“I was surprised at that too,” Caius admitted. “Although, I suppose one could say darkness finds its way into our hearts through the cracks we leave unhealed.”
His words pulled me up short. He was right. The ache for my parents, my siblings, my simple life—that ache lived in my heart. I could feel it in every cell of my body—the grief that crippled me in those first moments, that still caught me off guard—but that pain and darkness had burrowed deep into my chest. Maybe I could heal it the same way—but to shine light on it would be to face it, and I wasn’t ready for that.
“You’ve experienced great pain in your life, Nyleeria,” Caius said. Tilting his head, he added, “Fresh pain.”
“Yes,” I breathed.
Unwilling to discuss it further, I asked, “Why did you invite us, Caius? Why even send an invitation after all this time?” It was something that had always bothered me. What was in it for them?
“Tradition, I suppose. The high lord of the Summer Court has always sent an invitation. It’d just remained unanswered for a very long time.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
Apparently, there were things neither of us wanted to discuss.
“Why invite Wymond and Amos?”
“The short answer is politics. Although sometimes difficult, we work to keep the peace among ourselves. If I’d hosted humans for the first time in centuries and kept it to myself…well, we are naturally untrusting, and the other courts would’ve assumed nefarious intent. So, I invited them. If I’m being honest, Nyleeria, had you not come, I don’t think we would have run into the same issues. In fact, the two lords would have grown bored rather quickly and left. Which is why I didn’t give it a second thought before inviting them. But then you, a simple human woman”—he smirked—“entered my court.” He heaved a sigh, and it was the most human thing I’d ever seen a fae do. “There will be fallout for this. I don’t know what exactly, but I feel like our tenuous peace may have been strained.”
Fear gripped me, and as if reading my thoughts, Caius said, “Don’t worry, Nyleeria, they’re not stupid enough to go to the human realm, but I wouldn’t recommend you visit our lands again anytime soon.”
Chapter 37
Not a Moment Too Soon
Caius valenned us back to the grounds, and we walked along the pathway through his beautiful estate. We made our way to the large overlook I’d come to that first night to take a moment to myself.
I stood there, cataloging as many details as I could, wanting to remember the unmistakable beauty of his court and the soothing thrum of Caius’ powers.
Facing him, I said, “Thank you for your hospitality, High Lord.” I curtsied low, out of respect and gratitude.
He inclined his head to me. “It was an honor, Nyleeria.”
No sooner had Caius straightened than Fiora and Myron appeared, startling me. Caius smiled wryly at me, and I narrowed my eyes, making him smile in earnest.
“We wanted to thank you for your gracious hospitality before we take our leave,” Myron said, extending an arm to Caius. Forearm to forearm, they wrapped their hands around each other’s elbows in a form of greeting.
Caius released Myron and turned to Fiora. “Always a pleasure, Fiora,” he said and gently placed a kiss on the back of her hand.
She smiled and offered a curtsy of her own. “Until next time, Lord Caius.”
Fiora stepped toward me, lightly touching my arm as she kissed the air on either side of my face. I froze in surprise, and she smiled at me, then stepped back.
“Be well, Nyleeria,” Myron offered.
“And you. Both of you,” I said, grateful for everything they had done for me.
Fiora gave me a wink, and then they were gone. I stared after them, knowing a part of me would miss them.
“Shall we?” Caius said, offering his hand to me.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s time for you to go home.”
The relief I felt at those words almost broke something in me, and I placed my hand in his, ready to valen back to the palace.
