CHAPTER 10 #5
They ascended into a courtyard with delicate flowering trees in bloom.
She wasn’t sure what sort of tree they were, perhaps something that only grew here in the land of faerie, but the white sweetly scented petals were rather lovely.
Perhaps even in autumn, the fae king could command the trees to do as he wished.
“Welcome to Thornwood,” Killian announced. “Home of the king.”
Sera smoothed her dark green sweater. Dani was just about to squeeze her hand in reassurance when a figure turned at the end of the courtyard.
Like most fae males, he was tall and wiry in build, standing half a foot taler than Sera.
He wore his pale blond hair long on top and razored short on the sides, revealing piercings along the edge of very pointed ears.
Rather than traditional fae dress, he wore jeans that sat low on his hips, a white undershirt that hugged his lean frame, and a pale blue linen shirt over it, the sleeves rolled to the elbows.
Sera narrowed her eyes. “Taking your responsibilities seriously, I see?”
“Here we go,” Alex muttered under his breath. “Can you please try not to get us poisoned?”
“Serafina Visconti.” Finneas raised an eyebrow. “May I presume you didn’t come all this way just to shove me into another expensive display of glassware?”
“That can be arranged.”
The fae king smiled, walking towards them. “Alexander, it’s been too long.”
“Good to see you, Finneas.” Alex extended his hand. “This is Daniela Girard.”
“A pleasure. I’ll admit, I’ve been following your media feeds with some curiosity.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Sera said. “There’s been a complication, one that hasn’t been announced publicly.”
Finneas listened as she explained the onset of the sickness and the initial appearance of the bruising. He nodded when she reached the part about the shape of the marks resolving into scrolls.
“And you think they’re mating marks. May I see?”
When Dani started to extend her wrist, Alex stepped in front of her, rolling up his own sleeve. Finneas raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, but bent to examine the base of his hand.
“Well?” Sera crossed her arms.
“I’d like to examine hers as well, if possible.”
“Is that really necessary?” Alex said. “You’ve examined mine.”
“I can only imagine how fierce the need to guard her must feel right now, Alexander,” Finneas said softly. “Especially here when you’re outside your own territory. But you know I cannot lie. Daniela will come to no harm at my hand.”
“It’ll be okay.” Stepping around Alexander, Dani pushed up the sleeve of her hoodie and extended her wrist.
Finneas traced the mating mark, nodding thoughtfully. Beside her, Alex stiffened. The fae king dropped her wrist.
“So, can you do it?” Sera asked. “Break the binding?”
Ignoring her, Finneas addressed Dani. “Marks like this are very rare. Most people never find the one they are fated to.” His pale eyes, somewhere between blue and gray, held hers. “Are you sure you want it erased?”
No, she wanted to scream. I don’t want any of this.
But how could she keep this connection to Alexander, knowing that if it were to be discovered, she would be taken away in the night just like Micah had been, exiled to shifter territory? And not just her. Any decision to keep Alex meant choosing a death sentence for Evan and Ava.
“I’m sure,” she whispered, the lie like gravel in her throat.
“Very well, then.” He nodded to Killian, who disappeared down a hallway. “If you choose to proceed with this path, there is an herbal draught I can give you. It will need to be taken once a day, and then in one week’s time, you can return and I’ll be able to dissolve the bond.”
“Thank you.” Alex gripped her fingers so hard they hurt.
“I’ll need a precise list of the herbs they’ll be dosed with so I can monitor for any interactions,” Sera said.
“Of course.”
“And if I find that you’ve manipulated them in any way—”
“Oh, Serafina, how I’ve missed our little chats.” Finneas laughed softly. “How many women could so delicately manage to insinuate that I’m trying to turn the future vampire king into my plaything while groveling on her knees, begging me for a favor?”
Sera’s eyes flashed silver. Slowly, she approached the fae king until they stood inches apart. “I hope that pathetic little fantasy is very, very vivid in your twisted head as you jerk off to images of me at night. Because that is all it will ever be.”
“You think about me jerking off?” Finneas tilted his head. “That’s an interesting development.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Sera’s ponytail trembled. Dani couldn’t help but notice she was breathing faster than usual, and… were her fangs elongated?
Someone needed to break this up before they had an inter-kingdom incident.
Dani cleared her throat. “Will the draught cause any side effects?”
Finneas turned away from Sera, seeming to refocus. “You may feel heightened emotions. For the bond to be broken, it will have to be torn open first. That can feel uncomfortable. And it will get progressively worse every day you take it. Some people find they are unable to continue once they start.”
Alex squeezed her hand. “There… isn’t another path forward, not one where Dani and her sisters won’t be put in harm’s way. We’ll manage. Thank you.”
He nodded. “Very well.”