“Dandelion is greedy for power…” my brother started to explain. “He’d never share it, not even with his own son. And Nathaniel… he’s kind and gentle. His power is pure and soft. Not made for ruling, not made for this burden. And yet his father sees him as a threat. Enough to imprison him. It was only thanks to his mother that he escaped exile.”
“Dandelion took his own son captive?” she asked, startled at the brutality of our courts.
“Yes… Dandelion was afraid the powers of his own blood would outshine him… He made the entire kingdom believe his own son was a monster,” I explained.
“And that’s why Aura’s here?”
“Likely,” I said. “I certainly didn’t invite her. And the Elven King surely wouldn’t welcome her back. Not when he believes she’s possibly conspiring with us.”
She shook her head slightly, like she was trying to make sense of it all. “So… she and you aren’t a thing? Because she acted like she was interested inyou.”
“Jealous, are we?” I teased her, a smirk pulling at my mouth.
“You wish.” She rolled her eyes at me. If Sparrow weren’t here, I’d throw her over my shoulder and take her to my bed, to teach her some manners.
“I’d never let her touch me. She also isn’t my mate.”
“Your what?” she blinked. “A mate?” She looked baffled, like she had no idea what I meant. But then it was my understanding that mates weren’t a thing in the mortal world.
“Mates are partners that were chosen by the gods and goddesses that live within the stars and moon. They are very rare and when it happens, you just know it immediately—like there is a forcible energy that draws two people together.”
“But if it’s that rare… How do you evenknowwhen you’ve found them?”
I took her hand. She gasped softly as a spark raced up her skin. The same electric shock I felt.
“What did you feel?” I asked.
She hesitated. “Nothing.”
I raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say a word. I wouldn’t push her. Not yet.
“Aura and him aren’t bonded either,” Sparrow added, arms crossed. “It was only one night of pleasure. He was also drunk and vomited on her carpet the next morning. Hardly romantic.”
“In Marabour,” I said, “they take bonds formed between two beings very seriously. They stay loyal. If it’s once, it’sforever. No going back.”
“And vampires?” she asked.
“It depends... Once a vampire falls in love, they are able to bind themselves to that person, including their powers. Even if they fall in love again, each time a piece of their soul is given away. Most of the vampires, however, tend to live more polyamorous and share partners. They are way too afraid of their entire soul being affected through love and therefore prefer not to bind themselves to one person. No attachment. No risk.”
“But you are a prince…”
Prince.The way she emphasized the word made it almost seem like it carried a meaning.
“I am. But I’m not considered his next heir… And my mother is a venomous witch with vampiric heritage. She seduced him, thinking a son would make her queen, but he would never willingly choose to bind his powers and part of his soul to someone else. Not even Sparrow’s mother, who had royal siren blood.”
At the mention of sirens, I saw her body tense up.
“Not all sirens are the same, Gwendolyn,” I said gently. “Sparrow’s mother is nothing like the ones haunting your dreams.”
Her eyes widened; she was baffled that I knew. Especially because she didn’t tell me.
“You seem to read all my thoughts...” she stated.
“I can… and it would get even easier if you… and I…bond.”
Her gaze went to mine, the words sinking in. She knew what I meant—the way her cheeks flushed gave it away. She was embarrassed thinking about me like this.
“What do you mean?” she asked, and her curiosity amused me.
