“But then a bright light exploded out of her—” Soren exhaled, awe shining through his remembrance, and my breath caught in my throat. “And her neck healed completely. I caught a small glimpse of her after, and her ears—”
Soren struggled to speak, so I opened my mouth once more. “Were pointed.”
Soren nodded, wide eyed, and I waited for him to connect the dots, while my heart stitched itself back together, knowing that she was okay, that she waswhole—
“You knew she was Fae.” Soren gasped, and I nodded silently in confirmation. “How? Why do you want her here so badly?” He finally dared to ask the question he’d kept on the tip of his tongue since the first time I informed him of his mission. I’d had him training from day one to help her.
“You’re dismissed for the day. We’ll discuss this later.” I told him sharply. I could tell he was unhappy, but he wisely held his tongue. I had more important people to discuss this with, and joy was now cautiously rising as I struggled to believe it was finally happening—and trying to keep my hopes reasonable. She didn’t know me, barely knew herself, and I needed to remind myself of this every time my giddiness grew out of control.
I swept out of the room, the white double doors that led out of the parlor opened for me on command. My dark purple dress dragged along the floor as I made my way to the railing that overlooked the training yard, finding Arien right away.
Despite his young age, Arien was born to be a General. Natural talent and pure determination ensured he was more than fit for the job, yet his appointment to the position caused some discontent with those my husband favored, who thought him too young and inexperienced—who resented him for not being Aelius’s heir.
It wouldn’t matter when the time came. Their words wouldn’t mean a thing to our side. He’d been trained all his life for his purpose, and the time was finally coming soon. Excitement filled me, even if there were now complications with Night’s involvement, but we’d figure it out.
I waved down at Arien, and he quickly stepped away, taking the nearby stairs quickly but strolling toward me to avoid any undue suspicion. His gold armor shone in the sun, and as always, pride filled me at seeing him in the role he’d taken up—I couldn’t wait to see him fully step into it.
“Mother.” Arien greeted me with a nod, a smile tipping one corner of his mouth upwards.
“Son, I have some wonderful news. Come with me.” I smiled widely and urged him along through the halls. Arien followed me into the library, I knew it was usually empty this time of day, and I frequently used it for clandestine meetings. Now in private, I laid out everything I’d learned from Soren for him.
Joy, purejoy, spread across Arien’s face.
“It’s time. Finally.” Arien murmured, inhaling sharply. He took my hands, squeezing, and I smiled gently at my second-born as tears filled my eyes, nodding in confirmation.
“It’s time.”
Chapter 42
Cyrus POV
Tap.Tap. Tap.
My teeth set on edge at the wait. I suppose he felt the need to showcase that a king doesn’t run when a mere prince calls, but my jaw ground back and forth against the insult. I forced myself to swallow it down—for now.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
This was too important. I could not allow myself to look a fool, to look weak—this would show the entirety of Celesterra that I was no such thing. That I was in control. Strong. Impenetrable.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I’d spent years crafting my image. Building up my resources. Implementing my spy network, one person at a time. Creating certain alliances and enemies within my father’s court that would ensure my rise to power.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I stilled my leg as I realized my foot was nervously tapping against the marble floor. I couldn’t afford to show such a weakness, especially not here. Not after I’d been made a fool of.
Fury blazed inside me once more.
How had this happened? All my careful planning, years of setting up plans, and it all began to crack apart due to a woman. A human, I’d thought. Insignificant but for what I wanted out of her.
Sex. Worship. Obsession.
She was meant to want those things from me, to feel themforme. Instead, I’d somehow ended up ensnared inherweb instead. She refused to let me touch her, making me salivate after her—while she would rather fuck Calix of all people! I couldn’t let this stand. Iwouldn’t.
Not only had a seemingly human woman rejected me, but she wasn’t even human! How had I been fooled when seeing her in her full Fae form had made it blindingly obvious she was always meant to be Fae—I would never live this down. My reputationhad to be salvaged. And while Asteria may have healed from my slitting her throat, the end goal still remained—I would not allow anyone else to have her.
She was mine. Fae or not.
