The only good thing was that Paul didn’t know what Clover was to Amos. He knew she mattered, but not how much. Amos had been caught off guard and hadn’t hidden his reaction fast enough. A detrimental mistake.
Amos knew Clover needed to return to the Human Kingdom, and he prayed she’d go along with it. He would not force her, but if she stayed, the Hydra might go to war before they were ready.
“The capital wasn’t that bad,” Jennifer said. “Your father left me alone for the most part. He checked in on my studies, but I’m an excellent student.”
Every mate had to undergo studies and training to become the perfect queen. His father required perfection, and thankfully, Jennifer had grown up a highborn and knew most of the lessons already.
She walked to the door leading to her room. “I’m going to bed. You go tell whoever it is you sneak off to see goodbye and enjoy your last week together.” Her eyes softened. “I’m sorry, Amos. I know how happy you are here.”
He’d been content, but he hadn’t known happiness until his mate had returned, and now he’d have to send her away again.
Clover had trained with the sacrifices until her muscles hurt. She’d begged a few of the women to spar with her, needing the distraction. News of the king’s presence had spread through the village and den. As soon as someone saw the king, they’d alerted the Hydra leaders.
The women in the den knew who she was to Amos now that he’d pissed all over her in the meeting yesterday, and they took pity on her. One girl even kicked her ass.
A whistled tune ricocheted off the stone walls, loud enough for everyone to hear. Ruth had come for her.
Shelving her borrowed weapons, Clover ran to the entrance, where her sister waited atop Sasha. “He’s here.”
Clover laid her hand on Sasha’s nose. “Do you mind taking me up?” The dragon lowered herself in response so Clover could climb on. “Thank you.” She kissed the dragon’s nose and mounted.
Once Sasha landed on the cliff, Clover jumped off and ran to her mate. His hands went to the sides of her neck, and he kissed her as if she’d disappear. “I’m so fucking sorry,” he rasped against her lips. “I never should have taken you to that godsdamned market.”
She stepped back and looked him over for any signs that his father had hurt him. Satisfied that he was okay, she reached for his hand. “What did he want?”
Amos motioned for Ruth to come closer. “He’s sending me to the capital. I’m to live there and travel back to perform the sacrifices each month.”
Clover’s lungs seized, and Ruth said nothing. “They’ve caught on to the highborns disappearing or showing up dead,” heexplained. “He thinks I’m too easy a target in this remote village.”
Clover chewed the inside of her cheek as she thought. “I can’t live in the palace with you. Are there Hydra members in the capital I can live with?”
Amos’ silence said it all. He didn’t want her to go. “Clover…”
“You’re sending me away again?”
He rubbed a hand across his mouth and looked away. “Only if you agree. I’ll never manipulate you into leaving, but I do think returning to the Human Kingdom would be best. Paul will come here looking for you, and if he happens to see you in the capital, he won’t relent until he has you or is dead.”
“Then I’ll kill him,” she said simply. “I can take him.”
A ghost of a smile pulled at Amos’ lips. “I know you can, little viper, but he travels with an entourage everywhere he goes, and in the capital, if you’re seen fighting a man, they have the right to kill you on the spot.”
Ruth looked solemn. “He’s right. You could fight your way out of an attack, but the king would send more men after you, and we would be forced to go to war. We’re not ready yet.”
Clover’s lip trembled. She knew they were right, but she wanted so badly to stay. But this was bigger than her, and that meant she had to leave. “I’ll go.”
18
Amos stood in the doorway of Clover’s room, a bone deep ache weighing him down. They’d found their way back to each other, only to be torn apart again. He couldn’t let her leave without being fully his and without giving her more protection.
He closed the door and crossed the room with measured steps. She sat on the edge of her bed, her blue eyes brilliant against red-rimmed lids. “I have something else to ask you.”
She sniffled. “What?” Her voice was thick from crying.
Amos reached into his vest, pulled out a small box, and dropped to one knee, and opened it to reveal a simple gold band. “Will you marry me?”
Clover gasped and shot to her feet. Her mouth opened, then shut again. “I don’t understand. People can’t know I’m your mate.”
The side of his mouth lifted. “No one would know unless we want them to.” He removed the ring and set the box aside. “When we marry, your magic will strengthen to match mine. You’ll be stronger than any normal fae.”
