Chapter 22
K allan turns me around, and I find myself in the cage of his embrace, which only makes the warmth building low in my center increase. He runs his fingers through the shorn ends of my hair.
“Like killing the one who touched you,” he says, “and nearly the rest for allowing you to come to harm.”
I stiffen, my eyes going wide. That was not where I expected the conversation to go.
“I—I wanted to,” he says, voice hard yet vulnerable all at once. “My own people. I—” He shakes his head. “Harming humans is not allowed under my rule. They know that.”
All pretense of dancing has ended, the seriousness of the moment drowning out the power of the music.
“You still keep Orek close,” I say, trying not to sound petulant.
Kallan grimaces. “He has much influence. Divided, we have little hope.” His chest rises in a heavy sigh. “Bringing the Unseelie together has been a trial of many years, a work that is still far from complete.”
I get it. I hate it, but I get it. “Katiya told me.”
“I should have told you myself. Warned you of his presence here tonight. I ordered several of my commanders here to the city after I returned with you, including him. He will not linger long. There’s too much work to be done.”
“You have many more important things to worry about than me.” More than I can imagine, most likely. The workings of any place are never simple, and a kingdom, one fighting for survival? It has to be an ongoing nightmare.
“You are partially correct.” Kallan pulls me closer, eliciting a soft gasp.
“Kallan.” I’m helpless but to stare into his eyes and all the worry of the world that lingers there. But beyond that, there’s a spark of something different that sears me from the inside out.
“Elias.” His fingers graze the ends of my hair again, trailing through the lengths.
I should hate the feeling, but it doesn’t spark the dangerous memories. Instead, I remember him cutting it, the comfort and safety I felt.
“What?” I ask, momentarily lost in him.
“When we’re alone, I’d like you to call me Elias.” He drops his head, our breaths mingling. “To you, that is who I want to be.”
Something thumps into my hip, sending me further into his arms until our bodies are nearly pressed together. The soft thump comes again, and this time, I see the source at the edge of my vision. His tail. His white tail has curled around me.
“Elias.” His name is a heady whisper.
Yes, this is Elias, not just the Unseelie King but the man I met in the wilds of Faery. Who helped me, guided me. Who I might have been falling for. The thought leaves me warm and melty inside, Elias’s arms the only thing holding me upright.
There’s no might . I was falling for him. I am.
He cups the back of my head, drawing in close. He’s going to kiss me.
And I want it. Need it.
His nostrils flare, eyes widening ever so slightly. “Aimee.”
My lids flutter closed, so ready to be lost in him. A tingling sensation steals across my skin, and I shiver in his arms. His breath tickles my lips, his woodsy scent swarming my senses.
“Brother!”
I jerk back, my eyes flying open.
“Katiya,” Elias snarls at his sister. A deep growl rumbles in his throat as he still holds me close.
Her eyes widen as she takes in the scene. “Damn it.” She stomps her foot in clear frustration. “I did not wish to—” Her nails lengthen as she flexes her fingers in front of her, her own mouth parted in a fang-filled snarl. “There’s been an attack,” she blurts. “We’re needed.”
Elias stiffens, then all at once, he lets me go.
I stumble backward, legs wobbly at the sudden shift. But looking between the siblings, one thing is clear: Elias is gone again. The Unseelie King has returned. And the fierceness and fury rolling from him is palpable.
“Tell me,” he commands.
She starts to rattle off places and names that I don’t know as Elias rushes to retrieve his helm.
But from what I gather, it’s not good. An outpost near the Seelie lands was caught by surprise.
Casualties. The Unseelie King lifts his helm, ready to secure it, when he pauses with it above his head and turns to me.
“Aimee.” His hard expression breaks.
“I’ll be fine,” I promise. What else can I say?
He gives one stiff nod before donning his helm.
“Vada will meet us at the honing point and watch after the girl.” Katiya pulls a short blade from her hip then returns it. Then another and another, some I did not even see. She slams the last one back in its hilt, satisfied. “I arranged it first thing before I came to you.”
“Thank you,” he says. Then to me, “I’ll come back as soon as I am able.”
My legs are still shaking a little under my dress and not just from the sudden shift in circumstances. I’m worried. About him and not only because he can help me save my brother.
I offer him a weak smile. “Be safe.”