“That is not your concern anymore.”
He flinched. “I came here to?—”
“Make decisions for me? Soon you’ll have someone who you can make decisions for—it was never me.”
He shook his head wildly, and his mouth gaped open. I didn’t know who I was looking at anymore, but it wasn’t who I fell in love with.
“Then go be his wife, Aelira. Bear his children. Live out your time in his precious Vale. I have other matters to attend to.” He slammed the door behind him.
I clutched my knees to my chest, a sobbing puddle on the floor.
A thud came at the other side of the door along with a low growl. I waited for the handle to turn, for Lioran to tell me anything at all, but his boots only echoed down the hallway.
A lady’s maid slipped into my chamber. I longed for someone to talk to, wishing Milana or Juniper were here instead.
This world wasn’t mine. No one here cared who I was.
“Your Highness, a letter arrived for you.” She held out a tray in front of me with a pressed parchment. A dagger draped in thorns ingrained in vermillion wax illuminated in the firelight—the seal of the King of Bailoc. The door closed swiftly behind her.
I was alone with his concealed words.
The letter shook beneath my fingertips as I held it above the blazing flames. Each ember threatening to destroy King Ardyn’s commands. The fireplace crackled. I pulled it out of the hearth. Whatever it said was only a threat if I allowed it to be—he was on the other side of the divide.
I unfolded the parchment and familiar handwriting greeted me.
It wasn’t Ardyn’s, the forced letters belonged to Agan.
Aelira,
You are in grave danger—the King and Queen of Nythrel will stop at nothing to strike against Bailoc, especially in our desperate state. A rebellion has risen. When father couldn’t appease the rebellion leaders, they took his life. The state of unrest continues, and I am desperate to resolve it.
Your union with Lord Thalen will be our salvation. You both can help rebuild Bailoc and protect our people from a desperate future. Thalen has ensured me he can keep you safe from the fae—that your marriage to him will grant you protection. Please, I beg you to go with him not just for me, or for our kingdom, but for your safety.
Ashlyn and I are so worried about you.
- King Agan of Bailoc
My trembling fingers clutched the letter, indents forming on the perfectly pressed paper. The rebellion had surfaced—the king was murdered. I reread Agan’s words, determined to find what lay hidden beneath them.
Marrying Thalen would ensure a future for Ashlyn—one I couldn’t give her on this side of the divide. It wouldn’t erase the blight, but maybe she would be safe with me in the Vale.
The letter sat on the table beside me. It was a glaring reminder of what I must do. A trace of warmth radiated from the onyx to my fingertips.
Choosing Thalen would never give me what I wanted, but maybe it was never about that—maybe it was always about finding my own peace, my own way.
Chapter 28
Irose early the next morning, dressed in silence, and slipped out before Cora woke. My feet traced the steps through the hall, down to the garden. I needed to find Thalen—to discuss Agan’s letter.
“I thought I might find you here.” Fyn stepped in front of me as I entered the walled garden. “Don’t do this.” His eyes pleaded as his fingers wrapped around my shoulder.
I struggled to get free of his grasp. “Why? So, you won’t have to report back to him again?”
“He deserved to know. You were in Thalen’s arms.” His voice was a low roar.
“It doesn’t concern you, Fyn. It doesn’t concern Lioran, either.”
“He loves you.” Fyn grimaced. “I thought I knew you—knew what you stood for. Maybe I don’t.”
