Remnant spoke first, stepping forward, her face clouded with concern. "Queen Skyler, you do understand what you will become,what you will leave behind should Asher leave our world. He will be alone without you here waiting for him."
Skyler tilted her head, "I have often pondered what kind of fae my son would find himself tied heart and soul to. I never doubted he would find his soulmate in his lifetime and when I realized it was you…" she sighed, "I admit, I was not happy."
My eyes narrowed and I growled in warning, "Mother…"
Simultaneously, both fae turned to scowl at me.
"Hush, shifter."
"Hush, my cub."
My eyes darted between them both. Crossing my arms in front of me, I glared back. "Fine by all means, start off on the wrong foot. What do I know anyway?"
My mother snorted and Remnant rolled her eyes.
"As I was saying, I was not happy…my son deserved a love not tainted frommy death." She frowned, shaking her head. "But you were exactly what he needed. Your beautiful darkness has complimented my son’s blessed golden light so perfectly that there is no doubt the goddess has created you for one another and I want to be a part of that. Asher has come to peace with my death and he will understand my decision to join you as your lilin."
Remnant exhaled. "Thank you, Queen Skyler."
Her eyes twinkled looking over at me, lingering on the ink swirling around my arms. "Yes. It seems I have regained that title again, have I not? Since my son has forsaken his sworn vows to the throne."
I could feel Remnant's guilt snaking along our soulmate bond and I shook my head at her. "Don't," I growled. "If given the choice, I would choose this over and over again, little umbra. My place is with you, you are the only kingdom I wish to be bound to—there is no room for any other vow in my life but my commitment to you and you alone."
My soulmate gave me a small smile. "I know shifter, but you are a good king. Your court loves you."
Unable to resist, I reached up to her, our height level from the step she stood upon. "I love you. If there is one thing our kingdom knows, it is if a Strider falls in love there is nothing that will stop them to prove that everyday. My court will understand and rejoice."
My mother hummed. "That is very true." Clapping her hands she beamed at both of us. "Well then…I suppose we shall go die now."
I barked out a laugh and then in a flash, my mother's spirit crashed into Remnant’s chest and I lunged to the step, catching my soulmate before she dropped into the sea.
Chapter 50
Skylerhunginironsand I with her, in mind and spirit. One body with two consciousnesses, she peered out of the sunlit window in front of her, the pain of the metal burning her wrists only for it to heal and then burn again.
Emon's mother’s voice echoed within my mind. "I will do my best to spare you the pain," she whispered.
Some of the sting of the iron burns eased.
"Thank you," I croaked. "I often wondered…how were you even captured?"
I could feel her bristle and then she sighed. "I was foolish and I trusted the wrong shifter. I had missed my homelands and Asher was so busy rebuilding our community that I needed time away. As much as I loved my people, I adored solitude. The quiet beach and soft lull of the waves against the shore of Inquus Islands where I grew up."
"Who accompanied you?" I asked, peering around us, noting that we were in one of the tower prisons. Despite its smooth white marble even smoother bones hung on the walls like trophies. Deirdre's enemies whose carcasses had long ago been picked clean from hanging on the city gates.
"Falcon," she whispered and I could feel the bitter regret. "Penina had warned me but I was convinced he could never betray us. He was always so eager to help, so loyal and charming. Asher and I raised him after the wars, both Penina and Falcon were like siblings to Daemon growing up. When Daemon found Tyr in those caves and their friendship bloomed, Falcon and Daemon's relationship grew apart. Little did we know, it was the beginning of a festering resentment and they quickly went from brothers to toxic enemies. It also did not help that Penina looked up to Daemon no matter how accomplished Falcon became."
I snorted and rolled my eyes. "Let me guess, he felt abandoned."
Skyler hummed, "Prepare yourself, she comes."
When the far wall shimmered to reveal Deirdre standing in a deep violet satin dress, Skyler remained stoic. Her reaction to the queen of Faerie's presence was only that of mere annoyance.
"Skyler…" Deirdre purred, her hips swaying with her long silver hair. "I don't think your king is coming to save you. I suppose I cannot fault him too much for failing my mother if he cannot even rescue his own soulmate. A shame really…all that raw power just to end up being worthless to the courts and also the love of his life."
Skyler’s head rose, meeting the queen of faerie's feverish glare with a quiet acceptance. "Speaking of yourself, are you Deirdre Seelie?"
Raising a finger, I felt the air leave her body, choking and gasping as Deirdre stole it from her lungs.
