Page 72 of Veil of Night & Flames

“You don’t have to watch,” I say softly.

“Yes,” he says. “I do.”

I nod, only then realizing that this will be the first time I’ve crossed alone. I almost take his hand just from sheer nerves. But I don’t. Instead, I find the power inside me. A power that will let me walk from one realm to another as easily as entering a room.

I glance once more at this man I love, then take a step forward toward another man who waits for me.

Chapter

Twenty

“Little human.”

I grimace. Of course, Kali is the first thing this realm hands me. Hopefully, this unlucky landing will be balanced out by heaps of luck in the library.

“You’re back,” she says as I turn to face her.

“Your powers of observation are exceptional. Is that why Adric keeps you around?”

Her brows rise. “My queen, I thought you knew. He keeps me around for when he wants a proper fuck.”

I have to force myself not to take a step back. I wasn’t actually expecting her to play hardball.

Thankfully, after Mom died, my clueless Uncle Finn shoved me into a hideous school for girls, which means that I’m well-versed in dealing with ego-centric, power-hungry bitches from hell.

“And here I thought he kept you around for your charm.” My smile could sweeten vinegar. “Glad we cleared that up.”

She doesn’t move, just stays planted in front of the doorway that leads into the Great Hall. Her armor gleams as always, and—also as always—her expression makes clear I’m something she truly wishes could be squashed as easily as a bug.

I, of course, smile sweetly. “Still skulking around doorways, I see. You really should get a hobby.”

“You walk into the king’s realm as though you own it.”

“Funny thing about being engaged to the king. I kind of do.” I flash a level I outrank you now, bitch smile. It may not be technically true, but we both know where Adric’s loyalty lies.

“Speaking of, where is he? Adric? Tall, silver eyes, runs the place. I’d like to see him.”

Something that looks like annoyance flickers across her face, and I force myself not to wiggle with glee. It may be a small, petty victory, but I take it, because small petty victories are about all I get where Kali’s concerned.

“The king is not your errand boy,” she says.

“No. He’s my fiancé. There’s a difference, but I wouldn’t expect you to know it.” I tip my head. “Are you going to tell me where he is, or do I have to wander the castle calling his name until he finds me? Because I’ll do it. I have a truly excellent yell.”

Her jaw tightens, and for one bright, glorious second, I think she might actually answer me with violence, which would at least be honest. Instead, she steps aside, the movement crisp as a blade going back into its sheath.

“The east gallery,” she says. “Try not to embarrass him.”

“No promises,” I say, and breeze past her before she can get the last word in, a loss which I’m pretty sure causes her actual physical pain.

Score one for Team Cora, I think, then play that beautiful victory back as I move through the castle to find Adric exactly where she said, alone at the long windows with the orange light pouring over him. For a moment, I simply stand in the doorway watching him. Then he turns, his brow furrowed, until he sees me. Then his entire face lights up, and I watch as the king disappears, revealing the man underneath.

I shiver, lost in the knowledge that both versions of the man are mine.

“Beloved,” he says, as we cross to each other. “You came to me.”

“Can’t live without you,” I quip, though I’m not at all sure I’m joking.

“And my brother?”