Page 32 of Shadows of Light
She knew this wasn’t how things were done, but this would be one of her changes, at least this time. The sirens helped her win the war; she owed them something too.
Extending her hand, she waited until Yamala clasped it. When she did, Lexi enfolded the siren’s hand in both of hers.
“Thank you for your help against the Lord,” Lexi said. “If there is something we can do to help you rebuild Aerie, please let me know.”
Yamala stared at their joined hands before resting her other palm on Lexi’s. “Thank you, Your Highness. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.”
“Do not mistake kindness for weakness.”
Yamala smiled as her eyes met Lexi’s once more. “All those who do will perish.”
Lexi smiled back.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
“So,things went well with the sirens today,” Orin said as they all gathered in the small dining room to eat dinner.
“Yes,” Lexi replied. “They returned to Aerie, and I’m sure they’ll continue to be allies.”
“That’s the best one can hope for,” Varo said.
Lexi focused on her dinner as she cut the chicken into small strips. Things had gone well with the sirens, but she still felt sick with anxiety and hoped Cole would return tonight.
For some reason, she didn’t think he would. Whatever drew him away would keep him there… at least, for a little while.
When he grew hungry again and the lycan sought his mate, he would return.But will he?
And is that what I want? To be the one he comes to when he’s desperate and starving?
It wasn’t what she wanted, but it was either that or none of him. She wasn’t sure which was worse, but at least none of him wouldn’t eradicate her self-esteem the way the other option would.
With a sigh, she admitted eating was pointless and set her fork and knife down. She lifted her golden goblet of wine and sipped from the heavy cup while she gazed out the windows to her left and the deadened gardens.
At one time, this must have been a beautiful place to eat dinner, but the view left much to be desired now.
To her right, the windows looked on rolling hills leading to the bailey and the outer wall below. She couldn’t hear them, but from here, she saw the merchants who had returned to selling their wares.
Those merchants remained far more hushed than she was used to, but they would eventually find their voices again. Not living in constant fear of the Lord would help them do so. Once they realized she wouldn’t kill them on a whim, their apprehension would diminish.
As the sun set on the land, it cast myriad colors across the sky. All of them were beautiful and inspiring, but whereas such a spectacle would have awed her before, she experienced only sadness now.
“The dwarves have found caves in Dragonia that we would like to make into our new home,” Skog said with the slightly English accent all dwarves had. “With your permission, of course, Your Highness.”
His words drew Lexi back to the conversation. “If someone or something else doesn’t already reside there, I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
“So far, we haven’t found anything else living there. They’re on the ground, so the dragons don’t want them, and those beasts probably scared off anything else that might have lived there.”
“But the dragons won’t scare off the dwarves?” Sahira asked.
Skog huffed and tapped the end of his battle sword against the stone floor. He ran his hand over the length of his thick, grayish-brown beard as he puffed out his chest. “Dwarves fear nothing.”
Lexi couldn’t help but smile as she set her goblet on the table and twisted the stem between her fingers. Much to Orin’s displeasure, Skog had become a regular face at the dinner table. Often, during the day, he was with the other dwarves, doing whatever they did, but at night he returned to the palace and them.
Lexi suspected he returned to keep an eye on her. He was looking for her to start showing signs of craziness, like those who sat on the throne before her.
But she wasn’t one of those imposter Lords; she was an arach, the last rightful ruler of Dragonia. Her grandmother was once queen here, her mother a princess, and that throne was hers.
Sitting on the throne wouldn’t make her insane, it wouldn’t turn her into a monster, and shewoulddo right by all those who helped her claim Dragonia. She didn’t blame others for being diligent in their search for signs she might crack.
