“He was. He tried to attack, took one swipe at Aoife before she blew him back.” He clears his throat. “I don’t know what happened to him. If she hurt him?—”
“No,” I interrupt. “She wouldn’t have. Not if she’s waiting to see if I’m telling the truth.”
She won’t test the bond. She’s waiting to prove me honest or a liar.
I dig deep into my soul for the bond. It’s weaker, duller. We are still tied, but Kaden’s essence—his love—it’s dimmed.
He’s fading.
Not long ago I wished to be rid of the soul-bond, but all I want is to succumb to it entirely. Feel my mate, wrap his scent around me, and have his hands erase all the awful things of the past few weeks until we only remember each other.
“He’s weak,” I say, patting my chest. “But alive. We don’t have long, Reid.”
“We’ll make it.” He sounds so sure. “I’m not giving up. And neither can you.”
I can’t.Everyone is relying on me to keep going, to figure out how to bring Kaden back, how to save the Shadowlands against Griffin. Giving up is akin to death.
Shaking my head, I say, “I’m not. But we’re running out of time.”
“It’s a good thing the calvary is here,” a voice calls from behind.
Stepping into the light, golden rings dangling from one lone finger, Mal grins. His hair is braided over one shoulder, his green eyes tired, but he’s a joyous sight.
“You made it!”
“About fucking time, Malvolio,” Reid growls. “I was growing bored with your terrible hospitality. You should really talk to the maids about their service.”
He slips the key in, and the door opens on a loud squeal. “Apologies,Your Highness,” he says, rolling his eyes. “But this is what happens when you misjudge my mother.”
On trembling legs, I exit and hug the Woodland Fae. “She really is as awful as everyone says.”
“You’re lucky,” he comments quietly. “If you hadn’t evoked the bond and if Kaden hadn’t appeared to defend you, my mother would’ve killed you on sight, guards be damned.” At Reid’s narrowed gaze, Mal shrugs. “The guards talk. Apparently seeing Kaden made my mother see things differently. It doesn’t absolve you from attacking her kingdom?—”
“We did not such thing?—”
“Or killing her Fae.”
“We did do that,” Reid concedes. “But, to be fair, she did try to kill me.”
“Something I’m sure she wouldn’t have done if not provoked.” Turning toward me, Mal lays two heavy hands on my shoulders. “Make no mistake. My mother is less than pleased to release you. Under our law, you’re to be hanged for killing a Royal Guard. To kill as many as you did, we don’t have a punishment.”
Reid scoffs. “Look at you, setting records.”
“But,” he amends, ignoring the Fae, “she understands what happened. She sent me to release you. She wants to help.”
Relief hits me fast and my knees buckle as I grip to his arms. “Really? She’ll help us save Kaden?”
“Like I said…” He helps me to the dungeon doors. “Kaden is her favorite. She’d level homes to make him whole.”
“And our guards?” Reid asks, jumping up the stairs, taking my arm as we step into the grand palace halls.
I stop short, eyes wide. The Veridian Palace is a work of art. The walls are all gold, with large candelabras in the far corners. The flames flicker and glow, casting bright lights reflected off the walls. The artwork is big, beautiful, and all various scenes of the landscapes.
I see bright orange and purple flowers in green meadows. Otherpaintings are of the mountains shrouded in thick clouds and shadows.
Everything is bright and peaceful, full of wonder and nature.
Servants bustle past us, in long white outfits and golden bangles. All of them stop to bow to Mal, but avoid us. “I take it they know what I did.”
