There are dangers at court, but as a female, there are more. Males will use us, take us, there will be others who wish to steal us away. It’s not as simple as a Human wanting to bed a female—here, I am prey, with Dark Fae controlled by terrible instincts. They might be tempted to do worse.
“It’s not just that.” I drop down, avoiding Reid’s incoming punches, rolling over my head to avoid him. Once I turn back, he lands a hit, my body flying forward onto the mat. I struggle, breath stuck in my throat. “There’s something else.”
Clearing her throat, Fee shifts, looking to the ceiling. “Ask your question, blood summoner. Not all of us have all day to be coy.”
I ignore her catty tone. “You’re teaching me to defend myself against Zelos.” I brush the black strands from my eyes, chest heaving as I glance up at the princess. The room spins, but I blink away the dots. “I just can’t figure out why. Aren’t I here because he wants to use me? Aren’t you his children?” Shouldn’t they be helping him, as opposed to me?
Kaden claims to have tied our souls to protect me, to keep me safe while I’m here. But I am still in Zelos’ territory. I’m still to be his weapon. No matter how much I want to trust Kaden, believe he’s doing this for me, I’m still in danger at this court.
The siblings exchange a quick glance, but it’s enough. True terror hangs between them, a raging fury that steals my breath.
Fee pales unexpectedly, her hand trembling as she grabs the sword on her hip, looking for security. Without that small tick, she looks calm, composed.
“You were brought here to be a weapon,” Fee begins, clearing herthroat. “But that is not all that you are. Kaden has made it clear to the lords what he expects of you.”
“Marriage.” It still clamps a burning hand of rage around my gut.
“Queendom,” she corrects. “You’ve gone from being Zelos’ weapon, to someone who can take his throne. Dark Fae can only ascend the throne when they are married. Zelos doesn’t take well to threats to his power. Or for anyone not to follow his plans.”
Reid winks. “And we, his children, do not follow his plans. Like, ever.”
“And if I don’t?” Slowly, I stand, body aching. “What if I don’t follow his plan? Become his weapon? What if I do marry Kaden and become queen?” What if Kaden does protect me, keeps me from his father? Then what?
Reid bites the inside of his cheek, fingers twitching as if a coin runs over the knuckles. “That’s why we’re training you, Max. We’ve always supported Kaden. We’re doing this, so, when that day comes, you’ll survive.”
Fee looks away, thoughts gone, eyes unfocused. Whatever she sees isn’t here with us, but a bad memory on repeat in her mind. Of something horrible that pales her cheeks and hitches her breath.
It’s ugly, whatever it is.
Carefully, I step close, catching her eye. “What did it take for you to survive?”
The Dark Fae princess smiles, but it’s broken. “Everything. And I won’t see it happen to you.”
The air locks in my chest, blood pounding in my ears as my shoulders fall. The visceral pain on her face breaks my heart. Fee is the strongest woman I’ve met and yet, whatever happened to her, at the hands of her father, decimated her.
All of this, this training, is her way of protecting me.
It’s different than what Nessa and Nafre did. They taught me to control my blood magic through fear, through simple exercises to tire my body and mind. If I was spent, then the magic couldn’t hurt anyone. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always thecase.
They used to let the villagers taunt me, let me feel less than everyone else. That was their form of protection.
Fee, a female, a princess, a warrior, is seeing another vulnerable woman in her home, who will be hurt without this specific knowledge and is preparing me. She’s giving me the tools to survive, even if it could hurt her—hurt her brother—later on.
This is one woman seeing another and needing to make sure the abuse is not repeated.
The least I can do is listen, to understand. Grabbing her hand, I squeeze in solidarity. A small act that shows her I appreciate the effort, her care, and the cost she risks by doing it.
Turning back to Reid, I gesture to the mat. “Again.”
Chapter
Nineteen
MAX
It’s only been a few days since my near escape. When I allowed the heir to pin me, take from me, as I gave into our bond—my desire. My body still bears the marks of my time in the woods and I can’t help the blush when I remember it.
It was brutal, feral and I want more of it. I may not fully trust Kaden, but I can’t deny how much my body—my soul—misses him.
