Kols slid off the bed then, joining us, our bodies forming a protective circle around our Aflora. Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she breathed in our scents, her resolve somewhat thickening.
I glanced at Kols, his gaze reflecting what I already knew. There would be more trials, all of them equally dangerous and difficult.
While Kols had had his entire life to prepare for them, Aflora had only spent a few months at the Academy. Her knowledge was inferior, her skills rudimentary. Kols had also benefited from his father being the one to outline the trials.
However, Constantine was in charge now.
And there was no telling what he would do or how he would frame Aflora’s future.
Preparing her would be the hardest task of our lives. But I silently vowed in that moment to do whatever was necessary to guard her and help her ascend.
I’d die for her.
Kols echoed the sentiment, both of us promising her eternal loyalty.
She would be our royal.
Our future Midnight Fae Queen.
Shade returnedseveral minutes later with clothes that rivaled our Academy wardrobe—slacks and button-down shirts for the men. Cloaks, too.
And a skirt with a blouse for Aflora. She pulled on the boots with a sigh, her fingers brushing the fine black material. It was a unique leather made from Midnight Fae magic rather than animal product. She seemed to approve, her Earth Fae side preferring enchantment over unnecessary death.
I finished buttoning up my shirt before wrapping my arm around her slender waist and pulling her to me for another kiss. She seemed to have calmed down now, her acceptance of fate growing with each passing second.
Yet I still sensed her trying to find a way to reverse the ascension.
She and Zakkai were having some sort of mental discussion about it. I couldn’t hear it, just felt the hum of their discussion brushing my psyche.
What will happen if she undoes the ascension?It had nearly killed me, but that was because of the manner in which my father had done it. My heart ached just thinking about it. But it hadn’t been him. My grandfather…
I swallowed.
Phoenix fires.
I couldn’t even process it.
And Tray. I pulled away from Aflora on a jolt.Shit, Tray!
“Tray will be okay,” Zeph rushed to say, his hand reaching for my shoulder to give it a squeeze. “Once we’re somewhere safe, we’ll reach out to him.” His green eyes went to Shade. “Which reminds me, where are we going, Shadow? You never actually said.”
I tried to allow his distraction to pull me from my dark thoughts and concerns, but I felt to my soul that something was very wrong. Tray wasn’t okay at all. None of us were.
Aflora leaned into me, her head on my chest. She didn’t say anything, just offered me her emotional strength and support by cuddling me in a moment of intense need.
Zeph was at my back as well, his intensity a protective cape that billowed around me.
“To a place Constantine can’t go,” Shade said softly. “To the Academy he knows exists but can’t breach.”
I frowned. “He knows about this other Academy?” It’d never been mentioned to me. Of course, it seemed the Council and the Elders had hidden several key items from me. So I supposed this wasn’t new information.
“Your grandfather knows everything,” Zakkai replied before Shade could speak. “I’m guessing your father does, too. But I find it fascinating that they kept you in the dark. Did they do the same for your twin?”
“Kai,” Aflora interjected, her tone quiet yet stern. She still had her head against my chest, but her focus was on the Quandary Blood.
His silver-blue eyes went to her, and his features softened marginally. “I know, little star.” He looked at Shade. “Does Lucifer want to meet me now or after we arrive?”
“He didn’t say,” Shade said before I could react to the infamous name of the Hell Fae King. “So I believe we have safe passage to the paradigm, at least until he decides otherwise.”
