“I still don’t understand why the Sage of Nephel is in my healer’s tower.”
Kyla shook her head. “She is here for Rue. She sensed Rue’s injuries and flew swiftly to her side.”
Savine frowned, puzzled by what Kyla was suggesting. “Rue is your mate, Selene?”
The bound woman gave a curt nod. “If she knows, she hasn’t acknowledged it.”
Avery spoke up, “Rue hasn’t said anything to me, but Selene was just sharing that she’s known since we were held captive in the cave.”
“Ah, holding a folk captive is not an opportune moment to share that you are their mate,” Savine said dryly. “Did you realize it while you infiltrated her soul?”
Selene scowled at him, but didn’t reply.
“You did, didn’t you?” He shook his head with disgust at the woman before him.
“Savine, don’t,” Avery protested. “She was scared that Rue was going to die. She’s been flying since before the attack because Rue inadvertently sent her images somehow of the paper she found in her room. Selene feared it was a trap. By the way, did you know she can fly that quickly? She must be like a jet plane!”
Savine’s eyes grew wider. “Your bond shares images?” He shook his head in disbelief, ignoring Avery’s other question. Of course Selene could travel at high speeds. All the Nepheli fae could if they were traveling light and not burdened with cargo. Selene was known to be one of the fastest flying Nepheli alive today. Of course she could travel to Orofine in a day if she was determined to reach her mate. “My soulmate’s hand chosen guard could be sending images of secret Latian information to the Nepheli Sage without even realizing it?”
Selene looked down at the wooden floor. Did she realize the danger she was in, admitting to having that sort of access to private Latian information? To be in Latiah and knowingly share that information was nothing less than allowing Savine to take her life. If the roles were reversed, Rylo wouldn’t hesitate to kill Raikin for being a spy.
“It hasn’t happened before, I swear to the Goddess,” Selene said. She could tell no lie, Savine knew, but his heart stillhammered in his chest at the threat that this bond could cause to his nation, to his love.Selenehad captured Avery, stole her from him when he left her vulnerable in battle. He hadn’t forgiven himself for leaving her, and he would never forgive Rylo or Selene for stealing her away just to use both of them as pawns.
Selene’s body became preternaturally still against the binds that cut into her exposed flesh. “When it did happen, I knew that whatever Rue showed me was making her worried. I couldn’t rest, knowing that she could be in danger. I was already on my way when she sent the image of the attack. What could do that sort of damage?”
Avery spoke up, “It was dy—“
Savine interrupted her before she could spill any incriminating information about the Hunters. “It doesn’t matter what it was. Rue has been well cared for, as you can see. You, however, are a known enemy of myself, my queen, and this nation.”
“I deserve to know what happened to my soulmate. It’s my right to take revenge on her attacker!” Selene hissed. She struggled against the vines holding her fast. Savine placed his hand on the pommel of his sword.
With a burst of strength that she shouldn’t be able to possess, Selene broke through her bindings, raven black wings spread across the room, nearly knocking down Avery and Hyacinth in their path. Savine growled at Selene, drawing his sword. He could feel her dark starlight essence building. That power that had once nearly destroyed him. He’d once expected to die from it, and he wouldn’t tolerate it anywhere near his mate or threatening his own nation.
He moved quickly, ready to strike Selene’s exposed neck when he was hit by a sharp pain on his calf, cutting straight through his leather pants.
Avery screamed and Savine looked down to see the small fox sinking her sharp teeth into his leg. Rue was awake, and attacking her own king. She let go swiftly, snarling and growling as she limped backwards to Selene’s side.
Avery rushed to Savine, wrapping her arm around his side and helping him to a seat. The small shifter’s teeth were sharp, but it was the toxin that some shifters contained in their bite that worried Savine more than anything. Hyacinth cursed under her breath as she rolled his pants up and began examining the bite mark.
“There’s no evidence of venom, My King, but I’ll make you a poultice just to be sure.” Hyacinth busied herself opening drawers and pulling out varying fragrant herbs.
Savine looked to the two women, one still in her shifted form, the other with her dark wings tucked tightly around her. Selene held Rue in her arms, a look of tenderness that was so foreign to the woman’s face, it made Savine turn his head.
“Savine, before you came in we were just talking to Selene, trying to get her story straight. I think she’s here only for the reasons she said. Her emotions are difficult to read,” Kyla said in a quiet voice at his side.
“Of course her emotions are difficult to read. She has no emotions.”
Avery sat on his other side, sliding her hand into her lap. Her expression was tense. He could see her working her jaw, the tension visible. “Little Flower, look at me.” She turned, those soft brown eyes meeting his as he said, “I’m alright. I’m not happy about this revelation, or Selene’s presence, but don’t do something you’ll regret.”
Avery gave him a curt nod. “I just never saw it, and it was right in front of me. All the excuses Selene made to be around us, to be close to Rue.” She shook her head.
Selene brought Rue back to the table, setting her down with such care it made Savine recoil. His mind just couldn’t accept what he was seeing, this woman who’d treated him so cruelly to be displaying emotions he’d thought her incapable of having.
Hyacinth knelt at Savine’s side and began her healing ministrations. The sharp pain from Rue’s teeth faded to a dull ache.
Selene looked down at the fox as she said, “Rue still needs rest. I think she’s not ready to shift back to her fae form. I’d like to stay with her, but could we have our privacy?”
“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Avery exploded. “You came here, uninvited, and now expect us to leave you alone with one of my best friends? Hell no!”
