He leans back and holds me even closer. “He thinks we’re beneath him, that we’re weak. That we shouldn’t exist, especially not in his realm.”
“He’s wrong.” I even sound like a wayward child.
“Yes.” He strokes a finger down my aching wing. “And I intend to show him the truth.”
“That you’re the true king of this realm and all realms.”
He grabs me and pulls me away from him to look into my eyes. “Are you certain?”
“Absolutely. Killing Solano and taking his realm would be doing his people a favor. He’s cruel and cowardly.” I won’t let Solano take anything else from me. He’s already stolen so much.
Eraldon smiles.
It sends a chill down my spine, though it shouldn’t. He’s the only one who’s ever treated me fairly, who’s seen me for more than I am. He gave me immortality, made me so much stronger than I was.
“Why?” I murmur as I look into his dark eyes, so beautiful yet wild.
“Why what, my pet?” He kisses my cheek where the wound has already healed.
“Why did you save me from the day king?”
“Don’t you know?” He pulls me tight into his cold embrace.
“No. Maybe I do know, but I can’t seem to … remember.”
“Because you’re my mate. Fate brought you to me, and I was able to save you. To make you whole.”
“I’m your mate?” I lift my hand to my throat and graze my fingertips over his bite. His bite and … and something else. A warm tingle beneath it. Why are there two bites?
“Of course you’re my mate. And soon you’ll be my queen. Would you like that?”
“To be yours? Yes. Always.” The answer seems so simple. Easy. I ignore the discordant echo that sounds deep inside.
“In that case, we have work to do. I’ll have to talk to Lex.” He sighs and puts me on my feet as he stands.
“Is she difficult?” I dust the sticks and debris off me. The rest of my wounds from the tree have already healed.
“She can be. She’s a lot like her daughter in that respect.” He sighs, his dark hair framing his pale face and giving him an even more handsome profile in the soft moonlight. “But she can be reasoned with,unlikeher daughter.”
“Grimelda? That’s her daughter?” A memory flashes, then disappears. “I remember her, maybe … I think?” How do I know her?
“She’s an ally of Solano,” he fills in quickly. “Did she take part in your torment the way she did to me?”
I rub my temples. “Maybe she hurt me. I can’t recall.”
“I’m certain she did.” He takes my hands and stares deep into my eyes again. “She did.”
I blink. “Right, she must have.”
“Well, her mother is just as nasty, but I need her help one last time. I hope she has enough magic left.”
I bare my fangs. “If she doesn’t, I’ll squeeze what we need from her, then rip her throat out.”
He smiles again. “That’s the spirit, little nightling.” Then he points at my wings. “Keep practicing. You’ll have need of flight when we attack my father’s stronghold.” His wings fan out behind him, and with a hard motion, he propels himself into the sky.
My hair blows back as he rises and disappears. All I’m left with is a view of the silver moon and the memories of everything Solano has taken from me.
I’ll make him pay for every last one.
