Chapter 33 The Theft
Elara's POV
"Elara?" Drakon whispered, his golden eyes staring at me in the darkness. "What are you doing under my desk?"
My mind went blank. Then words tumbled out.
"I...I wanted to surprise you!" I scrambled out from under the desk, my face burning. "I couldn't sleep and thought you might be working late, so I came to find you, but then I heard footsteps and panicked and hid because I thought it might be guards and..."
"Slow down." Drakon held up his hand. "You wanted to surprise me?"
"Yes." The lie came easier now. "I've barely seen you all day. I just... I missed you."
It wasn't completely a lie. I did miss him. That made it worse.
Drakon's face melted into a smile. "You missed me?"
"Of course I did."
"It's wonderful. I've been so worried about everything, the invasion threats, Thorne's suspicions, the attacks. I thought you might be pulling away from me."
Guilt crashed over me. "Never."
"Good." He kissed my forehead. "Because I don't think I could handle losing you right now."
The mating bond pulsed between us, warm and golden. Getting stronger. Soon it would sense my lies.
"Did you find what you came here for?" Drakon asked.
My heart stopped. "What?"
"Did you find me?" He smiled. "Since that's why you came?"
"Oh. Yes. I found you." Relief flooded through me.
"Well, I'm glad." Drakon glanced at his desk. "Though I should get back to work. Guard positions, patrol schedules, defense maps..."
The maps. The ones I'd been sent to steal.
They were sitting right there in the leather tube against the wall.
"You work too hard," I said quickly. "Can't it wait until morning?"
"I wish it could. But with soldiers sneaking into our borders..." He stopped. "Wait. How did you get into my study? The door was locked."
My stomach dropped. "I... um..."
"And why would you hide if you heard footsteps?" Drakon's expression grew suspicious. "Why not wait by the door?"
"I told you, I panicked."
"Elara." His voice was gentle but firm. "Tell me the truth. Why are you really here?"
The truth. He was asking for the truth.
I could tell him everything right now. About Sir Marcus. About Queen Morgana's threats. About Lily.
This was my chance.
But then I remembered the letter. "If he exposes you, your sister dies. Slowly. Painfully."
"I couldn't sleep," I said, hating myself. "I've been having nightmares about the attack. I got scared being alone, so I came looking for you."
Drakon's suspicion melted. "Why didn't you say so?" He pulled me into a hug. "You should have sent for me."
"I didn't want to bother you."
"You're never a bother." He held me tight.
Over his shoulder, I could see the leather tube with the maps. Still waiting to be stolen.
I had failed. Sir Marcus would be furious. Queen Morgana would hurt Lily.
Unless I found another way.
"Drakon," I said softly. "Can I stay here while you work? I just... I don't want to be alone right now."
"Of course." He led me to a chair by the fireplace. "I'll just be a few minutes reviewing these documents."
I curled up in the chair, watching him return to his desk.
The leather tube stood against the wall behind him.
All I had to do was wait until he was distracted. Then grab it and slip out.
Simple. Easy.
Horrible.
Drakon glanced up and smiled. "Thank you for being here. It helps knowing you're close."
Tears burned my eyes. "I'm glad I came."
He went back to his papers. His guard was completely down. He trusted me absolutely.
This was my moment.
I stood up slowly. "Actually, I think I left something in the hallway. I'll be right back."
"All right." Drakon didn't even look up.
I walked toward the door. Passed the leather tube against the wall.
My hand reached out. Fingers touched the leather.
One quick grab. That's all it would take.
Drakon rustled papers at his desk, unaware.
I wrapped my fingers around the tube.
"Elara?"
I froze. My hand still on the tube.
"Yes?" My voice came out strangled.
"I'm sorry I've been so distant lately." Drakon looked up with those golden eyes full of warmth. "With everything happening, I haven't had time to just be with you."
"It's okay. You're busy."
"No, it's not okay." He stood and crossed to me. "You're my true mate. You should be my priority."
He was standing right next to me now. Right next to where my hand gripped the stolen maps.
If he looked down, he'd see.
"Let's take tomorrow off," Drakon continued. "No council meetings. No war planning. Just you and me. We'll fly together. Talk."
"That sounds wonderful," I whispered.
Drakon cupped my face in his hands. "I'm falling in love with you more every day, Elara. You're the one bright spot in all this darkness."
Then he kissed me.
The mating bond exploded between us. Golden light filled the room briefly. Warmth flooded through my body.
And I felt something shift.
The bond was getting stronger. Much stronger.
When Drakon pulled back, his eyes were wide. "Did you feel that?"
"Yes."
"The bond is growing faster than expected." He looked concerned. "Faye said two weeks. But that felt like... like it's already halfway there."
My heart sank. "What does that mean?"
"It means in less than a week, we'll be able to feel each other's emotions all the time. Sense when the other is lying." He smiled. "It's wonderful. Isn't it?"
"Yes," I lied. "Wonderful."
But inside, I was screaming.
Less than a week before the bond would expose all my lies and shatter.
Drakon kissed me again, then returned to his desk. "Get some rest. I'll walk you back to your chambers soon."
I nodded and sat back down.
The leather tube with the maps still stood against the wall.
I'd failed to steal it tonight.
But Sir Marcus would demand I try again.
And next time, I might not be able to refuse.