“How do you know? How are you so certain you won’t succeed and win this trial?” His eyes snapped openas his shoulders heaved with the labored breaths that fought to contain his outrage. “This is a task for the mind, and yours is one of the brightest I have ever seen.”
“Which is why I know,” I tell him, anxiety winding up my throat and stilling my voice during our precious minutes remaining together. “I didn’t ask for this. However… I’m grateful for fate bringing me here. That my journey in this life ends with—”
“Thisjourneyis not over yet!” he cut in, grasping my hands. “It’s not over,” he whispered, pressing his brow to mine.
Closing my eyes, I embraced him and inhaled his scent. The smell of him calmed my shaking nerves and settled my animal spiraling in my center. “I’ll be waiting for you at the crossing.”
“I’ve told younotto speak like that.”
“Since the first day I arrived in Aelius,” I said with a bright smile. “And every day since.”
“Along with every night I’ve visited your room,” he said as his lips brushed along the nape of my neck, causing me to moan. “I must admit those have been quite enjoyable.” I chuckled, biting my lip. “I wasn’t expecting to favor anything in this place, but fate had other ideas in mind.”
Threading my fingers around the nape of his neck, I pulled his lips to mine. It was short but ever so sweet. His lips parted to taste me, and I lost myself in this blissful moment that would inevitably disappear. With aheaving breath, he broke our kiss, pulling back to gaze at me with those entrancing eyes I would never forget.
“This was worth it,” I said, my heart thundering, threatening to break. “Meeting you was worth everything.”
I couldn’t make time stand still, but dear Gods, I wished I could. If I wielded the power to forbid time to continue, I would grant us eternity together.
Tilting his chin, I pressed my lips against his once more.
The sound of dungeon creatures broke our embrace as the darkened hallway behind me lurked with my impending doom. But to my surprise, my hands stopped shaking, my breathing slowed, and I was at peace.
“I love you.” I whispered the words I’d known the day I arrived in the Inner Kingdom and saw him for the first time, lost in the depths of his stare that unlocked the secrets buried within my heart and mind.
The idea of love at first sight was a fleeting hope I never thought possible. That was, however, until I methim.
“Don’t.” He tensed, grip on my waist tightening, reluctant to succumb to the reality of what was to come. “You can’t tell me this mere moments before you enter the trial.”
“And why not?” I challenged him. “I have nothing holding me back.”
In my youth, I knew I favored the company of males, thankful for having a brother to carry on ourbloodline. Still, I never found someone worthy enough to say those three words to, until now.
“I love you,” I said again, kissing him once more.
I memorized every fleeting second of his touch and the way his body pressed against mine. The way he smelled. The sensation of him in my arms, and most of all, the way he made me feel. With him, I was cherished and seen in a world of utter chaos.
“Love,” he scoffed, pulling back. “Love is a foolish game in the lives of mortals and immortals alike.”
I smiled, not needing to hear the words I knew he felt.
“Good thing you’re smart enough to not only know the rules, but also how to break them.” The very air around us seemed to tense as our moment together faded. “I must ask you something.”
“Anything.” His voice quivered despite his iron will.
“You must help whoever comes next. Whomever the queen chooses after me.”
“Stark, I—”
“You must help the next shifter,ifI fail.” I paused, hearing him inhale a pained breath. “For the salvation of both our worlds, you must lend your aid, my love.” I leaned back, my stare boring into his, preparing to confess what I’ve learned during my weeks captive in this palace. “There’s a resistance forming amongst your people. There are whispers of overthrowing the queenand taking a stand against her. Together, you can help unite and free your realm.”
“How do you know this?” he asked.
I tapped my ears and raised my brows with a taunting smirk. “I’m a shifter and, thankfully, constantly overlooked during my time here. Do you remember me telling you what I believe my animal would be if I could shift?” There was no guarantee, but if I ever got the chance, I knew in my heart that I would be an owl. “During mystayas an honored guest for nearly a month, I’ve been able to hear and see things missed by others. It’s one of the reasons you fell for me so quickly. Remember?” I teased.
I felt him stiffen as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “What you suggest is a death sentence,” he answered in a muffled voice.
“And living likethisisn’t?” I countered. “Constantly afraid of who the queen will destroy next based on a whim of desire or obsession over power. The high princes aren’t the only ones she drains. I’ve seen others brought to her chambers.”
