Page 69 of The Chains You Defy

“You do. Like freshly cut grass. And citrus mixed with herbs.”

“Your scent reminds me of a rainstorm in an evergreen forest. Oh, and shadows, of course.”

“Nayana.”

“Dion?”

“You can stop being angry at me.”

“Do we have to talk about that again?”

“I can’t stand when you’re mad at me.”

“Still, you can’t decide that I forgive and forget.”

“I’m painfully aware of that. However, the fact that you’re not trusting me is driving me insane. Especially since we’ll soon cross over to Galanta. It’ll be a lot, and if you can’t have faith in me in Alaiann, maybe we should rethink our plans to leave Ivreia.”

Taking a deep breath, I observed Dion. “But we don’t have a choice, do we?”

“Believe me, that’s the least I’m worrying about. My nerves are so raw, I’m one wrong word away fromthrowing you over my shoulder and living a life on the run. I’d kill everyone who’d be crazy enough to come after us.”

“Dion, no murder.”

He replied with a glower of utter disdain, accompanied by a snarl.

“I’m serious. There’s a reason I didn’t ask about what trail you left when you searched for me. I don’t want to know.”

“And you shouldn’t have to. In the end, whether you seek insight or not has no impact on me doing whatever is necessary to keep you safe. As my Amplifier, but mostly as my friend.”

“You’re nervous about going home, aren’t you?”

“Nervous isn’t the accurate word. I despise that Galrach is forcing my hand yet again, and if I could, I’d annihilate the entire palace.”

“Surely the situation can’t be that bad. It’ll be all right.”

“Nothing involving my grandfather will ever beall right, Naya.”

A dark glint spread over his gray irises, gradually darkening them, and I embraced him tighter. I’d witnessed him in many tense states, but never as tormented as in this moment.

He needed a while, but finally, he relaxed.

“For what it’s worth, Dion. I’m not angry anymore. And I trust you as far as that I believe you only want to keep me safe.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

His big hands splayed over my back as he hauled me impossibly close, and to no one’s surprise, his head disappeared once more between my shoulder and neck.

“Listen, Naya. In Alaiann, I’ll have to be someone else whenever others are around. There might be times when I’ll treat you poorly, even worse than during the control at the border to Marsia. But that will only be an act—one that ensures your survival.”

“Please stop worrying. I’m well aware of how dangerous your world is, especially when your grandfather is around.”

“He’s every nightmare you could ever dream. You need to be properly briefed. What about we sit down, and you tell me everything you’ve memorized before I add what you haven’t?”

“Yes, let’s do that.” Realization hit me. At his court, he wasn’t in control of his situation or anything important to him. No wonder he was holding so tightly to every shroud of authority he could get, and even tighter the closer our departure loomed.

If discussing everything he deemed essential about his home—again—helped him, I’d indulge him.