The alver kingdom felt a great deal like a warm hearth after a cold night searching for a place to rest at long last.
“Daj, if you’re finished corrupting my wife, we have a great deal to prepare before we leave for the fading isle in the morning.”
The king and queen waved us away, chatter on Kase’s failed scheme following us into the corridor.
“Overwhelmed, Fire?” Jonas asked when we returned to our chamber. “Games with the Kryv—no matter how small—have a way of feeling like lives are at stake.”
“During, I was a whimpering fool, and I would’ve embarrassed you.”
“Doubtful. You should’ve seen me on my first heist. I think I asked my father at least a hundred questions and Lynx had to calm my mind until I fell asleep. I woke after it was over.”
“I’m not certain I’ve ever felt this way.”
He looked at me, confused. “Meaning?”
I hesitated. “Peaceful.”
Jonas didn’t respond. For a breath, he held my stare, then took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles.
Peaceful. Strange to realize, days since the death of my parents were locked in fear—fear of my own affinity, fear for my life, fear of never feeling loved again.
There was always something to prove to Natthaven. Prove I wasn’t a monster, I wasn’t dangerous. I could be a good princess. I could fight. I could defend them.
In this moment, there was no worry for using my magic. Thoughts weren’t racing, wondering if this would be the day I proved to be too wretched and banished once more to be alone for good.
“Skadi.” Jonas took my face in his palms, thumbs running along the ridges of my cheeks. “You belong here. You have made this palace, this kingdom, mylife,better. Don’t ever doubt that. And I hope—gods, I hope—I might do even a little of the same for you.”
I cupped the back of his neck, drawing his lips to mine. The kiss was slow, steady, a new constant I loved.
Here, darkness was beautiful.
Here, we schemed.
Here, family didn’t mean blood.
Here, was home.
I woke in Jonas’s arms, a vicious sort of gleam in the green of his eyes. “We should’ve been doing this from the start, Fire. You are my favorite sight in the morning.”
“And you are a liar.” I buried my face in the pillow, hair in tangles. “I know exactly how I look in the morning and the word you seek is frightening.”
“I mean exactly what I said.”
I peeked up at him. “We’re to go today.”
“Off to Natthaven.” Jonas tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Are you looking forward to returning home?”
“I’m looking forward to showing you some parts of the isle. I’m not looking forward to Cara’s insistence I’ve become a feral royal by the looks of me.”
Jonas leaned in, kissing my jaw, the corner of my mouth, his palms teasing the heavy curves of my breasts like a true villain who planned to torment me.
“I like you feral.” He pecked my lips then leaned away again, tracing one of the coils of feathery ink that curved around one side of one breast. “Do they mean anything?”
“That words and actions of the past do not need to remain in my sights or my life.” I took hold of his hand when he traced a scar. “I know you wish to know, but I don’t know how to speak on it. I’ve never spoken of it.”
He pressed a kiss to one tattoo. “Then it is a good thing we have endless turns. When and if you wish to, I will always be here to listen, Fire.”
“What do your symbols mean? I know the Kryv motto.” I touched the ink offight to the end. “But these are images. Flowers and such.”
