“This is Lockem,” I said smoothly, not missing the way Zander’s brow twitched. “Cyran hired him to protect me.”
Maelin gave a polite nod, her interest fading the moment she turned back to me. “I’ve missed seeing you.”
She had always been a sweet, bright-eyed girl, eager to share her latest literary find. Cyran had warned me once that friendships were dangerous distractions, liabilities that could be used against you. And yet, I had done so much more than befriend my squadmates. I had bled, burned, and bonded in ways no book-loving girl could understand.
“I’ve missed you too,” I said, and I meant it.
Maelin beamed, then tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Come by soon, alright? I saved you the first edition ofThe Hollow Crown.”
“I will.” I watched her go, a piece of my past trailing behind her like sunlight through smoke.
Zander tilted his head toward me as Maelin disappeared out the tavern door. “So… what kind of book isThe Hollow Crown?”
I took another sip of ale, trying not to grin. “It’s about a commoner who becomes queen.”
His eyebrows wiggled, playful. “Sounds interesting. I wonder if the character in that book would settle for being a princess?”
I grunted. “Don’t get any ideas.”
But my heart gave a tiny, traitorous flip. Was he actually suggesting…? That he wanted me for life? That he’d turn his back on his royal title for me?
I cleared my throat. “If Theron knows you’re not King Emlem’s true son, then you might have issues retaining your own title.”
“Not really,” he said, tapping a finger on the side of his tankard. “My mother was the queen. Emlem authorized my birth. There were accords made with the full fae. Our bloodlines were created so we could wield magic. And there’s a reason Cyran said I’m more noble than I realize.”
“You know what he meant?”
“Yes.” He met my eyes steadily. “The fae that took human partners? They were considered royalty. They all had titles. I don’t know what Alahathrial’s was, but it doesn’t matter. Being half-fae has more prestige than being a prince, at least according to the accords.”
I stared at him, thoughts swirling. “Wait… are you saying?—”
“Thatyouare also a noble.”
“I know.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Alahathrial said my mother was a princess.”
He leaned forward. “Why didn’t you mention that?”
I shrugged. “I don’t want to be a princess.”
His smile came slow and warm, curling at the corners of his mouth like it held a thousand thoughts behind it. “What would it take to change your mind?”
ChapterSeventeen
Ismiled at Zander, the flickering lantern casting soft light across his face. For once, the hard edges of his expression had softened into something thoughtful—hopeful, even.
But I had no idea how to answer the question he hadn’t quite asked.What would it take to change my mind?
“Let’s just see if we can survive this war first,” I said, voice wry but quiet.
He shrugged, the motion lazy, but I saw the weight behind it, the understanding that survival wasn’t a guarantee anymore. Not for either of us.
Then his eyes narrowed.
I followed his gaze just in time to see the basement door slam open.
