Sabien has made it too easy to keep my promise today. He’ll never hear my thanks on the matter.
“Agreed.”Ryc’s reply is swift.
“Thank you for your time, we’ll find another way to reach Ylara,” Ryc says, using the same austere tone I’ve heard him use with the council.
Sabien sighs. “You’re making a mistake. We have the opportunity to sunset this era and dawn the next.” He takes a couple steps backward. “The offer stands until tomorrow at dawn.”
With a few more steps he sinks into the darkness.
“Rose, see our guests out.”
Our vampire guide emerges from the darkness, a pretty smile upon her face. Chestnut brown hair, heart-shaped face…
Rose…
“I tried to warn him the council will never have him,” she says as she approaches. “I spent centuries listening to that lot and I’m thankful to be away from it.”
RoseGrayflame.
I stare at the fae, wide-eyed as she stops before me, gesturing with an open palm toward the doors behind Ryc and me.
How did I miss it before?
The resemblance to Tanila is clear, especially in this light.
“It’s been near a century since I’ve lost her and I have yet to put her to rest.”Rowen’s words weren’tmetaphorical, they wereliteral.
Rowen isn’t in mourning.
He’s beenhuntinghisturnedmate.
Fate isn’t simply cruel.
She’s merciless.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
What a wildthing to request.
I’m still reeling after our visit to Ashemere.
Upon our return, Ryc and I deliberated for hours. He’s torn—unsure whether he should reveal Rose’s whereabouts to Rowen. In the end, it would grant Rowen the peace he’s searching for…
But Ryc fully believes it will come at the cost of Rowen marching an army north. Terrible timing considering Vaelyn seeks to push the Sovereign Kings toward any reason for war.
Telling Rowen about Rose feels damning.
Choosing not to tell him feels worse.
Withholding the information is temporary. Rowen deserves to know. Rose may no longer be his mate, but Netharis’ solution in keeping her alive isn’t a solution at all.
It’s a burden.
One designed to benefit the hells.
She’s become Sabien’s thrall—believes herself in love with the ancient vampire. When Ryc said he and Morgana hunted mates, I didn’t stop to think about the possibility of aSovereign Kinglosing theirs.
The never-ending spiral stone stairs leading down to the stronghold are narrow and steep. The growing cool of the smooth, gray brick wall beneath my trailing fingers draws my thoughts to the present as I continue in my descent.
