Page 62 of Fate of the Sun King

“My people are loyal, and the forest keeps secrets better than anyone.”

I have no idea what that means, but the answer seems to satisfy Nadir, who nods.

“Only if Lor and Tristan agree,” he says, yielding to us.

“Yes, I’d like to,” I say, and Tristan also nods, though the expression on his face suggests he doesn’t trust the Woodlands King at all.

Not only did we fail to learn anything about who’s blabbing our secrets in Heart, we also need to get back to Aphelion, but I also need to hear what our great-uncle has to say. I’ve spent half my life wondering why this forest king sat on his ass when my parents were slaughtered.

“Wonderful,” Cedar says, giving me and Tristan another lingering look. I’m not sure if it’s the light, but I catch the silver of tears lining his eyes. “You both look so much like him.”

There’s a pause of silence, and then he turns on his heel and heads towards his horse before jumping into the saddle. The rest of his soldiers circle our group and herd us into the forest.

As we march along the worn earthen paths, I wonder how far we have to go. After the events of last night, I’m exhausted, and with the adrenaline of confronting the king and his soldiers wearing off, I’m swaying on my feet.

“Are you okay?” Nadir asks. “To walk? I can carry you if you want.”

I look over at him, taking a moment to study his face.

When I awoke in the healer’s cottage, when he was the first thing I saw, something shifted and flipped on its axis. Yet again.

I finally understood the way he’s been growing up around me in a tangle of stems. That he’s just like those roses blooming over the surface of the Heart Castle, despite the impossibility of their existence, filtering into the cracks and feeding on slivers of sunlight.

He sees into my darkness and stares at it with unflinching eyes.

I wasn’t surprised to find him covered in the blood of those two men. This is who he is, and I will stare into his darkest corners, too, seeking his light.

“Thank you for coming to rescue me,” I say, and his brow furrows.

He opens his mouth and then closes it before he says, “Why would you think I wouldn’t?”

Why do I get the sense he had planned to say something else?

My mate.

Of course I knew he’d come.

And I… would have done the same. Without a moment’s hesitation. With a fiery rage in my heart and a smile on my face. I would have made them suffer.

Everything Rhiannon said points towards him in blinking red lights. It couldn’t be more obvious if someone had tattooed it on his forehead.

How could I have ever thought these feelings for him were anything less than extraordinary? And it’s then I realize that this whole time, I’ve been tending a patch of weeds while he’s been growing me a garden.

Magic simmers under my skin, always stretching towards him, becoming stronger and stronger. Could it snap? Was this what she meant when she said it could kill us if we resisted?

I want to acknowledge this, but now is not the time. Not when we’re surrounded by the soldiers of the Woodlands King.

This moment deserves to be honored. Given the space to breathe and flex, not hurried or rushed. His eyes meet mine, and they simmer with a universe of unspoken thoughts.

Do I worry about what he’ll say or how he’ll react? This might be one time in my life I’m absolutely sure of the outcome. He’s made his feelings clear, and I no longer feel the need to crumble under their scorching weight.

“Are you sure you’re all right to walk?” he asks. “You’re a little pale.”

My answering smile feels soft around the edges, like I’m being teased apart, the hardened pieces of me filtering out and then gently pressed back together into something new and whole. He’s done this to me. Filed down the harsh cocoon I’ve worn for so long, giving me the chance to emerge reborn.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” he asks. I stare at him. At the arch of his brows and the line of his jaw. At the swell of muscle revealed by his open collar. He’s so beautiful it makes my chest hurt.

“Like what?” I ask, blinking furiously, suddenly having trouble breathing. I accelerate my pace and focus my gaze ahead. I’m not ready for this conversation yet.