My throat tightens, and I nod once. I hadn’t meant it to come across that way. Or maybe I had. I don’t know what fate holds after the Rite. I spent so much time being angry at Callum. At Wilder. Even the king, although he might deserve some of it.
It’s none of their fault.
The Collision left us with impossible choices. Choices only I can make because of the blood in my veins.
“I’ll see you shortly,” I tell Callum.
He nods, not bothering with goodbyes. There will be time for that later. Up on an altar under the light of the full moon. I’ll make my promise to the people, to the crown, to myself.
If only I knew who I’ll be when this is done.
Chapter 48
Elorie
The hallway is empty.The only other footsteps are those of the red-haired guard who summoned me to dinner. I step out of my room, expecting him to hover like the guards usually do, but he walks away as a familiar figure turns the corner, dressed all in black, walking straight toward me.
Wilder’s golden eyes glow. A heart-stopping grin stretches his face as he drinks me in.
I’m frozen in place. Unable to move to meet him halfway. It’s only been a few days, but my magic stretches out at the sight of him. It tangles with his at the edges of the hallway. I might still be figuring out how my magic works, but it dances with Wilder’s like it has a mind of its own.
The back of my neck prickles with that thought. After what Callum said about Cyan, that might not be a good thing.
Wilder’s magic reaches for me before his hands do, pulling me forward a step. “You’re more beautiful every time I see you.”
I crane my neck back to look at him. One of his hands slips around me, and the other wraps the back of my head. He dipsdown, and I arch into the kiss. His tunic is smooth as butter on my fingers. Slightly open, so my thumbs graze his bare skin.
His lips are soft, even if there’s nothing but fury in the kiss. Pure passion. Magic. Tongues and teeth.
Wilder grins against my mouth, finally breaking the kiss as his golden eyes shimmer. “You got my present.”
“It’s gorgeous.” The fabric is so smooth and thin that it flutters over every curve.
“It’s nothing compared to you.” He doesn’t bother focusing on the dress, opting to stare into my eyes instead.
“I love it.”I love you, my insides scream, but I clench the thread so he can’t hear me. “This is the most stunning Tempest silk I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s not Tempest silk.” He straightens, holding out my hands to look down at me. “This is starlight silk from Quietus. My home.”
I glance down at the fabric, and it shimmers with my movement. With a depth that extends like the night. Deeper the longer you stare into it. If Wilder’s home created something more stunning than the tallest peaks in Tempest, I can only imagine what other incredible things can be found there.
There are many rumors spread about Vaelier. That it’s a beautiful realm, but deadly. That the leaves in the forests glow like phantoms in a breeze, and the beaches are lined with sirens calling out. I’ve read the sea is so many colors it melts with the sunrise. While the wind sings songs.
And this dress—this beautiful dress—came from Wilder’s home.
“How?”
“Lady Reah did me a favor. Seems she kept a few things in the basement over the last century when I was otherwise occupied.”
It was ordered that all objects of Vaelier be destroyed whenthe Realm War started. Yet, this silk, this beautiful piece of his home, survived. And he’s gifting it to me.
“You were meant to be draped in the most beautiful dresses, Elorie.” His magic caresses my chin, tipping it up when his hands don’t let mine go.
“I see they also found your crown.” My attention moves to the crown atop his head. Dark spikes make points of the black stones decorating it.
It’s breathtaking. Fitting for the king he’s meant to be but has yet to have the chance.
“What are those stones?” They hum almost like Alyssium did. But the void is greater. Familiar in a different way.
