Overhead, endless showers of glistening silver cascaded across the sky, like an army of fiery ribbons falling toward the sea.
I tilted my gaze, watching him. There was a reverent sort of awe in his eyes as he took in the falling stars brightening the elven sky one after the other.
He chose me, and gods, I would never choose anyone else but him.
Chapter 39
The Nightmare Prince
The final daybefore we were to return to Klockglas was spent quietly. We walked through the palace gardens, ate by a small creek that wove through the forest. Skadi showed me where part of the trees scorched with a fire Livia started during the start to the battles between elven and fae.
Already trees were shedding the blackened bark and deadened limbs in large chunks, like they knew how to heal their own wounds.
The king had sent a missive to his granddaughter, asking if she would care for a farewell feast. Irritation that the king could not find the time to speak to her personally was there, but kept trapped behind my teeth.
Skadi responded with a firm decline I quickly praised with a few lascivious touches.
Natthaven was fascinating and lovely. I took pride watching Skadi go on about her folk and the forest and the swamps, the light in her eyes always poured out when we were free from the confines of the palace.
In these walls, she was more somber, more reserved. Most of our time was spent in libraries or our bedchamber.
The looks she was given, the hushed whispers that followed her, I was keen to steal her away back to Klockglas early.
More and more it was clear to me, the Dokkalfar people were taught to fear their princess without truly speaking to her, and I didn’t understand why.
Skadi peered out the nearby window. “Grandfather might insist we take a whole entourage to the sea tomorrow.”
I closed the book in my lap and tapped Skadi’s ankle with my toe. “Are you disappointed to be leaving?”
Skadi nestled closer to my side on the velvet sofa, twisting my hair around her fingers. “This was where I once lived, it is a palace, a house, but a house does not make a home.” She hesitated. “It makes little sense, but I feel more at home in your cold, misty, devious alver lands than I ever did in this palace.”
“My father will weep with joy when he learns you think his kingdom is devious.” I laughed and kissed her quickly. “I am glad you feel like it is home, Fire. I hope you always do.”
Before I could kiss her again, Dorsan entered the chamber. “Forgive the intrusion, but the king has summoned Prince Jonas. As agreed, each visit to the isle will conclude with a report on the alliance.”
I let out a sigh. Part of me hoped the elven king might forget that part. I stood and squeezed Skadi’s hand. “See you soon, Fire.”
“Tell him what a remarkable wife I’ve been, Nightmare.”
“Ah, then do not plan to see me for days. If I begin to announce your qualities, I will not be able to stop.”
She snickered. “Such a bawdy mouth in one moment, then so sweet the next. I do not know what to do with you, Jonas Eriksson.”
“Oh, you do, Wife.” I paused at the door. “You have proven how well you handle me, night after night, after night, after?—”
“Gods, go.” She waved me away. “Dorsan is right there.”
“Well, he will be the first to hear all my praise of you then.”
I wasn’t certain, but I thought the somber, infallible elven guard almost smiled.
At the bottom of the stairwell were two guards. One was the sod who always looked at Skadi like he should never be alone with her in the dark. The guard who subtly insulted her after thevows.
There was something wrong with him, an instinct, a tell in his eyes. I wasn’t certain why, but I did not want him near my wife.
“He is never alone with her,” I murmured to Dorsan. “Understand me?”
The guard nodded. “Cian will always have a fellow guard should he ever be assigned to the princess’s chamber, but she will always be with Lady Cara if you are absent. I’ve already seen to it.”
