The Silver Siren (Iron Butterfly, #3)(4)

Maybe I was becoming lazy and relying on my gifts more than I should. But I let my mind wander, and I kept going back to thinking about Joss.

I had feelings for Joss, and they were growing, but I was also deeply troubled by the doubt I had about our future. When Joss asked if I would be his lifemate as a pretense to finding his sister, my mind had started to consider the real possibility. After all, he had hinted to it possibly leading to more.

We were still young, still unsure. But what would a life with Joss actually be like? Even though I really liked Joss, would that be enough to overcome my reservations?

For one, I didn’t like Skyfell. I hated it—hated flying, hated being imprisoned in the air. Joss was to be the future clanleader of Skyfell, so he had to go back. I was the future clan leader of Valdyrstal. How could both of us uphold our birthrights and be together?

Second, my clan hates Denai, and I wasn’t even sure that they would allow me to lead. Some of my clan already knew what happened to me, and they were willing to follow me, to protect me. Hemi was proof of that. But even if I convinced them or was able to hide what I am from them, they would never ever allow Joss, a Denai, to be my lifemate.

Sighing in frustration, I tried to reason with myself—even to the extent of having pretend arguments with my father and the council to justify being with Joss. And each scenario in my head turned out worse than before. I knew the clan laws; I knew what the punishment would be.

Exile.

Could I live with that? I wasn’t sure. But it gave enough doubt to a viable future that I felt I should try and slow down our relationship.

When my shift was over I was to wake Kael. Walking over to him, I kneeled down and touched his shoulder. A flash of movement, and I flew through the air and landed on my back painfully. The impact knocked the wind from me, and Kael loomed over me, one of his deadly blades pressed to my throat.

I looked up at Kael in confusion. His dark eyes glittered dangerously, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

“You’re getting careless,” he whispered into the night.

“Whatever are you talking about? I’m waking you for your shift,” I hissed back angrily.

“You are letting your guard down; I could have killed you right then.”

“But you won’t kill me. I trust you with my life.”

Kael didn’t speak. We watched each other silently. He swallowed, and I reached up to touch his hand and move the knife away from my throat. He didn’t look too pleased.

“Thalia, you can’t trust me. You can’t trust anyone,” his eyes burned as they stared into mine. “What happened in Skyfell proved that, and you have to be extra careful.”

“I trust you.” I meant it.

“You’re a fool if you do.”

“Then I’m a fool,” I said solemnly.

A moment of contemplative silence passed as Kael’s mood darkened.

“Thalia, don’t get too friendly with Joss.” Kael warned, his eyes darkening again. “He’s starting to fall for you, and if you’re not careful, he’s going to ask to be bonded to you.”

“Why not? It’s not as if anyone else is dying to choose me,” I snapped back.

Kael leaned away from me. I felt the coldness creep in as soon as he moved. I shivered. Kael noticed and wrapped his blanket around me. “Get some sleep,” he ordered.

“I can’t,” I murmured.

“Why not?” He started to walk away.

I couldn’t look at him; I could only stare across the fire in silence. In a moment of panic I asked. “Are you going to leave?”

He stopped and glanced back over his shoulder at me. “I have to check the surrounding area.”

“I’ve already scanned. There’s nothing out there except for a badger, an owl, and some bats.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. So are you going to leave?” I hated how weak I sounded.

Kael studied my downcast eyes and answered, “No.”

“Will you stay close?” It sounded crazy coming from my own mouth, but I needed him near.

“I’ll stay as close as you want,” he whispered. Then he sat near me cross-legged. “Is this good?” A small smile played at the corner of his lips.

Nodding my head, I curled up in his bedroll and immediately felt comfortable and safe. I yawned and inhaled the smell of him from his blanket. I was definitely tired.

“Thalia?” Kael leaned over and whispered into my ear.

“Hmmm?” I answered.

“Why don’t you want me to leave?”

“Mmm. ’Cause you keep the bad things away,” I mumbled sleepily.

“What if I am the bad thing?” His thick voice questioned. Was that a hint of fear I heard?

“You’re not,” I answered honestly.

I was almost asleep when I heard shuffling. My eyes flew open, and I reached out to grab Kael’s arm. He looked at me in surprise.

“I’m just getting comfortable,” he smirked.

“Promise you won’t leave me,” I demanded tiredly.

Kael nodded, and I let sleep finally win. But I swore I heard him whisper under his breath. “Never.”





Chapter 3


The next day as we packed up camp, Fanny was apparently the only one who noticed the bedroll I was sleeping in wasn’t mine. She shot me a curious glance but then went back to tending to hers and Mona’s things.