Bonds Eternal (Fae Hearted #4)

8. Cold Truth

8

COLD TRUTH

ELDRIN

J aden and I help Oakes over to his horse. He struggles to mount, so we help him up.

“I guess I’m not full strength yet,” Oakes huffs in frustration as he settles into his saddle.

“Wyn,” Merlara calls. “With me.”

After a moment of hesitation to assure herself that Oakes will be alright, Wyn hurries over to her former keeper and grasps her arm to remount Merlara’s horse.

My heart flares in anger at Merlara, who’s fallen back into a keeper’s persona. Then I remember that’s exactly what Wynstelle needs to do— she’s safe with Merlara . Yet all I want to do is cling to my love and perhaps find another realm so I can ensure her safety.

“If anything happens to her…” I threaten Merlara.

“You forget I kept her safe for twenty years,” Merlara says defiantly through a tight jaw. “She hasn’t been out of danger since you summoned her.”

I want to snap back, but the cold chill of the truth runs through my body. Merlara isn’t wrong. Wyn has been in constant peril since I barreled into her life. The thought guts me.

Then I remember the real reason Wyn is in such peril.

My father . Her father.

In that moment, I swear to the goddess herself I will make the realms safe for my mate, no matter what I have to do to make them that way.

But will I be up to the task?

Both kings are powerful in their own ways. King Magnus has the might of the elves and the powerful magic of a rogue mage. King Nathaniel has an army of fierce human soldiers, who will fight for revenge for the ghoul attack, and there are more mortals than elves. If King Nathaniel’s force thins, he will only call upon surrounding kingdoms to join forces against the Elven threat.

If this insanity continues, the war won’t end until one side is wiped out.

Maybe King Nathaniel would stand down if I were in charge, sitting on the throne, his daughter at my side.

I must focus on this moment, though.

Maybe if I can stop any future aggression, I will have a chance to change things.

First, I need to make sure that Wyn’s father doesn’t escalate things further. After that, I will return to Elfhame to deal with my tyrannical father, King Magnus. Challenge him for the throne, if I must.

In my gut, I know that is how it will be.

I decide I can no longer think of him as my father. In my mind and heart, the male that raised me is already dead. He died when my mother did—never quite recovering from his grief.

He wasn’t exactly a sweetheart before she passed away, but any kindness in his soul vanished that day. I wonder how much of the change was from the pain of the mate bond breaking and how much was my mother’s sweet influence.

Now that I think of it, Wyn isn’t much different from my mother—kind and compassionate toward all beings.

As if I needed another reason, I now realize why I can never let Wyn come to harm. She is my anchor, my guiding light. I would turn into a monster if I were to lose her.

I experience a flicker of empathy for my father, but swiftly move past it. No, I would never go to the extremes he has for no reason. Unleashing ghouls on innocents?

I may end him and Commander Turgon and Mage Idril for hurting Wyn, but I don’t want to believe that I could harm random strangers to ease my pain.

That would dishonor her memory.

“Eldrin?” Wyn calls. “Are you alright?”

“No, but I will be.” I smile at her, hoping she calms her worries.

I make a vow in my heart to ensure Wyn never comes to harm again.