“He’s her fated one?” the mother cried. “Wonderful. Do you know what this means, my dear child?” She rounded the bed and sat on the other side, taking the little girl’s hand. “Webetrothed you when you were just a baby, so it was too soon for such a thing at that time. But now . . . Now! He’ll love you for this lifetime and beyond, and you’ll feel the same about him.”
“Don’t want to love a boy,” the child said with a pout. “Wanna ride dragons!”
The mother laughed. “I’m sure you can do both.”
“Hush,” Vera said. “He’s a high lord, and you’ll have plenty of time to think about marriage and gowns and even dragons when you’re older. No one expects you to marry until you’re at least twenty. You’ll meet him one day.” I sensed overwhelming concern as Vera gazed at the mother. “We’ll have to handle this with utmost caution. We’ll arrange this where he can’t see.”
Her eyes shadowed with fear, the mother nodded.
“Perhaps, by then, it will be over,” Vera said. She gazed toward the child. “Then we’ll hold a grand ball where you’ll dance, walk in the gardens, and if you’d like, even hold his hand. No kissing.”
“Kiss a boy?” the child said. “Icky.”
Children were the same no matter where they lived.
“One day, you’ll feel differently,” the mother said. “You’ll see. When the symbol appears on your wrist, something will change within you, and you’llknow. That’s how it was with your father when I met him, sweet love.”
Such sadness in her voice. Her eyes still sparkled but now with unshed tears. Had she lost her husband?
He was murdered,Vera hissed to me.Not long ago.
“I’ll never love another,” the mother said fiercely. “And I’ll never marry another either. No one can make me.”
“Of course they can’t,” Vera said. “We’re safe here for now.”She rose and after kissing the sleepy little girl on the forehead, she started toward the door. “I’ll see you in the morning, child.”
The mother kissed her daughter as well and drifted around the end of the bed, wiping at her teary eyes. She joined Vera at the door and spoke in a low voice, too softly for the child to overhear. “What will become of them?”
“I’ve done all I can to protect them,” Vera said. “It’s in the hands of the fates now. But the mate bond will strengthen both our courts at a time when we need it most.”
Courts? I—we—sucked in a breath.
“I’m frightened.” The mother’s voice wavered. “I’d be a fool if I wasn’t. This alliance should be enough. It makes it us against them, not me facing this alone. It could mean the difference between the end of my court or a very fragile but amazing beginning for everyone.”
“Do not suggest failure, my love,” Vera said. She waved her fingers toward the ceiling and the lights dimmed to almost nothing, falling into the night sky at the crest of dawn.
“Sleep well,” the mother called out softly as she tugged the door closed. “I’ll see you in the morning, my darling Brenna, and we’ll talk more about your betrothal to Lord Vexxion of Weldsbane Court.”
37
TEMPEST
Iwas tossed back into my body.
My teeth chattered. I snaked my arms around my waist and stared around wildly, barely seeing Ivenrail’s bedroom. My mind was locked in that moment.
Brenna.
Vexxion.
With a shake of my head, I shook off the dream. Everything here appeared the same, but I felt completely different.
“I don’t want any more gifts,” I snarled. “I don’t want any more bones. I don’t want any more visions.”
Did Vexxion know? He must.
“Three,” Triisa said. “Would you deny us the right to pay you back for your favor?”
Vexxionwas Brenna’s fated mate? I hadn’t seen a mate mark on his wrist, but it wasn’t like I’d studied that area. I’d focusedon his mouth. His scars that I traced with my fingertips to his huffed joy. Other delectable areas I was eager to lick.
