“You mean too much to this world. I know you have no loyalty to us, but you’re our only hope. We’ve been waiting for a world walker—praying to the gods for centuries. And now, here you are, when we need you the most. There are children, innocents, an entire civilization… that will be doomed if you don’t give us access to our home world. Does that not help you see our position?”
He had valid points, but how could I face my people if I made that choice without their approval? What kind of future Queen did that make me? I refused to release an entire world of wolves onto my flock. Erador had innocents too. They deserved to be protected from the hatred I’d witnessed tonight.
“I understand,” I replied. “But I need to know more about the Fae. I find no redeeming qualities in your mother… yourQueen. Does she represent the views of your people?”
“Gods, no. She serves those with an equally warped perspective and neglects the rest. I speak of myown motherthis way. She holds the power, but she doesnotrepresent me or my people. Most faeries born here are sympathetic to humans—are friends with them. Please, at least get to know us. I came here to let you know that I’ve been assigned to train you. I’m going to teach you how to use your magic.”
That surprised me enough that I finished my wine and poured another glass. “What if I can’t wield magic? Will you tell your mother and let her have her way with me?”
Louis took a sip from his goblet, set it down, and then looked at me with complete sincerity. “You can trust me. I believe that you’re the saviorwe’ve been waiting for. But if you aren’t, my brothers and I will protect you from her.”
There was that word again.Savior. It made me want to unleash my anger, my loneliness, my fears onto this world, just so I could prove that I was no one’s hero. Instead I said, “Fine. I’ll work with you. But please, don’t let me down.” My voice cracked as I tried to hold back the storm of tears that threatened to fall.
I felt his hand on my shoulder. “I won’t. It’ll get easier with time and training. I’ll help you find your magic, then you’ll see how wonderful it is to be Fae.” His eyes gleamed with mischief as he headed for the door. “Rest well, friend. You’ll need it for tomorrow.”
twelve
Ichanged out of my gown with some difficulty. Lusha didn’t hover as Thea did. I brushed my teeth and then crawled into bed. As I was dimming the oil lamp, I heard a knock on my door that pierced through the quiet night. My heart pounded back in response.Who was here at this hour?
“Yes?” I called, hoping there would be no answer. A beat later, the door began to unlock, then open. I jumped behind the bed with no other option for defense.
I cautiously peered over the mattress and saw a flash of fiery hair appear in the doorway, before Galen ducked into my room.
“Hello,” he purred. His eyes smoldered as he took me in. “I’m not disappointed to find you in your nightgown, but that green dress…Wow,were you trying to torture me?”
“What are you doing here?” I scolded him, covering myself with a blanket. I didn’t know where to look, where to put my hands.
“It’s alright, I don’t need a thank you for the dresses. Seeing you wear one of them was reward enough. You looked so lovely tonight.”
“Galen,” I sighed. “Thank you for the dresses, butwhatare you doing here?”
“I had to see you and explain. About tonight… about Isla.”
His typically suave demeanor was less polished tonight. I wasn’t the only one who had overindulged. His lips were stained red with blood berry wine—at least I hoped it was wine.
“Isla is a beautiful girl. And my mother would be thrilled if I chose her as a bride…”
He paused long enough that I replied, “That’s nice,” with a twinge of pettiness.
“There’snothingnice about it. I don’t want Isla. I wantyou.” I remained silent as he approached. “I’ve been having dreams of you,” he murmured. Too close, he was too close.
“In fact, I woke up this morning in a cold sweat. I spent all day with Isla and you never left my mind. You must think me mental;three days you’ve been here. This is out of character for me, but of course, you don’t know me well enough to know that. I haven’t been able to function since I saw you stumbling through the woods in that horrid dress.”
He ran his hand through his glossy hair until it stood on end, making it look like he’d been struck by lightning. As he moved, his warm scent wafted around me. “We have a lot to learn about each other. I don’t know who you are in your world, whether you’re a Princess or a peasant, but I don’t care."
He reminded me of a lynx as he stood there, within arms reach… perfectly still. His eyes were dilated with predatory intent, as if he might spring forward at any moment.
It felt as if the air had been sucked from the room as I tried to form a coherent response. “If we’re telling truths, I was… jealous tonight. But that doesn’t change anything. I don’t belong here. I want to go home. You and I—a faerie and a human—it wouldneverwork, even if I find myself attracted to you. And what about Isla? It sounds as if you’re already engaged to be married. Is that enough reasons for you?”
“She isnotmy betrothed. My mother is responsible for bringing Isla here—not me. Are you promised to anyone in Aurelius? Is that what makes you want to rush back to your world?” He glanced at my hands still gripping the blanket. He was looking for a ring. Did he really think I would’ve kissed him if I was engaged to someone?
“There was someone who I cared about, but he and I weren’t meant to be. I don’t want to be promised to anyone, anywhere.”
“You don’t have to promise me forever. You don’t have to promise me anything. Just give me tonight. Are you going to make me get down on my knees andbeg?” He approached carefully, taking my hand and kissing it.
He was persistent, I’d give him that. Anddamn it, he was beautiful. Those sparkling green eyes, that golden skin, his perfectly sculpted cheekbones. I let out a shaky sigh.
There was an undeniable chemistry that drew me to him—a wild freedom that I wanted to chase. I was in a foreign world with a different set of rules. My chastity meant nothing here. The idea of giving into temptation—gods, it would feel like taking off a corset afteryearsof not being able to breathe. It was reckless… and yet, no one was here to stop me.
