Chapter 37
‘I ask myself if giving into the darkness was worth losing my mate. What is stronger, the yearning for power, or love?’
— Written entry from Evyen Deyanira’s personal journal
(Post-Division)
Airess
Runean balls were surprisingly similar to the ones in Luciena.
The only differences were the styles of music, food, and attire.
They held the ball in the throne room where she and Taryn had met Roz.
Flickering balls of fyrelight floated overhead like captive stars, casting a soft glow across the room.
There was a massive table of finger foods, all the guests flocking to it, eager to eat.
Attendants passed out a tray of glasses filled with clear, pink and amber-colored liquid.
Airess took a glass and sipped, the sweet burn of the wine gliding down her throat. She tried her best to relax, but couldn’t after everything she had been through. It was so strange how life moved on, no matter the traumas and grief endured by the one who lived it.
The Fae laughed and danced, composing themselves with ease in the presence of the king.
She watched Roz interact with his subjects casually, as if he were in conversation with old friends.
She decided she liked Roz, and wouldn’t mind another friend like him in her life.
The world needed more kind-hearted people.
She stood there awkwardly, trying her best to feel comfortable in the clothes the attendants had brought to her. They did give her a choice of clothing, all the options far skimpier than she was used to. After delicate thought, she decided on the perfect dress.
Airess’ dress was a deep crimson. The bodice was tightly wrapped around her waist, and her breasts were on display due to the low V-neck. The skirt of the dress had double slits, the sheer fabric showing off her legs. She wore a low heel with golden laces going up her calves.
Her long hair had been left down in waves. Airess wore the locket Esper had given her. She touched the metal heart at her throat, her thoughts going back to the Priestess who risked everything to get her out of Luciena.
Was Esper still alive?
She clutched the glass of wine with a scowl, trying her best to ignore Taryn across the ballroom speaking with the other ball goers.
He had returned to the guest house a few hours after their fight on the beach, and when the morning came, he was nowhere to be found in the guest house.
Airess did everything in her power not to care.
As if feeling her stare, Taryn met her eyes.
He looked devastatingly handsome tonight.
Taryn was dressed in a silk Runean suit, his white shirt effortlessly loose on his muscled figure.
The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showcasing his one red inked sleeve.
He excused himself from conversation and crossed the room towards her.
Airess stood up straight, eager to talk to him. Eager to resolve things.
“May I have this dance?” Roz asked as he stepped into view, cutting Taryn off. Roz asked it in her tongue, always the gentleman.
Airess blinked. “You may,” she replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She glanced over at Taryn, whose brows hardened at Roz's outstretched arm. Taryn’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t intervene.
Roz whisked her into the crowd, the pair drawing hesitant stares that quickly looked away. Airess felt Taryn’s stare without having to look over at him.
Roz gently placed a hand on Airess’ waist. “There’s something I wanted to discuss with you.” Roz said lightly as they shifted on their feet. He took her hand in his as they began to dance.
“Times are changing, and quickly. Soon the world will change forever. If we act now, we can assure Rune’s survival.”
Airess’ distant gaze snapped to Roz’s attention, noticing the eagerness in his blue eyes as he looked at her.
“Act? Rune is at peace.”
Roz’s mouth tightened in restraint, hesitating for a beat as if he were calculating his words. “When the prophecy comes to fruition, we will be dealing with a new world that hasn’t been seen in a thousand years. The Dawn is coming. We need to prepare.”
Airess gave him a skeptical look. He was beginning to sound like Ismene, always speaking in riddles, in secret hidden messages.
“Where are you going with this?” Airess asked hesitantly.
Roz closed his eyes and took a steady breath. “We need allies if we are to stand against Luciena, if they dare cross us. My mother has… different ideologies of Rune’s success. But I disagree with her, there is another way. With two Godlings ruling, we would be unstoppable.”
Airess dropped his hand, stopping their dance in the middle of the floor. “What are you say–”
“I’m asking if you would be my queen, my wife.
Rule over Rune with me and all its lands.
Together, our power would raze anyone who dares to harm us.
” Roz cleared his throat. “It is prophesied, is it not, that two beings will unite to bring forth a new dawn? It was clear to me from the moment I saw you, that we were destined to bring the prophecy to fruition.”
Oh.
Oh, Gods.
Airess tensed. She realized Roz believed that they were The Prophesied. Of course he had no knowledge that Taryn was her Mate–that Airess and Taryn were the ones who have been Fated.
She blinked in surprise and cleared her throat to respond. “You’re asking me to marry you?” She couldn’t believe his words. He was definitely coming on strong, and all those sidelong looks he had been giving her started to make sense.
“I know it seems a bit sudden, but unions of this kind are common with people in power. It’s not about lust, or love, but we can change the world with our power,” Roz grabbed the hand she dropped, “Say yes. Rule by my side.”
It certainly was ironic, as different and kind Rune claimed to be, they craved power into their line all the same.
Taryn’s bitter laugh cut through the shock from her right.
Airess hadn’t even realized he had approached them, from the whirring thoughts in her brain.
Taryn’s cheeks were slightly flushed, and his lips were wine stained.
His hair was disheveled, as if he couldn’t stop running his fingers through it.
Taryn’s stare sliced daggers in Roz’s direction as he sipped his glass, a smug expression overtaking his features.
“I’ll give you one second to get your hand off her before I cut you down.” Taryn snapped, looking between her and Roz, his jaw tense.
Taryn stepped closer to Roz, his silver eyes igniting, glowing brighter than usual.
Fuck.
Airess stepped forward and grabbed Taryn’s arm, breaking his attention away from Roz. She knew he had a bold side, but did he seriously threaten the king?
Airess looked between him and Roz. She stepped into the middle, to put a physical barrier between them, for Roz’s sake.
“Taryn, back off.” She hissed, angry at his jealous display. Who was he, denying her and then getting jealous at the next turn?
Roz’s laugh was rich and deep behind her, his face amused. He was always amused, and now she saw he could be smug, as well. She needed to get Taryn out of here. The two would be a recipe for disaster.
“I have no quarrel with you, Stormborne.” Roz retorted smoothly, choosing his words delicately. Airess interjected before Taryn could respond, pushing Taryn’s chest with her hand.
“Excuse us. I need to talk with my friend.” She bit out the words, not caring if her words sliced him. Let them. His reaction to their bond had sliced her heart open more than she cared to admit.
She grabbed his hand and dragged him away from Roz before things could get more heated. They walked through a sea of ballgoers and out onto the balcony, far from the crowd. The humid air blasted against her skin as they walked out.
“Are you going to marry him?” Taryn demanded, following close behind, his eyes laced with hurt.
“Are you serious?” Airess asked as she whipped around to face him. He was blind if he couldn’t see just how much she had begun to care for him. She would never betray him. She could never be with someone else. What she felt for Taryn outweighed any hollow proposal this king might give her.
He laughed sarcastically, cloaking his pain once more. “I wouldn’t fault you for it. You deserve the life he could give you.”
Airess shook her head and groaned, frustration boiling over. “Again with this! I don’t want that. I don’t want to be given a life.” She crossed her arms. “Why do you care if you don’t even want me?”
Taryn paused, eyes fluttering shut momentarily. He raked a hand through his hair and then slid his gaze to hers. He exhaled slowly and stalked up to her, invading her personal space. Taryn lifted her chin gently with his fingers to look at him.
“Oh, I want you,” he whispered, sending chills down her spine. He ran a hand along her jawline. Airess’ entire body warmed at the contact and her stomach fluttered. Gods, the things this male made her feel with a single touch. A single phrase.
“I want you every day, every night, every waking fucking hour. I’ve wanted you since the day I met you in that ballroom.
Airess, you have to know I would do anything for you.
I would commit atrocities for you if it meant having you by my side.
I thought about rejecting the bond–I did,” he was shaking his head, as if it were impossible.
“I thought I was strong enough to do it. But you’re too perfect.
You are ethereal. A Goddess in physical form sent to destroy me.
I don’t want to tarnish you by claiming you, but I am learning that I am a selfish, selfish male. ”
Airess’ eyebrows rose at the raw confession, heart pounding. “You wouldn’t tarnish me,” the words came out as a whisper.
He shook his head. “I will. I will ruin you.”