“I wish I could speak to him, mind to mind, like you can with Vaeron.” The words were so low, I scarcely caught them. But sickly green jealousy threaded every one. “You are lucky you can communicate like that.”
I didn’t argue with her, not when her sorrow was acute enough to puncture me.
“Please get us out of here,” she whimpered. “I am so, so tired. I can’t keep this up. What I’ve Seen…”
“Shh, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” I murmured. “Let’s go to your bed. You can sleep.”
She nodded, rising with a groan. I followed her there, snuggling up like we had as girls. In minutes, her breathing evenedout. Her eyes no longer danced beneath her lids. The line in her brow unclenched.
I studied her then, mulling over the events of the day.
If I stopped being so selfish, I could take away her pain. I could reunite her with Zuriel. I could possibly even end this war.
Because what she had said before about the Issaraeth having a duty toward me as his mate was true.
And if I exploited that…
Well, that was a significant amount of influence to wield in this vicious realm.
But I knew that if I walked down that path, I’d become like the people I had sworn to hate. No better than the former Herr Räviel had been to his son.
I’d already lost myself in the Issaraeth anyway. I could no longer deny it, not when I ached for him. Not when he was close enough to feel the heat of his skin and I couldn’t push him away. Because when his possessive side emerged, I wanted nothing more than to fall into that safety.
As fucked up as it was, the intensity of his need for me made me feel like no matter what happened, he’d protect me.
Even from his sister.
Even from the Koron.
But not from himself.
39
“Aball. We need a ball,” Iaoth pronounced, flicking through the dresses in her expansive closet. “So many of the Kisst have been…testy lately. The court needs a reminder of our power. We’ll let them dress in their light and then strip them until they’re obedient. Like you.”
The slide of the hangers over the rack scraped against my raw, irritated nerves. I’d sat here—nearly an hour now—while my sister rattled off plan after plan, scarcely allowing me a word. She kept no maidens to attend her, save for the lone female who helped her dress.
Because she was such a bitch she’d driven them all away. No amount of coin or jewels could buy the presence of another to listen to her brittle whining.
Unlucky for me, I was her kin, and as head of our house, obliged to her. A fact she exploited each day I remained in thepalace. I almost wanted to go out on the road again just so I could get away from her.
But I couldn’t leave Sylaira behind.
“It will be a nice teaser for your upcoming vows too. You and Dasha, together in front of the whole court. House Elyriane and House Räviel, united at last. No one will dare to challenge our rule. Plus, we have to introduce all the new Seers to the court too, show the nobles what a good omen it is that you brought home two powerful ones. A sign from the Goddess that she wishes for us to exterminate those red-eyed beasts once and for all.”
My nails dug crescents into my palms. The last fucking thing I wanted was to dance with Dasha in front of all the nobles. For Iaoth to parade me about like I was one of her prized pets in order to show the other nobles that Stadiel’s reign was secure.
Which is exactly what they’d do to Sylaira and the other Seers too. She’d be as much of a performer as me. Thank the Goddess no one would see her dancing, because I might lose my shit if someone got to witness that fluid grace before me.
Even without her on a stage, the two of us in the same room, in front of all of the nobles who would pounce at the first sign of weakness? We were fucked. Caught out the moment she stepped into my orbit. When it came to my mate, there was no hiding my obsession—not for long anyway.
Sweat beaded my hairline. I resisted the urge to reach behind me and swipe the back of my neck.
Iaoth spun to face me, her wispy gown gathering at her ankles. Her ice-blue eyes seared into mine. I merely blinked, expression smooth as a glassy lake, and waited for her next attack.
I’d long since stopped flinchingunder her gaze.
“Dasha says you’ve yet to visit her since your return, despite my repeated requests that you do so.”
