“I don’t have anything to do here that can’t be done by any one of these available guards,” he states, interrupting his father. He holds Nox’s gaze, determination set in his features. “I’d be happy to help.”
I reach up and lay my palm against Nox’s cheek, directing his attention to me. “That is a good idea. Let Daje help.”He has already proven that he is loyal in protecting me,goes unspoken between us.
Nox turns to kiss my palm as his brows draw together. “I will be up as soon as I’m done here.” He leans in, his lips grazing my ear gently, and whispers, “This is not your fault, Rhea.”
My eyes close as I force air into my lungs. I logicallyknowthat it isn’t, yet the guilt… It still has a home within me. Like some long-buried weed that keeps coming back no matter how many times I try to squash it.
“I love you.”
“I love you,” I promise, kissing him lightly on his lips before pulling back.
Nox turns to Daje, absolute resolve coloring his voice. “Wait until you hear from me.”
Daje nods, and with one last glance at me, Nox joins his father, the two men conversing in quiet voices with Cass and Sadryn’s guard at their side. I don’t look at Councilman Kallin as we turn to leave, not in the mood to see his scowl turned on me. Daje and I climb the stairs back up to the third floor where Barron is waiting on the landing.
“Barron, can I ask a favor of you?”
“Of course, My Lady,” he answers, his hands clasping behind his back as his brows draw low over his eyes.
“If you hear any updates, will you let us know? I have a feeling Prince Nox will be busy for the rest of the night, and I know it’s ridiculous given who he is, but I’m worried for him.” I’m only now realizing that I never offered Nox the same assurance he gave me—that this wasn’thisfault either. That we are both trapped within the snare of an absolute monster.
Barron’s expression eases into understanding. “Of course. I’ll check in periodically, but try not to worry, Lady Rhea. Ibelieve that His Highness is strong enough to protect the entire kingdom if it truly came down to it.”
I offer him a grateful smile before leading Daje down the quiet hall, the hairs on the back of my neck rising. We enter the sitting room, the space now seeming too dim with Daje in it. I carefully wrap my magic around one of the spelled flames and carry a part of it over to another sconce, repeating the motion twice more so the entire sitting room glows in golden light. I remember when I first saw Nox do such a thing, how incredible it was to watch him control the flames and wonder if I might ever be able to do the same.
“You’ve gotten good at controlling your magic,” Daje muses, taking a seat on the navy-colored couch and stretching his legs out in front of him.
I shrug, sitting in the leather armchair across from him as I grab the fabric of the cape attached to my dress and wrap it around myself. “It’s not anything any of you guys can’t do.” My gaze travels over his own fancy attire, his tunic one of emerald green with bronze-colored detailing. Dark brown trousers and black dress shoes accentuate his look. “Sorry you got pulled from the festivities,” I offer with a slight wince.
Daje laughs, running a hand over the top of his head. “It’s alright. I was all but done for the evening anyway when…” He tapers off, gesturing to the door.When Tienne’s body was found.I grip on to the cape more tightly. “You knew her?”
I contemplate not answering or even lying, but he already knows I’m from the Mortal Kingdom. Any other details pale in comparison to that larger secret. “I did. She was very kind to me after something tragic happened.” My throat tightens at the onslaught of memories—at the sights and sounds and smells embedded within them. “I worry who else might suffer because I’m here.”
“Why does he want you back so badly? Is he aware that you have magic?”
“He wasn’t until the night Nox helped me escape,” I answer, avoiding his other question. But Daje quirks a brow, clearly wanting me to explain further. My lips flutter before I turn my gaze to one of the spelled flames. “He was in love with my mother, and she married his brother instead. He thinks I’m his second chance, I guess.”
“Second chance at what?” It’s my turn to give him an arch look, hoping that I don’t actually have to say the words out loud. Daje’s brows furrow together for a moment before they rise impossibly high on his forehead, making a sullen chuckle leave me. “But you’re his—”
“Niece. Yes, I know.”
“Gods,” he says in shock, disgust layered in there as well. “And Nox saved you?”
“He did.” Understanding seems to dawn within him as he turns his body so he’s lying back on the couch, his arms crossed under his head. I draw my legs up onto the chair, settling further into it. “I’m happy he apologized to you,” I divulge as a yawn escapes me.
Daje shakes his head, his gaze on the ceiling above us. “He didn’t have to. I know what it feels like—that need to do everything you can to protect someone.” He opens his mouth like he wants to say more but then shuts it, letting the words hang there.
I decide not to pry about his relationship with Bahira, instead reaching out for one of the pieces of smooth dragon stone Nox left on the table. The circular, flat black rock is cool in my hand, and I rotate it over and over again as nervous energy makes me fidget in the silence.
I blow out a shaky breath as the memories of Tienne unravel in my mind. The pressure grows behind my eyes, and I squeezethem shut to keep the moisture locked there. Another kind person caught in the destruction of my uncle’s sick plans.I warned you. I knew he was capable of such atrocities, but a part of me hoped he might eventually realize that his attempts were futile. It feels selfish to think that way—to minimize the deaths of Immie and Tienne to nothing more than just endeavors enacted by King Dolian to try and get me back to the Mortal Kingdom.
“I’m sure it won’t be much longer,” he says, noting my anxiousness without even looking at me. Quiet falls once again as we wait for word from Nox.
Chapter Seventy-Seven: Rhea
Daje has taken topacing the room, his boots tapping on the wooden floor in front of the door. He almost fell asleep on the couch, which would have been fine with me, but he insisted on staying awake until Nox was here.
“Any idea how long we’ve been up here?” I ask, my magic glowing white in my hand as I infuse it into another stone. Though my thoughts are scattered between Nox and Tienne and what else my uncle may be doing, I try to focus enough intention into my magic to make the stone stay glowing.
