“I know it was you,” I say, skipping pretense.
“Know it was me who did what, exactly?” She tilts her head, like a predator assessing potential prey.
“I know the king killed Jake and Matt to protect you.” The words tumble out faster than I intend. “I figured it out from the handwriting on the notes. It wasn’t Aerix’s.”
“And now you’ve come to... what?” she asks with a smile. “Confront me? Blame me?”
“I’ve come to thank you,” I say, surprising us both.
Her brows lift. “For the deaths of two boys?”
“For helping me.” I lean forward, dropping my voice despite the empty courtyard. “Jake was making me uncomfortable. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. And Matt...” I swallow hard, thinking about what he did to Sapphire. “He was emotionally abusive to my best friend. He broke her spirit. He deserved what he got.”
The words feel strange on my tongue. Like they belong to someone else. Because I’m not supposed to celebrate murder, no matter how much I hate the victim. Yet here I am, doing just that.
And I don’t feel sorry about it.
Aurora studies me for a long, silent moment.
“I didn’t ask the king to kill them,” she finally says. “But he’s... protective. If someone touches what he values, they bleed for it.”
“The king truly values you?” I ask, my throat tightening before I can ask what I’mreallywondering.
Does the king love you?
Can Aerix love me?
Do night fae even know what love means?
Aurora’s laugh is soft, almost musical. “He values, but he doesn’t love,” she says, as if the question was written all over my face. “Not like humans do. But he possesses completely, and with his possession comes protection and security. With it, I’m able to live without fear, knowing that if anyone dares to touch me, they’ll pay the price.” She pauses for a moment, sizing me up. “That’s what you want, too, isn’t it? What youcrave?”
I nod, fascinated despite myself.
“It’s what I have with Aerix,” I finally say. “When we’re alone, he treats me like he cares about me.”
Like he loves me.
“You’re special, Zoey.” Aurora reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I saw it the moment you arrived here. Most humans cower or break soon afterward, but you adapted. It’s a gift your prince clearly recognizes.”
Something in her words feels like permission. Like validation for the choices I’ve been making. Like an invitation to confide in her.
“The others hate me now,” I say, thinking of Victoria’s barely contained rage and Sophia’s withdrawn disappointment. “It’s like I crossed a line I didn’t know existed.”
“They don’t hate you. They fear what you represent.” Her smile turns knowing. “Separate can be lonely at first, but I think you’ll find it’s worth the price.”
I think about Aerix—his touch, his hungry kisses, and the way he looks at me like I’m the only thing worth seeing. About the safety I feel in his arms, despite knowing what he is and what he’s capable of.
Because here, in this strange, beautiful prison, I’ve found a kind of agency I never had in the human world.
My life at home was full of directionless wandering. The string of abandoned hobbies, and the desperate search for something that felt meaningful.
Here, every moment feels consequential. Like itmeanssomething.
Especially my moments with Aerix.
“I want what you have with the king,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. “I want to matter here. Tobesomeone here.”
“Then take it.” Aurora’s smile is radiant with approval. “The prince has already shown his hand. He wants you. Use that. Become the one thing he can’t lose.”
