Chapter 52
Chapter Fifty-Two
W isps of steam curled from my mouth as my warm breath clashed with the freezing air. Light streamed through the window, catching on drifting motes of dust and turning them iridescent—like flecks of starlight suspended in sun.
I watched the quiet spectacle from the comfort of my bed. As with most mornings, the sun had only just begun its climb, stretching golden fingers across a world still shackled by glacial wind. The cold didn’t bother me today.
Nothing could.
I was finally unbanished. Allowed back in Ophelia—and more importantly, into the Aelinthian Forrest.
Freedom had never felt so Gods-damn good.
I stretched, muscles stiff from sleep, as the chill chased away any lingering haze. Gods, it was freezing. I dressed quickly, tugging on layers before the cold settled into my bones.
At the mirror, I paused. My yellow dress caught the morning light and glowed like liquid sunshine. Tiny beads stitched along the hem refracted light, scattering golden stars across the walls as I spun once—twice—grinning like a banshee.
Outside, the sky was a shock of blue. The sun hadn’t yet warmed the earth, but it had begun painting it in hues of fire. Even with my cloak drawn tight, the wind found its way under the fabric—its icy kiss chasing me as I slipped out the door and jogged down the path toward the barn.
Inside, I shook off the cold and tied my hair in a loose bun. Then I crossed to Stormfire, her warm breath fanning my cheek like a sigh.
“Miss me?” I murmured, scratching behind her ears. A strand of hair slipped loose, drifting into the fog between us. I laughed, brushing it back just as Stormfire exhaled again, her breath curling around me like smoke. My fingers tangled in her mane—thick, coarse, familiar.
I’d have to brush her later. Right now, I needed to be ready before?—
“Princess.”
I jumped.
Maalikai stood in the doorway, sapphire eyes sharp and unreadable. In two strides, he reached me, his hands sliding to my waist as he pulled me against him. His warmth engulfed me. The curve of his body aligned perfectly with mine, the scent of pine and mint sending heat spiraling through my core.
It appeared he’d finally forgiven me for lacing his drink.
A sigh escaped me, soft and unbidden. His growl followed, low and rough, as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispered, voice gravel and thunder against my skin.
I smirked, nipping his ear. “I know exactly what I do to you.”
“Oh, do you?” His mouth tilted. “Then you’ve only got yourself to blame for this.”
His lips met mine—firm, claiming, a slow-burning fuse. Fire sparked beneath my skin. I deepened the kiss, unapologetic, fierce. Hoping he could feel just how much of me was already his.
His muscles tensed. His breath hitched.
When he finally broke away, his grin was crooked, dangerous. “Well. That was something.”
“Correction,” I murmured. “That was everything .”
He kissed the corner of my mouth, breath hot. “You’ll be my ruin.”
The words melted through me like molten gold. But the moment was shattered by what came next.
“So you never told me how your midnight rendezvous was the other night?”
My smile faltered. I looked up sharply. “Excuse me?”
Maalikai’s eyes didn’t waver. “I was tasked with your protection,” he said, voice low but sharp. “And I take that seriously.” He stepped closer, jaw tight, eyes like flint. I didn’t move–didn’t even breathe–as the heat between us shifted from chilly to dangerous. “Drugging me,” he continued, “just so you could sneak off and have a secret meeting with Sebastian?” He shook his head once, slow and bitter. “That feels a bit extreme.”
My fingers curled at my sides.
“You could’ve just told me,” he said. “I’d have given you the space. No fight. No questions. But sneaking around behind my back.” His voice broke off, not from weakness–but from control. Fists clenched. Breath tight. Like he was holding something back. Or maybe deciding whether or not to let it go. “That hurt more than you think.”
“And if you’re wrong?” My voice dropped, laced in venom.
“Sebastian arrived back late that same night.” His voice was low–controlled, but barely. “And then you… magikally disappear from your bed. Don’t return. No word. No nothing.” He took a step closer, eyes burning into mine. “Then I find out that you drugged me.” A bitter laugh escaped him. “Not because I was a threat. Not because I’d done something wrong. But just to take me out of the picture.” He shook his head slowly, the weight of it all folding in on itself. “Like I didn’t matter. Like I was easily disposable to you.”
“Well, when you put it like that, I sound like an asshole.”
“Hate to break it to you–you kinda were.”
Wow. Just wow.
“So, you honestly think I snuck out of my own bed to frolic with Sebastian.” He nodded. “And if you’re wrong?”
He didn’t flinch. “I’m never wrong.”
My jaw clenched. “So, what then? You’rejealous?”
He was quiet for a beat.
I pushed. “I thought you were okay with this. Man enough to risk a broken heart, remember? Or was that just talk?”
His eyes searched mine, something unspoken moving behind them. “It doesn’t mean the thought of you with him doesn’t set my soul on fire,” he said finally, his voice raw.
“Well, if it makes you feel better, I wasn’t with him. I was with Evie. We snuck into the cupboards and stayed up all night.”
“You and Evie?” He said, more surprised than if I’d admitted I had been with Sebastian. “How’d you convince her to break the rules?”
“One of my many talents.” He opened his mouth to say something but shut it again. “Maybe if you weren’t so busy sleeping ,” I teased, “you would’ve witnessed it with your own eyes.” It took everything in me not to lose it. He just stared speechless. “If you don’t believe me,” I said, voice curling in challenge, “ask her.”
Before he could answer, a familiar voice cut through the barn.
“What are you two whispering about?”
Sebastian.
He strode in with that untouchable ease, all cocky swagger and effortless charm. His amber eyes locked on mine like they’d never learned how to look away.
“Jealousy, heartbreak, betrayal,” I said lightly. “You know. The usual.”
“Damn,” he said, raising a brow. “I miss all the good stuff.”
“You’re late,” Maalikai drawled.
“I like to arrive precisely when I’m not needed.” Sebastian flashed a grin, then turned to me. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
I gave a mock curtsy. “You’re just saying that to get into my good graces.”
He leaned in, all warmth and wickedness. “It’s worked before hasn’t it?”
I laughed, but Maalikai’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, the air pulsed between the three of us—too many truths unsaid, too many touches still lingering on skin.
I grabbed Stormfire’s and Midnight’s reins and led them from the barn, the leather smooth beneath my fingers. As soon as we stepped outside, I spotted Evie, waiting patiently along the path.
“Mom and the twins are leaving later today, she said I can leave with you guys, if that’s okay.”
“You just don’t want to be blamed for all the chaos we made last night.”
Evie’s smile was instant. “It’s okay, they’d never believe it was me anyway. I’m not the rogue dragon of the family.”
I passed her the reins. “It would be a pleasure to ride with you.”
Evie gave me a mock curtsy. “As it with you my liege.”
Sebastian looked between the two of us. “Did you two get into Aribelle’s wild sage?”
“No, why.” The horrified squeal in Evie’s voice sent me into hysterics.
“I haven’t seen you two like this for years.”
“Or maybe you just didn’t notice because you were too busy trying to get into Emmie’s pants all the time.” Evie tossed it out, casual as anything–I couldn’t help but giggle. Maybe Maalikai had slipped some wild sage into our food for revenge.
“One week with you Em, and she’s turned into a miniature you.”
I dropped my arm across her shoulder. “Isn’t it spectacular, two of me, what could be better!”
Sebastian ignored me, swinging into the saddle. Maalikai mounted on the other side of us.
And just like that, we rode—together.
Maalikai’s stallion surged ahead, devouring the earth beneath him. I urged Stormfire after him, wind tearing through my hair. Evie rode just behind me, as though she were born in the saddle, a genuine smile lighting her stunning features, her blood red hair pulling behind her. Sebastian whooped beside me, laughter carried on the wind.
For the first time this week, my lungs filled without splintering–the weight of conquering my magik no longer crushing.
Sebastian rode at my left.
Maalik at my right.
And Evie–unyielding, beside me.
Fire, frost and moonlight.
And Gods help me…
I needed all of them.