Page 79 of The Chains You Defy

“What do you mean?”

“In the last ten minutes, you’ve proven to me that even if you lose all control and if you’re drunk as a skunk, you’ll still listen to me. Dion, you quit the second I asked you to. And I can blame you for a lot, but not that you aren’t a mind reader.” Tapping my finger against his wrinkled forehead, I smiled at him.

“The day I’ll disregard a female’s desire to stop during sex is the one I’ll willingly allow them to put me down. Such behavior is disgusting.”

I nestled closer into his chest. “Don’t worry, princeling. I feel safe with you.”

“Even after—”

“Especially after.”

With big eyes, I observed Ireas channeling his magic to form one of those portals I’d only seen once for a fleeting moment, back then, before Dion had shadowwalked us to Amalach.

Today was very different.

In mere moments, I’d leave Ivreia behind, and even though I tried, I couldn’t hide my nervousness. Dion grabbed my fidgeting hand and squeezed, taking care not to use too much of the force he had in abundance.

“You’re skittish,” he purred, and I glared at him.

“Rightfully so.”

“Listen, Naya. You’re fine, as long as you remember what I’ve told you. I’m expected to be—”

“Iknow, I know. You’ll be playing a role, and so will I.” What had my stomach in knots was the prospect of meeting his grandfather, not him treating me like dirt in public. If I constantly reminded myself of the ruse, I’d be able to keep my big mouth shut. At least, I hoped I could.

Although I’d met Queen Anneria of Ivreia—my queen, so to speak—a few days ago, the High King of Galanta was a different story. If he were only half as bad as the males wanted me to believe, he would be more monster than anything else. And when I considered how most fae—their king included—looked down on or downright loathed humans, being uneasy was a normal reaction, in my opinion.

My gaze returned to the almost-finished portal shimmering in the secluded courtyard that the Ivreian royals had blocked off for us, and the urge to run away became stronger with every beat of my heart.

On top of the dangerous situation we’d walk into willingly, the hangover, courtesy of last night’s party, didn’t help my overall condition.

Dion pressed my hand again, and I wondered if the bauble he’d acquired from Ireas earlier would do its task as intended. The prince had explained that the medic had imbued the marble with some of his magic, and according to the two males, the sphere could apply light Glamours—like covering up the giant mark Dion had left on my neck. Also, the colors under my collarbone.

He still refused to explain details of those to me, apart from his initial statement that I had been marked by magic. But there must be more behind the whole affair; why else did he deem hiding the broken lines and swirls necessary?

However, he’d glamoured whatever the design was as well and ordered me to keep its existence a secret by all means without exception. Absolutely unsuspicious. Not.

Another thing I’d worried about had been a practical issue. While Dion and the others spoke perfect Ivreian, I couldn’t expect everyone in Galanta to do the same. But Dion had just laughed and revealed I’d be capable of understanding Galantian just fine, a side effect of our binding. Not reading, speaking, or writing, but I didn’t care. At least I would be able to follow conversations.

“You can’t openly disrespect me in front of Galrach or his spies.”

“Dion, again. I’m aware. You repeated the rules a thousand times. Not many will pay attention to a measly human anyway.” Wishful thinking, but maybe he’d find some truth in my declaration.

“Unlikely. My grandfather is pissed that I’ve been gone for so long and about the absence of the others as well. Plus, he couldn’t make a spectacle out of our binding. While I don’t think you’ll be in too much danger, you can’t count on being invisible.”

Dipping my chin, I pursed my lips when Dion rummaged in his bag.

“I wanted to give this to you yesterday, but with the party and everything going on, I simply forgot. But I need you to keep this close to you.”

My breath caught as I spotted my midnight blade. Tears welled up as the ball of emotion became too intense to contain. “My dagger. I thought—”

“Thain found your weapon outside Amalach.”

Extending my hand, I reached for the blade Dion once had crafted, sacrificing a permanent drop of his magic.For me. But before I could reclaim the dagger, the prince shook his head.

“Let me. You can’t wear this openly in Alaiann.” With that, he lowered himself to his knees, looked at the heavy fabric of the gown I wore, and glowered for a moment.

Seeing him kneeling in front of me was weird and somehow wrong, yet my heart sped up.