Evie seemed as confused as I felt but nodded, letting go of my hand so I could return to our quarters.
“Ask him,” Kingston urged, gesturing to Asher, who frowned at me, evidently unaware of what was going on here.
Seriously? “I understand that you have your customs here, and I truly respect that, but if I have to ask ‘my guardian’ for permission before doing everything I need to do we are never—”
“Wait.” Asher shook his head. “I’m not your guardian. I’m your commander. Kingston is Princess Evanna’s guardian because she was entrusted to him as a child, but you don’t need my—”
“Ask the question!” Kingston growled.
Both Asher and I sighed, exchanging a slightly amused glance, though we didn’t dare smirk. We didn’t want to die today.
“Asher, I humbly and with the utmost respect request your graceful and so highly regarded permission to go see the Truth Teller.” Fine, so I was being extra sarcastic, but seriously.
Asher’s face drained of all color the second the name left my mouth, and dread filled me.
“You need to see her?” he faltered, truly taken aback by my request, as though he hadn’t expected to hear that name ever again. “Why?” he added, regarding me in a way he never had. Like he resented the unwelcome reminder… because it hurt him.
Shit. There was definitely a sore spot there.
“Do you know her?” I asked softly, my hand reaching for his arm, and he nodded.
“She is my mother.”
Shock and bewilderment rushed through me, splintering like ice. “I thought your mother was dead.”
“I never said she was dead,” he explained. “I told you I lost her, because I did… to her calling.” He straightened, steeling himself to the pain that once again awoke within him. “That kind of destiny is one that gradually demands everything from you, until you no longer belong to the world you once knew. So, you must leave it behind and give yourself fully to your power. My mother did just that.”
No resentment accompanied his words. Instead, they were filled with understanding, but mostly, it was the sadness capturing them that cut through me.
“I’m so sorry, Brother.” I squeezed his shoulder in solidarity, and he placed his hand on mine, returning the gesture.
“Thank you… Why do you need to see her?”
Exchanging a glance with the chief, I proceeded to explain everything that we discovered during our visit with my mother—the missing crown, and how I needed her advice if I had any hope of defeating the Warlock King with my newly awakened, and poorly wielded, powers.
“I understand…” he offered after an encumbered sigh sank his chest. “I will take you to her.”
Kingston offered me a small smile, his gaze filling with profound relief, as though Asher agreeing to see her again was the first victory in a series of battles I had to brave before this could end.
Apparently, this was a monumental step.
“We should leave at once.” My commander whirled around, heading to the door.
“There is something Braxton and Evanna must do before we leave,” Kingston called after him, making him stop.
Glancing at us over his shoulder, Asher nodded. “Meet me behind the kitchens as soon as you are done. Only the two of you may see her, no one else.”
8
EVANNA
Nerves fluttered around my being like playful birds while Braxton and I stopped outside the throne room. Not only because of the surprise I’d prepared for him, but also for what we must do after.
Imogen, Kingston, and the rest of the guard paused behind us when I faced my mate.
Reaching for him, I took his hands in mine and glanced up into his eyes. “This is but a simple gesture, yet one deeply heartfelt,” I confessed, one hand cradling his cheek. “I wanted to do something for you after everything you have done for me.”
The confusion in his eyes transformed to love and appreciation, sending a cheeky smile to tilt his lips. “You don’t need to give me anything, Evie. Knowing you are mine is present enough.”
