The golden haze approached, and I gave myself to it.
I shot awake.
What the fuck just happened?
That was Violet. And I had experienced her last moments. They were so real. But… that had happenedafterthe memories transferred. And yet again, that word—Starfire.
But what was it?
Griff wasn’t backthat night, nor the next. I found myself checking constantly on that golden light within me, pressing my hand to my chest as if I could feel his presence there. It kept burning bright and steady, and every time I reached down through our bond, I felt an answering warmth. At sporadic times throughout the day, especially the evenings when I missed him most, I’d feel a push through that golden space, his silent reassurance across the distance.
We weren’t able to speak mind to mind from such distances, although Andrei had informed us that ability could come in time, but we at least had this fragile connection. I clung to it, missing him desperately, more than I cared to admit.
Several times a day, I climbed the tallest tower in the castle to look out to the west, as if I could see what he was facing. I would study the horizon, going cross-eyed as I attempted to determine if it was darkening. No visible signs appeared in the sky—the sun still shone brightly. But I could see the waves of refugees pouring into Valdris, driven inward from the outskirts of the realm, seeking sanctuary in the capital. We took them in, found them homes asbest we could. I just wished we could promise them the safety they sought.
The clearing outside of the castle had been turned into a makeshift camp, just as it had been fifty years ago. Soldiers were being recalled, forces positioned strategically.
They may not have been told, but they knew. They were preparing for war. Many of them had fought last time. You could see it on their grizzled faces, the set of their shoulders, the resignation that this was happening. But every time they looked at me, there was hope. Hope that I could solve this before it came to war.
I threw myself into poring through the prophecy, both what had existed and the new pieces I’d picked up from Violet’s memories. I had read Finn’s notes so many times they were creased from handling. On the off chance that a change of scenery would help jog something, I had moved to Kaia’s office, and Freya had decided to join me.
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed heavily. In the library, in Kaia’s office, in the middle of a field—no matter where I was, none of this made any sense.
“When are you and that boy going public?” Kaia’s voice cut through my thoughts.
Freya and I froze as Kaia snorted. “I have eyes, girls. Don’t think I haven’t seen how you and that boy are around each other. Although you have been fairly discrete. Surprisingly so, given it’s a mating bond.”
My mouth fell open. “You know about the bond?”
“Course I do.” She shrugged. “I’ve known that boy, both of them, since they were toddling around here following their father around. Griff has never been like this with any other woman. Had to be a mating bond to make him act this way. The question is why he’s keeping it silent. I always figured him as being the possessive type.”
“He is,” I muttered as Freya dissolved into laughter.
Kaia looked at me assessingly. “I’m guessing it has something to do with Finn. And neither of you have a clue how to handle that.”
“I’m all ears if you have any advice.”
She scratched a spot on her neck. “Can’t say that I do, but I wouldn’t wait too long. These things have a way of getting out, and I imagine the hurt he’ll feel now is nothing compared to how he’ll feel if he’s the last to know.”
With that bit of unhelpful advice, she left to go torture her soldiers.
I checked in with the bond for the hundredth time that day, the answering warmth flaring immediately.
“You know, I was in love with Griff once,” Freya mused.
That got my attention and I looked up sharply.
She burst out laughing. “You should see your face. Lexie, I was eight.” She continued laughing. “I haven’t seen Griff this relaxed since around that time. You do bring out the best in him. He’s laughing and winking, for Voda’s sake. Anyway, Griff and Finn had just gotten back from another trip here, their third in as many months?—”
“Here?” I interrupted. “From Valdris?” They’d made mention of being here in childhood, but from how Freya was talking, they had been here more than I realized.
“Yeah, Garrett was the previous Champion. I thought you knew.” She continued talking, not realizing the shock her words delivered. I came to the crushing realization that even though I was mated to the man, I actually knew very little of his history.
“Everly was, of course, from Maraleth, so they alternated through the year between both places. You know, Garrett was the one who informed Finn and Griff about the prophecy. Griff became obsessed with it, with you, the lost princess. Before Garrett disappeared?—”
“He disappeared?” I interrupted again.
She tilted her head to one side. “Griff never mentioned this?”
