Page 25 of Where We Belong

Kaed drops to his knees with a hollow thud and yanks the arrow from his heart. His breath saws in and out, ragged and strained, but the bleeding already slows as his flesh begins to heal and bone snaps into place. My brother is safe. Something in me exhales, just not all the way. His gaze snaps straight to the Princess. Eyes darting and unfocused, pupils blown wide. There’s a manic sheen to them, a wildness I’ve only seen a handful of times, when he’s lost somewhere between creating chaos and finding control.

“Ashley,” he chokes, like it’s the first word he’s ever spoken. He gathers her into his arms and curls around her, cradling her tight against his chest. This cannot be good.

“Ashley. Ashley. Please. I’m so sorry.”

Tears spill down his face, disappearing into his thick beard as his hands roam helplessly over her neck, her wrists, her face. As if he cannot decide what to fix first.

“Wake up,” he begs. “Wake up, please. I’m so sorry.”

I drop beside him as he moans apologies into her neck, his wild tangle of hair covering her face. My heart pounds so hard it shakes my ribs.

“Kaed.” I grip his shoulder. “Listen to me. You’re safe now. It’s over. We need to move; we must get her help.”

“No,” he whispers, his voice coarse and dry. “I hurt her. She’s…she’s dead. It’s me, it’s my fault.” My ear twitches as I strain to listen. He’s right. Her heartbeat is gone. He cups her cheeks in shaking hands. He presses trembling kisses to her fingers, her wrists, her temples, whispering apologies into her skin. Falling apart between every kiss. Every breath. Fuck. “Kaed—” Leander warns, but Kaed pays him no attention and continues kissing her face, pleading. He reaches her lips, and my breath catches.

“Kaed! She’s dead, don’t—” I drag his shoulder back, but it’s too late. The moment his lips touch hers, a deafening pressure fills the air. The floor shudders beneath us, and the walls scream. Debris crumbles from the ceiling. For many reasons, this really is not ideal. “We need to get out,” I bark at the lieutenants. “Now. This is my last order as your Captain.” I gesture towards the Princess and Kaed with my chin. “This stays between us, do you hear me?”

They shout their agreement and rush forward, but Kaed only clutches her tighter.

“We have to go, Kae,” Leander says, voice softening amidst the chaos, dragging him to his feet. “Come on.”

Fuck me. This is going to be interesting.

Chapter 26

Aiden

your presence sets my soul ablaze,

and worship grants my relief.

When Eira requested an audience with myself and the King, I would be lying if I said I was surprised at what was revealed. Vale’s odd behavior in recent weeks, combined with Nykholas and Lili in the kitchens today, paints a picture that makes sense. Theron’s involvement is unsurprising. His demeanor has always been off, just like the rest of his God-forsaken family, who will be placed under investigation immediately.

The life drained from my uncle’s face, and the second Eira finished, he rushed from the dining room, leaving his dinner and his composure behind him. His spirited commands echo down the halls. “Bring Vale and Kian to me at once! Arrest the Volker on this list! Prepare a room immediately, no, the finest threads! Fetch the physicians, ready food, and wine! Erect the strongest wards! Send word to the territories!”

I remain behind with her, watching her hands twisting together. I know what she is thinking; she should have told me sooner. Her ability to carry guilt is her biggest and only flaw, though it is one I benefit from most days. However, if there is one thing I understand, it is loyalty to the crown. Eira acted as she believed she must, and I can hardly fault her for that. Even if a wave of heat pulses through my fingers at the thought of her and Nykholas having more secrets. And if he acquires one more inch of her mind, I may have him reassigned to the furthest edge of the kingdom. It is becoming a problem for me. I force a reassuring smile, hoping to convey that I am not upset, but she sighs. She can read me like a book. I am not so irritated at Eira as I am at the idea of Kaed and my half-sister coming back to this palace. But I swallow it. Time to do the right thing. Yet again. I gesture for her to walk out of the room in front of me.

The great Captain is coming home. The Princess, the hope of our people, has been found. No thanks to Cinder Cliffs, who could have released the ritual information and saved us all a lot of time. This will not soon be forgotten. But for the meantime, the King’s joy is infectious, though I seem to be immune. Hope buzzes through the hallways, the walls, and the floors. In amongst all the preparation, I fall into step by his side as he smiles, really smiles, and I ask him where she will sleep. He stops to twirl a servant around who shrieks in glee, then runs off to join the rest of her colleagues by a window. Even the creatures in the Seas Above are gathering slowly towards the arena.

“My boy, my son. I hope you know I love you, and I am proud of you. I never wanted to be like my tyrannical father, who never said it. I want you to know in your heart that you are loved.” He grasps my shoulder, locking eyes with me. My chest warms with pride; his love has never wavered, and still, the words do not grow old. That someone could love me, all of me. No elixir, nothing to gain. Some days, I cannot believe it.

“I know, your Majesty.”

“Ah, surely we are past formalities now.”

A maid chuckles while she sweeps the already clean floor.

“Uncle, I will, of course, do what I need to, but there are plenty of other rooms for her. I am not in a hurry to remove my mother’s things. Please reconsider.”

“She deserves the best. Just like your mother did.”

He once told me, A ruler’s duty is not to his own comfort, but to the comfort of his people. So, I nod.

“I understand.”

And I do. But I do not like it.

*