A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 57

Pretonas had somewhere along the lines become my home. The sweet air and purple flames were what enticed me, but the rich land and friendly people were what made me want to stay.

Arriving inside the palace of Utohia bombarded me with a wave of memories, that I was not too keen to relive. The air was dull and tasted of mud, while the fire that flickered in my old bed chambers beamed orange. The fire was still beautiful, but it was a terrifying reminder that we were no longer in Pretonas.

Delcallon's arms were still around me as we stepped out of his shadows and into my old room. The room I had used before I ran away to be the veiled rogue.

The room was grey and dark due to the curtains being pulled closed, the everything else remained untouched. Carian had clearly ensured no one else used my room. My heart twisted at the thought that maybe a part of him always hoped I would come back.

"I can never get over, coming to Utohia," Delcallon stated as he released me gently and pressed his fingers to his temple.

I looked up at him and cupped his face, "What is wrong?"

He looked down at me and sighed, "No one is able to block their minds here." He said with a faint smirk, "It takes me a few moments to adjust to being blasted with thoughts."

I faintly smiled as I looked up at him, "Poor King." I teased before releasing his face.

I looked over my room again and tried to trace over our plan for if this was a trap. Which is probably was, but I could not risk losing my brother.

Delcallon stepped through my room examining everything in it. He picked up a dagger that sat on my dresser and admired it before smiling at me.

"What?" I asked with a creased face.

He pulled open the dresser and began going through my clothes, "Let's see what the Princess Alinta wore before she became a Dragon." He taunted as he pulled out a dress.

He straightened out the light, and flowy dress and furrowed his eyebrows at me, "You wore dresses like this?" He purred.

"It was considered beautiful." I snapped as I strode towards him and pulled the dress away from him. "Glitter and heavy fabrics are a Pretonas fashion," I said with a high raised chin as I shoved the dress back into the drawer.

"I think I want to see you in those more often." He purred as he pointed to the dress in the cupboard.

I clicked my tongue at him, "Now I prefer leathers." I reminded him.

He bobbed his head and admired my attire. "I am very much aware." Only he could make a situation where we were being trapped, into something playful and flirtatious.

"You are scared," I stated with a voice that was stern and comforting. I strode towards him as I folded my arms over my chest.

"Do I look scared?" He shrugged with a faint smile.

I cupped his face, "No, you do not look scared." I whispered as I looked into his crystal-clear eyes, "But your heart is telling me the truth."

His eyes deepened as he looked down at me. His fingers wrapped around mine before pulling my hand towards his lips. "Do not be reckless." He asked with a soft tone that caused my heart to twist for him.

I chose the moment to do what I was good at, "When am I ever reckless." I taunted with a sarcastic grin.

He looked up at me through lowered lashes but managed a smile too.

Something inside of me knew there was not enough planning in the world to prepare for what would unfold today. But I would not be able to live with myself if I found out Carian had been hurt or killed, knowing I had the power to intervene.