Casimir stopped beside him. Jareth’s face held no emotion as he stared at the pool of blue. The brothers stayed silent, watching as a frog hopped onto the shore and listening to the birds calling in the trees, the breeze rustling the leaves.
Voice breaking, Casimir whispered, “Why?”
Jareth didn’t speak for a long time. Minutes went by as he stared at the oasis before them. Casimir waited, allowing him to decide if he wanted to answer, feeling a semblance of respect for him for the first time in his life.
At last, Jareth cleared his throat. “We used to meet here. Celine and I. It was her favorite place to come. No one else knew about it so it became our sanctuary. Our place of reprieve and escape from Father’s wrath.”
Casimir didn’t respond, waiting.
“She wasn’t good enough for our family, according to dear old dad,” he continued. “Not only because she didn’t share our astral abilities, but because she wasn’t royalty. She was a blacksmith’s daughter. A ‘low-born’ as he used to put it. For years we snuck around before she…well, you know the rest.”
“Jareth, I’m—” Casimir ran a hand over his face. “Why didn’t you say anything? If we had known…If I had known…maybe?—”
“Maybe what?” Jareth asked. “Maybe she wouldn’t have died? Maybe you would have protected her? I hated you and you hated me. Father pitted us against each other. He fed me liesmy entire life about how uncivilized and unworthy the fae of Monterre were.” He ran a hand through his hair. “And I believed him. Until I met her. We were in Mosshaven for the Solstice ball—we’d come early for some reason I can’t remember—and I needed space from my parents so I ventured into town. I was walking by the blacksmith’s shop and saw her through the window, helping her father move a weapon from the hearth. I had never seen anyone so lovely. It was as if the whole world stopped while I watched her smile and laugh.” A long pause. “After she died, I let my grief over her stoke the fire of my hatred for the earth fae for decades. It was easier to hate all of you than admit I was hurting.”
He turned to Casimir, his eyes filled with pain. “I wasted all these years loathing you…when the person I truly loathed was myself. You asked me why. Why did I help you save Ava’s life?” His voice lowered into a whisper. “Ava…she was the only one who tried to see me as something other than what I portray to the world. Even when I was cruel to her. Even when I didn’t deserve it.”
Casimir stared at his brother as if seeing him for the first time. This wasn’t a man who was cruel for the fun of it. This was a man who had been shaped by decades of abuse, manipulation, grief and pain.
“I know the pain of losing your soulbond. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Not even you.”
“Thank you,” Casimir whispered. “And I’m sorry…for everything.”
“As am I. Truce?”
Casimir raised a brow. “I’m still not sure I can trust you.”
Jareth laughed. “I’d expect nothing less from The Bear.”
Casimir shook his head. “So what now? Do you truly plan to assassinate our father?”
Jareth shrugged. “That’s a problem for another day. I suppose we’ll see what happens, won’t we?”
Raine stoodbeneath a tree with Maeryn. Casimir had returned and was hovering over Ava again like a mother hen as they assessed the casualties, not letting her wander out of his sight.
Raine gazed down at Igneothenia’s general, staring into her molten eyes. “When will you return to your kingdom?” he asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
She shifted on her feet. “I am not certain. Our king is dead and we will have a lot to learn as we figure out how to live in Igneothenia again. I will remain here for a while to help with the aftermath of the war, but I cannot stay indefinitely.”
Raine swallowed against the tightness in his throat. He wanted to tell her, it was on the tip of his tongue. But she needed to be with her people, needed to get back. And telling her now felt manipulative. It wasn’t fair to use their potential bond to tempt her to stay with him.
“When you do go back,” Raine said, taking a small step closer to her. “Would you allow me to come see you on occasion?”
Her mouth quirked in amusement. “The silly captain wishes to visit me, yes?”
“Yes.” His voice came out low.
She crossed her arms. “Perhaps I could allow it. I admit, I would miss your humor. Though you wouldn’t be able to remain long and would have to take potions during your stay.”
“Maeryn,” he said, drawing her name out. “I would take a thousand potions if it meant I got to spend even five minutes in your presence.”
She inhaled a breath, staring up at him.
“Captain. General,” a soldier called from afar. “We could use your help.”
Not breaking Maeryn’s gaze, Raine called back, “One moment!”
“We must assist in the clean up,” Maeryn whispered.
