CHAPTER EIGHT
Astrid
After Rave leaves, Soren arrives. My once-warded door, which was to keep everyone else out, now lets other people in.
“What do you want?” I ask, scowling as he steps inside. He’s not armed for the first time I can remember, and I wonder if it’s because he doesn’t want me trying to use his weapons on him.
“Princess.” He nods, smiling sadly as he pulls out a chair and sits. I’m sitting on the edge of my bed, and he’s keeping a safe enough distance. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Vale. But it wasn’t my secret to tell.”
“I know,” I reply, folding my legs underneath me and leaning back on the silk sheets. “It’s all on Rave. Trust me, I know that. But it doesn’t make me feel any less foolish or betrayed.”
“So, what do you want to do then? Live with the incubi, and let your soul miss your mate? You won’t be able to stay away from him… you know that, right? It would hurt you both if you did that,” he says, his gray eyes flickering with sympathy. “And for the record, I told him to tell you. So did Pandora. We all fucking did, except for the king and Vera.”
“Can I ask you something?”
He nods.
“Were Rave and Vera together before I came along? I mean, I know nothing about their relationship or if they were still sleeping together,” I admit, sighing.
And I’m too proud to ask Rave about it, even though I know he’s the one who should be explaining this to me.
He rubs the back of his neck, and I imagine the question makes him uncomfortable, not wanting to upset his best friend. “They were on and off again for years. They never had a stable relationship. She was not a good match for him, but when she fell pregnant, he tried again for his son. It didn’t work out, though. It never does between them.”
That tells me everything and nothing.
And he doesn’t answer about whether or not he was still fucking her just before I showed up.
“I don’t want to be here,” I whisper, my lower lip trembling slightly. “But I don’t want to cause a war between the kingdoms either. What do I do, Soren?”
He stands, moves to sit next to me, and wraps his arm around my waist, my face leaning on his muscled shoulder.
“You belong here with us, Princess. You’re going to be the Queen of the Fae Kingdom to rule beside your true mate. Do you know how rare that is? I wouldn’t be in a rush to throw it all away. I know it hurts now, but maybe, in time, you can forgive him and still be happy here.”
“He’s locked me in this room.”
I can’t zip or break out the front door—I’ve already tried. The balcony door is also sealed.
There’s only one way I’m getting out of here, and that’s if he lets me.
“He’s not going to leave you in here, Rave just needs a little time to calm the fuck down. He doesn’t want you to zip away, which is impressive that you’re able to, by the way,” Soren replies, arching his brow. “And I couldn’t even track you. I could kind of feel you but couldn’t pinpoint your exact location. You’ve got some magic, Princess.”
“Not enough to get me out of here,” I grumble, and Soren chuckles, hugging me tighter.
“This is witch magic he’s used to ward it, so that’s probably why,” he explains just as the door opens, and Rave steps back in. He’s freshly bathed and dressed in his battle leathers, swords strapped to his back. His perfectly muscled body takes up the whole door frame. I can’t deny he’s a lethally sexy man—those piercing blue eyes, straight nose, and soft yet firm, kissable lips.
I remember exactly how they taste and the things they can do.
I also can’t forget how well they lie.
That familiar sandalwood scent hits me just as those icy-blue eyes narrow on me in Soren’s arms.
Soren tenses, then quickly lets me go while Rave’s eyes flicker from blue to black.
A warning.
Let him have his fucking tantrum, I don’t care. “What do you want?” My voice is laced with venom and sarcasm.
His gaze darts to the man beside me before returning to me. “More vampires have crossed into our territory.”
Soren stands, muttering a curse. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll meet you out front.”
As he walks past Rave, shadows hold Soren immobile, and a gasp escapes him as the smoky tendrils constrict his throat.
“Don’t touch her like that again,” Rave threatens, his eyes still on me.
I’ve heard that when males are away from their mates, they don’t handle it well. This right here is the proof. Soren is his best fucking friend , but right now, he’s still seen as a threat.
“Rave, let him go,” I demand, standing up and rushing to Soren. “How dare you hurt him for comforting me!”
I’m going to kill him.
“I’m okay,” Soren promises me, absently touching the scar on his throat as he leaves. “You know I’d never betray you like that, Rave. I was only trying to make her feel welcome back here.” He storms off, leaving us alone.
“I can’t believe you did that to him.”
Soren has always been friendly around me, and Rave has never reacted that way.
“No other male touches you.” He growls, turns to leave, then hesitates. “I need to go and deal with this situation. Someone will bring you dinner and anything else you need. When I get back, we will talk about everything.”
“If you keep me locked up here longer than one night, I’m going to kill you! I’ll go fucking crazy,” I call out after him, but he’s already gone.
Celeste, my maid, brings up a tray of food and drinks, sheepishly smiling as she places it down on the table. Her blue tunic matches her pretty eyes. “Nice to see you, Princess.”
“You, too,” I reply, looking at what she’s brought me. “How have you been?”
“Good,” she replies, clasping her hands together. “It’s been hectic at the castle since you left. But at least there’s no more darkness. Is there anything else you want me to bring you?”
“He actually left this whole palace in darkness?” I ask, lifting the metal cover from the food and almost moaning at the perfectly roasted meat and vegetables.
“Palace?” she winces. “Try the whole of Aravelle.”
My eyes widen. “The whole city was in darkness?”
“On and off, yes,” she admits, shifting on her feet. “He was very upset when you left. He thought you had been taken.”
“I wasn’t. I left of my own accord,” I say, sitting down and pouring some wine. I suddenly need some. “Have you eaten yet?”
He let the whole city be suffocated by shadows?
She nods, bowing slightly. “Yes, I have. I better go back to help in the kitchens. Call out if you need anything.”
Sitting there alone, I slowly eat, contemplating my next move. I’m halfway through the bottle when Vale walks in and stares at me. He is a miniature version of Rave with his familiar blue eyes and dark hair. Vera was clearly just the incubator, but maybe he got her personality, especially if he went along with whatever ruse his mother had planned.
“Are you meant to be here?” I ask him when he continues to say nothing.
He shakes his head. “No, Princess. I am not. But I wanted to come and see you.”
“Why?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
Feeling bolder, he walks closer to me and sits in the opposite chair. “You’re the woman my dad loves,” he says like it’s that simple. “And I know you tried to help me when I fell off the horse.”
“So that was true then?” I ask, remembering being able to sense his injuries but not heal him.
He nods. “Yes, it hurt. But I knew you couldn’t help me. My mother told me not to tell you I’m a void. I wanted to say sorry.”
Shit.
Rave’s son is here with an apology better than his.
Sighing, I take another sip of my wine. “You’re a child. It’s not your fault, but thank you for your apology. I accept it.”
“My dad said it’s not my fault too. But I could have been honest and told you the truth. You looked so scared when you thought I was dead.”
“I was scared,” I admit, reliving the moment. “How old are you?”
“Ten,” Vale replies, grinning. “You’re pretty. I see why Dad loves you.”
“How do you know that he loves me?” I ask, eyes narrowing.
He shrugs, glancing around my bedroom slash prison cell. “He told me. You’re the one he’s meant to be with.”
“He didn’t tell me about you,” I say quietly, wondering how much he knew.
“I know. That’s why I had to stay away from the castle,” he replies. “Are you upset…” His little lips curve down into a frown. “That I exist?” His words are hesitant and softly spoken.
My eyes widen as my stomach twists. “I’m upset he didn’t tell me from the start. It’s kind of a big deal, don’t you think?”
Then, something hits me.
“Your void magic, would that work on witch magic too?”
Vale flashes me another toothy grin. “Yes, why?”
“Why don’t we go for a walk and do something fun? We could go outside?” I ask, wondering if this will work.
Could I step out these doors if I’m next to him?
He would void the magic, right?
Even if it is a witch’s magic?
“Dad might be mad if I broke you out,” he replies, knowing exactly where my mind went. “But I don’t think you should have to stay in here all alone.”
“I agree.”
He then stands and holds out his little hand.
Smiling, I take it.
And then Rave’s son breaks me out of the prison his father put me in.