Page 38 of The Chains You Defy

“I’m right here, Naya.” Bryon sighed, and Rewi nodded before both turned their attention back to me.

“And I’m happy about that, Bryon. About meeting both of you. Even if I didn’t know, seeing you two was precisely what I needed.”

Bryon caught my eyes with his. “How are you, Naya? Do you want to talk about what—”

“I’m fine. Really. The pain is bearable, and this place is safe. That’s all I desire for the time being.”

“If you ask me, I can try to have those—creatures removed from court. Just say the word, and they’re gone. King Pritatus has reached the end of his patience anyway.” Bryon’s voice was hard, and Rewi shook her head while the tendril raised its tip, turning it in Bryon’s direction as if the magic readied itself to charge in case more insults to its master would follow.

“Don’t, Bryon. How often do we have to discuss this topic?”

“Rewi is right. There’s a lot that’s epically bad, but the bigger situation we’re involved in doesn’t change, especially if you take into consideration that Dion and I are bound in divine magic.”

Both pairs of eyes flickered to my neck, and my fingers touched the black mark etched under my skin. I still hadn’t dared to observe the pattern in the mirror, and most of the time, I forgot the design existed, but when I moved the pads of my fingers over the area, I felt the magic under my touch.

My throat tightened as my thoughts threatened to spiral once more, but the dark strand that was still standingat attention moved again and stroked over the design as well, softly purring. Soothing me.

“I can’t believe you did something like that. With him, of all people.” Bryon sounded a tad bit too condescending for my taste.

Before I could answer, Rewi cut in. “How often did I explain the situation to you already, blockhead? You’re aware of what’s at stake.”

I smiled. Of course, Rewi had filled Bryon in about the Wild Rifts and everything I’d uncovered on my journey through Ivreia. “Rewi is right.”

“Nothing should force you to feel obliged to bind yourself to someone for the rest of your life.”

“But our laws aren’t so different, are they? Only, committing to this binding was my own decision and for the greater good.” I sighed. “And, as messed up as the circumstances turned out to be, Dion is still my friend. Even if he’s a lying piece of royal shit.”

Bryon scowled, and Rewi grinned while I prepared another portion of bread. I wasn’t very hungry anymore, but the motion gave my hands a purpose and provided me with a mild distraction. We sank into silence until another knock made all of us turn our heads to the door.

Bryon was up and at the door faster than I could register. A few moments later, my lips curled up as Ireas and Thain entered the room together. The latter stormed to me, hauled me up, and my breath got stuck in my lungs as he squashed me between his muscular arms. “Sweet thing, never do something like that again.”

Since my face was currently pressed into a very male chest, the only part of Ireas’ approach I noticed was his feet moving over the carpet. “You’re crushing her, Thain. Godsdammit, release her; she’s still injured.”

And my tendril agreed with the medic. If I’d considered it agitated when I’d hugged Bryon, the magic strand was downright aggressive as it lashed out, hurling itsmatter against the redhead over and over again—but the attacks didn’t disturb the fae much.

My smile morphed into a grin. Of course, Ireas fussed, and my smoky pet flew off the handle, even though I was enjoying the redhead’s gesture—and the pain was quite bearable. “I’m fine. Really, everything is wonderful.”

A swatting noise reached my ears, and after Thain had released me and put me back onto my seat, he rubbed his biceps. He shot an ugly glare at the tendril, then at Ireas, before flopping down on a chair.

The medic hovered in my vicinity, radiating nervous energy, as if he wanted to inspect my injuries but could tell I wouldn’t allow him.

“Sit, Ireas. No need to worry about me.”

“I’d rather do a small check-up first.”

“That’s not necessary.” Oh my, the young male had never stared that many daggers at me before, and I caved. Damn fussing fae. “After breakfast, if you insist.”

“Then eat.”

“Are you turning bossy on me too?”

Ireas blushed, and I couldn’t stop the giggle I’d tried so hard to suppress. “Sorry. It’s just—I feel responsible for my patients.”

“I know. It was a joke, Ireas.”

Relief painted his features, but before I could observe this more thoroughly, my focus was pulled back to Rewi, who was chatting and laughing with Thain. An uneasy pang took me by surprise, and I narrowed my eyes as I kept my attention glued to the two of them.

I’d warned Rewi more than once about how much of a flirt Thain was. Had she forgotten? They looked awfully comfortable together.