Karwyn drew closer. “You have me. Just do as you are told as my advisor and remain by my side where you belong.”
Belong.Did Rhay belong anywhere when he had no one? He didn’t even have Karwyn. Rhay realised now that he barely knew Karwyn despite having been his closest friend for over twenty years. How sad was that?
Amira, Rio, even Varsha…no one truly knew Rhay. No one ever could, thanks to Karwyn. Not when he knew that the moment he would truly try to fight for someone, truly let them in, Karwyn would take them away. Instead of letting anyone in, Rhay had kept everyone at arm’s length for as long as he could remember. Maybe he did belong next to Karwyn, maybe he didn’t deserve anything else. But Amira did.
“It is my duty as your advisor to think strategically, not go along with every task you set. Especially when you shouldn’t marry Amira,” Rhay tried again.
Karwyn let out a long sigh. “We are running in circles. I already told you, nothing you say will change my mind about Amira. You have not acted as my advisor long enough to know whatstrategicmeans.”
“Enlighten me then,whyare you so set on going through with the wedding?”
Karwyn’s lips pressed together tightly, his eyes guarded. “The better question is why doyounot want me to marry Amira? We both know it has nothing to do with your advisor duties.”
He was right. Rhay almost gave in, almost shied away from pushing further. But he knew he had one more card to play. One move up his sleeve that would switch the game completely.
Rhay leaned in, knowingly letting his robe fall open the tiniest bit. Karwyn tracked his every move, and Rhay let his eyes wander to Karwyn’s lips before meeting his gaze. “Maybe it’s not about Amira. Maybe I don’t want you to get married—toanyone.”
For once, Karwyn was speechless. Their faces were only inches apart, and Rhay almost expected Karwyn to close the gap between them. Should Rhay let him? Was he prepared to take it that far?
Making the decision for him, Karwyn stumbled a step back, turning away and quickly disappearing down the corridor. Had Rhay gone too far this time?
Chapter32
Amira
Power coursed through Amira’s veins, making her lose her sense of self. She had unleashed the darkness inside her, yet all that mattered was getting Elyssa away from the fae, Rahmur.
Just as she was about to yell at Elyssa to go, the fae who had been struck in the stomach with a throwing star stood up. Before Amira could react, he pummeled into Elyssa, throwing his weight against her side, forcing her off Rahmur.
Elyssa lost her grip on the dagger. With a cry of pain, she crashed to the ground, but she rolled to the side quickly, avoiding the fae’s punch to her gut.
Rhamur grabbed the fallen dagger, coughing up blood as he rose. “Why do your lot always have to make a fuss?”
Lifting up on her elbows, Elyssa struggled to her feet as both fae ganged up on her. She was hurt, yet Amira saw no fear in her hard eyes, her fists clenched as she gritted her teeth. If Elyssa could be brave, could be unstoppable, why couldn’t Amira?
The lock Amira had put on herself and her power began to loosen. Using the last of her strength, Amira threw a gust of wind at Rahmur before he could strike Elyssa. The fae crashed hard against the brick wall, dropping the dagger. The sound of his head hitting the wall echoed through her mind.
Elyssa tracked Rahmur’s movement, but she didn’t miss the other fae’s attack. In a swift move, Elyssa avoided his fist and ducked to retrieve the almandine dagger. She threw it at the fae, hitting his heart, and he fell over as his life force left him.
Loud voices made Amira turn her head to the end of the street. A group of fae was heading their way. Was it backup? They needed to get away before Elyssa got herself killed.
“Elyssa, fae are coming,” Amira begged as Elyssa walked over to Rhamur. He reached behind his head, his fingers coming back red—as red as the dangerous glint in his eyes. They couldn’t waste their opportunity to escape, yet Elyssa stood rooted to the ground, her fist clenched, eyes darting between Rahmur and the dagger in the dead fae’s chest. There was no time.
“Elyssa,” Amira begged, her voice rising, her chest feeling tight. She could barely breathe.
Eyes flickering from Rahmur to the group of fae approaching them, Elyssa sprinted to Amira’s side.
“Come on, princess.” Elyssa took Amira’s hand and then they ran as if fire was on their heels. Amira could make out yells behind them, but when she looked over her shoulder quickly, as she tried not to trip over her dress, she was glad to see the fae far behind them.
Her relief was short-lived as another thought plagued her. Did Elyssa know what she was? Could she tell from her quick display of her cursed powers?
Amira’s gaze travelled down to Elyssa’s neck, still bleeding from where the fae had cut her. She could’ve been killed. If Amira hadn’t… No, her powers weren’tgood,even if they had somehow helped them.
Quickly, they made their way back to the market. The girl with the cinnamon buns was gone. Amira couldn’t help but feel relieved.
Yet her worries were still pulling her down, as heavy as the grey stone walls surrounding them on the narrow street. She wanted to say something, defend herself from any accusations Elyssa could have. But saying the word was too scary for Amira. If, by chance, Elyssa hadn’t figured it out, Amira didn’t want to lead her straight to her secret.
At least no one else besides Elyssa and that fae had witnessed her slip up. Amira had no idea how the Carnylen fae treated witches, but she imagined it wasn’t too different from the other kingdoms. No place was safe for her.
