That simmering heat flares up within me. “It’s about Caspian and the mate bond.”
Kel groans, then rolls off me, digging his palms into his eyes. Well, that seemed to wake him up. “We’ve talked about this, Rosalina. We’re not doing anything until Sira is dead.”
“That plan won’t work anymore, Kel. You saw her on the bridge. She’s not exactly easy to kill. She runs away whenever we get the upper hand?—”
As soon as I mention the bridge, Kel’s expression shifts, hardening to that icy frown. “My uncle feared the chasm would be a gateway for Sira’s abysmal creations. But it was worse than we ever thought. These weren’t idiot ogres or goblins climbing up the walls. She allied herself with a group of fae no one knew existed until now. They’re smart, they’re strong, and they’re merciless.” Kel stares straight ahead, eyes blazing. “Caspian’s chasm made that attack possible. The creation of the chasm made my uncle’s death an inevitability.”
I blow out a breath, my frustration ready to rip out of me. As much empathy as I have for Kel’s grief, he’s so damn stubborn. I can’t stop myself from saying lowly, “I’m pretty sure you played a role in the chasm’s creation too, Kel.”
He stands, snatching a pair of pants and shirt from the floor and yanking them on. “Did you come to berate me, Rosalina?”
“This isn’t about you, Kel. It’s not about me either. It’s about your people. Astrid couldn’t turn back this morning. She wasstuckin her hare form, like Konreth. The staff are suffering. Castletree is weak. We have to do something!”
“So you’d become Caspian’s thrall to save them, is that right? You may be willing to sacrifice yourself, but I won’t, Rosalina.” His eyes blaze with blue fire, and his voice lowers. “Don’t you see? You’re asking me to give up my mate. I won’t do it. You wouldn’t either.”
I take a deep breath. There’s no other choice. He’ll never understand that Cas won’t hurt me otherwise. “Kel, the truth is—” The words stick in my throat. What will he do when he finds out? Send Caspian away? Banish him from Winter again?
A light knock sounds. Kel stalks over to the door and rips it open.
If there was an award for the worst timing, Caspian would win it. He’s leaning in the doorway, his most pleasant smirk plastered on his face, holding a breakfast tray. “Good morning.” He flicks his purple gaze to me. “Rosalina. What a lovely surprise. Astrid didn’t seem quite herself, so I thought I’d help out and deliver breakfast.”
Kel shoves past him, knocking Caspian in the shoulder. Tea splatters from the two cups, and a piece of toast falls to the ground, butter side down. A hurt expression flickers on Cas’s face.
I chase after Kel, ducking past Caspian and following him down the hall. “You can’t keep running from your problems, Kel. Unlike your realm, you can’t hide away from me!”
“I know,” he growls. “I’ve tried!”
Cas sets his tray down, then puts his hands in his pockets, slinking after us. “Why do I have the feeling I’m the subject of conversation yet again?”
Neither Kel nor I say anything, but we stop walking. I cross my arms and raise my chin, too indignant to look at Kel. He mimics my position exactly.
Cas sighs. “You know, Keldarion, it’s exhausting to risk my life to save you, your soldiers, your friends, and your mate and not even get a thank-you.”
Kel throws his hands in the air. “What did I do to wake up and be bombarded by you two?” He gives Caspian a vicious glare. “Next time, don’t bother coming. Stars know you probably knew about that underfae army all along.”
“That’s not true,” I say. “And you know it.”
“It’s okay, Rosalina.” Caspian shakes his head. “I’m not sure what I expected. Keldarion can’t touch his real enemies, so he has to keep me as his villain. I suppose I’m a masochist, because I’m still here.”
A growl sounds in the back of Kel’s throat. “Iam the Sworn Protector of the Realms, andyouare the Prince of Thorns. You don’t get to erase decades of torment against the realms because you decided you’d rather be on our side for one battle.”
“The Prince of Thorns,” Caspian repeats quietly. His face drops, becoming expressionless. Cold. A look I haven’t seen since over a year ago when he entered the solstice ball we held in Winter. “And here I was, trying so hard to be something else. But I suppose we can’t change, can we? I hate to say it, but you’re not exactly the Sworn Protector of the Realms, are you, Kel? Because doesn’t the Sworn Protector of the Realms need a sword?”
Kel takes a step back.
“Oh, that’s right.” Caspian’s lips curl into a sneer. “You had the Sword of the Protector, and it broke under your watch. Not very protective, were you?”
The only sound is a sharp inhale through Kel’s nose. His nostrils flare, and I don’t remember the last time he blinked.
I flash Caspian a hard look. “Enough, both of you. Kel, I need to tell you something.Weneed to tell you something.”
Caspian raises his brow. I guess I should warn him, but it’s too late now.
It rushes out of me, fireworks made of words. “Caspian and I are mates.”
Silence rings between us. Kel looks as if he’s turned to ice. I hold my breath, afraid any sound will cause an avalanche to surge down the hallway.
When Kel still doesn’t move—or blink or breathe—I turn to Caspian. I expect him to be either giving Kel his smuggest grin or trying to make a getaway, but he’s staring at me, a soft smile on his lips.
