Page 31 of The Chains You Defy

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. But after I’d changed my mind and started to walk back to Amalach, Perran Feroy appeared. He had a lot of his men with him. I never stood a chance, although I tried my best to resist capture.” I winced at the memory of how I'd attempted to outsmart the merchant and how, in the end, he’d used my shortcomings against me.

“We have much to unravel, Nayana. But for now, we should let the past rest. You have to get better first.”

My mouth opened, but Dion lifted his hand and glared at me, his lips a thin, pale line. “We can’t stay here forever. We’re still on an ultimatum timeline, especially since my grandfather sent another charming letter during your absence. If he decides to dispatch his soldiers to this place, the fallout would be a complete disaster.”

“Where precisely are we, then?”

“We’re in Ivreiana.”

“Really? And you picked the biggest, most ostentatious inn?”

“This isn’t exactly an inn.”

“But?”

“The royal castle. We’re guests of Her Royal Majesty Queen Anneria.”

“Is this a joke?”

“No, not at all.”

“How?”

“Would you believe me that while I was about to blackmail King Pritatus into helping us, Queen Anneria found a liking to me and overruled his reluctance?”

“Princeling. Did you flirt with the queen in front of her husband? If that’s true, you’re worse than Thain.”

Oh, he didn’t appreciate that comment at all, and my big mouth earned me a low growl. “I didn’t. She must have had her reasons, and I can assume her intentions behind her aid, but if you want to know for certain, you have to ask her yourself.”

“Me. Talking to the queen.”

“At one point before we depart, yes. She expressed the wish to meet you.”

“Don’t you realize that she or the king will throw me into their dungeons when they learn I’m wanted for murder?” Apprehension spread through my limbs. The tendril that had been resting lazily on and around my body so far mirrored my turmoil and vibrated more heavily, and the need to hide became almost unbearable. What did Dion think, bringing me to the royal residence, of all places? I had to leave, to run, to flee—

“They’re aware of yourcrimes. To soothe your panicked mind—you’ve been pardoned. But more about that later, Nayana. When you’ve recovered. Calm down, and let’s both regenerate.”

My chest rose and sank as I took a few deep breaths before dipping my chin. Exhaustion crept all over me, only from our brief conversation and all the emotions that had bubbled up. “Fine.”

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on calming down.

“Dion?”

“Yes?”

“Is there anything I can do to help speed up your recovery?”

“Would you want to?”

“Of course.”

The mattress shifted, and moments later, Dion’s arms engulfed me while my tendril relocated back around my ankle. The prince was cautious about keeping our contact soft so as not to heighten my pain. He brought a comfortable warmth with him as well as a cloud of his signature petrichor and evergreen scent—I couldn’t suppress a contented sigh.

Yes, I was still cross with him, but during these moments, I allowed my friend to comfort me. “Does this help?”

“Yes. Closeness settles the binding, according to my uncle. Normally, that’s not needed, but since we’d been so far apart for over a fortnight, this should work out best.”