My promise diminishes the tension in his forearms.
I press a kiss to his jaw. “I’m going to bed. Leave you two to talk.”
“You can stay,” Konstantin says.
I don’t think he realizes what his invitation—what his trust—means to me. I don’t even care that I earned it through physical attraction. “I appreciate that, but I’m knackered. I’ll see you both in the morning. Or sooner?”
A blush touches the king’s jaw.
One that mustn’t go unnoticed by Aodhan, who is grinning. “Here I was beginning to doubt you two were mates.”
I swallow.
“Suffering from trust issues, are we?” Konstantin says this with such aplomb that I suspect he has a talent for lying despite his reactive complexion.
Right before I leave them to their chat, I ask, “You haven’t found Mestyla, have you?”
That wipes my fellow shifter’s pleasant humor. “No, but I found out Ksenia has rekindled her romance with Lev. I suppose it’s not much of a surprise, considering she has a penchant for Kostya’s enemies. Are you sure you don’t want me to airlift her back to the castle and keep her in a cell until Mestyla reveals herself?”
Konstantin’s lips pinch. “We wait until my niece makes contact.”
“You think she will?” I ask. “You think she knows Ksenia?”
“Ivan knew Ksenia. Svyato, as well. Odds are, my sister learned we had a niece before any of us did.” When he turnstoward Aodhan and asks, “Mind telling me why you made Vance spy on Salom?”
On that note, I take my leave.
I do catch Aodhan’s hushed reply, though. “Because you won’t, and I want to keep you safe so that I may irritate you for many centuries longer.”
To think the Crow was one of my father’s least favorite people… I don’t know if it’s entirely Izolda’s influence that has made him so agreeable, but I definitely like him. I once again think how reassuring it is that he’ll be here, at Konstantin’s side, when I travel home.
I suddenly don’t want to leave anymore, but then I think of my bedridden, pregnant mother and how much I want to hug her. When the prophecy happens, the sky is as dark as an ink spill. Since Konstantin mentioned true winter was still months’ away, I’ve got time.
In the Throne Room, I halt beside the dais and stare at the silver throne. The fire orbs, clustered along the vaulted ceiling, make the sculpted seat glow as though it were infused with magic…like the talisman.
If only there was a way to seal the latter to his skin…
I shift into my Crow, tucking my wings in, so as not to disturb the rows of benches.Dádhi?
His answer is immediate.Yes, Isla.
Could you ask Mimi about Konstantin’s necklace and if anything can be done to keep it anchored to his neck?
Why?
I’m worried someone might snatch it from him.
Why?
Because that’d probably lead to his neck being snatched from him as well.I realize that what my fatheris truly after is the source of my motivation.He’s a good monarch. One who deserves to keep his head.
My father grunts, which makes me roll my eyes just in time to find Salom descending the stairs. He flinches when he sees me in my beast form, but then his expression smooths.
It pushes another question through the bond:Is Salom trustworthy, Dádhi?
Do you know how I decide who’s trustworthy?
You evaluate what they have to gain?
