Page 170 of The Chains You Defy

Protect.

“Stay, High Prince Dionadair.”

Stopping dead in my tracks, I realized only now that I already stood in front of the tent flap leading outside. That Lasair had called me by my name and title trickled in much later.

Slowly, I relaxed my fists, took a deep breath, and turned around. As if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, I lowered myself back onto the fur. “Her safety is a touchy subject for me.”

“Your motivation is comprehensible. And your primal side is very strong.” Lasair shifted, her gaze more piercing than before. “Tell me how the two of you met.”

Swiping my forehead with my sleeve to dry off the sweat, I nodded and recounted the entire story. About my uncle’s dream, how we’d found and rescued Naya, our journey through Ivreia, how we’d discovered what she was, and everything else. I ended my tale with the summons to Alaiann, the ball, how Galrach was treating and threatening her, and even the event in the Sun Room preceding my mission to visit the Doitean. “One day more, and we would’ve been gone.”

My magic was twitchy as fuck, and to stop my darkness from spilling over or even taking control required all of my concentration. My clothes were dripping withsweat and clinging to my body, and the power struggle didn’t help to regulate my temperature.

Finally, I’d wrestled my magic back into an uneasy submission, but I was so exhausted that I saw stars.

And I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lasair knew exactly what I was going through.

“The Doitean will support you. I’ll have someone build a perfect replica of our firestone, imitating its signature energy. This should fool the mad tyrant long enough for you and your beloved to escape to safety.”

“If crafting a copy is a possibility—I believe such a deception would work. At least for a while, until he figures out that whatever effect he desires isn’t coming to pass.”

“Be our honored guest during the time our jewelsmith requires to craft the gem. We have a tent for visitors you can use to rest. Although we haven’t received outsiders in many, many winters, the Doitean are always prepared to uphold hospitality. Also, you’re invited to join our banquet tonight.” Lasair paused for a short moment, then raised her eyebrow. “There’s no reason to scowl, High Prince. Creating a believable copy entails work. Also, apologies for being rude, but you’re enervated. Rest will do you good.”

Sadly, she was correct. The exhaustion had settled deep into every inch of me, and when I thought of the prospect of riding another week through the flaming planes of punishment, bile rose in my throat.

Of course, I had to be back at my female’s side as soon as possible, but if I burned to a crisp—

Well, that wouldn’t help either her or me.

Gods, I’d done the impossible. I’d swayed the Doitean from wanting to kill me to helping me.

I might not have stopped them from hating me or considered I could achieve such a feat during my lifetime, but a shaky ceasefire was better than them trying to purge me from the face of the worlds. “Your hospitality is acknowledged, welcomed, and accepted, Head Chieftain Lasair. And please call me Dion. I never felt a need for any honorifics. It’s all window dressing anyway. ”

“If that’s your wish, Dion. Then, in return, call me Lasair. No titles shall exist between us.”

The spark of pride blossomed in my chest. Had I really succeeded in using diplomacy? The one thing I’d always believed I sucked at? Huh. Seemed as if I’d underestimated myself the entire time. How peculiar.

“Let me show you to your accommodations. Someone will bring refreshments, bathwater, and new clothes for you. Your stallion will also be well cared for.”

Getting up to my feet, I nodded, still full of satisfaction. “Lead the way, Lasair.”

Danartha’s scrutinizing gaze on me caught me in a conundrum.

The ball gown Thain had commissioned for me was tailored to fae fashion, of course, and the dress required to be worn without a chemise, which meant I had to bare most of myself in front of the horrible female. So, I could either choose to show her my almost naked front or my scarred back.

Maybe I shouldn’t be that conscious of my appearance, but there was too much bothering me about myself. I still hadn’t regained all the weight I’d lost in Perran Feroy’s dungeon—much to Dion’s dismay, who always fed me when he noticedagain how thin I’d become.

“Change, Eachtrannach. Your intention to spare me from enduring your pitiful shape is considerate, but unwanted. Where are you going? No, you’ll stay. We have to chat, as I said.”

Gritting my teeth, I narrowed my eyes at her as she stopped me from changing in the bathroom.

This was the kind of female Dion had liked?

No, that couldn’t be, could it?

However, if she wanted a show, she would get one.

Without taking my eyes off the despicable fae, I quickly undressed until I was down to the underthings covering my sex. Her gaze lingered on every single imperfection, each protruding bone or discolored patch of skin—fae didn’t have moles.