“You’ve figured out your magic,” Callum says, sliding to my other side on the bench.
His hand squeezes my thigh, but there’s nothing besides friendship behind it.
“Figured it outmight be a bit of a stretch. But I’m glad it worked.”
“Well, I’m glad we survived.” Greer smiles, not seeming the least bit intimidated by the fact that I could have gotten us killed.
“Me too.” I squeeze her hand. “Are we okay?”
“Yes.” She glances at the stone arch across the room, whereWilder walks through it with Lochlan at his side. “Wilder saved my life. I thought that creature was going to finish me, but he stopped it.”
“Of course he did. He’s not his mother.”
Her eyebrows pinch, and she peeks at Callum, who has a solemn expression. “Queen Delayna had a reputation for a reason, Elorie, and Wilder was her greatest weapon.”
“I know.” I frown, still not sure how to reconcile that.
“But…” Greer nudges my leg. “He saved my life. That’s something. And he seems to make you smile.”
He does more than that.
My cheeks burn as I glance at Wilder. He’s still lost in his conversation with Lochlan, blocking me out. But his smirk hints that he senses what I was thinking.
“Wonderful.” Greer grunts, and I think she’s annoyed that I’m staring at Wilder until I realize her attention is on Cyan walking into the room. “Your father has returned.”
Callum grips the hilt of his sword, tracking Cyan’s movements. I’m not the only one uncomfortable with his presence, and that’s reassuring.
“He’s here to bring us back.”
Callum’s gaze snaps to me. “I thought we had another three days.”
“We did.” My lips press into a firm line. “But the king found out about me wielding my magic, and he wants to celebrate.”
Both Greer and Callum frown at that, confirming my fears.
Up until now, the king has been distracted by Selia and the other Fae in his court. Now, he’s going to be curious. And like Lady Reah said at the temple, curiosity is dangerous.
Especially when I’m still figuring things out.
My magic stirs, but I don’t know how to properly summon it. And I don’t understand its limits. I’m still not even sure what it is I wield. It isn’t life, but it isn’t death. It’s not elemental likefire or air. I thought it was light when I was battling in Solace last night, but light is warm, and my magic was colder. It was vast.
Two males pass the table, slowing as they eye me and Greer. One winks at me, taking his time to peruse where my dress dips below my belly button. He brushes his dark hair back as he walks past, unblocking my view of Wilder, whose golden eyes burn with the heat of a sweltering fire as he stares at the male who just went past me.
“Something bothering you, Wilder?”I tease through the thread now that it’s open again, and his gaze meets mine.“Don’t tell me the great King Riven is jealous of a random male.”
He smirks.“The great King Riven. I think I’d like to hear you scream that while my face is buried between your legs.”
My cheeks are on fire as he chuckles through the thread. My attempt at taunting him failed because now all I can think about is Wilder dragging me back to his room.
He turns back to his conversation, but his magic crawls through the room, caressing my legs. Playing with me. No matter how much distance is between us, I feel him all over. How am I ever going to let him go?
Gods, I’m in trouble.
Chapter 46
Hazel
Selia swings openthe door to Malachi’s room. Her mouth quirks with a malicious, silent threat as her storm clouds meet my shadows in a clash of wills.
