Kiss the Sky

24

A knock sounded on my door and I called out for them to enter. As I folded up the letter and put it in an envelope, Auric stepped inside. My stomach twisted at the sight of him lingering in the doorway as if he wasn’t sure he was truly welcome. He’d returned to his fine nobleman’s clothing, his face had been shaved, and his golden hair had been cut short again. He looked every inch the handsome prince that he was, even though I’d liked his rougher traveling look too. I suspected the true Auric was somewhere between the two extremes.

“Can we talk, Kira?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m just finishing up a letter to my friend Tash back in Stoneham. Would it be possible to have it delivered to her?”

“Of course.” He held out his palm and I set the letter in it. “I’ll send a messenger right away.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t help but notice how stiff we were around each other and didn’t like this new tension between us, even though I was still upset with him. “What did you want to talk about?”

His storm gray eyes stared into mine. “My engagement with Brin is over. We met with her parents this morning to make it official.”

I let out a long breath. “That’s a relief.”

“Yes. Everyone is quite upset with me, but I’ve never been a very dutiful son or prince, so it’s to be expected I guess. And soon we’ll be gone anyway.”

“When can we leave for the Air Temple?”

“Soon, but I need another day or two to appease my parents. My mother insists on throwing us a ball before we go.”

My eyebrows darted up and anxiety fluttered in my stomach. “A ball?”

“Yes, to celebrate my safe return, however short it may be, but you don’t need to worry. It will be drinking, dancing, and lots of food, and then we can leave for the Air Temple the next day.” He cleared his throat. “That is, if you still want me to go to the Air Temple with you.”

“I do,” I said without hesitation. Though I was upset with Auric, he was still the one I wanted as my mate. The second he’d walked into my room I’d known that for sure.

“Thank the Gods.” A smile lit up his face and he offered me his hand. “There’s somewhere I’d like to show you. Will you come with me?”

I took his hand and he led me out of my room, down the great staircase, and along a hallway, where we reached two double doors. As he threw one open, I gasped. Inside was the giant library I’d glimpsed in my dreams when I’d first seen Auric. Every wall was covered in shelves that were packed tight with books of all shapes and colors. I’d never seen so many books before in my life, as they were rare treasures in most of the places I’d lived before.

One wall held gigantic windows that looked out at the ocean in the distance, and Auric led me to a small sitting area in front of them.

“This room is gorgeous,” I said, as I sat on one of the plush couches.

Auric sat beside me on the same couch, our knees touching as he turned toward me. “It’s my favorite place in the palace, and where I usually spend most of my days.”

“I know. This is where I saw you in my dreams, though I only caught a few glimpses.” I gazed in awe at all the tall shelves. “I’m glad I got to see it in person.”

“Me too. I was nervous about coming to the palace, but I’m actually happy you met my family and saw my home, even if the circumstances could have been better. That’s my fault, I know.”

“I’m pleased I got to meet them too, although I doubt they will ever like me or accept me. And I’m still upset with you.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I should have told you long ago so that you knew what awaited us when we arrived in Stormhaven, and so you knew that the betrothal was not important to me.” He took my hands in his and gazed into my eyes. “You’re the one I love, Kira. From the moment we met I knew there would never be anyone else. I only hope you can forgive me for my mistakes. I never meant to lie to you or hurt you.”

My heart thumped faster in my chest at his words. “I know you didn’t, but it will still take some time for me to trust you again.”

“I can live with that, as long as you still want me to be your Golden Dragon?”

“I do, although I can’t help but question why you want the role. We come from such different lives. I’d managed to forget that while we were traveling, but being at the palace and meeting your family and Brin only showed me that maybe we don’t belong together.”

His brow furrowed. “Kira, you know I don’t care about any of that.”

I remembered the way the King and Queen had looked at me when Auric had said he wanted to be with me instead of Brin, and a hard pit formed in my stomach. “I’m a commoner. I’ve been poor and on the run most of my life. You’re a prince. Your family will never accept me.”

He squeezed my hands. “You may have started life as a commoner, but you’re going to be the Black Dragon. Someday you’ll be more powerful than any King or Queen.”

I yanked my hands away, my stomach twisting. “Is that why you want to be the Golden Dragon? For the power?”