1
REYLA
As I peered through the window, the setting sun pierced the sky with bitter orange and ominous red in sympathy for my last day of freedom. Tonight, I’d marry a fae king I hadn’t met, solidifying a union born of duty and shrouded in secrets. Would I find a way to endure King Merrick, or would he be a tyrant I needed to outwit and destroy?
“You’re sure you won’t let us go with you?” my friend Tempest asked from beside me, concern knitting her brow to the point she’d have permanent wrinkles if she kept it up.
“I insist,” my brother Vexxion added, his glower taking in the room in general.
“You can insist all you want, but I’m traveling to the harbor alone,” I said. “I mean it.” I’d agreed to become the “willing” bride to a distant fae king, and I would walk into my new life without bringing any of the old along with me.
Tears shimmered in Tempest’s eyes, but she nodded. Vexxion came up behind her. He must sense her distress, because he wrapped one arm around her waist, tugging her against his chest. He gently lifted her hand and kissed the mating mark symbol on her wrist, a match to his own.
These two . . . I loved them. I was incredibly happy for them. But it gutted me to see them this way because it reminded me of the love I no longer had.
I’d miss them terribly, but this wasn’t forever. They’d visit when King Merrick gave them permission.
Part of this new life included traveling by ship to a continent I didn’t know existed a few months ago. From there, we’d travel on horse, or dragon if they rode them, finally arriving at the place I was expected to call home. We’d soon see if my arranged marriage would work or if I’d made a horrible mistake.
As for me being “willing,” I’d do what I must to secure this treaty, though I’d only been with one guy, and I wasn’t sure I could ever eagerly give my body to someone new.
Kinart.
My first love.
My lost love.
We hadn’t been fated mates like Vexxion and Tempest, but we couldn’t have loved each other more.
Would my chest ever stop aching?
“We want to make sure you’re alright,” Tempest said, the concern on her face mirrored on my brother’s. To think I’d only recently discovered he and I were siblings.
And that I was fae.
As for the magical abilities my fae heritage came with? I was a blade still being forged.
“I’ll be fine.” Someday. Maybe. With a nod, I grabbed my bag, swinging it over my shoulder. I assumed my new husband would provide most of what I needed, but there were things inside this worn pack I couldn’t leave behind.
A book that sometimes shared information that could change the future.
My favorite leathers I wore when training and riding dragons.
The treasures Kinart gave me before he was murdered.
“At least take guards with you,” Tempest said with a huff.
My brother kept scowling—nothing new there. He hid his soft side, only revealing it to a select few. Now, it shone in his eyes that were so different from my own.
Anyone looking at us would question our relationship. After all, he had our father’s dark hair and sapphire eyes, while I got my light red hair and brown eyes from our mother. Her petite, slender frame as well—though I was skinny mostly because I worked too hard and never ate enough. Now that I wasn’t riding dragons into battle on a daily basis, I might fill out a bit.
“It’s only a short distance to the harbor,” I said. “Who’d challenge the sister of the Beast?” The horrendous name my brother was given by those who never saw who he truly was inside. He’d earned the title. Vexxion had killed many, and he’d add to his count without a twitch of his spine, though only to protect those he loved.
Vexxion and Tempest grumbled.
“It’s time,” I croaked. “I have to leave. The ship sails on the tide.”
As I strode toward the front of the manor house they’d purchased near the harbor, they followed, stopping by the door.
