“What?” I don’t follow; the statement seems to come out nowhere.
“Witch Queen of the Lykin. Your new title even has a nice ring to it,” he murmurs, looking down at me from the other side of the equally plush pillow with heavy lids. “You will be mighty. Feared. I will find any spirit you desire and none shall ever question your strength.”
I smile, though I can feel it doesn’t reach my eyes. Fortunately, he’ll explain it away using my work with Aurora. He will see it as a tired smile, not pitying.
What a sad existence you have… To always be looking at the world in terms of might and conquest. To be looking at whatcan be taken as the measure of a leader, rather than what can be given. To value fear more than love.
“It will be like a dream,” I say, hoping that it never becomes anything more than his dream.
“It can be, or it can be a nightmare.” His heavy lids now look like narrowed eyes. Examining me. Studying. “You wield powers that exceed my own.”
“I don’t?—”
“You can drop the pretense, Faelyn.” Even though his tone has gone harsh, he frees a hand from my waist to caress my jaw. “We both know the strength you wield. If I’m not careful, you could get a mind to turn it against me.”
“I’d never,” I whisper.
“Good. Because you know what the other alphas murmur in my ears?” He dips his chin to better meet my eyes. “To kill you.”
“What?” I feign surprise, thankful I know the truth—that it was Conri’s inclination, no other alphas necessary. “But I—why?”
“They think I can take the power out of you that way. That instead of taking you before the great wolf spirit to wed you, I should do it to kill you. And ask that he help me draw the power from your blood into my own. That way, it will linger forever in my bloodline—the blood of kings.”
He’s really telling me everything. “But…there is another way to join our blood.”
“Another fact I have delighted in reminding them. So, it’s in your hands, Faelyn. Will you be my eager bride and carry my heirs?”
Old gods. I might be sick. My mind races with what I can say next and a wild plan strikes like lightning. “When we are wed, I will perform a spell that night to ensure my fertility.”
“My alphas might need assurances before the wedding of your willingness.”
“Then tomorrow, I shall gather the materials for my spell.”
“Good. Then, when you are ripe for me tomorrow night, I will fill these caverns with your screams.” He grins gleefully and leans forward to kiss me. I work to return the kiss, aware that he hasn’t said they would be screams of passion.
Fortunately, the assurance seems to have satisfied him enough for the night. He leans away, releasing me, and rolls in the other direction. As if now that he knows he will have me when he wants, he no longer needs to pretend to woo me.
I shift onto my back, wiggling just enough that I can get some space between us without it being suspicious and I stare up at the ceiling.Breathe, Faelyn, breathe, you’ll be fine. There’s a plan. You’ll be fine.Yet my heart races as fast as the first time Conri chased me through the woods. I clutch my shirt over my chest, willing it to slow. It takes every shred of self-control not to get up and run to Evander right now.
But I stay.
I stare up at the ceiling and remind myself of every reason I have not to be afraid. Of the power Aurora has placed within me that has empowered me to commune with the spirits. Of the different magics my grandma taught me and wove into the cape at the foot of the bed, the plans I have to use all of them to thwart Conri. And Evander.
Evander…
The notions from earlier return. Of Evander being the king of the lykin and leading them to a glorious age. I play scenes in my mind of him being a just and fair ruler. And of us returning to this room at the end of a long day in service to his people.
I imagine what it might be like to sleep in this bed with Evander at my side. To be the bride of the wolf king when it is a wolf king of my choosing. That is the dream that finally relaxes me enough that I can fall into slumber. I need all the rest I can get, given what I’ve just done.
CHAPTER 40
When I wake,I’m alone. The moment I realize Conri isn’t next to me, the blankets are lighter. The bed is warmer, cozier. But it doesn’t make me want to stay in it. The idea of even remotely savoring his lingering warmth is too much for me.
I stand and the movement gets my blood moving. No, it’s more than that. My heart is hammering. The night comes back to me in a dizzying rush. I’m out of the room in a blink, gathering my cape around me for whatever protection it can offer. Though not even it can protect me from what’s coming—from what Conri expects of me.
The moment I step through the curtain and emerge into the common room, my eyes land on Evander, leaning by the archway that leads out into the hall. He turns, pushing away, drawn by the sound. It takes only a second for me to scan the room to ensure no one else is present.
“Fael—” He doesn’t have a chance to finish, cut off by the softoofas I crash into him, throwing my arms around his shoulders. The feeling of him against me. There. Holding me in an instant as tightly as he possibly can.Safe. It has the fear and panic I felt choking my throat looking for escape as relief floods me. Hemust hear the shuddering breath I try to hide in his shoulder. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
