’t stand the feeling of his icy skin against mine. Were all the Seraphim this cold, I wondered.

Theron chuckled, and I thought I was going to faint as he pulled me closer, clasping my arm in his. His fingers caressed my hand as it lay on his arm, and he smiled down at me indulgently. “I’m not a monster, Elara, I’ve told you this before.” He stopped walking, and leaned down to me. Before I could even respond, or jerk away, anything, he kissed me, tenderly.