Chapter 2
MAX
The fire crackles into the darkness of the meadows.
Unlike the red sand and oppressive heat of the Shadowlands, the Woodland Kingdom is full of different fauna with sweeping emerald leaves, bright crepe, lemon, and eggplant-colored flowers.
Trees so tall that the tops cannot be seen from the ground, reach high to the sky, and the scent of pine is heavy in the cold air.
My fingers trail the thick blades of grass, mud soft under my feet, as I inhale. The coolness burns my lungs, but I welcome it.
Digging my heels in, I listen to the hum of insects, the soft chatter of Fae, and the distant growl of something prowling. It’s a noise I know intimately well. Kaden is out there, hunting, looking for nourishment to heal his wounds, and my companion keeps him safe.
Or rather, he keeps us safe. He directs him through the forest and away from our camp.
The flames jump higher, logs falling as sparks drift into the night. Like fireflies, they dance and I watch as they become one with the stars. Stars that seem so bright here, and I feel at once exhausted and overwhelmed.
The universe is large and the journey long. My fear of the fire is nothing compared to the dread in my gut as I think of what must happen. How we must travel to an ancient Fae queen who can help us save Kaden. Of the absolute terror swirling in my mind.
What if we’re too late? What if I cannot save him?
Kaden, the Fae who took me, claimed me, pushed me and infuriated me, has become an anchor in life.
He is my other half, the very reason I found my strength and embraced my darkness.
He saw me in ways others never have, never shying away, but looking at like a Goddess To fail him—to lose him—is inconceivable.
Rubbing my breastbone, I focus on our bond. The burning ember that locks us together is weaker. Kaden is weaker—I can feel it. Time is not on our side and panic wells higher in my throat.
Everything is too much—this destiny, this world, and Griffin’s impending attack. And yet, all I can obsess over is my mate.
The smile he wears when I fight him and I’ve won. The way his eyes trail my form when he thinks I’m not looking. The way he says my name—both a curse and a whisper.
I would fight the Gods, tarnish their name, burn their temples to ruin, if it meant keeping Kaden mine. And yet, I’m stuck. I need to move, I need to help him, but I’m trapped.
Everything is heavy, and my hope is dwindling with each passing second we wait.
A cup hovers in my eyesight and I blink.
Dry, tired eyes look up into Reid’s equally exhausted face as he sits.
Hand outstretched, a small smile lights up his youthful face.
But he’s as drained as I feel. Worry lines his brow, and the weight of what might happen sits on his shoulders like a hard sack.
“Wine.” He swirls the cup. “Your favorite kind too.”
I don’t deserve it. Not after snapping at him. Reid is too kind—too good for such a rebuttal.
Taking the cup, I don’t sip from it. Everything has tasted like bitter heartbreak and ash since we’ve begun this travel and I know, this will not taste any different.
Reid takes a large gulp, bumping my shoulder as I just stare at it. “You need to drink something. You heard Baris.”
A flare of indignation flickers to life at his name. My father disregarded my wants, commanded the soldiers—my soldiers, and made me leave my mate to the woods. Logically, it was best for us, but I cannot let it go.
Kaden should feed from me. It’s selfish and stupid, but only I should sustain him.
“Just because he thinks he knows what’s best, does not make it accurate.”
“I mean, he’s pretty old.” Reid shrugs slowly. “And your life is tied to Kaden’s,” he mumbles softly. “If you perish because you won’t drink or eat, then he will. No matter what he feeds on in the woods. If you die, he will. Don’t do that to him.”
Gods dammit. He’s right, of course.
Begrudgingly, I take the smallest sip to his pleasure. The lightness of the red wine soaks into my parched tongue and I take a larger sip again. It’s dry and sweet, fruit from the Shadowlands that I’ve grown to appreciate. It tastes like home and greedily, I drink it all.
Reid hands me his cup. “Baris probably wanted something healthier, but right now, wine is the best option.”
Snorting, I sip again, but stop myself from consuming it all. He’s not wrong. But the wine is dulling the incessant churning in my gut. I’m running against time and I don’t know when it will expire. “I’m sorry,” I apologize.
His jaw clenches, a trait he shares with his brother. “For, what?”
Bumping his shoulder, I sigh. “I know you would never leave him.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t.” He glares at the fire.
“But he would want you safe, Max. You are the most important thing in his life. And if I can’t help him directly, I can keep you alive until he’s back.
” Soft, amber eyes side eye me. “But do it again, and even if you’re my queen, won’t keep me from throwing water on you in the middle of the night. ”
Snorting, I slap his childish joke away. The mood turns somber quickly, the fire the only noise. “We’re losing time,” I whisper.
As the guards switch patrols around us, I hang my head. It’s not enough I have to safe Kaden—somehow—and apparently break a prophecy, but I’m to lead them. I’m to be queen.
A role I never wanted—never dreamed for. A role I thought I’d have Kaden’s help to maneuver. Now, I’m alone, forced to figure it out and I’m terrified of screwing everything up before we get him back.
How do I do this? How do I save him, and a kingdom? How do I break his curse while breaking the curse over all of Neevea? Because that is a weight on my chest too. Oslo thought I could end Kaden’s curse, but the prophecy says I’ll break them all.
“We’ll save him, Max,” Reid calms. “Kaden is the strongest Fae I know. He won’t let this curse win.”
Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I hand him the cup and dig out the spell book. “He is. I just wish I knew more about this. About what Oslo knew and never got to tell me.”
He never told me, because I fought against it. Against the bond, Kaden, his love. Oslo tried to teach me, and his lesson repeat in my mind, picking out the tiniest details that might matter.
He thought my love would save Kaden. If there isn’t more to it, then I’ll succeed, because I love Kaden, more than there are stars in the night sky, more than every blade of grass in the field under my feet. There is not a known depth to how I feel for my husband.
But I know, in the darkest parts of my being, there’s more to it.
I rub my hand over the cover. The leather is soft, supple. It’s been cared for, untouched in centuries. The sparks dance along my fingers, a tingle that tickles.
“I wish I knew more. I just don’t understand what I’m supposed to do. How my love to save him.”
“If Uncle thought,” Reid begins, words garbled, “you could do it, I have no doubt that you can. We just need to think.”
Pain labors each word. We’ve barely had time to sleep, so focused on saving Kaden, we have not processed what happened in the Black Palace.
We tried to save Oslo. Kaden tried—he fought for him—but when Zelos ordered archers to shoot us down, he made a quick decision and used his limited magic to cover us.
He didn’t think Oslo would be the target. He didn’t think to cover him too.
That’s laid heavily on my mind, guilt so thick I can barely swallow. Kaden chose to save me and in doing so, lost the only man he loved like a father. Someone Fee respected, and an uncle who understood Reid.
He’s not complained once. No tear has fallen. He’s never weighted me down, allowing me to rage while he keeps me focused. Like a true friend.
Holding tight to his hand, I look into the fire. “I’m sorry I haven’t asked until now. But how are you?”
Reid, who hides behind jokes and smiles, barely lifts his lips. “I miss him. But also…” He trails off. “Is it selfish to be relieved that Zelos always ignored me, if this is how he treated those he paid attention to?”
I tsk as my heart breaks. “Of course not, Reid. You’ve seen how he treated your brother and sister. How he treated Oslo after years together. You can grieve while also being happy you weren’t the one to suffer. It makes you mortal.”
“A Fae acting mortal,” he drawls, smirking slightly. “How horrendous.”
“Hey, as a mortal, I think we can be quite fun. We have perks.” My lips twitch as if to smile, but they don’t go far. We sit in silence for a moment, the falling logs, a background to our shared grief.
A question niggles me and I clear my throat. “Why did Zelos ignore you?”
“Ah. That.” He shrugs slightly, sipping from his glass before handing it back to me.
“You see, the Dark Fae royalty rarely have more than two children. You know, ‘one for the beast, one for the throne.’” He rolls his eyes.
“Quite dramatic. Thankfully, I’ll never have to worry for it.
But it was because of my mother, that I’m here. She wanted one more.”
“I find it hard to believe Zelos and she were much in love. At least enough to warrant more children if her duties were already complete.”
Reid pokes the fire, snorting. “Oh, they hated each other. They were a political match—not a love one. My mother’s family comes from high status and wealth.
My grandfather wanted a strong match to continue the line.
Did you know my mother was never supposed to be chosen?
” he asks, glancing to me. “Her oldest sister was supposed to be queen, but fell ill with an illness and died. So, my mother, Serafina the First, was given as a bride instead.”
I shake my head in sympathy, suddenly glad Kaden and I were a love match. Though we certainly didn’t start that way. “I’m sorry, Reid. Did she have any peace while here?”