I closed my eyes and tried to imagine myself permanently integrated with the Fae, and I just couldn’t. I couldn’t let go of that human side of me. Of the desire to be around people… to be with my sister. To finish college. To live my life.
The two parts of me pulled at each other, fighting for dominance even though I already knew which side of me would win.
11
“It also depends on what kind of knife you wield,” Gracelyn said.
I considered that. “Maybe I can ask Ty to get me some.”
“No,” Gracelyn exclaimed.
I sighed at her stubbornness. She was determined this little exercise stay between me and her because she was scared this Flynn guard would put a stop to her midnight training ritual.
“Have you heard from Conan yet?” she asked.
At the apparent change of topic, I let my expression tell her I was onto her.
Retracting my arm, I loosened my hold just right and let my arm flow. The thump of the knife was satisfying as it hit the edge of the wood. I grinned, proud of myself.
It had been almost two weeks, and we’d been practicing non-stop every night at the same time. My training with Ty had continued. I was making progress. Granted, little, but I was still advancing. It was frustrating when I thought I had control, only for it to flow out of my hands as if I were trying to grasp water. He’d had to save me from blowing up too many times to count.
As for Ty, every time he tried to bring up the day we were interrupted, I found a way to change the subject. I was still embarrassed by my actions, and I’d rather it be buried dead.
“No, Cora’s just growing more frantic about his absence, and without their bond, she wouldn’t even know if he’s dead.”
“He’s not.” Gracelyn sounded so positive, I gave her a questioning look. “Conan is amazing at what he does. He wouldn’t dare get taken down.”
I heard a bit of hero-worship, and I rubbed a hand over my mouth to hide the grin. She smacked my arm, and I made a big deal, rubbing it dramatically. Honestly, it had smarted, but I was learning to take her love taps.
“Time’s up.” She collected her daggers and slid them into the folds under her long skirt. The other day, I’d asked her why she didn’t wear pants, and she went on a rant about Cybel wanting all castle working ladies to wear distinguishing garments. I still needed to hunt that Fae down and convince her that was ridiculous.
“Want to go for a stroll?” I asked, and at her immediate denial, I hooked my arm through hers and tugged her along. I’d had enough of her backing out and disappearing after our sessions. She always seemed skittish whenever I asked her to do something. As it was, she acted like she didn’t know me if I saw her walking down the hall. I had no clue what she was worried about.
“No one is out and about right now, anyway. You said so yourself. And this Flynn can deal with me if he has a problem with you walking around. It’s not like you’ll be training,” I urged.
She finally stopped trying to pull away from me. I glanced down at my clothes, satisfied nothing indicated that I’d been training. I pulled Gracelyn onto a cobbled path that led away from the castle and through the apartment walkways. The buildings loomed overhead, unlike the view from the castle. From down here, I felt like an ant surrounded by the tall rows of buildings.
Walking down the first lane, I noticed her dismay and her gaze attached to the one at the end. Her body tensed as we neared. “I heard a rumor. Did the Elvin leader make a deal to make you his mate?”
Wrinkling my nose, I nodded. “Yeah, it was for information, but Ty said we could find a way out of the deal. And thank God for that. He’s so… much. I mean, not bad to look at, but no.”
Gracelyn flipped her ponytail to her other side and reached up with the hand I wasn’t holding hostage. She fiddled with the tip and smirked. “I’ve heard stories about his attributes. They surpass plains.”
“It must be a huge deal,” I exaggerated, and she threw her head back, laughing.
As she opened her mouth to say something, a familiar, lilting voice called out. “What are you doing?”
Gracelyn tensed. Ahead of us, the door to the apartment she’d been looking at mere feet away was wide open. A shadow stepped out. I blinked and waited for my sight to focus.
“Answer me. What are you doing out at this hour?” A growl accompanied the words.
Gracelyn pursed her lips and looked up at the broad male I’d seen her gaze at with longing. Over our two weeks bonding, I’d tried to get more information about this infamous Flynn, but she was as tightlipped as they came. I understood her resistance in talking about it, but I made it clear I was there if she ever needed a shoulder.
“Flynn—”
“Why’d you leave me mid-tonguing?” a coy feminine voice whined and came onto the scene. An arm wrapped around his lean, bare waist. I winced as Gracelyn squeezed and almost pulverized my hand.
Lilith looked around his arm and met my eyes. “Oh, hello, Queen,” She bowed her head and cleared her throat. “And Gracie.”
“Gracelyn, what are you doing out? It’s dangerous.” There was still a tenseness to Flynn’s voice. “You as well, Queen—I mean, Rae.”
He included me as an afterthought. This guy was extra interested in Gracelyn. I narrowed my eyes at the way he looked at her, and yet here he was, with her friend wrapped around
