Everly~
The next twenty four hours were full of planning and prepping for anything that King Ragnar might have in store for me. We must have discussed two dozen different scenarios, some mild and others horrific.
"Seems a bit absurd to wear this." I said as I glanced at myself in the mirror.
"You look like an angel." Ronan said without smiling, giving me a light kiss on the top of the head as he passed by me with bags in hand.
"Exactly." I drawled.
We spoke very little as Talon and Ronan loaded the saddle bags of their atarax.
"Where's Kaes?" I asked, scanning the area for his dark silhouette.
"Already left. He tends to be a guest of honor at these gatherings." Talon muttered.
That didn't exactly surprise me. I expected to see Kaes rubbing elbows with the elite and powerful. It seemed fitting.
Ronan's mind was humming with activity, but it was muddled as if he was shielding me from it. His scowl was firmly in place as he placed me atop his atarax and mounted behind me.
"Don't be afraid." Ronan said calmly.
"I'm not afraid." I countered, swallowing hard and lifting my chin as if to convince myself of my words.
Reaching around me, Ronan pulled my chin toward him. I looked up at him over my shoulder as he held my gaze.
"Don't ever lie to me again." He scolded.
Giving him a nod, I pressed my cheek against his hand and felt his thumb gently stroke my cheek. He would never say it, but the feeling of fear was mutually stirring up and down the bond.
Without another word, Ronan gave a firm kick to the beast beneath us causing it to gallop to the clearing and leap into the sky, spreading its massive bat-like wings. Ronan held me tightly in place against his chest as his body enveloped mine.
It was almost peaceful for a few minutes as he soared toward the rising sun in the distance. Part of me wondered if it would be the last sunrise I'd ever see.
That sort of thinking isn't helpful.
Forgetting that my temporary despair wasn't just my own, I took in a deep breath and quieted my thoughts.
So many things could go wrong today.
And we are prepared for each and every one of them.
I wanted to believe him, but I knew there was something sinister waiting for us in that arena. There was no way King Ragnar would allow me to simply heal someone in front of his guests and then return home unscathed. He would require more from me, but no one knew how much more.
Once we landed, we were greeted by a group of king's guards who instantly wanted to separate us. That much we had anticipated.
"Everly is to be escorted to the arena gates." One of the guards stated, reaching for my arm, but Ronan interceded on my behalf.
He caught the guard by the wrist before he could make contact with my skin.
"Do. Not. Touch. Her." Ronan growled, fiercely enunciating each word.
The guard knew better than to challenge Ronan by his status and size alone. Giving Ronan a compliant nod of his head, the guard retreated, pulling his hand away from mine.
"The King has requested your presence in the general's box."
"I know where it is." Ronan snapped, having attended events at the arena before.
