42. Cillian
A pprehension is a leaden weight on my chest as I stand outside Prince Aspen’s chamber doors.
Knowing he can’t do much to take Ivy away is a small comfort, but I’m more concerned about how his reaction will affect her. If he were to berate her for the choices we made as a pack, it would break her heart. While I’m prepared to mend any broken pieces this potential fallout could cause, my hope is we can avoid it altogether.
The truth Aspen will need to accept is that the damage has been done—though I’m loath to refer to something so beautiful in such an ugly way. Ivy has bonded with two of my packmates, her scent-matched alphas who will care for her, love her, make it so she lives a long and happy life. The only damage here is to the archaic traditions that have sent our kind to early graves.
If anyone tried to separate us now, it would condemn Ivy to the same fate. Given what I know of her brothers, I can’t believe they would want such a thing for their sister. I respect the Bancroft alphas for the way they raised Ivy and the rest of her siblings with so much love and care. It would be a shame if my admiration were to be tainted.
But regardless of Aspen’s reaction, I’ll never give her up. They will have to pry my mate from my cold, dead arms—and then the arms of Oran and Sloan. This visit is merely meant to mitigate shock at this stage. I will be announcing our pack to my court this evening. Telling Aspen beforehand is a courtesy, an olive branch so we may maintain a good relationship. Ivy would want it. Still, I’m not looking forward to the encounter.
Foolish, though it may be, I’m holding on to some small ember of hope Fate would not place this gift at my feet if I weren’t intended to do great things with it. It’s my deepest wish that Aspen embraces the knowledge and our pack with open arms. While his opinion doesn’t hold the same weight as Hawthorn’s, it wouldn’t hurt to have him on our side.
The more of Ivy’s siblings who support us in this way of life, the better. The western kingdoms look to Lucernia as arbiters of culture and authority. Were they to adopt pack living themselves, surely others would follow suit.
Additionally, with Ivy’s impending heat, we may not be available to receive her family when they return in a few days’ time. Aspen—and Lily could be the only ones left to explain what has occurred to the rest of the Bancrofts. Their stance on the matter could help sway the rest.
Exhaling, I knock—once, twice, thrice—and wait for the prince to greet me.
When he opens the door, his handsome face is stern, devoid of the playful mischief I’ve come to expect.
“Your Majesty.” Resigned. His voice lacks any trace of surprise at my appearance. He opens the door wider, sweeping out an arm to motion me into his chamber.
“Your Highness.” I step inside, my gut sinking at the sound of the door closing. Now is the time. If I’m going to say it, I must do it before I lose my nerve.
To my surprise, Lily sits at a table near the fire, a cup of tea in her hands. Her eyes widen as she notes the tension that’s followed me into the room. It’s good she’s here—I now have one less trip to make. “Good morning, Princess.”
She smiles, coy and quiet—a stark contrast to her brother’s stormy demeanor.
The prince steps behind me as his palm lands upon my shoulder. He bends, letting me feel the silent threat of his warm breath at my ear.
Sweat beads at my brow, my hands flexing with unexpended anxious energy. Even swallowing is difficult—as though my throat is filled with rocks.
“Are you here to tell me about the two bond marks my sister wears? Perhaps about your secret pack?” Aspen’s voice is icy, lethally cold as his words settle onto my skin.
Fuck’s sake almighty. He knows. Nothing to do now but plead my case.
I turn, ready to admit with pride that what he says is true.
“I am.” Though my heart is pounding, I feel instant relief at the admission. Like I’ve been wearing armor, shielding this precious secret. Now that it’s removed, I can draw deep and nourishing breaths.
Until this point, the only people I’ve entrusted with this knowledge are my brothers and Tiernan’s pack. To speak of it aloud is an honor I will defend at all costs.
Aspen meets my unwavering stare. In his familiar ocean eyes, a storm of conflicting emotions brews. “Your brother is terrible at keeping secrets from me, you know.”
Fucking Ciaran , love-struck lamb he is. I should have known better than to think he wouldn’t divulge this information to the lover who has him so ensnared.
He also conveniently failed to mention Aspen’s knowledge of our predicament when I saw him just minutes ago.
“And you are not angered, Prince?” I can’t tell.
The corner of Aspen’s mouth quirks then. A secret slip of a smile he’s tried to suppress. “I haven’t yet decided. Why don’t we start with your story, Majesty, and go from there?”
I nod, trying to conceal my own smile at the lightness of my limbs and the hope in my heart. This is a start, an open door he’s offered me. And I, for one, look forward to what awaits on the other side.