Heir to Dreams and Darkness: A thrilling and spicy MM fantasy romance (Court of Broken Bonds Book 3) by Ben Alderson

Author:Ben Alderson [Alderson, Ben]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Sky
Published: 2024-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

‘I have done something to upset you.’ Simion had held those words in all the way to Galloway Forest’s border, practically boiling over with the need to say it. They had burst out of him as he dismounted Erinda, before his feet even hit the ground. ‘And do not offer me some bullshit excuse or tell me everything is fine.’

I leaned into Inyris, thankful for my dragon’s support. ‘It isn’t you, it’s me⁠—’

‘By the dryads, Max.’ He was before me in seconds, soft hands grasping mine, brows furrowed over tired eyes. ‘Please, anything but that. Talk to me, give me the chance to make whatever I have done right again.’

Simion had not voiced it aloud, but he knew I was keeping him out of my mind for a reason.

‘You haven’t done anything.’

He hadn’t; this was all on me. But how could I tell him the truth, knowing I was going to betray him?

‘Talk to me. Please.’

Behind me, the forest creaked in the winds, trees celebrating my arrival with song. The dryads Simion had just blasphemed, watching from the shadows. I couldn’t come out and explain to Simion what I was hiding. Oh, by the way, I need you to willingly give me that crown so I can personally hand it over to the demoness who wishes to ruin the world, on the off chance she spares us?

It was better he didn’t know.

‘Not yet.’ Two words, it was all I could muster. I couldn’t begin to explain what Lilyth had wedged between us. It was not only the lying, but the images of Simion being pleasured by an illusion of her creation. It sickened me. To my core.

Simion’s shoulders fell forward, his chin dropping to his chest. ‘I am going to ask one thing of you, Maximus. If I am to stop tormenting myself, at least promise me it is for a good reason. I need to hear you say it.’

‘I promise. And I need you to trust me.’ Even if I don’t trust myself.

That stopped him. ‘I always do.’

‘Then you will allow me to do what I need to protect this world.’

‘Yes,’ Simion said, flustered, fingers slowly falling from mine. ‘But remember this is our world, not solely yours. We do it together.’

And yet Lilyth had made the bargain with me. That had to be for a reason.

‘Can I stay with you tonight?’ My question was meant to distract him, and it did. ‘Leska snores, and, not only that, but my body has grown used to sleeping beside you. Last night was…’

‘Torturous?’ Simion answered for me. ‘Yes, of course. I trust you know where to find me?’

The Mad Queen, the tavern Simion had practically grown up in. ‘Always.’

There was still a distance wedged between us, but we had to overcome it. Even if this was tricking Simion. Even if the thought of what I had to do sickened me to my core.

Simion’s chin jutted towards Galloway Forest. ‘It looks like we have a visitor.’

I turned, following his gaze, and found a dryad stood beyond the forest’s treeline.

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