The door opens again, just long enough for Nyxia to say, “Now.”
7
My cheeks are warm as Aspen walks me to my room. We stop outside it, and I turn to face him, back pressed against my closed door. Aspen steps closer to me, one hand braced on the doorframe, the other winding around a strand of my tangled hair. The energy between us sizzles, and it takes all my restraint not to pull him inside my room and push him onto the bed so we can pick up where we left off.
I bite my lip as Aspen lifts his hungry eyes to meet mine. There’s no doubt he’s thinking the same thing. He lets out a sigh that almost sounds like a groan. “I should probably get cleaned up and changed.”
With a reluctant nod, I force my fantasies to subside. “As should I. I must meet with the fire fae tonight and tell them of the plan to go to Irridae.”
A cloud falls over his face, reminding me of our fight. He drops my strand of hair and straightens his posture.
I reach for his hand before he can take a step away. “I didn’t mean what I said,” I say in a rush. “I let my fire take over. I’ve been…doing that a lot lately.”
“It’s all right,” he says. “A lot of what you said was true. I can’t control you, and I need to give you the space to make your own decisions as queen.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t want you at my side. I really did mean what I said to Nyxia when your refugees came here. Your household is mine, and I want them to come to Irridae. I want my home to be their home. Even once you defeat Cobalt, I want us to continue to rule side by side, if we can.”
His expression brightens, lips pulling into a crooked grin. “Does that mean you want me to come to Irridae too?”
I lace my fingers through his, squeezing his palm with mine. “I thought that went without saying from the very start. I need you, Aspen. I love you.”
He leans in and kisses me lightly on the lips, soft and slow. Too slow, for it gives me enough time to crave him again. I’m about to suggest we get cleaned up together, perhaps perform an encore of our time in the moon baths, but he pulls away. “I’ll let you get on with your tasks.”
My heart sinks, but I let him go. I turn toward my door and am about to push it open when Aspen’s voice drags my attention back to him.
“It’s a good idea, Evie,” he says. “Making Lorelei your ambassador. She deserves the promotion, and you deserve someone you trust at your side.” With a wink, he turns away and continues down the hall.
My eyes sting as I watch his back until he’s out of sight. Although I would have gone forth with my plans regardless of his approval, hearing him vocalize his support moves me in a way I hadn’t expected. Despite his stubborn streak—and mine, for that matter—I think we make a decent pair.
So long as we don’t burn anything down when we’re at our worst.
Then again, I burn things down when I’m at my best.
* * *
Once I’ve cleanedaway the grime of my travels and changed into a gauzy indigo gown, I knock on Lorelei’s door. Her eyes widen as she opens it and then throws her arms around me. I return the embrace, no longer surprised at Lorelei’s warm affection. For someone as sharp as she is around most people, I’m honored by how freely she shows her care for me.
“You’re back!” She pulls away to scan me from head to toe, as if checking for damage, then lowers her voice. “Nyxia told me what you did. Or at least what she suspected you did. Is it true? Did you burn down the Briar House?”
She steps to the side so I can fully enter her room and leads us to a set of chairs. She sits in one, and I sink wearily into the other, not bothering to maintain a regal countenance around her. “I did.”
She lifts her chin approvingly. “Well done. Although you don’t look too pleased yourself.”
I sigh. “I am, it’s just…I’m…” I consider telling her everything; the fae I rescued, Mikaela’s scarred back, the fire, the escape, the way I got stuck in my unseelie form. But the thought alone exhausts me. Instead, I sit straighter. “Actually, I came to speak to you about something specific.”
She leans forward, brow furrowed. “What is it?”
“I’ll start by saying I’ve spoken to Aspen and he approves.” Of course, I leave out the part where he at firstdidn’tapprove. “That is, if you agree. You may remain in his employ if you prefer, but—”
“Wait, I’m losing my job?”
“No. Well, yes, but…” Why am I so nervous to ask? “Lorelei, will you be my ambassador?”
Her mouth falls open as she leans back in alarm. “Me? Your ambassador?”
“Yes.”
My stomach drops as she does nothing but stare at me for a few moments. Then finally, she says, “Are you sure? I’m not a fire fae.”
