How awful to finally have your dreams come true, but only in your darkest hour.
“Who was her mate?” I ventured, wondering if he was here in the fortress. Domik flipped opened a book, only half paying attention to me.
“He died a week prior to her capture, which was probably a blessing. He likely would have died in a misguided attempt to rescue her. Draken instincts are a great strength, but also our greatest weakness.”
The library fell silent, the only sound Georg’s fingers running over the book spines, counting the colors of the different tomes.
“What can you tell me about D’Arcy?”
He gave me a bemused look and started flipping through another book. “The king’s uncle? What do you need to know about him?”
I shifted uncomfortably. How did you go about asking if someone was a traitor?
“I just think there’s more to him than he lets on.” A twinkle glimmered in Domik’s eyes, and I thought some flattery with the reclusive draken may work in my favor. It had worked for Bair, after all.
“You notice things that the others don’t, I bet,” I began, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You probably know everything about everyone!”
Domik preened a bit, his wings flaring upwards. I felt Kieran and Ronan stiffen behind me, aware that I was lying through my teeth.
“You’re not wrong.” Domik trilled. “I do know quite a bit about every draken here. D’Arcy though, he is an interesting one. He is the only draken that always wears a shirt or tunic. Did you notice that?”
“Benedict said it was magick gone wrong.”
Domik shook his head. “Half of a truth! Benedict was supposed to be part of the rescue party that day with King Fane, to rescue Rhyfel. As it was, he had been wounded fleeing from battle, and forced to stay behind. Thank the gods he had!”
Thank the gods, indeed.
“When D’Arcy returned alone, Benedict’s fury was terrifying as he challenged D’Arcy in an honor match. D’Arcy tried to perform white magick to protect himself, but it backfired, exploding and killing three other drakens. It burned the skin down to the bone on his shoulder. Benedict figured it was punishment enough. That is why we wears a tunic.”
I blinked, trying to take it all in. Domik continued.
“D’Arcy loves intrigue and games of wit; he is manipulative of other drakens and loves to cause discord, just to see what will happen. He is a white chaotic force to Benedict’s controlled darkness.” Domik froze, as if just remembering who he was speaking to.
“Or at least, that’s just my opinion.”
I snorted. After another hour or so, Georg’s stomach started rumbling, and mine grumbled in sympathy. It was the first time I'd felt hunger in a few days, so Kieran and Ronan were quick to usher me up and out of the library. I convinced them to go on ahead and send for food, so it was there waiting for me. They were so relieved I was willing to eat that they left me alone with Georg without another thought, rushing ahead to prepare.
I still didn’t feel well but having something else to focus on for a few hours had done wonders for my mood. I allowed Georg to lead me back to my quarters, but halfway there my legs gave out, weak and unsteady. I was confused by my sudden bout of weakness and reached for Georg.
“Go find Kieran or Ronan.” Georg backed away; his face twisted in uncertainty.
“I promised them I wouldn’t leave you alone.” I was losing my battle with exhaustion, and it was difficult to focus on his face.
“Just...please. I don’t want to call for help...it’ll just make it worse.”
George reluctantly agreed and disappeared down the dark corridor. I curled my arms around my knees as I sat down. It was cold and slightly damp, but I didn’t care. Sitting up seemed like so much work…
Footsteps echoed from the opposite direction Georg had gone. I could hear the scrape of claws against the stone and prayed whoever it was wouldn’t notice me. Unlikely with the draken’s sense of smell, but I didn’t have the energy to come up with another plan. I looked up; Benedict’s figure was stopped in front of me. I forgot to breathe, rigid with fear as I was barely able to meet his eyes. We stared at each for a long while, until I gave up and looked away first. I made an odd, distressed sound in the back of my throat, and my arms reached out to him. He wordlessly bent and picked me up. As he cradled me against his chest, I noticed the dark rings under his eyes, which were nearly pitch black with none of his usual purple coloring.
“You haven’t been sleeping either,” I whispered. His grip on me tightened.
“I wonder why.” He shot back.
I flinched and shut my eyes. “Don’t wanna fight. Sleep.”
He exhaled a puff of air through his nose, and then the world dissolved into black. We landed in my bedroom, and he laid me down with a surprising amount of gentleness. He wiped his bloody nose, growling in irritation.
“It’s affecting you, isn’t it?”
Benedict whipped around, not noticing Kieran sitting in the corner of the room, one red eyebrow raised.
“Definitely affecting you if you didn't notice me.”
Benedict hissed, and I threw a pillow at him. Or at least, I tried to. It flopped uselessly off the bed, and onto the floor. I groaned, holding my hand out. Benedict rolled his eyes but picked it up and handed it back to me. Kieran’s eyes sharpened, his gaze serious.
“Spend time with her. You don’t have to like her, but don’t kill yourself in the process.”
The words hurt, but Kieran had a point.
“Ronan and I will stay away tonight. Make use of the time.”
“Or what?” Benedict’s wings flared. Kieran went nose-to-nose with him, unafraid.
“Or you risk killing her or yourself. You might not give a shit about her,
