“Some say a slow death is more precious; it gives you time to say your goodbyes,”I murmur.
“What if I don’t want goodbyes?” He studies our held hands much longer than is appropriate.
A chill sweeps over my body. I feel this moment has happened before. Humans call it déjà vu; the mages think it’s a warning.
“Trust me,”—my heart aches—“I would rather have a goodbye than nothing but a last memory. I wish I were there watching my brother bleed out. I wished to be the hand that heldhis as he struggled to pass over. A hand that loved him, not this stranger.”
“I wasn’t a stranger to him,” Titus whispers. It’s his attempt at comfort.
Gradually, I nod. “We take goodbyes for granted.”
Why did I just squeeze his hand? Why can’t I let go?
“I guess we should voice everything.” Titus looks up. “In case we don’t get a last goodbye, that way the person knows our true feelings.”
I slip my hand free and cross my arms so I can’t reach for him again. This is too much.
Sitting taller, I force a swallow down. “You stopped the arrow with time-weaving.”
He nods.
“If Galen saw…” Oh, what Galen would do if he knew Titus had fae magic! The unknown terrifies me.
Would Titus be his weapon? No, Galen is the ultimate weapon; he kills anyone who inches closer.
“I was lucky.”
“That luck will run out.”
“That's why I need your help. I tried to gain mastery over Everett’s magic, but it always ends up dominating me.
“I didn’t know a vampire could accept a fae’s magic.” What price did Everett pay for this knowledge?
“There was no accepting. Everett gave me no choice.”
A deep need to comfort him possesses me. Again, my hands move without my consent. “I’m sorry for what my brother forced upon you.” Taking his palm, I flip it over and uncurl his fingers. I trailed my finger across his palm, noticing his arm shake.
Heat radiates from him. I close his fingers, then squeeze them into a fist before I place his hand back on his lap.
I exhale, “Everett was adept at coercion. But he wasn’t malicious. Everything he did was for the people.”
“You mean his people. The fae of Solaria.”
“No.” I roll my lips so Titus can’t see the tremble. “Forallthe people. That infuriated my father; he wanted him to grow angry, to hate the vampires who slaughtered us, so he sent him to the frontlines.”
We sit in silence for so long that I count the dust particles that dance and float in the air.
“He would have been a righteous king.”
My eyes water. “Thank you.” I nod.
“It’s the truth.”
“I know,” I whisper, hoping he doesn’t hear the crack in my voice, “that is why it hurts.”
“Only corrupt kings survive, never good ones.”
“If only we could change that.” I snort a bitter laugh.
