“Sire,” he says calmly, nodding his head. “I got your summons.”
“I am to travel to Noxthrallia with Daisy. First to Fjellheim Heights, then Auroras Veil. Solara, Stormravan, Luminaria, and finally… Noxthrallia.”
He pauses, looking at me with weary eyes. “May I ask why, sire?”
“Daisy is going to become immortal. The only person capable of such an act is Maelkar.”
“I assume the Queen is ready to depart?” He asks, not questioning the plan or the idea to turn Daisy immortal.
I frown at him for a beat before responding. “We leave tomorrow.”
Aran whistles low under his breath. “That is no easy trek.”
“I am well aware,” I snap. “Each jump will take its toll. We’ll have to rest between most of the jumps for several hours, maybe even a day.”
Aran nods. “I’ll prepare an endless pack. Clothing, supplies, and currencies for realms. Information too. You’ve not visited some of them in centuries.”
“And the Divine Six?” I ask.
He smirks. “I’ll tell them you went to negotiate a trade deal with Luminaria. That should keep them distracted for a few days.”
I grunt my approval, but my suspicion rises. Why is he not shocked by the quest to turn Daisy immortal? And how did he come up with a plan so quickly to distract the Uppers?
“Also,” Aran says carefully, “I suggest you allow me to send a few soldiers to accompany?—”
“No,” I cut him off. “I need every soldier here in case those celestial bastards try something whilst I’m gone.”
Aran bows slightly. “Understood.”
I exhale heavily. “Prepare the bag. Ensure everything is ready.”
“It will be, sire,” Aran says. He hesitates for a moment, then continues, “And for what it’s worth… I think you’re doing the right thing. Velentha has clearly seen something. Perhaps you should trust that.”
I grunt again but say nothing. Did I tell him that this was Velentha’s idea? I’m almost certain I hadn’t. But with the lack of sleep, and a certain mortal running through my mind, I couldn’t be sure. I eye him suspiciously as he leaves the war room. No. I trust Aran with my entire life. I must have slipped it in when I was distracted by the maps that were now strewn across the large table, mapping out each realm and how to navigate them.
The next afternoonarrives far too quickly.
I stand outside Daisy’s chambers, trying not to scowl. The door opens—and every thought, every shred of anger I’ve clung to—evaporates.
Fuck. Me.
Daisy stands there in a deep grey dress that’s tailored to absolute perfection. The corset is pulled so tightly it showcases every curve—the swell of her hips, the full, perfect shape of her breasts. The dress ends mid shin, delicate silver ribbons lacing up her calves from the silk flat shoes she wears. Her bright blonde hair is styled in an ancient Grecian braid, half gatheredat the back of her head in small, intricate plaits wound together. A small silver sword—a hairpin—sits stabbed through the knot, gleaming. Her ocean eyes are lined lightly, her pouty lips slicked with gloss.
A fucking vision.
Lyvia curtsies beside her, beaming. “Doesn’t she look beautiful, sire?”
I clear my throat harshly. “You may leave, Lyvia.”
She dips another curtsy and vanishes with a mischievous smile. Little devil knows exactly what she has done.
Daisy fidgets under my stare. “I know it’s too much… Lyvia insisted I look more queenly. I can go change if?—”
I take her hand and spin her lightly to face me. “You look radiant, little flower,” I murmur, my voice rough as I stare down at her. “I see why you are known as the sun by your mortal friends.”
Her cheeks flame, and it makes a feeling I’m unfamiliar with twist inside me. I release her abruptly, stepping back, the distance between us feeling cold and wrong. I can’t afford distractions, despite how much I want to tear that dress from her body. There are many other women I can fuck, and she will not be one of them. Bride or not, I refuse to lie with a mortal woman, even once she’s immortal. It’s a line I can’t cross with her.
“Here,” I say, pulling a ring from my jacket. An onyx band crowned with a gleaming ruby, cradled between two serpent heads—each set with tiny, glinting diamond eyes. “This was my mother’s,” I mutter. “You will wear it while we travel. We must appear as any devoted couple would.”
