Chapter 17
Malachi
In the courtyard, Elorie throws a dagger, and it lands at the edge of the target. Not exact, but more precise than her magic, which continues to be buried so deep that not even Alasdair can sense it.
Each failed attempt makes him nervous. I’m not worried. She’ll find it.
She’s the key. The vision from the unspeakable gods.
I just need to give her a little push. A little more motivation.
Wilder crosses the training ring and grabs the dagger. Elorie stands watching him, curious. Curiosity is in her blood, so I shouldn’t be surprised.
So long as it ends there, I won’t have to step in.
Elorie’s eyes brighten. The corner of her mouth lifts.
It’s not a smile, but it’s amusement. If only she knew the awful things Wilder has done over the centuries to her precious humans, she wouldn’t look at him like that.
Gods, if she knew what he would do to the few who are left if she chose him, she’d leave him alone in the courtyard and go to bed.
She doesn’t know, of course. And either way, she won’t choose him.
Hate me all she wants, I’ll make sure of it.
The realms are starting to flicker. Soon, the Well will claim one, and I will do anything necessary to ensure it’s Vaelier.
Wilder grins when his back is to Elorie, careful not to let her see his true smile, but taken by her, nonetheless.
I understand his interest. Elorie Vale is a pretty girl, even with her human blood.
And humans do taste different enough from the Fae when you take them to bed that it makes them interesting.
When I was still a prince, I had my fun with plenty of humans on trips to the Mortal Realm. But a human isn’t worth the time of a king.
Maybe once she unleashes her power, I’ll have a taste.
Wilder says something that makes Elorie smile, but with his magic masking their conversation, I don’t hear what it is.
He has his aura stretched beyond the edge of the ring so even Fae ears can’t spy on what he’s saying to her.
Charming her like he’s good at. Something she doesn’t realize he’ll simply use against her like he’s done with his mate.
While Aurora sits on his throne, sending rebels to my shores to get her king back, he frolics with a human.
I’m tempted to visit her in Vaelier myself simply to see her face as she learns that bit of information, but the Arches are too unstable.
Elorie throws the dagger again, and it lands lower this time. Still not a flicker of magic. Greer and her ridiculous training methods. If it weren’t for her aunt, I’d disregard her entirely.
Pressing my palm to the glass window, I let it fizzle to nothing more than a warm glow. I turn in the large bath that makes up nearly half the floor in my bathing chamber and settle my head against a pillow on the ledge. My arms stretch out, while the orb burns against my chest.
Power floods my veins. The water slowly starts to bubble around me. Warming as steam licks up my skin. It fogs the air.
Closing my eyes, I listen to the orb. Whispering with the secrets of the gods.
The answers are just out of reach.
Soon.
I’ll have them soon.
We’ll complete the Rite, and I’ll have the power to harness what I’ve waited to claim for a century.
The door to my room clicks, and I crack an eye to see Selia walking toward me in her storm-gray dress. Darkness hangs around her golden-brown hair. Not even my light shines all the way through now that her brother is out of the prison.
For many decades, she was enough of a trophy to prove my strength.
The daughter of Vaelier in my bed. I had won.
But as magic flickers, winning the battle of Crowns is not enough.
Until Vaelier is no longer feeding on the magic of my land—until the heartbeat of the kingdom returns to Lyrichia, I will not be strong enough.
“You didn’t fetch me when you returned.” She frowns.
“My meeting with Cyan and Alasdair left me on edge. I needed a bath.”
Her gaze moves to the window, fogged with magic. “You were watching them.”
“Clearly, you were too.”
She sighs, circling the room. “She’s nothing special.”
“Her magic is.” I watch Selia carefully as darkness stirs in her eyes. “You’re jealous. The question is, why? She’s not sharing my bed yet.”
Her back stiffens, but I don’t mince my words.
Selia is not my queen. I’ve vowed never to take one.
And only I choose who sleeps in my bed. More often than not, it is Selia, but other times it isn’t.
And at some point, I will bed Elorie to make sure she understands which king she will bow to.
Selia will have no choice but to accept it.
“Don’t worry, little storm cloud. You’re forever my favorite. I won’t leave you.”
“You won’t be loyal to me either.”
“A king is loyal to nothing but his kingdom. Offering you that would be a desecration of my crown. As the princess of Vaelier, you know this.”
She swallows hard but doesn’t argue. Her parents shared many beds in the time they ruled. She’s simply letting her attachment to me get the better of her. I suppose that’s my fault when I require her complete devotion.
It’s an untapped urge I didn’t know I had. Feasting on the blood of my enemy’s kingdom is a rush that can’t be matched.
“If I were your mate, would you feel the same?” She grazes a finger over my cape that’s draped over a chair.
“You’re not,” I remind her.
Fae and their mates—their weaknesses. I’m thankful to have never met mine. If I have it my way, I never will. My father’s downfall is proof I’m better without the distraction.
Selia frowns, toying with the lining of my cape. “Elorie still can’t use her magic. She’ll die in the Rite and be of no use to you.”
“Did you gather this spying on them or from your secret conversations with your brother?”
Her stare hardens. “He cornered me, and I said nothing to him. You know I’m on your side, my king.”
“Yet Wilder continues to seek you out every night.”
“He has a hard time letting go. But he will. If you’d just consider a marriage instead of this Rite, we could solve this. Bind our two kingdoms another way—”
“We’ve been over this for a century, Selia. You are not the heir. Marrying you does nothing for me.”
“My magic is strong.”
“Not strong enough.”
“It was enough on the shore of Rohldova.” A wicked grin lights her face.
“To prove your loyalty to me, yes.” After all, she decimated an entire front of her own people.
Turned them to nothing more than ash blowing out to sea.
I wonder if Wilder has heard whispers of that.
How intensely his sister has turned on his people in my name.
“But Lyrichia is dying. Your magic is not enough to save it.”
“Hers won’t save it either if she can’t wake it.”
“She will.”
“How do you know?”
I hum, glancing at the flickers on the shimmering window. “Leave that to me.”
Selia shakes her head. “And what of me when she saves Lyrichia for you? What of us?”
A crackle of thunder shakes the room. My jealous little pet. Temperamental but beautiful. I need to soothe my hold on her leash before she slices a bolt of lightning down the center of my palace.
“She will not be my queen; we’ve been over this,” I assure her, although it’s getting tiresome.
“Your souls will be bound.”
Tipping my head back, I consider that. A small bind is already there, stirring as it starts to form. It tugs at my chest. I’ve never been tied to anyone, and having this tether between the three of us is unsettling, although necessary.
“It has been a long, disappointing day, Selia.” I stretch my arms across the back of the tub. “Either make me feel better or leave.”
I’ve had enough of her doubt. We’ll go in circles all night if we don’t stop now. What I need is a release, not more stress. If she refuses to assist, then I’ll call in another, but like my perfect little pet, I know she’ll settle if I urge her to.
The orb weighs heavily as I watch Selia close her eyes. There’s a steady rise and fall to her chest as she calms herself. Her brown hair cascades over one shoulder, while the gold-winged earring I gifted her glows against the candlelight flickering at her side.
When her long lashes flutter open, the sparkle in her gaze has returned, and a small, devious smile climbs the corner of her mouth.
“Apologies, Your Majesty.” She takes a step forward, running her fingers over the sides of her dress.
Her hands drift over skin I’ll soon be licking as she traces them over her beautiful body. The tension that hung on my shoulders begins to fade. Her fingertips graze her stomach, brushing over the hint of her peaked nipples, which are showing through the sheer fabric.
Selia stops at the edge of the bathing chamber, reaching behind her neck to untie the thin strap that holds her dress in place. The ties slip through her fingers, and then it melts from her body, slipping over every curve.
Standing up, I walk through the water, taking my steps one at a time while she stands waiting for me.
Some power can’t be denied. The surge in my veins, the heat in the room.
And this look—one of pure devotion.
Raw lust.
Selia’s pretty cheeks brighten, and the clouds dusting the room start to part with her excitement. Her need fills my lungs on every inhale.
So many cracks are forming lately. Splinters to the plan. But I am in control. Power surges through my chest as the orb hangs heavy at my neck. I will win this. I started with Wilder’s sister, but I’ll have his kingdom next. Bowing before me as they turn to stardust.
Selia wets her lips, waiting with a lustful smile. “Better now?”
“Almost.” I drag my thumb over her parted mouth. “Kneel for your king.”