The mist grows, thickening, covering us in a white blanket. Before I leave, she says one more thing, “I love you.”
The fire crackles and pops,as the cool air chills my skin. Kaden lies next to me, arm still outstretched from where I curled next to him. I watch his chest and rise, counting each one as if it’ll soothe the ache in my heart.
The guards walk the edges of the camp, trading off on silent feet. Reid lies on the other side, arms crossed. Layla sleeps with a smile on her face, bathed in the moonlight. She’s at peace, slumbering in her mother’s arms.
I rub my chest, envy strong.
Mal is sitting up, head dipped low as Fee rest her head in his lap. A dagger is clutched to her chest, but she smiles faintly.
Further back, against the trees shadowed by thick leaves, stands my father.
“Couldn’t sleep?” he comments as I lean against the thick trunk. The bark scratches at my skin and I silently mourn for not having a shower before fleeing from the Veridian Palace. Blood flakes off my hands, and my muscles protest every move. The journey is long and we don’t plan on stopping again.
If the horses last. They’re already so tired, but they feel the urgency to make it back.
“Something like that.”
He side eyes me, nodding. “You spoke to her.” At my shock, he smiles. “Thea came to you. What was it like?”
“I don’t remember her,” I confess. “But as soon as she hugged me, I remember the feeling of being loved. By her. Unconditionally.”
He sighs, pressing his back into the tree, wings compacted under him.
“You were loved, little one. Youareloved. So very much so.”
My shoulder rests against him. Thea felt like love, but Baris always felt like comfort. A father who would do anything to protect me.
“Do you ever get to speak to her?”
He shakes his head sadly. “No.Setidoesn’t usually let souls wander out of his domain. I can only assume he gave you this gift to impart some wisdom.”
“He did.” I rub my arms, trying to find warmth in the cold. “I’m to trust my allies. Those who I once trusted most.”
“Hmm,” he hums. “Sounds cryptic.”
I laugh quietly. “I thought the same.”
Silence drifts between us, but it doesn’t feel oppressive. It’s full of understanding, two people sharing grief for someone long gone.
“She also said that I can learn about her through you.”
He raises a brow, smiling slightly. “Of course. I’ll tell you anything about Thea.”
Sliding down the tree, he invites me to sit. “It’s been hard to tell you things about her. Thinking about her rips my soul in two. But I can tell you about what we used to do for you. Then build from there.”
“Me?”
His smile grows. “When you were younger, you used to get nightmares. I believe it was a precursor to all of this.” He pats his leg. “You used to run into our room, curl into my lap while your mother lit a candle. The Blut Coven believe the flame would burn away the bad. And then she would sing.” The moon turns his black hair white and he leans against the tree. “I understand if you’re too young for such a thing but?—”
I drop my head, hands folding under my chin. My father freezes a moment before his rough palm rests on my skull.
My eyes find my mate closer to the flames, and I exhale loudly.
“The king will rise from all of this,” he calms, smoothing my hair. “Aoife holds no more power over him. He will bounce back.”
“Will we?” It’s been a worry since he killed her. Did anything she do taint what’s between us? How will she haunt us?
We’ve barely spoken since running away. There wasn’t any time. And he’s finally sleeping after I’m not sure of what terrible ordeals. I don’t want to wake him.
“You have the strongest bond I’ve witnessed,” he says slowly. “I dare say it’s a Heartbond.”
My heart jolts with excitement. But it’s tempered. “Dark Fae don’t have Heartbonds. At least, that’s what Fee said,” I say, fear cloaking my words.
Baris scoffs. “Everyone has a Heartbond. Dark Fae love to live in their misery. It wouldn’t surprise me if Fee and Reid both had Heartbonds. They just have to want it.”
I scan the group and hum. He might be on to something.
“You will both recover from this, little one. I’ve no doubt of it.” Carefully, he drapes his cloak over my shoulders, a makeshift blanket that smells like cool water and familiar love. “Rest. We have much to accomplish come morning.”
