His fingers drummed idly on the stack of papers. “The Magisters are very aware of how some of our mages abuse their power, pressuring our fae wards into… arrangements. This is your choice—we would never condone coercion.”
Araya swallowed hard, her pulse thundering in her ears. It was a trap—laid with silk instead of steel, but a trap all the same. This was the price of escaping the fate that other females suffered.
“No,” she said. “I—I’m accepting. I was just… surprised. Jaxon and I haven’t spoken since he left for Elvanfal.”
“I’m afraid that may have been my fault,” Garrick’s expression softened, and for a heartbeat Araya saw a flash of Jaxon in him.
“I’ll admit, I was less than thrilled by his interest in you during his apprenticeship.” Garrick’s lips twitched, leaving no doubt in Araya’s mind that he knew exactly what that interest had entailed. “I had him assigned to Elvanfal to give you the chance to make your own decision. It was the fairest thing to do, given the circumstances.”
Araya stared at him, words failing her. He said it like breaking her heart had been some sort of calculated kindness. Did he know how lost she had been? How hurt? She didn’t doubt it—after all, he knew everything else about her.
“But he was determined, so I followed your career—You’ve truly proven yourself these past years, Araya.” Garrick smiled, ignoring her turmoil. “It’s an excellent match for you. Jaxon is a highly regarded Commander, on track to become a Magister himself. His children will have position—power. Names that open doors you’ve never even seen."
Araya nodded numbly, biting the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood.
“You will, of course, cease visiting the fae slums,” Garrick continued, picking his papers back up and shuffling through them. “Your duties to Jaxon come first. Your place is by his side. In his bed. Not tending to the less fortunate.”
“Of course,sir,” she said, her voice wooden as the words settled over her like chains. “I understand.”
“Good,” he said, settling back against the bench with a satisfied smile. “I’ll make it official then—” he glanced at his son as the door swung open and Jaxon stepped back into the carriage. “Congratulations, Jaxon.”
Jaxon grinned, his triumphant gaze landing on Araya as he offered her his hand, his grip firm and possessive as he helped her to her feet. “I knew she’d make the right decision.”
“Araya, it was a pleasure to meet you,” Garrick said as Jaxon helped her to the ground. “Enjoy your Dominion Day.”
“Thank you, sir,” Araya murmured, dipping her head as the carriage rolled away into the night.
Jaxon’s arm coiled around her waist, his fingers pressing into her hip. “Relax,” he murmured, his lips brushing the scarred edge of her ear. “That was the hard part.”
“Was it?” Araya asked, her heart still pounding with adrenaline. “What happens now?”
Jaxon chuckled, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple. “Now we celebrate, Starling.”
Chapter
Three
Garrick had assignedJaxon to Elvanfal—because of her.
The revelation sat in the hollow of Araya’s stomach as Jaxon guided her through the crowd, his hand warm against the small of her back. Did he even know thatshewas the reason he’d been stationed there?
She wanted to ask him. Needed to. But she couldn’t seem to catch her breath.
While the streets around the Aetherium had been wild with noise and color, this district pulsed with quiet opulence. Garlands laced with gold shimmered in the light of the aetherlamps. Couples and small groups of well-dressed humans gathered around tall tables, drinks in hand, their heads turning as Araya passed them.
The whispers trailed her like shadows, countless eyes catching on her bright hair and clipped ears.That’s one of them, someone hissed to their companion.Look at her eyes?—
Araya fought the instinct to turn tail and run. She didn’t belong here. Not with these people. Not tonight. Not ever.
“Breathe, Starling,” Jaxon murmured, his lips brushing her ear. “We’re almost there.”
Araya started to nod—but then she saw wheretherewas.
“Jaxon—” She stopped short, heels scraping against the cobblestone as she dragged them both to a halt. “That’s the Gilded Lily. I can’t go in there.”
“You can with me,” Jaxon said, without a hint of hesitation.
She stared at the golden doors, heart pounding. The Gilded Lily was more than just a bar—it was a monument to human supremacy that catered to the most elite human mages. Deals were struck there. Futures decided. Names erased.
