Chapter 32
Everything has changed.
Two contestants dead. One pulled out. The remaining three can’t see eye to eye.
The Council announced our new development to the Court—and it gives a brand-new definition to the chaos of this wild journey I’m current sitting in the front row, strapped to the chair, as I watch it all slowly unfold.
First, I made an enemy of the contestants.
Now, I’ve made an enemy of the Court.
Forget asking Kieran to bring Declan back to life—people will riot if he grants a wish right after telling the world his mate is human.
Though, the Fae don’t know the whole truth.
They believe the reason we fell deeply in love in such short time is because we are fated mates who were bound to be together. All the poetic, star-chosen, shit.
They don’t know we chose to be together, and the stars agreed.
Does that make it better?
Not really.
It just keeps the blame off Kieran and me. People are pissed, but they haven’t protested.
Yet.
I have been respectful. I showed my face at Daisy’s and Leon’s funeral—Gods bless them both.
I’ve kept my head down. Stayed out of trouble.
Walked away from any fool who approached me because they felt the need to discuss my relationship with Kieran like it’s their business—not because I’m scared of them, but if one of them says the wrong thing, Kieran is going to turn them into dust. And that will only make us look worse.
“This whole mating thing isn’t going away easily, huh?” Lucas whispers beside me.
It’s been a week since the news came out.
We waited until after the funeral to announce it.
It even came after the announcement of the second trial winner—Oliver, no less.
The Council planned the whole thing, of course.
Since the Fae love to dance, they threw another ball—because as you know, there need to be celebrations before and after every trial—and made the announcement there.
They stuffed me into a black and gold gown, the kind Aurora would wear, and planted me next to Kieran like some decorative puppet.
We needed to control the narrative.
To explain why I’d been pulled out of the final trial and make my status official—and get ahead of the whispers before they turned into riots.
Politics makes my head hurt.
The Council doesn’t want the public to know about the channelling, especially with the rebels sniffing around the Court like blood hounds. If they find out hurting me means hurting Kieran, they’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on me.
And that’s why Gideon has been glued to my side like a shadow for the past two weeks.
It’s either him or Virgil.
My very own pair of handsome bodyguards.
“You calling it ‘mating’ makes us sound like animals.” I wince.
Although with the channelling, we’ve been fucking like—
Let’s not go there.
“Sorry.” Lucas laughs. “I’m not familiar with the term yet.”
“You and me both, my friend.” I scoff, sipping the bitter coffee slowly. I swear to the stars, once the Fae get used to the idea of me, my first mission as Kieran’s—whatever title I get—will be introducing the Court to proper coffee.
Their food and wine might be heavenly, but a dying dog in the dessert would still say no to their coffee.
I mean, I still drink it, because shitty coffee is still better than no coffee at all.
“So,” Lucas starts, settling down his own cup. We are at a café in town, one of the few places that serves something resembling drinkable coffee. Gideon’s at the next table, eyes darting around like he thinks the old lady behind the counter is a disguised assassin. “How do you feel?”
I have been trying to figure that out for the past two weeks.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” I say, exhaling.
“Kieran said I could visit my family, but it’s risky with the channelling link, and it probably won’t be anytime soon.
I assume Noah told them where I am, but what will I say when I see them again?
‘Hey, guess what? I’m alive, but I will spend the rest of my life at the Court? ’”
“And that you have found them a son-in-law? Who’s a Fae King? Has wings? And is immortal?” Lucas snorts. “I’m sure they’ll take that exceptionally well.”
“Right?” I flinch. “I don’t know what’s worse—them not knowing if I’m dead or alive, or them thinking I’ve completely lost my mind.”
“Have you considered asking Kieran to wipe their memories of you?”
“Lucas.” My eyes widen.
He shrugs. “What? That might be a kinder option.”
I blink at him. “A month ago, you would have said that’s cruel.”
He sighs, lifting his cup for another slow sip.
“A month ago, I was a completely different person. I didn’t agree with him when Tessa died …
but now that I think about it, Kieran is probably right.
It’s better for my parents to forget than spend the rest of their lives wondering what the hell happened to me. ”
“But you could still win,” I mutter, dropping my gaze to the cup, stirring it aimlessly. “You could still go home.”
Even if it breaks me.
Although I’d rather him leave and be alone here than watch him die in the final trial.
“Funny …” Lucas lets out a quiet, heartbreaking laugh. “Home is a strange word for me now. A lot has happened here in such a short time. Sometimes, I don’t even know who I am anymore, Cass.”
His words hit me hard.
I’ve been too caught up in my own darkness and this whirlwind romance that I let my only friend drift in the dark alone. Drown in it.
I didn’t want anything to do with him in the beginning.
Now I’d do anything to keep him from breaking the way I once did.
I just hope it’s not too late.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you, Lucas,” I say softly, reaching for his hand. “You’ve always looked out for me. I should’ve done the same for you. And I’m really sorry that it’s all on you to bring Declan back now—I wish I could do something.”
It breaks my heart that I can’t bring Declan back, that I have put it all on Lucas.
But it hurts me more to see Lucas suffer in silence.
Declan is gone—long gone.
I think… I think a part of me has made peace with that.
But Lucas—Lucas is still here.
“None of it is your fault,” he whispers, squeezing my hand gently. “This place changes you. Even you … you’re not the same person you used to be.” He smiles, but there’s sadness behind it. “I’m just glad you found some happiness here.”
For a minute, I think back to what the fake Lucas said to me in the mirrored maze—about how Lucas had a crush on me. And I still don’t know if that’s true. Maybe it was.
But it doesn’t matter.
His friendship is genuine, even when I have been a stubborn bitch.
I’ll forever be thankful for that.
“Thank you.” I smile.
I hope he finds some happiness, too.
Somehow.
“But does this mean you’ll be Queen of the Fallen?” Lucas asks, his sadness morphing into a crooked little grin. I nearly choke on my tasteless coffee.
“Oh, Gods.” I wince again. “I doubt the Fae would ever let that happen.”
“Yeah, but being mates means you’re bound for life, right?” He tilts his head. “That basically guarantees marriage and all that.”
“Trust me,” I breathe, shaking my head. “No one is rushing into that.”
Right now, we just want the chaos to die down. Let people make peace with the fact that this fragile little human is here to stay. Then maybe—maybe—we can start thinking about what’s next.
“I thought you had an appointment with Aurora and Laia today—what was it? To talk about the image you represent as Kieran’s mate?” he says in a mocking tone.
Aurora has been all over me lately, disapproving of every bloody choice I make on a daily basis like it’s her favourite hobby. Saying everything I do reflects Kieran as the Court’s leader. I’m honestly surprised she hasn’t started picking out my underwear.
And now she wants to talk about my wardrobe, making changes to fit my status, apparently.
It’s annoying.
She’s doing this because of Kieran.
For Kieran.
And it’s almost admiring that she’s willing to do it, even though I’m pretty sure she’s still head over heels in love with him.
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again.
The woman—sorry, the female—is a sociopath.
“Don’t even get me started on that.” I exhale. I would rather sip this shitty coffee all day than deal with Aurora.
But unfortunately, I can’t.
Kieran doesn’t give a damn about what I wear. His preference tends to lean towards a whole lot of shameless nothing. But it can’t always be about what he—or I—want when it comes to politics … as much as he believes it is.
I refuse to cause him any more trouble.
The Fae already have their eyes on me. Let’s not give them another reason to hate my guts.
I return to the Court in the afternoon, after Lucas leaves to report to Atticus for his shift. Gideon is still following me like a lost puppy.
“Isn’t there anything else that requires your attention as a High Commander?” I finally ask him.
“Yes.” He shrugs. “But what else could be more important than protecting the future Queen of the Fallen?”
I get his point, but I flinch at the word. “I’m not a queen … and Kieran and I aren’t married.”
That earns a grin from the silver-haired commander. “Yet, you’re both wearing rings.”
“Gideon,” I breathe, trying hard not to flush and look like a total idiot. “As your future queen, kindly shut up.”
He bursts out laughing. And all I can do is shake my head.
“But let’s be honest here,” I murmur. “You people are never going to see me as anything but Kieran’s lucked-out human toy. Even if he takes the throne, I wouldn’t be queen.”
“Do you really believe Kieran would let that happen?” He arches a brow. “He wouldn’t do shit unless it meant you were there by his side.”
“It’s nice of you to say that, but—”
“No buts, Cassandra,” Gideon cuts in, his voice soft and gentle. “I accept you as our Queen—or whatever title Kieran ends up with—and those who don’t will just have to deal with it.”
I’m taken aback by how kind this male is. Kieran once told me that Gideon was his best friend, and now I understand why.