I rolled over. “I’m listening.”
“Thyra and I were talking—she wants to get closer.”
“That’s good. You’ve wanted that too.” Who wouldn’t? As a twin myself, I understood that special bond. They were a part of you that no one else could have or understand. Not even a mate.
“We’re going to work on our relationship, and that does make me very happy.” Neve chewed on her plump lower lip. “But she brought you up too.”
“How so?”
“Your family. I told her I’d never harm Saga, and I don’t want to see your mother harmed either. Rhistel, well, I despise him, but I understand if you want to spare him from death, though he’ll be punished in other ways for the wrongs he’s committed, and not just against me. Thyra knows all that, and she can understand those feelings as well. They don’t rule the kingdom, after all. Mostly it’s your relationship to the king that has Thyra worried.”
Right, that. I’d imagined I might be an issue for Thyra. As the realm knew me as the son of King Magnus, she’d expect certain actions from me.
“Do you wish for me to expose myself now?” I asked. I planned to, soon. Planned to tell the realm that I was a bastard. The declaration would be freeing in a way, but it would also hurt Rhistel, which conflicted my heart even if I knew it was unavoidable.
“Not until you’re ready, but Thyra wanted me to make sure you were willing to see the king’s downfall.”
“You know I am. He’s not a good king. For a while, I convinced myself that he was trying, but now I no longer think that. And he’s had ample time to prove himself. Plus, you’re my mate. No one is more important than you.”
“What if he has todie, Vale? What if I, or Thyra, have to do it?”
Her words made the hair on my arms stand up. We’d spoken of dethroning the king many times. I supported that change for the kingdom. Somehow though, I’d always thought of him imprisoned. Perhaps that he’d die in battle—for once we took a fight to him, the king would surely fight with his soldiers.
“Or what if you do it, Vale. What then?” Neve looked away, as if she couldn’t believe she’d said such a thing.
Silence filled the room for long minutes. Outside an owl hooted, probably one of the creatures roosting inside the cursed castle. Her question ran through my mind over and over, until I couldn’t deny my answer. Or her.
“I don’t want to kill him. In my opinion, the best warriors don’t hunger for blood but for peace. To protect, and one day even put down their weapons.” I swallowed. “And to become a kinslayer is to be cursed in the eyes of the stars and all fae. I do not want that either.”
Even my father sidestepped that fate when he took the throne. He’d had the Falks executed, but not by his own hands.
“I hope that if the king dies, it’s by another hand. But if he goes after you or anyone I love, believe me when I say that Iwillfight him. I will defend you and our friends. And yes, I would do it to the death.”
“And me?” she pressed again. “Would you blame me if his death fell to me?”
“No,” I replied honestly. Neve, as much as she despisedmy father and rightfully so, wouldn’t kill him just to do so. She preferred imprisoning him.
An exhale parted her luscious lips. “Thank the stars.”
“Were you truly worried?” My hand landed on her hip and ran lightly up and down. Whenever she was in distress, I craved two things: to solve her problem and to touch her.
“Somewhat? I don’t know, but it’s better to be certain. If his death, in any manner, would harm you, I’d do my best to prevent it.”
I stared at my mate, loving that after all she’d been through, she still cared so much for others. Perhaps it wasbecauseof all she’d been through, but not everyone was that way.
Some would live a harsh life and blame the world. They’d claim that others owed them, and they did not care that others would be hurt by their actions. Neve wanted revenge on the male I’d called my father for most of my life, there was no doubt about that, and yet she cared about my feelings in the matter. I had no doubt that if my sister was here, she’d ask Saga too.
Rhistel, likely not.
Thinking, even so briefly, of my brother reminded me of the time he’d sought to kiss my wife. We hadn’t known that we were mates then, but I’d nearly beaten Rhistel to death forattemptingto taste her lips. I’d almost become a kinslayer then.
Despite the lack of any threat, a sense of possessiveness rose in me, and I slid my arms around Neve and pulled her closer so that we shared breath. Her eyes widened for a heartbeat, followed by a delicious curving of her lips.
“I’d not thought such talk would turn you on, mate.”
“I’ve been thinking of time alone together all day.”
“Stars, that is a long time to be in suspense,” she purred. “You looked so very handsome at the party.” Lightly, she trailed a line of kisses along my jaw, making me groan with pleasure.
