According to her files, she came from No Man’s Land. No known family or relatives. Klas met her on a mission while passing through, fate-bonded her, and brought her home to be his little pet witch.
To abuse.
To take advantage of.
Tohurt.
My hands tighten into fists as I ascend the stairs to the top floor of the palace.
This used to be Vesperus’s home, but I spent the last year remodeling it to make it my own. The Reykjavik palace headquarters is the most secure place for the Gold and Garnet King.
How I wish I could talk to Vesperus now, though. Just wander down to his old rooms and ask for his advice.
Alas, he’s no longer of this world. Maybe one day he’ll pop back in for a visit, but I doubt it. His mate was too powerful for this universe, making their exit necessary.
She was a goddess from another realm. A being of such extreme power that she could literally control the moon.
At least Fallon can’t do that, I think as I reach the last set of stairs.She can just put an entire city to sleep instead.
I run my hand down my face, exhausted.
But I can’t let Fallon see me this way. I have to be strong. In charge.A king.
I pause just outside her room. It’s one door away from my own quarters. The dungeons weren’t an option for her, as I didn’t want her anywhere near her mate. Not because I thought they might work together to escape, but because she didn’t deserve to share his fate.
And yet here I am about to force her to do exactly that.
Sighing, I knock twice on the door and wait.
Nox answers with a deferential nod. “She’s on the balcony. Want me to stay or…?”
I glance around him toward a set of glass doors and the curvy blonde standing just outside of them. Her eyes are on the sky, her hair blowing subtly in the wind. She’s utterly enchanting, her presence an enigma that both intrigues and irritates me.
I can’t decide if I want to keep her close or banish her to a remote location where she can’t do any harm.
The former is tempting. The latter is probably more practical.
And yet, she’s currently living in the room beside mine.
Clearing my throat, I focus on Nox’s vibrant blue eyes. “Can you find Bane and Nolan? I want to meet tonight after my discussion with the new Earth and Emerald Chancellor.”
Nox dips his chin. “Consider it a date.”
Normally, his words would make me grin, but right now I can only manage a slight twist of my lips. While adatewould be a nice distraction from the days ahead, it will do little to assuage my guilt over the pending situation.
“Do you want me to come back up here to guard her after I talk to them?” Nox asks, his gaze glittering with his real question—Do you want me to return quickly in case I need to break you and Fallon apart?
Every conversation I have with the woman seems to end in an argument.
Mostly because she’s a disrespectful little brat who won’t heed reason.
But today I’ll let her win.
It’s the least I can do.
“Take your time,” I tell him. “This is going to be a long conversation.”
He considers me for a moment. “She understands, Kaspian.”
