Chapter 6 #2
“Your brother might not.” Mal jerks a thumb at the beast, growling as his skin sizzles.
“But that is not your brother. He will kill to heal. He will kill to claim. He will just kill. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories of the curse growing up.
” His jaded eyes grow darker. “We certainly have. You know how this goes.”
My chin trembles as I ignore the prick in my eyes. Mal isn’t wrong. It’s not Kaden.
I might want it to be, know he’s in there, but that snarling beast is only a curse manifested. He only thinks about survival, and right now he’s intent on having us. He will kill us—and where will that leave Kaden? Where will that leave the world?
I may not want to be responsible for it, but it’s my destiny to save it. And I can’t abandon the world over something preventable.
Against the raging pain in my throat, I lift my hand and call for his heart. It surrenders, the thumping becoming one with my own. It echoes in my ears, drowning out the pain and grief and I just listen, entranced.
I don’t want to do this—but I must.
“I’m sorry.” I pull his blood, bending it to my will, and force him to fly back through the woods. He breaks branches, claws up the dirt to stop, but I don’t release him. When my powers grow weak, and his heart grows faint in my head, I finally stop.
Tears fall from my eyes and I look away to hide them.
Reid rubs my arm, trying to chase away the pain. “It’s alright, Max. You did what you had to do.”
“You might think this cruel,” Mal says quietly, “but it was best. If Kaden had come any closer, your Hadeon would’ve killed him. You know what that would do to you.”
Broken hearted. Dead. Alone.
“Watch what you say,” Reid threatens. “You don’t know what she’s going through.”
My body erupts into tremors, my throat so sore I can barely breathe. And yet, it’s my heart that feels the most unbearable suffering.
I just used my magic on my mate—the one person I should never have been able to do so. And now? I feel dirty, and sullied from it. I broke a cardinal rule and I will never feel clean from it.
“Hate me for what I say.” He shrugs. “But she did the right thing. That is not your mate, Dark Queen.” Mal turns to leave us.
“I know Kaden. Have known him since I was a young Fae. That is not him. That is the beast the Moorgate family has held on to for centuries. It is not the Fae who became a shield to the rest of the Fae Kingdoms.”
“You’d do well to remember who owns his body. Lest you become his next meal.”
Mal walks back to the campsite while Reid pulls me to the side, our guards all sitting at attention. How did Reid get them to stay behind?
Doesn’t matter. At this point, my body hurts too much to think.
Huffing behind me, the Hadeon returns to the darkness to help my mate. Maybe I don’t know why Seti considers me worthy, but without him, I’d be dead.
How am I to use my blood to save my mate if every time I get close, his curse takes over?
There must be a way.
Reid holds a cold rag to my throat and I hiss through gritted teeth. “Sorry,” he mumbles, trying again. It feels like something has been carved into my skin, and I can’t move past the pain.
The scent of wine hits my nose. “Really?” I ask, and I cough.
“We have to cool it down. It’ll be much worse in the morning.”
“I’ll heal.” I will, a benefit to the bond.
“If it still works. It’s best to wait.”
Another day lost. More time wasted.
Kaden doesn’t have time.
“We can’t wait any longer.”
Reid looks up at me, confused. “It’ll only be a few hours—”
Grabbing his wrist, I pull the rag away. “He can’t wait any longer. Tell me about Aoife.”
Because I need to know what I’m walking into. I need to understand this world, understand why in my gut, I know I’m needed here. Why the palace is so important to my journey.
The Fae tsks. “I don’t know much, Max. She’s old—ancient. Her land is green. She’s kind of got a thing for gold. And she’s very distrusting of anyone who isn’t Kaden.”
“Why Kaden?”
“She was there after my mother died.” The rag goes back to my throat and I blink against the pain. “Kaden was grown, but he relied on her council. She was the first to agree to his coup. And no one is stupid enough to push the old Fae Queen.”
Until me.
“Why do we need the princes?” I jerk my head at their camp. “What do they offer?”
“Besides extra protection against wolves?” Reid’s brows furrow. “They provide a path in to Aoife. Without them, she’ll attack first, ask questions later.”
“How do we get past that without them?”
“Oh, no,” Reid says, shaking his finger. At my look, he scoffs. “No, Max. Don’t.”
Moving closer, I lower my voice. “He can’t wait, Reid. He needs help. If Aoife is the only one who can provide it, I’m willing to take that chance.”
Baris said we just needed my blood and our love, but I’m not putting my faith into one Fairy and his old knowledge. Nor into cryptic words from a God of the Dead. And certainly not into Fate.
I am going to do everything possible to save Kaden, before I worry about the world. Aoife is my only chance.
Reid exhales, scanning the woods. He seems to wrestle with his thoughts before kicking his foot against a spare rock. “Godsdammit. Fine. What’s the plan?”
Rushing through the trees, we stumble over to Samkien. The Dark Fae is younger than Zeke, with long black hair and a hard expression. Once he sees me, he stands, hand on his sword.
“My Queen,” he says, bowing. “What can I do for you?”
“We’re leaving.” Baris rides into our camp, swinging his long leg. His eyes fall to my neck, his worry a physical slap, but I force myself to continue. “Gather the men. Do it quietly. We’re going on without the Woodland Fae.”
“Is that wise?” Baris asks, crossing his arms. I ignore him.
“I will not wait to save my mate.” I begin to braid my hair, watching as the Fae pack. “We leave shortly. If the Woodland Fae discover we’ve gone, they can try to catch us. But we’re going to save the king.”
Moral boosts with each word I say. The soldiers were just waiting for me to do the impossible—to put Kaden first.
He’s always been first, but now, I’m trusting myself.
“Fenrir is going to throw a tantrum.” Reid grins wickedly. “Kind of mad I’m going to miss it.”
“Are you sure?” Baris presses. “After our conversation, I thought you’d—”
“I’d what?” I challenge. “Listen to half-truths and without reason? You can’t expect me to do nothing while he is trapped in this curse.” I leave the rest unspoken.
A curse my family started. That apparently only I can break.
Turning, Reid and I saddle the horses and throw what little items we have into our bags. My hand drifts over the book, the energy now apparent. It recognizes me. Calls to me to touch it more.
My father stands, rooted as I swing into the seat.
“Aren’t you coming?”
He shakes his head. “It’s best if I remain here.” His eyes scan my face, memorizing every fine detail. “Remember what I said, little one. Don’t trust anything she says. Only you can break the curse.”
“And if anyone asks about you?” Reid raises an eyebrow. “You’re not exactly unforgettable.”
“Act as if you don’t know who I am.” He pats the stallion, saying goodbye. “It’s safer if she doesn’t know your connection to me.”
“Bad history, it seems.” Reid’s eyes narrow. “Anything we should know?”
“Not yet.”
“Does it endanger my family?” Reid asks, voice like steel. “If so, speak true. I’ll not risk either my king or queen to your matters, High Priest.”
I smirk, enjoying Baris’ glare. If Kaden were here, he’d say the same.
“You think I would risk my only daughter after just getting her back?” My father scoffs.
“You will know everything when the time is right. And it isn’t yet, muse.
” Turning toward me, he whispers, “Keep quiet when the queen asks about me and you will be safe within her walls. If you need me, you’ll know where I’ll be. ”
Brows furrowed, I watch Baris enter the woods without another look as my guards surround us. Samkien calls out, “We march!”
The horses lurch forward, moving at a steady rate as we leave behind my father and Woodland Fae. Luckily, we’re far enough away that we can easily sneak off.
“Do the guards know the way?”
Reid nods. “Fortunately. There is only one path between the Shadowlands and Woodland. Our main concern will be how to approach the castle.”
The horses pick up speed, and my hood falls back. My throat is sore, ringed red but the gem—my crown—sits proud on my chest. Everything hurts, but I ignore it with the promise of what’s to come. This is all for Kaden.
“What happens when we get to the palace grounds?”
“Hopefully, nothing.” Reid and I duck under a low branch. “But given the destruction of the Black Palace and limited communication, my fear is that Queen Aoife will not believe we are on her side. Without her sons, it’ll be even harder.”
Lifting my hand, I let my magic stain my fingers. I don’t have time to worry. I’ll end the world if it gives me Kaden back. “She’ll see things our way.”
Reid shakes his head, laughing. “You’re terrifying when you do that.”
I’ll become worse than terrifying if it saves my husband.