His molten copper eyes raked over my black bra as he said, “How tired are you?”
I grinned. “I’m wide awake actually.”
Chapter Four
Spell breaker.
It felt like moments after going to sleep I was awoken by a light knocking on my door.
“Go away,” I mumbled. I needed ten more hours of sleep and another sexy session with Kade before I was ready to face the mess of a world we had going on.
“Arianna, the Summer Court is here. They’re in the dining hall.” Calista’s stern but hushed statement had both Kade and I bolting upright.
“Be right there!” I leapt out of bed and flew to my closet.
Kade, who was calmer than me, pulled on his clothes from yesterday and went to use my toothbrush. “We need to bring some of your stuff here,” I said, following him, one leg in my pantswhile I hopped around to get the other in. “Looks like we’re going to have to spread our time more evenly between the two royal estates.”
Kade finished up at the sink, turning to me, leaning himself back on the marble countertop. Immediately the room felt smaller, and I wanted to drag him back to bed. He just did casual confidence in such a way that it was sexy without trying.
Needing a distraction, I quickly said, “I only spoke to Prince Caspien yesterday. Do you think something has changed in the Otherworld that fast? Is the war finally here?”
Kade ran a hand through his hair, somewhat taming its natural curl. “I hope not, we’re not ready.”
We weren’t. If the fae flooded through a portal today, we would be defeated — I knew that. Especially in light of this recently discovered dark mecca stone situation. We had been unknowingly up against something like that the entire time, and it was kind of scary how easily that could have destroyed us all. Learning the origins of that dark stone meant the Dark Fae Lord was even more powerful than I had previously thought. Possibly undefeatable.
“Well then, hopefully they have good news.” I forced a smile, before brushing my teeth, and both of us left the bathroom.
Finn and Nix were waiting for us outside, Kade’s familiar perched on the wolf’s back. “Jota is still in the sky. They are taking breaks,” Kade explained as we hurried toward the dining hall.
Slowing for a second, I turned to the familiars and brushed my hands along one of Nix’s massive wings, which she had pressed against her body. “Thank you, we appreciate you working so hard to keep us safe.” I added my other hand to Finn. “Both of you.” They had been relentless in their patrolling, never faltering on their duties once.
It’s nothing, Ari. This is what family does.
Finn’s words filled me with warmth.
Thanks for being my family,I told him.
He let out a low howl, nuzzling into me, and I kind of thought Nix looked pleased as well. Hard to tell on her bird face.
I remembered the Summer Court then, and we again hurried toward the dining hall, prepared for anything. As we opened the doors, I was surprised to see not only Prince Caspien, but also Rowan, a Summer Court magic born. They were seated at the table, having tea with Violet and Nikoli. At our arrival, Prince Caspien stood and gave a small bow.
“Greetings, Your Highnesses.”
I took a second to look him over closely. The prince was very handsome, one of the mostperfect specimens of man I had ever seen, actually. For my personal tastes he was too refined and pretty, but there was no denying his beauty. There was a glow about him that was very enticing, drawing you in to his warmth.
He had changed since the last time I’d seen him in person. I’d noticed it a little in the magic water door yesterday, but today it was very clear. He looked healthier, strong, his skin flush and sparkling with a golden tan that was deep and rich in color. The restoration of mecca had done him well.
“Greetings, Prince Caspien. I’m so sorry for the wait. We had a late night researching.” I nodded my head as Kade shook the prince’s hand.
Prince Caspien waved a hand toward me. “It’s fine. We have not waited long. I have come with a gift from my father, a thank-you for restoring the mecca, and for your continued alliance with our court. I also bring more news of developments in the Winter War, since we were cut off last we spoke.”
The Winter War must be what they were calling it. I was excited and nervous about his news — not to mention that we had some of our own developments to share on that front too.
I turned my attention to Rowan, who had also stood. Kade and I both greeted her with a hug. She had saved us in the Otherworld and healedViolet. For that she had our eternal gratitude and friendship. After our greetings were over, we all sat at the table again, and Prince Caspien waved a hand toward Rowan. She gave him a simple nod back before producing a small jar of purple powder.
“Your gift has two parts,” she said, handing me the jar. “Part one is mecca power.”
Violet gasped from her place at the table, and when I looked at her, her eyes were locked on the purple powder. Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I reached for the mecca powder with an awed reverence. It was priceless.
