I couldn’t. It was a nightmare I kept in my own imaginings. To see my brother truly fall, I would never be able to unsee such a thing.
“You know what it would do to me,” I said, voice rough. “You already know whatnotseeing it did.”
“I do, and wonder if you plan to share that part of you with the princess. She might be there when?—”
“After tonight, I doubt the woman will ever willingly be alone with me to ever experience the sight.”
“I think she should know about the attacks, that’s all.”
“Noted.” I propped my chin on my fist and watched the pale buildings of larger estates and cottages pass by the nearer we came to the palace.
Sander settled back against the bench. “To answer your question, it is not a betrayal. To the princess, we were invaders. But it does not lessen my concern for you. This is no small thing, brother.”
“I know what I’m doing.” Confidence bled through each word with enough vigor, I nearly believed the lie.
Aleksi used the back of his knuckles to strike the top of my knee, drawing my attention toward the front drive of the sea fae palace. “There’s Liv and Bloodsinger. They’re not alone.”
The gold of Livia’s intricate crown caught the gleam of the lanterns lining the curved drive. Her dark hair was free from braids and a little feral. Like her kingdom, like she’d become.
It suited her.
Erik Bloodsinger stood beside her, an arm around her waist, clad all in black, red eyes narrowed in his typical sour expression like he despised the whole of the world save for his queen.
The sea king wasn’t so wretched, not once the murderous outer layer was peeled away.
But the two faces beside them were the faces that tightened my stomach. “Daj keeps looking angrier the nearer this vow gets.”
Von laughed. “I’m not sure what’s worse—Kase’s frown or Malin’s flat expression. I can’t tell what she’s thinking, and that’s unsettling.”
True. My mother, normally vibrant, playful, and as devious as my father, wore a face as stone. Her crimson braids were tossed over one shoulder and her mouth was set—neither a frown nor a smile.
My father’s countenance teetered nearer to enraged when he caught sight of the coach. Whatever soft expression he kept in the presence of Livia faded knowing I was returning. The clash of gold and green in his eyes darkened to an inky pitch as his magic took hold.
Kase Eriksson was made of darkness. To me it was home, a comfort.
Ironic that my father controlled, manipulated, and killed through the power of fear, yet his glossy black eyes were a sign of his own. I knew they fretted over these vows; this choice had unsettled my entire household.
I hated it, but they wouldn’t dissuade me.
Not when it could protect them all.
“Livie.” Arms outstretched, I exited the coach, ignoring the alver king and queen for a moment longer. “Why the curdled face? Has Bloodsinger become a disappointment since we left?”
Bloodsinger’s lip curled, flashing the point of one of those elongated canines in his mouth. Gods, it did a heart good to irritate the Ever King.
“Seems you were successful, Prince.” Erik used his head to gesture toward the side of his palace.
The small unit of elven guards stomped toward the side doors. In the front was my fiery princess, still dressed in those ridiculous clothes and boots. As though she felt my stare, her sharp eyes found me in the shadows.
Without the slightest flinch, she turned away and strode into the palace, chin lifted.
As though she no longer felt a damn thing.
Livia used the back of her hand to strike the place over my heart. “Jonas, this doesn’t need to be done.”
“Not you, too. I’ve heard much the same the entire journey from them.” I gestured toward my mother and father.
They both cut their own looks my way, and I wished they hadn’t.
