No, I couldn’t take any chances when I had seen howfamiliarshe and Damien were. Even if reports had suggested she hated Lachlan more than anyone, they also stated Carnell was the only person she’d allowed close to her in all these years.
Eva’s door came into view, two guards stationed near the entry. They nodded as I ducked my head in. No sign of her lingered in the air, her scent dull from days of absence. I closed the door with a soft click, turning on my heels to walk toward Erina’s quarters. Two more sentries stood guard, giving me a wary look but allowing me to pass. It would seem the maids had come in during Trystan’s absence and tidied the room.
Erina clearly took her time to design the space, carefully curating it to her liking. The walls were soft yellow, the color of early morning sunshine. The furniture was painted white, adorned with knickknacks and personal touches. A few wooden carvings, a small painted portrait of her mother, and scattered letters laid upon her desk. They bore the Helian seal, the wax a deep blue and insignia marked in silver. Everything was soft and feminine, just as I imagined it would be. And there, sitting on the deep gray sofa in the sitting room, was the king.
The balcony doors were still open, allowing the scent of fresh rain to filter through the room. I could still smell the undercurrent of alcohol coming from the king, but it was mercifully less than it was when I’d seen him earlier.
With his body hunched forward, elbows on his knees, he stared at the flames roaring in the fireplace before him. A bottle of firewhiskey lay at his feet unopened.
This man looked hollow. Empty. It was as if he had turned off every emotion flitting through his mind and was no longer capable of feeling anything at all.
“You found me,” he said gruffly, his eyes not moving from the dancing light.
I sat across from him on the chaise, crossing my ankle over a knee. “I did. You’ve got quite a few people searching for you.”
He scoffed. “Of course I do. People who want to pick and pluck at me, to tell me how to act and how to dress when I have just lost my fucking daughter. I want to mourn.” He turned to me. “I want to bealone.”
“Those people—” I said, cocking my head, “care for you deeply. They want to ensure you’re taken care of—that you’re going to be okay. And you may lock yourself in your room and wallow in this grief should you wish to do so, but some matters need to be tended to first.”
“Anything that needs to be taken care of can be done by my council and my advisor. That is what they are there for.”
“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “No, that’s not what they are there for. They are there toassistyou, not to rule. That, my king, is what you are for. Unfortunately, the world does not stop because of one person’s misery. Aethion needs you, Helia needs you, your daughter needs you.”
Eyes the color of silver ore met mine, a lightning bolt striking the earth beyond the palace. “Do not speak to me about my family, for it wasyourswho tore it apart.” His voice was a lethal calm as rage trembled just beneath the surface.
I leaned forward. “Lachlan is not my family. That designation is reserved for my mate who is preparing her sister’s body for the pyre, for the man I trust above all others who is keeping her safe, for the woman who has lived a double life for me as she helps to gather information on our enemies, and for the advisor to the Helian crown who stayed by Eva’s side through these past horrible months.” I paused, my breathing labored. “And I would like to think it would also include you, should you let it.”
He stayed silent, his gaze flicking back to the roaring flames. “I have paid dearly for the sins of my father,” I said, continuing, “but I have dedicated my whole life to righting those wrongs, and I am not about to stop now. I hope you will allow me the chance to prove my loyalty to not only you but your people and your daughter.” Rising, I held my hand out to him. “But for now, we need to get ready for the ceremony this evening. You will never forgive yourself if you miss it, no matter how daunting it feels.”
The king took my hand, groaning as he stood. We walked from the room, and I sent a sentry to find Briar and let her know to meet us in the king’s chambers at once.
We walked in heavy silence until we came to the entry hall of his chambers. “Why did you come for me?” he asked, walking into his room and tossing his cloak over the back of the chair. I said nothing as he sat and took a sip from the tea that was waiting for us when we arrived.
“My motives were not selfless, I assure you.” He raised an eyebrow, and I continued. “I wanted to check in with you to ensure you knew I brought Eva home as quickly as possible. She was upset at my decision to delay. I did not understand that at first, but now I do. It’s a wonder she did not castrate me in my sleep.”
A small smile crept onto the king’s face before it dropped once more. “And what of her powers?”
“They seem to have manifested differently since they’ve returned. Eva’s stronger, more powerful than before. On the evening before we returned, she somehow combined fire with wind. It exploded from her—I’ve never seen anything like it. I did not want to risk the stress of Erina’s death setting her off, potentially killing people. She carries enough guilt on her conscience without having to worry about that.”
Looking out the window, I noticed the rain had faded. A clear, albeit gray, sky taking the place of dark clouds and lightning. “Eva wanted to come back sooner, and if I had known how bad everything would be in our absence, then I would have sent word she was safe—”
“It doesn’t matter now,” he said, waving a hand. “You were right to stay silent, for we do not know what lurks beyond this kingdom. I know you were only acting in Eva’s best interest, and for that, I am grateful.” He sighed. “She is all I have left.”
I placed my fist over my heart. “I will protect her with my life.”
Briar came bursting through the doors, her dark skirts swishing. Luka followed closely behind. “Goodness gracious, there is so much to do in such little time. It isn’t as if men can be trusted to do these things…” Her voice trailed off as she pushed past me and into the bathing chamber. The sound of rushing water filled the silence as the three of us stared at each other.
Luka quickly bowed before taking a step backward. “I just needed to know you were safe, my king. I will see you this evening, and we can talk then.” He gave a quick nod of his head in thanks to me and walked out the door.
“He always was a skittish thing,” Briar said, tossing a cloth over her shoulder. “Can’t sit in uncomfortable silence for a moment.” She faced the king. “Right, you’ve got two minutes to get naked in that tub so we can get you clean and dressed.” His face blushed crimson as she turned. “And you,” she said, pointing a gnarled finger in my direction, “need to find Eva and bring her to her rooms so I can head straight there when I’m done.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied, smirking at the authoritative tone of her voice as she headed back to the bathing chamber.
The king stood and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I know you’ll protect her well, my son. And I trust her in your hands more than I have any other.”
My son.
My.Son.
