“That is fair.”
Aurion led us through the passages. They were dark and narrow, carved from stone. Familiar in a way that made my chest ache. I was home. After weeks of believing I might never see my kingdom again, I was home.
But it felt wrong without Wen choosing to be here with me. Without her consent. I had taken that choice from her, and the guilt sat like a stone in my stomach.
We moved quickly and quietly. Aurion knew these passages well. We all did. We had played in them as children, used them for secret meetings as adults. They connected every wing of the castle, every major room. A network of escape routes and spy holes built into the very bones of the palace.
Aurion stopped at a hidden door. Pressed his ear against it. Listened. Then he pushed it open slowly and peered through.
His body went rigid.
“What?” I whispered.
“The guards. They are not at their posts.”
Ice flooded my veins. Mother always had guards outside her chambers when she was visiting the capital. Always. It was protocol. Protection.
If they were gone...
Aurion slipped through the door. I followed, pulling Wen with me. She was looking around with wide eyes, taking in the stone corridor, the tapestries, the sconces with actual fire instead of electric light.
We reached Mother’s door. It was closed, the guards suspiciously absent.
I exchanged a glance with Aurion. He nodded and pushed the door open, stepping inside quickly. I followed immediately, Wen close behind me.
Mother was at her writing desk near the window. She looked up, confused and slightly alarmed at the sudden intrusion. Her hand went to the dagger she always kept nearby.
Then she saw me.
“Malachar?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“Mother.”
She was up and across the room before I could say anything else. Threw her arms around me with enough force to make me stagger. She was smaller than me by nearly a foot, but her embrace was fierce.
“I was so worried, young man,” she said into my chest. Her voice was thick with emotion. “When you disappeared. When no one could find you. I thought-” She pulled back, gripping my face in her hands. “Where have you been?”
“The human realm. Through a portal. I did not choose to leave, Mother. I was pulled through during my challenge with Andreas.”
“I know. Aurion told me. But you are here now. You are safe.” She hugged me again. “Thank the gods you are safe.”
I held her for a moment longer, then stepped back and gently pushed Wen forward. She had been standing frozen, staring around the room with an expression caught between awe and panic.
Mother looked at her. Blinked. Her nose wrinkled slightly as she scented the air. Her eyes widened.
“Is she...” She looked between us. “Malachar. Is she your-”
“Mother, this is my fated mate, Gwendolyn Woods.” I kept my hand on Wen’s lower back, steadying and anchoring her. “She is human.”
Silence.
Mother stared at Wen. Wen stared back, clearly trying not to freak out.
Then Mother’s face broke into a wide smile. “A human mate. How wonderful!”
She stepped forward and took Wen’s hands. “Welcome, my dear. I am Sorcha Ashborne. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Um. Hi. Wen. Just Wen is fine.” Wen’s voice was still shaky. “It’s nice to meet you too, Your Majesty? Is that right? I don’t know the protocol here.”
