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Cameron chuckled as if I’d told a funny joke. “Oh, sweetheart. Meetings with the council can take far longer, especially with all the information Samkiel has kept to himself.” His eyes roamed over me. Not in a way that made me feel uncomfortable, but to indicate that I was the information Samkiel had been keeping secret.
“They’re talking about me.” The words escaped before I knew I was going to speak them.
“That, among other things,” Xavier said, and I could tell by his tone that their discussions went deeper than just the recent destruction I had caused.
“How long have you been out here?” Cameron asked
I shrugged. “A few hours. Samkiel had shown me some trails when we went for a run. I got bored sitting at—” I bit the words off before I said home. “I got bored, so I went for a run.”
Cameron nodded and smirked again as if he knew what I’d been about to say.
“Exercising with Samkiel and surviving with no powers?” Xavier seemed surprised.
Cameron let out a low whistle, rocking back on his heels. “Gods, woman, you are impressive.”
I dropped my gaze. Impressive? Not in the least. Xavier must have picked up on my unease because he stepped before me, his voice soothing as he asked, “May I carry you, my lady?”
“My lady?” I snorted.
“Remember, she wants us to think she's a cold, emotionless monster, Xavi? Play along,” Cameron said, and I cut him a glare. Cameron's smile only grew a fraction wider.
Xavier shook his head, still waiting for my response. He was so kind, even after all the pain I’d caused Samkiel and The Hand. I didn’t deserve his kindness.
“No, I’ll be fine.” I went to step around him, but he stopped me by stepping into my path again.
“It is a very long walk, even for us, back to the palace. It would be easier to fly, especially with that twitch in your thigh.”
I glanced down at the slim black leggings that hid the bruise I knew was there.
How did he know?
Cameron stepped forward. “You might as well say yes. He won’t give up.”
Xavier smiled and offered me his broad hand. “I promise to be a complete gentleman.”
Kindness, when not deserved, was truly a mark of strength. I placed my hand in his, the warmth of his touch soothing. Calluses roughened his palm and fingers. Centuries of battles and swordplay had left their mark, but Xavier radiated a quiet strength that told you once you fell under his care, he would use every bit of his power to protect you. Only now, he used it to help a being who had been nothing but a burden to his family.
True kindness, true strength.
One swift motion and I was in his arms, one hand on my back, the other under my knees.
“Comfortable?”
I nodded, and Xavier, then Cameron, shot into the sky.
Fifty-Six
Dianna
It wasn’t until I was in the air that I realized how far away I was from the palace. It would have taken me another day and a half to return had I kept going.
Xavier set me down on the stone bridge.
“Okay, thanks for the ride, but you both can leave now.”
Cameron and Xavier shook their heads. Cameron had not stopped talking since they’d found me, and Xavier seemed to love every second of it.
“For the last time, no.” Cameron smiled at me before running a hand over his short, blonde hair and turning toward Xavier. “Ugh, you think he will fire me? He’s going to fire me. Look at her. Gods, what if he is waiting for us at the palace right now, and we show up with her looking like this?” He licked the pad of his thumb and aimed for the thick layer of dirt on my face.
