Chapter 44
T he days had passed by in a slow procession of visitors checking on both me and Draevyn. News had arrived about Melysah’s suspension from the council until they could conduct a deeper investigation regarding her involvement with the kidnappings. That didn’t stop me from doubting whether something would finally stick to her.
With everyone I cared deeply about sitting in the living room of my new quarters—quarters that had been beautifully decorated in a different style by Aurelio and Reneah—I had bigger things to worry about.
“But…how?” asked Dax for the millionth time.
It was the question none of us had the answer to.
“There’s no reason for Asherah to enter the realm,” Myles asserted as he rested his chin in the cradle of his palm. “With Airelandia? It’s not a problem. Gaining access to that realm is a simple request to my counterparts, but Corenathia? Earthos? It’s a much bigger challenge. There are only a handful of diplomatic missions that are acceptable.”
“Such as?” Draevyn asked.
“Trade, pilgrimages, peaceful missionary,” Myles answered.
“Well, the trade option is out for Corenathia,” Dad stated defeatedly. “We haven’t traded with them in a millennia.”
“But could we possibly start?” I inquired. “That would give us reason to open negotiations.”
“I’m afraid that’s out of the question,” Myles said, followed by a long sigh. “Queen Sessi isn’t open to trade with Atlantis. Our goods are outlawed there. If anyone finds even one fruit from our outskirts, it’s an automatic ten-year sentence.”
I jerked back. “Seems excessive.”
“Seems cruel, is what it is,” Reneah said from where she sat beside Dad, a look of deep contemplation on her face. If Dax, Myles, and Dad knew about me being the Hekiti, then I refused to keep it from Reneah and Aurelio. I wanted their feedback just as much as the others. “For the sake of her people, I pray that they at least trade with Earthos. Otherwise, I’m not sure how they could sustain the realm with little to no soil to maintain crops. The garden elementals can only do so much.”
The group murmured in collective agreement.
“What about a soiree?” Aurelio suggested with a gleam in his eyes. “Who doesn’t love a good excuse to get dressed up and show off?” Aurelio ignored the hand of every male rising in the air—except Myles, of course. “It could be the party of this century. I can see it now,” he said, his hand arcing through the air. “A night of burning passion and union.”
“I don’t know if passion will be the only thing burning if we lock ourselves in Corenathia with a bunch of Fire Fae who would want nothing more than to bring Atlantians to their knees,” Dax said.
“It’s a nice thought, my dear,” Myles said encouragingly. “Perhaps a bit premature for the current state of affairs.”
Aurelio’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he sank back into his chair.
“You mentioned pilgrimage,” Dad said, his arm draped around the back of the sofa he shared with Reneah—his posture incredibly at ease around her. We hadn’t spoken. Not with everything that had happened. I still wasn’t ready.
Myles winced, drawing me from my observations. “That’s only if someone is escaping a realm and seeking refuge.”
The group murmured in disappointment.
“And peaceful missionary?” Reneah asked with hope in her voice.
Myles glanced at her with empathy. “I’m afraid that is reserved for the priestesses. It’s an effort to exchange information with the High Priestesses of their realm. It’s more of a spiritual mission only for them.”
“So, that’s it then? There’s no other way?” I asked.
Myles’ gaze swung to Draevyn and back, his entire body tensing. “The only other way is through a marriage with one of the Princes of Corenathia, but seeing as how you are all but mated, I’m afraid it’s not an option.”
My mind flashed back to my time with Lux in the library.
‘Can’t you just stay here?’
‘Not unless you’re willing to marry me.’
My spine went straight as I gasped. All heads turned in my direction as a smile grew on my face. “I have an idea.”
The bell above the door to Fae Flings Bookstore chimed as we entered—the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee entered my nostrils on an inhale. I glanced around the room, noting that the store was thankfully free of people, plus or minus a few in the front room. Those who perused the cowboy romances froze, gaping at us.
“So, this is the infamous Fae Flings,” Dax said, observing the books on the shelves in passing.
I glanced at a few of the titles in passing, unable to help myself. “It is.” My brow lifted as I smirked. “Perhaps you might find something to please the ladies within the pages of these books.”
Dax huffed. “I know plenty to please the ladies, thank you very much.”
I giggled as we reached the counter. Ezra’s head lifted from her latest read, and her eyes flared. “Your Highness.”
“Hey, Ezra.” I pointed to the back room. “He there?”
Ezra’s mouth morphed into a tight line, and I held up my palms. “I don’t mean him any harm. And you’re not in any trouble. We just need to speak with him.”
Ezra’s shoulders dipped as she flicked her head toward the back room. “He’s there. Anything I can get you all while you’re here?”
“Does that say Spankuccino ?” Dad asked, the crease between his brows appearing.
“Those are my favorite,” Reneah said. Her cheeks flamed when Dad smirked at her.
Nope. Still not used to it.
“Ezra, was it?” Dad asked.
Ezra dipped her head. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“We’ll take one Spankuccino.”
“Coming right up.”
I strolled to the back and parted the curtain covering the backroom entryway. I immediately sighed in relief. The chair across from Lux was blissfully empty. I padded across the room and sank into it. Lux’s gaze snapped up from his book, a smile spreading on his face. “Asherah. Here for a little reading?”
A dark shadow blocked out the light, spreading across the table. Lux’s smile fell as he took in Draevyn’s imposing form standing beside the table—Dax, Dad, Myles, and Reneah standing just behind him. “Oh, shit.”
“You’re not in trouble,” I said quickly, Lux’s narrowed eyes fixing on me. “Promise.”
He set his book on the table. “All right, then. To what do I owe this incredibly unique pleasure?”
“I need a favor.”
His red eyebrow rose. “I’m listening.”
“You want to stay here in Atlantis, don’t you?”
“I think we’ve already established that it’s impossible for me to stay here permanently.”
“But if it were possible, you’d want to stay here, yes?”
“Of course, you know I’d do anything not to return under my mother’s thumb.”
“Marry me.”
Lux’s mouth dropped fully open.
The sound of china crashing to the floor by the doorway garnered our attention. Ezra’s wide eyes were held on me and Lux. “Sorry. Didn’t hear a damn thing. Nothing. I’ll…just…grab another Spunkuccino.”
“Oh. It was a Spankuccino,” Reneah corrected politely.
Ezra nodded. “Right, right. Spank, not spunk.” She dashed from the room.
Lux nearly climbed out of his seat as he received Draevyn’s piercing gaze. “You’d have me risk my life? Your bondmate will fucking kill me if I so much as graze a hair on your head.” His gaze dropped to the area where my bondmark should’ve been; my scales fashioned low enough to reveal the markless skin. “You’re not bonded.”
A low growl came from Draevyn.
I speared him with a glare before returning my attention to Lux. “Not yet. It’s an incredibly long story I don’t have time to explain right now,” I said. I let out a long sigh. “Marry me.”
“Are you insane?”
I shook my head. “Not marry me for real.”
He sank back down into his chair. “Well, thank the goddess for small miracles. Do you mind telling me what’s going on?”
I blew out a breath. “I found out what my elemental mark means.”
He smiled so brightly. “That’s wonderful news.” When I didn’t speak, he fluttered his hand. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense over here. What does it mean?”
“Perhaps it’s better to show you.” I held up my palm, calling a sphere of water into its center. Lux looked incredibly bored when I froze the sphere. I kept my eyes on him as my palm began to heat. A slow trickle of water fell to the table below as I melted the sphere—my entire hand burning as bright as molten lava.
Lux drew in a shaky gasp. “Holy shit. You’re—”
The tip of Draevyn’s trident appeared at Lux’s neck. “Don’t finish that sentence. Not in public.”
He nodded. “Right. Sorry. It’s just…” Draevyn lowered his trident, Lux’s brow furrowing for a moment before the realization sunk in. “You’ll need to get into Corenathia to get the Jujo.”
“Correct.”
“And you want to fake a marriage so that I can present you as my future wife before my mother,” he stated as fact.
I smiled. “I knew you’d figure it out.”
“But how in the realms will that help me stay in Atlantis?”
I wrinkled my nose. “That’s the trickier part. Since I’m not bonded yet, it will be easier to convince your mother that we are, in fact, planning to be married. We’ll return here as soon as we’ve found the Jujo.” I spared Draevyn a glance. “Draevyn and I will attend the next bonding ceremony in secret. You and I will stay betrothed for as long as it takes to find the four objects. You’ll be safe here.”
“That’s if you find the four objects. There’s no guarantee that you will. That means there’s no guarantee that I can stay. Or that I’ll live if my mother finds out the truth.”
I placed my forearms on the table, leaning in. “You said marrying me was the only way. I’m trying to help you here.”
“I never said I wasn’t going to do it,” he said, his nostrils flaring on an exhale. “You’re the…” he waved a hand around, “you know…almighty. I don’t think I could face Atabey beyond the veil if I said no. Yet despite that, I want you to know that I’m not saying yes because of what you are to the realms.” The corners of his mouth lifted. “I’m saying yes because you’re my friend.”
I jumped out of my seat with a squeal and wrapped my arms around my friend, squeezing him as he oofed . “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Lux reluctantly returned my hug at first, no doubt sensing the tension coming from my bondmate. “Don’t thank me yet.”
I leaned away. “Why?”
His face turned serious. “The Jujo has only been recorded in our texts. No one has discovered it, not even my mother. We’ll need to do our homework first; find out where it is.”
“I can help with that,” Myles chimed in. “I’ve been doing some preliminary research. My mate is gathering a few more texts as we speak.”
Lux gave a wince. “While I appreciate it, I’m afraid your texts in Atlantis might not have what we need,” he said defeatedly. “This may take a long time to find, perhaps even beyond the next Guake’te.”
His veiled warning caused my heart to skip a beat.
Before I could spiral into panic, a firm hand landed on my shoulder. I turned, meeting the comforting gaze of my bondmate. “You’ll do what you must, nanichi . This is for the realms. It’s bigger than us. Besides,” he pointed his trident at Lux, “it seems your betrothed over here is a bit of a brainiac. The two of you together may find the answers to the location in no time.”
“Forgive me,” Lux cut in, “I don’t want to give anyone false hope. Just wanted to make sure you both understand what you’re getting into.”
“We do,” I said. “And we can come up with a plan before we leave. I just wanted to make sure you were committed.”
Lux dipped his head in a nod. “I’m on board. Let’s get married.”
“Oh, count Atabey’s blessings!” Ezra exclaimed from the doorway. Reneah grabbed the Spankuccino from Ezra before she dropped yet another drink. Ezra suddenly noticed everyone’s eyes on her with a brutal warning. She made a zip across her lips. “This is a safe space. I know nothing. I see nothing.” She looked between Lux and me with a wink.
Well, at least someone was elated.
“We’ll need to present this information before the council. They gather in an hour,” Dad advised.
Instant dread grew in the pit of my stomach. “Will Melysah be present?”
“She’s been banned from the council until further notice,” Myles said, the dread easing. “You don’t have to worry about running into her.”
“Then, let’s not waste any more time,” said Draevyn. “I want Asherah in and out of Corenathia as quickly as possible. The sooner we can retrieve the Jujo, the better.”
“I sincerely hope it’ll be quick,” Lux said, his tone heavy with warning. “My mother doesn’t like to be deceived. If she finds out about this, it will be really, really bad. And there won’t be anyone there to protect her. Corenathia would freeze over before she’d let an Atlantian Guardian into the realm.” His gaze traveled around the room. “As long as you all are prepared to take the risk, I’ll do everything in my power to help.”
“I don’t have a choice,” I said, rising from my chair. “The goddess marked me for a reason.”
Lux nodded in understanding, but it was the realization that Draevyn wouldn’t be traveling with me to Corenathia that stirred my helplessness as we fled Fae Flings.
My heel tapped repeatedly against the stone floor of the council chambers. Dad reached under the table, steadying my leg with a raised brow. I cleared my throat, dispelling the frog that had lodged itself there. After this, there’d be no turning back. Roarvyn sat across from me, the perfect epitome of boredom, with his elbow propped on the armrest and his chin in the bed of his palm. “You gonna tell us what this is about, Princess? Or do we have to guess?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but the sudden crash of the chamber doors slamming into the walls had everyone’s attention. Every muscle in my body went rigid. Melysah raced into the room, stomping her way to the top of the council table. She slammed the tome she’d anchored in the crook of her arm on the table. Leaning forward on her arms, she glared at each and every member before fixing her gaze on me, her anger palpable. “You cannot ban me from the council.”
Dad returned her glare. “I believe attempted kidnapping—”
“Alleged kidnapping!”
“—disqualified you from the council whether you like it or not,” he finished.
She leaned in further. “You. Can. Not. Ban. Me. From. The. Council.” Reaching for the bookmark squeezed between the pages of the tome, she flipped open the book and read aloud. “The second in line to the throne must be present for every council meeting called. For the sake of Atlantis, she must stay informed of all information and bylaws that govern the realm in the event that she is called to rule.”
“Well, maybe when you organized our abduction, you should’ve remembered the bylaw that states that kidnapping is a crime,” I quipped.
“Alleged,” Melysah said between gritted teeth.
I glanced at Roarvyn. “Is this true?”
Roarvyn let out a breath. “I’m afraid so. Banning her was a long shot. It was only a matter of time—”
“Before I figured out how to take my rightful place?” Melysah said with a scathing smile.
Roarvyn rolled his eyes in dramatic fashion. “Then would you please take your rightful place and sit your ass in your seat? This session is nearly done, and Princess Asherah has an announcement to make.”
Melysah plopped down in her seat, giving me her undivided, furious attention. “By all means, Princess,” she said, flourishing her hand. “The floor is yours.”
I shifted my attention to the rest of the council, Shaegana nodding in encouragement.
“Lux Zarlonia Nacan has asked for my hand in marriage.”
An audible gasp sounded across the room.
“No. No. No.” Roarvyn murmured, muffling his protests with his hand.
I cleared my throat. “I believe this union is best for the peace of the realms. I’ve accepted his offer.”
“That’s such a lovely sacrifice,” Shaegana said. Her gaze drifted over my shoulder to Draevyn, who stood behind me against the wall. “To do this for the good of the realms.”
“It’s entirely unheard of,” said another council member at the other end of the table. “A true sacrifice for the good of the people.”
“Excellent.” The cheery tone of Melysah’s voice drew my gaze to her. I’d never seen her smile so wide. “Is that it then? No other news to report?”
I arched an eyebrow. “No?”
“Wonderful. This council meeting is adjourned.” Melysah’s chair scraped against the floor as she leapt from her chair in a hurry for the door. All the council members slowly trickled out in her wake.
All but Roarvyn.
He sat in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Are you going to tell us why you’re silently freaking out over there?” Dad asked. Myles and Draevyn came to stand behind us, looking equally perplexed.
Roarvyn dropped his hand, glaring at us all like children. “Do you have any idea what you just did?”
“Agreed to marry the Fire Fae Prince?” I ventured.
Roarvyn scoffed. “You agreed to do a whole hell of a lot more than that, Princess. You all but handed the throne to her. You’re supposed to take your examinations to formally be named Queen.” Roarvyn’s gaze cut into my soul, and panic sliced through me. “You just withdrew your right to the throne of Atlantis.”