A council meeting was called, but he stayed away, sending Brielle in his—and Keir’s—stead. He couldn’t bear to face Evelina.
Within a few short hours, they declared the wedding would be happening tomorrow, a ceremony to go along with the coronation. Brielle told him the news as if she were afraid he’d keel over at any moment. Maybe she was right to worry.
He left and found Zephyr. Without a word, he jumped onto her back and flew into the night sky. His throat burned like acid as he swallowed down the pain that consumed him.
He ran through the last several hours in his head, reviewing how everything had changed so quickly.
Fate had decided for him after all.
A pain that wasn’t his shot through their bond. He knew his wyvern was mourning the loss of Evelina just as he was.
“There’s a wedding happening today,” he murmured.
Zephyr growled, and the itchy sensation that came with her annoyance filled him.
There was always a part of him that knew he would lose Evelina.
“It’s too hard to go back, Z.” His voice broke.
Zephyr cried out, her flight slowing. She turned her head to look back at him, a burst of agony shooting Daimon straight in the chest. Her golden eyes drifted to the palace disappearing in the distance behind them.
“It’ll only make it harder on both of us to have to say goodbye.”
This time, he felt anger from Zephyr. But he wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Evelina yet. He wanted to pretend she was still his for at least a few more hours.
Zephyr shook her head and growled. She thought he was being stupid.
“She’s gettingmarried,Z.”
But how could he leave her without a word? He was her protector when she needed it, her dream away from the world when there were storms she couldn’t weather. There were years he wasn’t there for her. He couldn’t do that to her again. If she needed him to support her rise as queen, he would do it. No matter how painful it was for him.
“I can’t leave without seeing her,” he whispered to Zephyr, realizing he had to turn around.
He needed to find her before the sun rose, to give him enough time before the wedding and coronation.
Zephyr dipped her left wing instantly, spinning them back toward the palace, when a gust of wind pushed them back.
A blur of darkness flashed in the corner of his eye. He twisted around, feeling Zephyr slow the moment he saw it. Anger seared down their bond, hot and fiery like a heated iron rod poking at his chest.
She reared back and hovered in the air. Her wings beat steadily.
There was only one person who preferred their meetings to happen in the sky.
“Interesting how things have played out.” Nyx lowered from above, descending until he floated level before Daimon. “Who could’ve guessed the devout and perfect Carwyn would turn to the dark gods?”
Daimon’s nostrils flared. “You’ve known this entire time she wouldn’t be crowned queen.”
Nyx waved him off, unbothered. “It isn’t a matter we should involve ourselves with.” He folded his hands behind his back, his smile unwavering. “The Eternal Crown may have passed to a different heir, butyourbirthright still awaits you.”
Daimon thought back to his encounter with Vidaris in the Celestial Plane.The day will soon come that you will take your place by my side.
“This war isn’t over,” Daimon seethed. “I’ll never offer more power to her.”
“Power to her?” Nyx hovered closer, confusion marring his face. “I don’t think you understand what this means,” he said slowly. “Yes, if you rule the Shadow Realm, Vidaris will be free to use her powers elsewhere. Butyouwill gain power too.”
Daimon would never get Nyx to understand why he wanted no part in ruling the shadows. Nyx was a god, not bound by emotions, love, or duties of the heart.
“I understand perfectly,” Daimon growled. It wasNyxwho didn’t understand. “I don’t want the Shadow Realm.”
