“What about Sunset? Dawn?” He looked between Calix and me, and Calix nodded for me to continue.
“Sunset hasn’t answered yet, but Dawn is firmly aligned with Dusk. Cyrus and Zerlina are betrothed. She will do anything to be queen, even take his abuse.” I sighed sadly, remembering the look in her eyes. She might be an uppity bitch, but she didn’t deserve that fate.
“So that leaves us with the split in Day to contend with.” Arien mused, and it was Calix’s turn to raise a brow.
“You intend to let Asteria actually rule? Take control of the armies of Day and join Night in the fight against Dusk? Despite the fact your own father is allied with Cyrus?” Calix taunted, and Arien growled, leaning toward him.
“Of course we mean for her to rule! That’s what all of this has been for. If she wants to take those on our side to fight Cyrus and my father, though, we first need to gain control of the armies of Day,” Arien insisted. “About half the nobles will support her as long as my father rules, which means we only have half an army.”
“If half the nobles will side with Aelius, then it’s important we still find outside allies.” I broke the staring contest between them as I spoke up. “Calix and I have to continue on to Sunrise, and once we get back…” I trailed off, looking to Calix, who gave me a look that let me know it was my decision to tell them or not. I bit my lip, thinking on it.
“What?” Arien asked softly, and I sighed, deciding that it was better if we were all on the same page.
“The gods want to speak to us,” I told him, and his eyes went wide.
“What are you talking about?” Aurelia asked, her sharp brow rising.
“My sister is a seer,” Calix told her, and the other brow rose. “We’ve kept her ability a secret from any outside Night, so I’d appreciate it if you kept that between us.”
Arien nodded once, and I looked at Aurelia, pointedly. She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
“She got a message from the gods that once I had control of my power, Calix and I needed to journey to the city of the gods to meet with them,” I informed them both.
“Why? And why both of you?” Arien looked between us, his brows creased.
“I’m not sure, honestly.” I shook my head. “As for them requesting both of us, I can only assume it’s because we’re mates, right?” I looked to Calix.
“It’s likely.” Calix nodded slowly. “They have plans for you, and the prophecy Aurelia shared, it seemed to indicate that whatever happens, we’ll be doing it together.” He grabbed my hand then, smirking, and making me bite my lip in response to the bolt of arousal that shot through me. “Not that I’d ever allow for anything less.”
“Well, you’ll have to get used to it.” Aurelia countered, and my head whipped to her, frowning.
“What do you mean?” I asked her, confused.
“Asteria,” She softened her voice. “You will be queen of Day. Calix is king of Night. You have separate kingdoms to rule.”
My heart dropped along with my mouth. I hadn’t considered…
I turned to look at Calix, who placed a hand on my cheek. “We will not be separated, my réalta. I swear it.”
“How?” I asked him, desperately. “If we have to rule two different kingdoms…” I trailed off, swallowing hard.
“Duty often means doing that which we dread, daughter,” Aurelia said, and all I could do was shake my head.
“Fuck yourduty. She’s mymate.” Calix growled, his hands coming around my waist as he held me to him. “The gods have brought us together for areason. This won’t tear us apart.”
Aurelia laughed slightly, a scoff underlining it. “Soulmates are overrated. Look at me and Aelius. I know this only ends one way—with his death. I am willing to sacrifice my own mate for the sake of my daughter.”
“That’s different.” Calix snarled, and I looked up at him, tears lining my eyes. For all that, I hadn’t felt ready for what the mate bond meant. I’d been slowly coming to terms with it. And now, with the threat of having to separate from him… everything within me rebelled at the thought. I clutched at him like the world might take him away if I didn’t.
While Calix went back and forth with my mother, I quickly came to the realization that I didn’t want to live a life without Calix. He had becomeeverythingto me.
He was one of my best friends. He’d given me all the tools I needed to feel safe and to take agency of myself. He stepped back when I needed him to, and stepped forward when I wanted the opposite. He was my shelter in this chaotic world, making me feel safer in his arms than anywhere else.
He’d helped me bring my magic out and flew with me through the skies. He’d danced with me on the ballroom floor as much as the training ring. He made me laugh even at times when I didn’t think it was possible.
And I still remembered the Festival of Faunus, the feeling of usfinallycoming together. It had feltrightin a way nothing else ever had.
Looking up at him now, the Aurora dancing through his eyes like a siren song calling to me, I knew I wouldn’t be able to take any kind of separation from him.
