Chapter Nineteen
Avari
Making his way to a cupboard a few feet away, River pulled out a metal tin and poured its dark contents into two large mugs. ‘You’re learning the castle, huh?’
He was dressed in dark burgundy sweatpants and a black T-shirt that clung to his body, outlining every muscle. The thin fabric hugged his biceps like a second skin, and it took all my restraint not to stare.
It was a massive contrast to his usual military attire.
The only time I’d seen him dressed like a royal was the day we met.
His black blazer and black shirt looked formal and untouchable.
Over time, I realised that the Fogoyan King didn’t care much about trivial things like formality and opulence.
Perhaps he didn’t feel the need for such vanity.
Watching him mix the dark powder with boiling water, I smiled. ‘Maddie’s assistance proved pivotal.’
‘Ah, she found you already,’ he said, not looking away from the mugs.
I hoped I hadn’t put her in a difficult position. ‘Was she not supposed to?’
‘Not what I meant. Try this,’ he said, smiling.
The steaming mug contained a velvety cocoa that made my mouth water. A sip melted over my tongue, and a small sound escaped before I could stop it.
River said nothing, though his gaze flicked to my mouth and lingered. Too long.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything better,’ I admitted. The cocoa would become my own ginger biscuit story; I would get fat and happy sipping my problems away one cup at a time.
A smug grin stretched his lips, and I couldn’t believe how much younger he looked without the serious clothes and the constant scowl.
River could have easily passed for someone my age, though that didn’t mean much with how slowly fae aged. Even my mother, Queen Harper, barely looked older than her daughters. It made me wonder about his mother.
What kind of woman raised a man so full of contradictions?
‘Can I ask you something personal?’ I asked, a flicker of doubt curling through my chest.
He tensed slightly, as if sensing the shift. ‘As long as you accept I might refuse to answer.’
Hesitation made me shake my head. ‘No, it’s fine. I shouldn’t.’
I turned for the door. ‘Thank you for the hot chocolate; it’s delicious.’
Before I could step away, he caught my hand, his fingers lingering against my skin. ‘Ask.’
My heart kicked against my ribs as I hoped my curiosity wouldn’t destroy the fragile truce. ‘I took a walk around the fourth floor tonight… saw all the portraits. I know I’m in no place to ask—’
‘Ask,’ he repeated, his tone surprisingly gentle.
‘I’ve seen portraits of you and Michael and your grandparents. And your father. But… none of your mother.’
The silence stretched until I wished I could swallow the question back. ‘You really don’t have to answer, I’m sorry—’
‘It’s okay.’ He cleared his throat, clearly unprepared. ‘My mother’s not with us anymore. We don’t like the reminder.’
The amber of his eyes softened with old pain. We were still holding hands; I wasn’t sure who needed it more.
‘I’m sorry, River.' My voice broke. ‘I can’t imagine losing a parent.’
‘It was tough.’ Whatever he was thinking pulled him far away. ‘Toughest on my father. They were true mates. Ortensians are half fae; you must know what that’s like.’
It struck me how little our kingdoms really knew about each other. Centuries of war, and still, ignorance thrived.
‘Most of our people are halflings,’ I said.
‘But we get witches, too. And it isn’t that simple anyway.
Witches don’t tend to have mates unless they’re shifters or, at times, fae, but that’s rare.
And even then, the majority of our population dislikes the constraints of monogamy. They prefer harems.’
His hand twitched in mine. ‘Harems? Multiple women for one man?’
I grinned. ‘Reverse harems, too. Sometimes mixed groups.’
The king’s expression shifted somewhere between horror and curiosity. ‘But what about love? I don’t mean sex.’
‘Neither do I.’ A chuckle escaped me. ‘A lot of my people see monogamy as unnatural.’
For a person who carried himself so confidently, he looked lost. ‘And they share one woman?’
‘Or one man.’
Shoulders growing rigid, he grimaced and seemed to be really considering the logistics of the matter. ‘Fae males are possessive. How can Ortensian men just share? Have they lost their instincts?’
I couldn’t help enjoying our little debate; our cultural differences were oddly entertaining. Taking a slow sip of my drink, I said, ‘Ortensia doesn’t quite work like Fogoya in that regard. Fogoyans pair up based on love or matehood, right?’
River nodded.
‘We still have a few old-fashioned halfling clans who chase their mates, but most of our society has given up on that. They marry for strength or influence instead.’
A scowl twisted his mouth. ‘It’d be difficult to understand matehood if you’ve never seen it.’
‘Maybe I’ll read about it,’ I said quickly, though my thoughts tangled between curiosity and unease. Were my people missing something by rejecting it?
River's hand tightened around mine, fire pulsing rough and alive through my veins. ‘Is that what you’d have done in your court? Married the strongest or most powerful?’
The judgement in his eyes hurt. ‘I wouldn’t have had a choice.’
His expression didn’t soften, so I added, ‘My mother would’ve forced me. She wanted to pawn me off to one of the water princes. They liked that I came with a dragon but hated my fire. I think she planned to marry me off to some noble and ship me away.’
River’s brow furrowed, his scowl returning. ‘What kind of mother does that?’
A dry laugh escaped me. ‘Mine. That witch hates me.’
His power flared, the warmth of it wrapping around me like a blanket. Then, quieter, he wondered as if to himself, ‘Why curse you to keep you, only to want you gone?’
‘She would only let me leave on her terms. I don’t think she cared about me being there—just about what people would say if I weren't. Once I bonded my dragon, she couldn’t lose that asset. So yes, your “imprisonment” is a blessing in disguise. I’m finally free of her.’
For once, River looked uncertain.
‘You’re not a prisoner,’ he said softly, loosening his hold.
It was time to learn the terms of my situation. ‘Then what am I?’
He held my gaze. ‘You’re not my captive.’
That didn’t answer much, but it almost sounded like a promise. ‘So does that mean I can get a job?’
His snort broke the tension. ‘You want a job?’
‘I can’t exactly pop to Ortensia to move my funds over,’ I teased.
‘Do I look cheap to you, little witch? What do you want?’ He preened, shoulders squaring as he reclaimed the poise of a monarch. ‘Tell me.’
‘I want to pull my weight.’
River studied me, growing increasingly amused. ‘You’re my conjuring coach. Isn’t that enough?’
‘Then you’d better start paying me,’ I joked, hoping that he wouldn’t take offence.
‘Done.’ A crooked smile spread across his face. ‘Though I’ll be paying for your fire to pine after mine for hours on end.’
‘No, you’ll be paying for my patience,’ I shot back. ‘It’s far more valuable.’
He chuckled, and together we walked through the quiet corridors.
I learnt that both brothers’ rooms were on my floor. We said our goodbyes, parting for the night, each to our own rest, and whatever dreams or nightmares waited there.