“We need to know that for sure before we make any more moves,” I insisted. “I should go to Autumn Court. Ornella would agree to meet with—”
“Absolutely not!” Riordan hissed, turning to face me incredulously with his immense wings flaring behind him. “Rian knows that you are my heart, Amira. I do not want to consider what he might do to you to get back at me!”
“Ornella would never allow anyone to—”
“I saidno,” he stated, startling me with his sharp tone and the anger in his expression. I’d never been subjected to that authoritative resonance before, but I had heard it levelled at others often enough to know that this decision was final. Unquestionable.
“You won’t even talk about the possible—”
“You are not going to Ahnnaòin. You are not putting yourself in danger. There is nothing more to discuss.”
“Riordan—” Helena attempted to cut in.
“No! I will not be asked to entertain the thought of my mate going into enemy territory! Especially not when our enemy is Rian DorTìodhlac!” he declared, his chest rising and falling rapidly with his emotion. “Or am I the only one who saw him fend offSylvan Elvesand then nearly rip this entire realm apart?”
“I was not suggesting she should go either, merely that youmay wish to gentle your tone,” Helena insisted.
“And I was not asking for your permission.”
I had not meant to speak those words aloud, but they slipped out as my own emotions got the better of me.
I knew, of course, that Riordan was King of the Vale, and I needed his permission to formally act as a political envoy to the fey. But he was also my mate who had only ever treated me with the utmost respect and gentleness in spite of his position as my king. His dismissive behaviour was shocking and hurtful, and a sudden surge of defiance had me reacting before I could stop myself.
I watched his shock and confusion as it devolved into anger again. His tail whipped and his wings drew closer to him as his power began to seep into the air around us, causing wind to rip at the curtains. The very earth seemed to hold its breath as he stepped toward me slowly.
“Riordan,” Helena hissed at him, but I was not sure he heard her when he was so wholly focused on me.
“Amira,” he began in a dangerous tone, “I forbid it.”
“What he means to say—”
“I forbid it!” he shouted over Helena, voice rumbling like thunder through the air and in my bones before he turned to Ares. “Do you understand? She is not to go anywhere near a portal. In fact, they will all be closed. Helena, you will see to it that no one gets in or out of the Vale until I am sure that an attack is not imminent.”
Ares winced when he met my glare, but he bowed his dark blond head to his king.
“I understand,” he agreed reluctantly.
“You cannot be serious,” I snarled at both of them. “You cannot trap an entire realm—”
“I would rather confine my entire kingdom than allow you anywhere near Rian again,” Riordan reassured me. “And should you give me any reason to suspect that you will disregard my orders, then I will haveyouconfined to this bedchamber,” headded.
My jaw dropped, wholly shocked by such a promise, before the indignation and fury made my scalp prickle. The air around me grew hot enough to make Helena shift away as my own power began to rise as well.
Do it. I dare you,I seethed at him down our bond, allowing him to know just how unforgivable I would find such actions. He may think he was protecting me, but this was a kind of protection I did not needorwant from him.
He hesitated with a flicker of genuine concern at my challenge before the muscles tensed in his jaw, and then he turned to depart without another word. His mental shields were slammed up between us before I could direct any more of my ire at him through our bond.
I was aghast. This wasnotthe sweet and gentle man to whom I had agreed to be bonded! I had seen glimpses of his temper, of course, and perhaps I should have known better than to think I was immune. But I never expected to be subjected to his imperiousness in this way.
Orion seemed as shocked as I was, but he caught my eye with a reassuring nod before he followed my mate into the hall. I could only assume it meant that he would try to talk to hisskiá.
Helena gave a heavy sigh, rubbing at her temples for a moment before she straightened and looked at me.
“Amira, he is…terrified. He is not thinking clearly,” she attempted to defend her king, but I did not bother to reply to her. Helena challenged him when she felt it was necessary to do so, but I was under no delusions about whose side she was ultimately obligated to take.
Resisting the urge to bang obnoxiously on the barrier Riordan had erected with all my fury, I turned away from Helena and Ares. Some time apart was probably in order anyway so we could both cool down.
I returned to the walk-in closet, which was nearly as big as the bedchamber. Sofia was inside, just as I left her, in an armchairnext to the full-length mirror. She was making an alteration to the gold cloak that clipped to the shoulders of the dress I was wearing.
