17
KADEN
The bubbling stream is a welcomed soothing comfort to my ears as I recline on the heated stones. The silence is deafening—not in the surroundings, no. But in my head.
He’s gone.The curse. It’s all gone. It’s a wonderous thing.
Max sits beside me, both of us submerged in the water, quiet and pensive. After she did the unimaginable—saving me from a curse that has haunted my family for generations—Baris pulled us away to the decrepit castle behind the altar for a reprieve.
Max was exhausted from pinning me, and my body burned as if on fire that a simple touch made me drop in pain. The fur had shed, leaving behind new skin, my fangs had shrunk and my jaw ached from the change. We were in rough shape, unable to travel for more than a moment. Baris understood it.
“The summer palace,” Baris explained, my arm wrapped around Max’s shoulder and my brother’s. “The royal family would live here during the better weather. This side of the mountain used to gainSola’sfavor. Higher up is the winter palace, shadowed by fog.”
“Is that where…” Max trailed off, pivoting me into the ruined gates.
“Where all the corpses lay?” Baris nods, eyes sad. “I imagine so.This palace will be a safe home for all us and the guards have plenty of room to spread out. From there, we can decide what to do.”
Because no one thought this would happen. That I would survive and change back. Baris had checked one more time before leaving us.
Max’s head falls to my shoulder, and I breathe her in. The silken touch of her hair cascading down my chest, the gentle air that swims across my neck, and the trickling of water around us.
For so long, I’ve been haunted by the curse. Forced to contain it, to work with it, to beat it into submission. Regardless of how I felt or wanted, my entire life was dedicated to being the best at everything—the best solider, the dutiful heir, the only Dark Fae that learned to control the beast.
Then I lost it. Lost everything I worked for in one moment of grief and pain.
My hand runs down Max’s arm, pulling her closer.It was worth it.
I would make that sacrifice again.
I let the beast consume me, swallow me whole, in order to kill the male who fathered me, who killed the male who loved me like a son. I killed a tyrant who tortured my mate and sister. And I took those consequences on gladly.
Because it led me here. It gave me my life back. It gave me a glimmer of a future with the woman at my side.
No more restraints. No more worries. No more caution. I am whole—fully, for the first time ever in my life. Because of the woman who chose to fight for me—like I gave up everything to avenge her.
“What are you thinking?” I ask, words barely a whisper. I don’t want to break this spell, but I need to know.
She turns, looking up at me with eyes so bright, only the night sky can compare. My heart stutters in my chest and I exhale against it the outpouring of love I feel for this small woman. A woman who is half my size and yet dared to save a beast.
“Saving you was my only task,” she admits. “But now, we have the world to think about. We have your kingdom to save.”
Lifting her chin, I rub her bottom lip, still amazed at the color. It’sbright red, a drop of blood on a face so pale, it must have been crafted by the Gods.
“Our kingdom,” I remind her. “And the world can wait. At least for tonight.”
“But Kaden?—”
“You saved me,” I say, holding her face. “You risked everything. Death. Poison. Heartache. Just to bring me back.” My lips travel down her jaw, over her throat and to her ear. I inhale, her scent mixed with the clean water and grassy notes. “Do you know what kept me sane when all seemed lost?”
She shakes her head, words stuck in her throat.
“You.” I suck on her pulse point, her body lifting to be closer.
My body hurts, but I’ll be damned if I don’t stop touching her.
“It would’ve been easy to give in, kitten,” I whisper. “To allow the beast to have my body. To be pushed to the recesses of my mind. Forced to endure and watch, an outsider in my own form. It was as easy as letting go of a string. But I kept my mind on the task of surviving—for you.”
“Kaden,” she murmurs, hands digging at my strands. Groaning, my head tilts, seeking more. It feels too good when she does that.
