I described Arnel’s death in detail, at which Diredan laughed even more.
A gruesome death. Avengefuldeath. I approve.
I froze, hoping against hope that his approval of Kole’s vengeance would amount to something, and I dared to dream that perhaps when I walked out of this Wood, Kole would be wholly fae once more, but Diredan’s next words depleted all hope rising inside me.
If I’m to help you and return your mate to fae, you must do something for me. Bring memymate. If you can bring Nuleef to where I slumber, I will grant you your wish, and I will save your mate.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“He wants us to bring him a goddess. We’re supposed to bringanotherdivine creature to Silventine Wood. As if that’s even possible!” I fumed on the outside of the Wood’s metallic border. I was so angry I wanted to punch something.
After Diredan had made his stipulations known, I’d told him I would do my best, and then Kole and I had mistphased out of there before the god changed his mind.
Twilight filled the sky around us, the end of the day drawing near. The wind had died, leaving us standing in cold snow, but the metallic haze of the Wood shimmered not far away and made the land feel as if it were alive.
I glanced upward as the first stars began to emerge and forced myself to think positively, to try to see some kind of hope in this never-ending darkness. “At least I don’t have a curfew anymore. I don’t have to return to the palace anytime soon. That helps.”
Kole stood silently, watching me, a realist to his core and once again accepting of what was to come.
But I couldn’t accept it. Wouldn’t.
“I can find a way to contact her,” I said, pacing in the snow. “I will. Somehow, it’s got to be possible.”
Kole slipped an arm around my waist, effectively stopping my pacing. His face was carefully blank. I wrapped my arms around him and inhaled his intoxicating scent. He was growing hot again with fever, but he hugged me and pulled me close.
“No matter what happens, I will always love you.” His voice was low and filled with sincerity.
My heart cracked, and even though I knew he meant those words now, there was nothing to say if our mate bond would remain once he turned. The vamfeers were nothing like fae. They were nothing like me.
“How in the realm will I reach Nuleef?” I said against his chest. “Nobody’s heard from that goddess in eons, but there’s got to be a way, even if it seems impossible.”
Kolehmmed, his chin resting on the top of my head. “I don’t know, but I do know that contacting a god or goddess requires a temple, and we do know where a temple is.”
I whipped back, my vampire speed blurring my movements. “You’re right!” I grinned. “I nearly forgot about that, and we never destroyed Arnel’s temple. We could usethatto contact Goddess Nuleef and plead with her to heed my call!”
Kole brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and his hand slid down to entwine with mine. “Then I suppose we better go.”
In a blink, the realm dropped out from beneath us as we traveled as mist and shadows, air and wind.
“Maybe we won’t beable to use Arnel’s temple.” I tried to swallow down my rising fear, but I couldn’t. Not with what we were seeing.
Standing in the Wood and hidden by foliage, Kole and I watched the activity taking place on my uncle’s estate.
The entire castle grounds were awash with kingsfae.
The Imperial Council had obviously called them in to deal with my dead uncle, and the authorities were everywhere. They’d even erected new wards around Arnel’s property, banning our entry onto his lands. And since Kole’s infection was known by the Council, he was no longer allowed to partake in his duties, which meant they’d denied us entry when we’d requested it.
Using my activated eyesight, I counted all of the fae present and tried to figure out how we could get past them. It would require strong magic to penetrate their ward, but all wards were breakable eventually. Perhaps when they took a break, or maybe when they finished in the temple, we could try to force our way in. But over a dozen kingsfae alone surrounded those stone pillars.
One of the kingsfae held a looking glass, recording everything they saw and found. The others were meticulously removing and turning over every stone of the temple’s flooring.
I didn’t even want to know how long they would be combing through the entire estate. Most likely, it would take weeks, even months before they left.
Kole placed his hand over mine. “Diredan never gave us a time limit. We can wait until their work is done and then return to use the temple.”
The sick feeling churning in my stomach grew. “That could takeweeks, Kole. You could be a vamfeer by then.”
“True, but even if I do turn, Diredan could still change me back. He has enough power to do that.”
