19
MAX
Woodland horses are a thing of unnatural grace. After having been on Coal Stallions, powerful beasts that are large, coiled muscle and with their ability to speed through lands quickly, I was unsure of riding other horses.
But like their counterparts, who can blend into the darkness and seem to jump ahead, these horses, aptly names Sunlight Mares, seem to move as quickly as the sun’s rays. We travel the distance between the palace and in theIn-Betweenin mere hours which took the better part of two days when we first arrived.
At my confused expression, leaping through the grounds with little care, Mal laughs at me and says, “My brother tends to be more cautious. These mares are meant to travel. They’re steady and true beasts.”
If only he had used the horses as intended, I wouldn’t have been locked into a dungeon before his arrival. Though, given who Aoife is, she would’ve found a way.
I didn’t mistake how she flaunted herself around my mate. This pit of jealousy burns in my gut as I think of how she lowered her voice to address him, how she blinked her eyes as if to mesmerizehim. If not for the opaque dress that left little to the imagination, I would think that it was all in my head.
All of her hostility makes sense now. How she wanted me to bring Kaden back—but not survive. How she wanted him to live—but return alone. It would’ve been better for her if I did not live. She would have her chance.
Though, what chance is there, if he died due to the soul-bond?
But if all that is true, why still help me? So far, all the rituals and roses have helped us get this far.
Baris rides next to me, Kaden right in front. Mal and his guards surround us, with our guards further back. Though they protect us, Zeke keeping close, this is not their territory. They can only help when allowed.
At the farthest edges, the Hadeon follows, a menacing shadow.
“Are you certain?” Baris asks, keeping his voice low.
“Certain she is after my mate?” I scoff. “Yes. It’s evident.”
He hums, though doesn’t comment further. And that’s irritating.
“What do you know, old Fairy?” I glare and he stills, looking to the sky to avoid me. “You don’t seem to think that’s at all odd. And you still don’t think that’s the only issue?”
“I think that is one part of it,” he admits. “But Aoife always has a plan. Seducing the king is only one step in her plan.”
The horses clomp forward, rushing along the trees. The area not ruled by anyone—except my father’s family—is just over the ridge. Lowering my voice, I ask, “Any idea what her plan is?”
He’s silent. Not because he’s hiding something, but because he truly doesn’t know. Maybe he has an idea, a whim, but Aoife is smart. She could do anything.
That worries me. I saved Kaden. I broke the curse. My mate is whole, here, with us again. She should be happy—thrilled to have him back. He is the next King of the Shadowlands, the only chance we have at stopping Griffin.
But I saw her look when we left the throne room. The same look an enemy has before attacking in the middle of the night.
Baris is right—she’s plotting something. I’m sure it has something to do with the last Noire Rose.What could she be doing with that?
We cross into theIn-Betweenand Mal takes charge. He directs his guards to fan out, locate any of Griffin’s men and to prepare for Lords. Apparently this is a usual route, and the Lords travel frequently through it.
“Hear anything?” Mal asks Kaden, swinging off the horse. Kaden follows, tilting his head.
His brow furrows. “No. My hearing isn’t as good as it used to be.”
A side effect of the curse being broken. Without the beast influencing him, he’s just a Fae with magic; still incredibly fast and able to hear further away, but no better than the rest of them. I wonder if it would tax on him.
Kaden helps me from the saddle, his hands resting on my hips longer than need be. “Are you alright?”
He nods, though his expression stays sour. “Fine.”
The bond between us flares. He’s disappointed at the change. This will all take time to adjust. Kaden went from being a cursed prince, full of anger and spite, controlling a beast inside his soul with only a frayed tether of control. Now, he is a Fae King, who is free but changed, completely, without the curse he was born into.
He’ll have to learn his limitations again. I feel for him. Just one more thing the curse took.
