Page 25

The aether is a thick haze around me. I’m swimming in her feelings, her murmurs to the sky distorted by distance as they travel to me.

“Sorry, darling,” I whisper, careful not to let my words cross our bond. “The people up here are just as disappointing as the ones down below.”

Maybe even more so.

I take another swig from my flask and bolt upright, her fear ratcheting my spine. Tossing the absinthe into the alley, I dissolve into the aether, her emotions tugging me through the night and straight to her.

I remanifest in an instant and throw my arms around her like a shield before I even know what’s happening. Sharp rocks claw out of the sea, reaching for my face.

What the devil? Why are we falling?

I just heard Cordelia talking to the moon like she always does. Knowing her, she stepped out onto the ledge to get closer. She must’ve lost her footing in these damn coastal winds.

Mist sprays my skin as I whisk her in the opposite direction. She buries her wet nose in the crook of my neck, her terror so sharp I can taste its acidity. I weave my fingers through the mass of her hair and fly her back into her bedchamber, setting her down on the floor.

Neither of us says anything. Her whole body trembles against mine. I hold her tightly until the tremors ease, breaking my embrace the second her weight shifts.

She stumbles back. “You saved me.”

“Two nights in a row.” I dust the roof grit off my dress, not letting her see that my own hands are shaking. “Let’s end the streak here. No more playing on the window ledge.”

Sniffling, she flashes her betrothal ring. “I needed some fresh air. I’m getting married.”

“Congratulations.” My poor attempt to sound cheerful fails.

“You hear everything.” She twists the ring on her finger. “You know congratulations are not in order.”

“Sure they are.” I lean on a bedpost. “Now you can fulfill your deal with the sea witch and be done with it.”

“That’s all that matters to you, isn’t it?” A sob hitches in her throat. “Why should you care if I have a happy marriage as long as you get to fly away from me in the end? ”

I fold my arms over my chest, not knowing what to say to that. Moonlight glows on the tear tracks streaming down her cheeks, turning them silver.

I can’t stand this.

I should be watching her dance beneath the full moon in all of her glory, celebrating her feat of reviving the Order of the Undine. But here she is, standing in a sheer nightgown that belongs to someone else, and she’s crying.

“Sorry,” she says. “That wasn’t fair, but I’m…”

“Utterly disappointed,” I offer. “Completely overwhelmed?”

She wipes her nose on her sleeve. “Yes and yes.”

“Understandable. You did spend your first day in this new form trying to convince a family of monster hunters that you’ve always been a human.”

“And now that family is going to parade me around until our wedding day.” She paces from the bed to the dresser. “I don’t know how I’m going to get through social engagements without raising suspicions.”

It’s a valid concern. I don’t trust this family.

Swapping vows and getting far away from them will probably be her safest bet. I only wish I could be more present during this courtship.

Popping out of thin air to save her would certainly complicate things when she’s trying to play human.

If only I could find some excuse to be near her…

Another idea takes shape in my head. I can’t tell if it’s a good one yet. “I think there’s a way I can help with that.”

“Really?” She stops halfway across her track, eyes shining behind a glaze of tears. “How?”