“You’re right. I wouldn’t.” He glares at the fire. “But he would want you safe, Max. You are the most important thing in his life. And if I can’t help him directly, I can keep you alive until he’s back.” Soft, amber eyes side eye me. “But do it again, and even if you’re my queen, won’t keep me from throwing water on you in the middle of the night.”
Snorting, I slap his childish joke away. The mood turns somber quickly, the fire the only noise. “We’re losing time,” I whisper.
As the guards switch patrols around us, I hang my head. It’s notenough I have to safe Kaden—somehow—and apparently break a prophecy, but I’m to lead them. I’m to be queen.
A role I never wanted—never dreamed for. A role I thought I’d have Kaden’s help to maneuver. Now, I’m alone, forced to figure it out and I’m terrified of screwing everything up before we get him back.
How do I do this? How do I save him, and a kingdom? How do I break his curse while breaking the curse over all of Neevea? Because that is a weight on my chest too. Oslo thought I could end Kaden’s curse, but the prophecy says I’ll break themall.
“We’ll save him, Max,” Reid calms. “Kaden is the strongest Fae I know. He won’t let this curse win.”
Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I hand him the cup and dig out the spell book. “He is. I just wish I knew more about this. About what Oslo knew and never got to tell me.”
He never told me, because I fought against it. Against the bond, Kaden, his love. Oslo tried to teach me, and his lesson repeat in my mind, picking out the tiniest details that might matter.
He thought my love would save Kaden. If there isn’t more to it, then I’ll succeed, because I love Kaden, more than there are stars in the night sky, more than every blade of grass in the field under my feet. There is not a known depth to how I feel for my husband.
But I know, in the darkest parts of my being, there’s more to it.
I rub my hand over the cover. The leather is soft, supple. It’s been cared for, untouched in centuries. The sparks dance along my fingers, a tingle that tickles.
“I wish I knew more. I just don’t understand what I’m supposed to do. How my love to save him.”
“If Uncle thought,” Reid begins, words garbled, “you could do it, I have no doubt that you can. We just need to think.”
Pain labors each word. We’ve barely had time to sleep, so focused on saving Kaden, we have not processed what happened in the Black Palace.
We tried to save Oslo. Kaden tried—he fought for him—but when Zelos ordered archers to shoot us down, he made a quick decision and used his limited magic to cover us.
He didn’t think Oslo would be the target. He didn’t think to cover him too.
That’s laid heavily on my mind, guilt so thick I can barely swallow. Kaden chose to save me and in doing so, lost the only man he loved like a father. Someone Fee respected, and an uncle who understood Reid.
He’s not complained once. No tear has fallen. He’s never weighted me down, allowing me to rage while he keeps me focused. Like a true friend.
Holding tight to his hand, I look into the fire. “I’m sorry I haven’t asked until now. But how are you?”
Reid, who hides behind jokes and smiles, barely lifts his lips. “I miss him. But also…” He trails off. “Is it selfish to be relieved that Zelos always ignored me, if this is how he treated those he paid attention to?”
I tsk as my heart breaks. “Of course not, Reid. You’ve seen how he treated your brother and sister. How he treated Oslo after years together. You can grieve while also being happy you weren’t the one to suffer. It makes you mortal.”
“A Fae acting mortal,” he drawls, smirking slightly. “Howhorrendous.”
“Hey, as a mortal, I think we can be quite fun. We have perks.” My lips twitch as if to smile, but they don’t go far. We sit in silence for a moment, the falling logs, a background to our shared grief.
A question niggles me and I clear my throat. “WhydidZelos ignore you?”
“Ah.That.” He shrugs slightly, sipping from his glass before handing it back to me. “You see, the Dark Fae royalty rarely have more than two children. You know, ‘one for the beast, one for the throne.’” He rolls his eyes. “Quite dramatic. Thankfully, I’ll never have to worry for it. But it was because of my mother, that I’m here. She wanted one more.”
“I find it hard to believe Zelos and she were much in love. At least enough to warrant more children if her duties were already complete.”
Reid pokes the fire, snorting. “Oh, theyhatedeach other. They were a political match—not a love one. My mother’s family comes from high status and wealth. My grandfather wanted a strong match to continue the line. Did you know my mother was never supposed to be chosen?” he asks, glancing to me. “Her oldest sister was supposed to be queen, but fell ill with an illness and died. So, my mother, Serafina the First, was given as a bride instead.”
I shake my head in sympathy, suddenly glad Kaden and I were a love match. Though we certainly didn’t start that way. “I’m sorry, Reid. Did she have any peace while here?”
“I’m not sure,” he answers. “She died the night I was born.” At my shocked expression, he chuckles. “Now, now. Don’t give me pity. I might not have known my mother, but I had Fee and I had Kaden. They kept her memory alive for me and loved me as surely as she would.”
Bumping my shoulder with his, I say, “So, that’s why you’re so loyal to them.”
