Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
MAX
By the time the red haze disappears, I’m tired, sweaty, headed back to the bedchambers, Oslo depositing me there with a friendly smile. He reminds me the halls aren’t safe, and that I shouldn’t travel alone.
I’ve yet to see the actual danger, but, strangely, I trust the general.
Only Oslo knows that my powers are resurfacing, slowly, too slowly for my comfort.
My fingers are still pink as if I’ve touched something cold, and the distant hum of a heartbeat is faint when near him, but there is nothing else.
The meditation didn’t pan out the way I had hoped, only knowing that my magic seemed to be located in my gut but he was positive it would come.
Whatever that means.
Entering the bedchambers, the heir is sitting on the bed, one knee bent, a tray of food beside him. It’s fruit and pastries, all odd colors and tastes, with cold tea beside him.
Those amber eyes flare as I enter, covered in red sand, body tired. I’ve never noticed it before, but he seems to track me when I’m close, needing to be aware of where I am at all times.
“How was training with Uncle?”
“I assume you asked him.” I sigh, kicking off those thick boots. The Hadeon lies with a loud huff in the sitting room, as if exhausted from the day of watching from the shadows. “And that you let the Hadeon in.”
He scans me, searching for injuries. “You need all the protection you can get.”
It’s such a simple phrase but it winds up my anxiety. I need protection because of what I am, what I can do and the king who would hurt me.
I can’t deny the small thread of warmth that eases my nerves at Kaden’s words. His concern over my safety, his need to protect me. I wear a crown around my neck, I have a beast made from hellfire, and Kaden’s life tied to mine because he wants me safe.
Being nervous is natural, but I am overcome with gratitude. No matter what he’s done, Kaden has always done it for me. In my best interest. Because I matter to him.
He hands me the cup, waiting until I taste a small amount. “I didn’t drug it, kitten. I told you I’d stop.”
“Never can be too sure,” I retort, drinking the lemon and mint herbal tea. But, deep in my soul, I know he would. He gave me his word to do so.
Kaden is many things but he keeps his word.
“Come here.” His legs drops, a sudden noise that has me jumping.
My body responds, no thoughts needed as I step between his legs, allowing him to place his face into my neck, smelling my sweaty essence, taking it into his heart. It’s such an intimate moment, and I sink into it, running my hands through his loose locks.
The betrayals, the hurts, melt away as I lay between his arms, belonging here.
“There are things to discuss,” he murmurs, lips tracing against my skin. “And you won’t like it.”
“Do I ever?”
He laughs, fingers scratching lightly against the dress. He’s reminding himself that I’m here, I’m real.
“We’re needed for a dinner tonight.”
Groaning lightly, I step back to look into his face. “Why continue to put on this mask? Why bother to play to his whims? Can’t you deny his requests?”
Gently, he tips my chin, holding me still.
“I could. But that causes his eyes to fall onto me and my activities. I only follow his orders for now. It’s a way to shield you and what plans I’ve made.
If he thinks I am under his control, he doesn’t look for other weapons.
Not until he’ll need to. For now, with my compliance, the coup is undetected and you are safe. ”
“Don’t you have power here?” I taunt, fingers drawing over his jaw.
“My power is limited until the coup is finished.”
It never occurred to me how far Kaden has gone to make this all happen. What he’s sacrificed in pursuit to this cause. What he’s allowed to occur just for the bigger picture.
The darkness that always surrounds him, is not of his own volition, it’s from taking on the darkness of others. He is the one to hold everyone’s curses, so that they may thrive. And he uses his strength to bear the burdens for others so they may live better lives.
My fingers trace his jaw lightly and he leans into my touch.
I see him with better eyes now. I fought for years to never be the monster, but he takes the image on willingly.
“I still don’t forgive you, Kaden. For everything you’ve done.
What you’ve taken. But I think I understand it. At least somewhat.”
“I don’t expect forgiveness.” He kisses my palm. “As it is, you’re keeping things from me and I’m allowing you those secrets. You need some measure of control with so much change.”
Secrets I still keep close to my chest.
“This dinner will be different.” He runs his hands over my curves and my body tightens, enjoying the feel of him. I’m a cat in heat, leaning in for more. “It’s a celebration. I’m not sure of what, but we need to prepare.”
He releases me, going to his armoire. I peer behind him and I snort. Just as I thought, weapons of all kinds are hidden in there, including swords, sharp daggers, bows and arrows. I see an old shield, stained in blood, jagged edges broken from battle.
At my furrowed brow, he smirks. “I am a warrior, Max. That shield is my prize for winning.”
“Was it at least worth it?”
“I killed a Human General when he tried to take three young females from one of my kingdom’s villages on the outskirts of our territory. I’d say so.”
My heart warms further toward the heir.
He’s a monster, that much is certain. But a monster with reasons. Appearances be damned, Kaden will do what he must because he knows the end result.
If he has to kill to save many, he will. If he has to take me, to protect me, he will. If he has to tarnish his soul so the kingdom will thrive, then he will. He is selfless and my heart splinters further, a slow drip of love breaking through the fog of hurt.
He hands me two small daggers, half the size of Fee’s. They have a dark blue jewel on the ebony hilts, the blades thin but wickedly curved.
At my surprise, he swallows. “Dark Fae royals exchange gifts when two of them become engaged. And since I announced our wedding to the other kingdoms, now seemed like a good time to enact an old tradition.
“In order to bring about good luck, we craft things that represent Bel. It can be anything made by or with fire, but I thought a weapon would be a good choice for you.”
I look to the blades, lips parting in surprise. “You made these for me?”
Kaden shrugs, uncharacteristically shy. “I’ve always been good with metals,” he explains. “Usually, these are given on the wedding night.”
“We’re not married, Kaden.” He made me these. I’m astounded, trying to see the brooding prince, sweating over a forge, delicately placing the gems. Cooling the hot metal in barrels of water.
He smirks, taking the daggers to twirl expertly. “I’ve claimed you, kitten. I’ve tasted your blood. You have my heart. We don’t need the ceremony to prove you’re mine.”
“So, you don’t want to marry me?” I tease, taking back the weapons, feeling lighter than I have in some time.
The blade are feather-light, delicate and the edges are sharp. But it’s the thought behind this gift—the care in which they were made that heats my blood, ending the hate for the heir.
He’s done so much for me. This is one final way to show his love, how he chooses me.
“Oh, I do. And I will. At this point, it’s just a formality.”
There’s that arrogance I’ve grown to love in the Fae.
“When we go into that dinner, you’ll need to eat. And not be suspicious.” He watches me as I gently place the daggers on to our bed. “If I have to hold and force food down your throat, they will think we have a much different relationship than we already do.”
I don’t miss the taunt in his words, the heat in his eyes. He wants me to defy him, make him hold me down again.
My body shudders with pleasure. I can’t deny that I don’t like the idea of it.
The heat carries over into my words. “Perhaps, later on, I’ll let you force something else down my throat.”
The Dark Fae blinks in surprise. I’m not usually so bold with him, having gone for my brutal words than teases, but at this point, I realize he’s not going anywhere. He isn’t letting me leave ,and bond or not, I don’t want to leave.
I’m meant to be here with him. If not for the soul-bond or the divine, I’m here because I’m falling back in love with him. With the Fae he truly is. Monster and all.
Standing close, he wraps my hair around his fist, tugging it back. “I would make you beg me for it, again, kitten.”
“Maybe I like begging?”
He groans, grabbing my throat to steal a soul-shattering kiss. “Don’t say things like that to me.”
“Why? Too much?”
He laughs, but it’s pained. “No, because right now, I want to throw you on this bed and show you all the ways I would worship your body. And unfortunately, we can’t be late.”
Patting his chest, I wink, feeling comfortable for the first time in my skin, in my place with him. This is what I always wanted, with him, the familiarity. The ease. The love. “And after?”
He pulls me close, inhaling as I exhale. He smells of desire and home. “And after, I plan on making love to you until you beg the Gods for mercy.”
My cheeks blush, but I smile wide. “Promises, promises.”
“More like a threat, Max. Now get ready before I rip this dress from your body and we both blow this entire plan to ruin.”