Chapter 9

Delbin leaned against the window frame and stared into the forest. It was so strange here after a century in the human world, especially in modern times. No rush of cars on roads, no shouts—none of the countless noises of life that made their own human symphony. Sometimes, he’d catch an echo of a voice or a child’s laughter from the ground below his tower window. Mostly there was only the hissing of leaves brushing together in the breeze, birdsong, and the chittering of small forest creatures.

Somehow, Earth forests never seemed so still.

He’d done nothing but stare outside in the hour since he’d been shown to his room, a round chamber beneath Ralan’s. The guard, Kera, had said Lyr’s bonded had stayed here for a brief time after her arrival. A lady from Alfheim, home of the light elves. Delbin grinned. He knew a couple of pagans who’d lose their shit if they met one of the Ljósálfar of Norse legend. Not that the humans knew what Delbin truly was. He’d trusted no one with that.

He settled his forehead against the window frame and closed his eyes. What was he going to do? Delbin had longed for home for so many years, but now that he was here, it felt foreign. Yet the human world wasn’t really better. He could never let anyone too close without fearing they’d discover the truth about him. Humans couldn’t get past their own tiny differences. What chance did elves have of living an open, peaceful life on Earth?

None.

A knock sounded. Delbin shoved away from the window and spun to face the door. He sent out a delicate mental probe to see who was there and then cursed to find Ralan’s shield inhibiting his powers. Great. With a scowl, Delbin marched to the door and jerked it open. Inona’s stunned face greeted him.

“Is it a bad time?” she asked.

Delbin ran his hand through his hair and forced himself to settle. “Not really. I’m just on edge right now. And tired of feeling helpless.”

She canted her head. “Helpless?”

“Why don’t you come in?” Delbin asked instead of answering. No need for an audience if anyone happened to be nearby.

Though Inona peered at him curiously, she shrugged and strode into the room. She waited until he’d closed the door to speak. “Is there some kind of secret?”

“Nah. Just my own embarrassment.” Delbin gave a sheepish smile. “I was annoyed because of Ralan’s shield around me. I feel like I have no control over myself. Like a kid whose parents don’t want him to cause mischief with his magic.”

“Ralan seems like a good judge of character.”

Delbin’s mouth dropped. Was that some kind of dig? Her expression held no sign of humor. “One hundred and sixteen might be young yet, but I promise you I—”

“Oh, stop,” Inona said. Then she started laughing. “That was too easy.”

“You—” He snapped his mouth closed. Inona was teasing him? Yeah, he needed to take advantage of that. “Ah well, you might be old, but you brought my troublemaking self here. I guess you can’t say much.”

She tapped her foot. “Old? I’m four hundred and eighty-nine, not five thousand.”

“Wow, over three hundred years older than I am.” Delbin grinned. “I can’t believe I’m attracted to someone so ancient.”

Her expression went blank at his words, and he realized what he’d just confessed.

Damn.

A strange blend of hope and fear froze Inona in place. He was truly attracted to her? Gods, she wanted nothing more than to act on that. But Delbin might not return to Moranaia for good. She couldn’t fall for someone else who would have to leave, even if it would be willing this time.

“I can’t stand uncertainty,” she whispered.

Delbin rubbed the back of his neck. “What? Where did that come from?”

“I’ve had my own trouble with upheaval.” Inona let out a sigh. Should she reveal the whole sad truth? “I want to get to know you better, but with your life so uncertain, I’m not sure I should.”

Delbin stared, face slack with shock. Then he ran his hand through his hair again, leaving the blond strands tumbled in disarray. “Did someone hurt you?”

“He wasn’t my soulbonded, but I loved him,” Inona found herself confessing. She swiped at her suddenly wet cheeks, and her face heated at the show of weakness. “We’d only been together for a couple of years when a feud started with a neighboring estate. Keth was a minor lord, his holdings small, but he had ambition. Against orders, he retaliated against the other family in hopes of consolidating power.”

Delbin’s brow rose. “Just like that?”

“It really did seem to be out of nowhere.” She lowered her gaze. “To this day, I don’t know why he chose such a thing. Although I suppose he was never the same after his mother’s death.”

Delbin stepped closer and brought his hands to her shoulders. “You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

Inona’s eyes shot up. “I—”

“I mean it,” he said. “I know what it’s like to look back and wonder. But I’ve been in enough minds to know that there’s no changing people. Even when you can control them, coerce them. In the end, only they can change themselves.”

Her lips twisted. “Not something Keth seemed interested in. Gods, what a mess that was. After his exile, I spent a solid decade wandering Moranaia. It was a while before life felt solid again.”

“Inona…” Delbin slid his hands down her arms and twined his fingers with hers. “I get it. I do. But I suppose I’m too used to being around humans. I’ve seen so many of them live and die in such a short space of time, and it’s taught me to take happiness where I can. If you’re not interested, I understand, but I’d hate to lose this chance to be with you.”

Could it be that simple? She’d held on to so much hurt for so long, forever cautious of those around her. Yet here she was, caught in the middle of a royal plot with a man she would have dismissed as a criminal. Maybe it was time to let go, at least a little.

Suddenly, Delbin smirked. “Hey, don’t forget I could get offed by Kien. I’d at least like to have dinner with you first.”

An unexpected laugh slipped free. “I suppose we can do that.”

Delbin tugged her closer, and she let herself settle against him. As his arms wrapped around her waist, he gave a questioning glance. Inona stared into his eyes for a moment and then nodded. Yes. Even their long lives were too short to squander happiness.

He lowered his head, and his lips brushed hers. Soft and tentative as an early spring breeze. Inona’s eyes slid closed, and her sigh mingled with his breath. It was bliss to be held like this, a luxury she rarely allowed herself. It was time she allowed herself more. Her hands slid to his cheeks as she rose up.

And took the kiss deeper.

When Inona finally pulled away, they were both out of breath. Delbin eyed the bed and bit back a groan. Nope. No way she was ready for that. Hell, he didn’t know if he was. He closed his eyes and lowered his forehead to hers. So much in his life was uncertain, but he was sure of one thing. He wanted to get to know Inona better.

He found a slow smiled curving his lips as he leaned back to meet her gaze. “Do you think we’ll be able to stay out of trouble long enough for that dinner?”

She chuckled. “After the kind of day we’ve had, I’m not taking a guess.”

A knock sounded at the door, and Delbin stifled a curse. Once again, he couldn’t scan the person on the other side. Normally, he’d have seen if he could ignore the knock and follow the urge to kiss Inona again. Annoying shielding.

He marched to the door and jerked it open, only to find a scowling Ralan on the other side. “I’m rather occupied,” Delbin said.

“I can tell,” the prince replied sharply. “I’d appreciate if you’d stop projecting.”

Delbin’s frown deepened. “What are you talking about? You have me locked down.”

“From everyone but me,” Ralan grumbled. His expression would have been amusing if Delbin wasn’t so annoyed. “It’s my shield, so there’s a link. Cut it out.”

Delbin stared at the prince for a moment. Then humor won out over annoyance, and he laughed. “Sorry.”

“I can see how sympathetic you feel,” Ralan said, though his expression had lightened.

“I suppose we should get to work.” Delbin glanced back at Inona. “After dinner.”

Ralan waved a hand, and a smile twisted his lips. “I suppose I’ll be generous. I’ll get back to you later.”

As the prince departed, Delbin turned back to Inona. He felt somehow lighter, as though the darkness of his brother’s betrayal, a brother he’d never even had the chance to know, had been at least a little counteracted. There was pain, but there was also hope. He had no idea what would happen when he helped Ralan hunt down Kien—whether the prince wanted him there are not.

But for the moment, Delbin was alive. The future would tend to itself.