He didn’t have to add anything.Everyone around the table knew what he was hinting at.
They didn’t know who would come back and who wouldn’t.If everything went well, they all would, and Carlyle would be dead by tomorrow, but it would be a small miracle if that was how things went.Meyer had only faced Carlyle once before that he remembered, and he’d ended up with a broken leg.It had been easily healed, but only because he’d been lucky.
Jarvis was already on the phone while the others were drifting toward the people they cared about.Ansley and Parker were huddled together, with Matthias hovering close by.Marlow had already left the room, no doubt to find his son.Meyer turned to Bennett since he was his best friend, but he wasn’t surprised to see that Bennett had pulled Penley into his arms and was whispering something to him.
Meyer swallowed.He and Tyne had grown closer, and he wanted to think they shared feelings, but Tyne was focused on finding Carlyle.Meyer was sure that his mage had work to do, and he didn’t want to make Tyne uncomfortable or take him away from something important.
When Dallin and Sol left the dining room, clearly intent on spending time alone, Meyer followed.He didn’t stay in the castle, though.Instead, he headed outside to one of the courtyards.
He flopped onto the closest bench and tilted his head to look at the sky.It was blue, with no clouds in sight.It seemed too beautiful a day for someone to die, but by tomorrow, things would be different.He could only pray that all the people he cared about would still be standing.
“You left.”
Meyer blinked at the sound of Tyne’s voice.He looked at the mage who was coming toward him as if it was completely normal.Just a few weeks ago, it wouldn’t have been.Tyne would have headed to his office, as far away from Meyer as possible, and he’d have stayed there until they were ready to leave.
“I didn’t want to bother anyone,” Meyer explained.
Tyne frowned.“I’m sure Bennett has time for you.”
“I don’t want to take him away from Penley.They should spend the next few hours together.”
“Do you think we should do the same?”
That sounded like a trick question.Was Meyer supposed to answer truthfully, or was he supposed to tell Tyne what he thought the mage wanted to hear?That was a problem because Meyer had no idea what Tyne wanted to hear.Even though the bond thrummed between them, it didn’t speak.It just told Meyer that he and Tyne were linked.Meyer would have to guess if he wanted to give Tyne what he needed.
He did.
* * * *
TYNE WAS RUNNING OUTof time.He was glad that they were finally about to face Carlyle for the last time, but going tonight meant that he wouldn’t have time with Meyer.It meant he couldn’t take the space he needed to wrap his mind around everything that had happened over the past few days.
He’d given Meyer a chance.He still didn’t know whether or not it had been a good idea, but he might never find out.He couldn’t even think about the possibility of something happening to Meyer, but he also couldn’t avoid facing the truth.Meyer had already been hurt twice while facing Carlyle.There was a good chance he’d be hurt again, and if not him, Tyne.They were all in danger, and this might be the last time Tyne had the possibility of talking to his dragon.
He couldn’t think like that.They were going to defeat Carlyle, and all of them would be alive by the time he was dead.Tyne would have to be fast, but he’d already decided he would be the one to kill Carlyle.
He couldn’t leave the task to Jarvis when Jarvis had been so close to Carlyle.He could have left it to Emory, but while Emory deserved to be the one to kill the mage who had tortured him so badly, Tyne didn’t feel they could risk him hesitating.Emory had been in love with Carlyle for a long time.He might hate him now, but they’d still shared those feelings, and there was no way to know if Emory would be capable of ignoring them.
Tyne dropped onto the bench next to Meyer.He was silent as he tried to gather his thoughts.He was here for a reason, but even though he knew that he didn’t have a choice, he was still scared.
“I know you want to talk about what happened between us,” he said eventually.
“We don’t have to if you’re not ready.”
Tyne snorted.“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.I’ve been telling myself for so many years that I didn’t feel anything for you.”
“For Peyton.”
“For Peyton,” Tyne agreed.“I was still angry when I met you.When I think about what Peyton did, I still am.I’ll always be hurt by what happened.”
“But you know I’m not Peyton.”
Tyne desperately wanted to turn and look at Meyer, but he was also terrified of what he’d see if he did.“I know you’re not,” he confirmed.“And I would have known that sooner if I’d allowed you close.”
“I don’t blame you for not wanting to talk to me.You did eventually, and I’m fine with that.”
“You know how much Peyton hurt me.I’m sorry I held that against you, but I’m done.If we both survive this, if we both make it back to the castle, I want to give us a chance.”
“Us?”Meyer sounded hesitant, almost as if he was afraid he’d spook Tyne.
