Chapter 39
Rylee
“I don’t want to do this.” I pace the soft, sandy beach. “It shouldn’t be like this.”
Pierce follows me step for step. “We’ve been over this—”
“I know we have!” I snap. “I’m sorry. I know we have. I know it’s for the greater good. I know it’s only a month. I’m still sick and tired of other people dictating how I can live my life!”
Pierce opens his arms, and I fall into them.
I’m sorry, he says into my mind, nothing but love and support radiating down our bond. If I could secure the agreement any other way . . .
I know. It’s truly not the worst scenario. After the horrible terms Baydel set upon them last time, they really have no grounds to believe us. They could’ve said no. They could’ve treated us horribly. They could’ve done any number of things.
They didn’t.
I’m being a brat, I admit.
Pierce laughs, shifting me out of the embrace far enough to look down at me. He cups my cheeks. “You, Rylee, are a warrior. A queen. Never a brat.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I love you,” I say.
The staff and enforcers are behind us, loading our belongings.
I hold the signed terms in my satchel slung over my shoulder.
Another task complete in order to earn the Royal Authority Council’s vote, and yet, I’m forced to leave my mate behind while the others are across the seas, and I have no idea how they’re doing.
“Why can’t I stay instead of you again?” I ask, even though we’ve discussed it a thousand times already.
“Because in Lumathyst you have friends, allies.” He glances to Dalfon behind me, awaiting my return to the dock. “And here . . . while they’re friendly, it’s unknown. I won’t risk you.”
“I don’t want to risk you.”
“The month will go by quickly. We’ll secure all terms, ascend the thrones, and start our lives together.”
It’s a beautiful picture, but he’s leaving out all the what-ifs:
What if the others don’t secure their terms with the other realms?
What if the Fader attacks get worse?
What if my sister ends up leading us into a great and terrible war Lumathyst can’t come back from?
What if my dreams of Evaluna aren’t dreams but actual warnings?
What if I return to Lumathyst, alone, and single-handedly turn the Royal Authority Council against us and lose the princes’ shot at the thrones?
Pierce strokes the worry lines between my eyebrows. “We cannot face that which hasn’t happened. Focus on what you can control and breathe out the rest.”
I blow out a deep breath, grounding myself. I can feel his power in a steady beat that keeps the pathways of our bond open and his abilities with him, firmly where they belong.
“How long do you think it will hold?” I ask.
“I think you’re capable of anything,” he says. “But we won’t know until it’s tested. I willingly gave the power up in order for you to return. I had no idea if I’d ever possess it again. If you wanted to keep it forever, I would support that.”
“I don’t want it forever,” I admit. “You saw what I did when you four were threatened. I lost control. I keep it behind locked doors due to that failure.”
“It’s not a failure. My power is your power. It belongs to you like I do.”
I shake my head. It’s his. He needs it. “I’ll keep it with you as long as I can.”
“Time to go,” Dalfon calls from the base of the ship.
My heart drops to my stomach. “What if something happens?” I whisper the question as I throw my arms around his neck. “What if you don’t come home in a month? What if the others—”
“Nothing will stop me from coming back to you,” he cuts me off, nothing but determination and pure promise in his words. “Do you understand?” He holds me tighter, drawing me back enough to kiss me. It’s a promise and a plea.
I nod, kissing him again, pouring every ounce of love I have down our bond.
“I’ll do my best to have your throne waiting for you when you return.”
“Our throne,” he corrects me. “Ours.”
I release him.
“See you soon,” he says, stepping backward, as if he knows I need the distance to gain the courage to leave him.
I take one step away, then another, my heart growing heavier with each bit of distance gained between us.
Dalfon quietly leads me into the ship, and I go to the bow as we sail away, watching Pierce get smaller and smaller the farther we go.
And after I can no longer see him or any evidence of Silvac, I retreat to my cabin and cry into my pillow.