“Okay…but do youwanthim to kiss you?”
“Rae—”
“Don’tRaeme. Answer the question.”
Piper sighed and dropped her head onto the back of the couch. “Yes, okay. Are you happy now? But he’s yourbrother.”
“Okay, and?”
“We can’t. It’s too weird.”
“You most certainly can! I give my blessing. Hell, I’ll throw a party if you both finally get your heads out of your asses.” Piper’sgaze narrowed in on her friend, but before she could retort, Auraelia continued. “Look, Piper. Don’t be an idiot. If you like Xander, go for it. I promise the feeling is mutual.”
“Why can’t I be an idiot?You’rebeing an idiot.”
Auraelia dropped her gaze to her lap and let out a heavy breath. “Yeah, well. I have my reasons.”
“Your reasons for being an idiot are idiotic, Rae. You love him.”
“I know. But we can’t. Not right now.”
Piper sat up and grasped Auraelia’s hand in hers. “Youcan. You’re choosing not to. You’rechoosingto hurt when the person who makes you whole is right on the other side of that door.”
Auraelia turned toward the large oak door that led to the council chambers, her heartbeat quickening as the pull to be near Daemon grew. The ache in her chest had ebbed since he’d been there, his presence slowly filling the cracks that she’d caused in her own heart.
“It’s okay to find light in the dark, Auraelia. Let him in. Let him be your light.”
Turning back toward her friend, Auraelia chuckled. “That’s pretty ironic since he, quite literally, manipulatesshadows.”
The women fell into a fit of laughter, which resulted in tears rolling down their cheeks. It had been so long since Auraelia had been able to laugh. Grief and despair followed her around like the storm clouds she commanded, blocking out every ray of sunlight that tried to pry its way through the darkness and bring even a smidgeon of light back into her life. But ever since Daemon popped back into view, small beams of warmth had managed to cut through the bleakness that shrouded her, slowly mending the tattered pieces of her soul.
When they finally calmed, Auraelia pulled her friend in for a hug and whispered, “It’s okay for you to do the same, Piper.”Pulling away, she locked gazes with her friend. “Don’t be me, okay? Don’t miss out on something that’s right in front of you.”
Piper’s shoulders dropped, her head tilting slightly to the side as her gaze softened. “I won’t if you promise to find some happiness yourself.”
A quiet smile lifted the corners of Auraelia’s lips as she gave her friend another squeeze. “I’ll try. Now come on, we need to be in there before the council shows up.”
Pushing up from the couch, they made their way through the door and down the hall. Auraelia’s nerves stood on end as anxiety began to settle in her chest.
Here goes nothing.
“What aretheydoing here?” Lord Harland demanded, face frozen with disdain, his body immobile in the large double doorway that led into the council chambers.
The rest of the council members filled the space behind him, their expressions ranging from shock to anger as they took in the two newcomers.
Auraelia leaned back casually in her chair, elbows resting on the arms with her hands steepled in front of her face. “Have a seat.” She kept her tone calm despite the trickling of static up her spine.
This has to work.
The council filed into the room, their wary gazes trained on the prince and emissary from the Sapphire Isles. When they were all finally seated, Auraelia leaned forward and began. “Prince Daemon and Lord Aiden are here to provide information regarding my cousin.”
“Your Majesty,” Mister Aramis interjected. “Surely you don’t believe they are here in good faith? He’sengagedto that…thatwoman.”
Auraelia cut a sharp glance at her emissary, “I amawareof the situation, Mister Aramis.” Slowly rotating her gaze through the rest of her council, she continued. “I do notneedthe reminder, as the entire encounter where that information came to light is emblazoned in my memory. What Idoneedis for all of you to listen. I would not bring them into this chamber without just cause, and I would appreciate it if you would give me just a modicum of trust.”
Every member of her council’s eyes went wide. From her Mistress of Coin—Lady Ophelia, to her Master at Arms—Master Demir. With his usually stoic expression, even Lord Harland couldn’t mask the shock radiating across his face.
“Now, shall we begin?” Settling back into her chair, Auraelia turned toward Daemon, who sat to her right. “Prince Daemon, would you please explain what you know about Davina?”
