Page 87 of Fate of the Sun King

Etienne drops his fork with a clatter on his plate before it bounces off and then lands on the floor with another clatter.

Elswyth leans forward, her eyes wide. “Is it true?”

I shrug, suddenly feeling incredibly self-conscious.

“Mates?” Tristan asks. “What does that mean?”

“It means she’s stuck with me,” Nadir says, his usual expression reserved for Tristan back in place. “Which I guess means you are, too.”

“I don’t know what that means.” My brother is understandably confused.

“It’s a thing that happens sometimes,” I say, waving a hand.

“Not sometimes,” Cedar says. “It’s incredibly rare. Your grandparents…”

“I know,” I say. “Someone told me that they were. You knew?”

He nods. “Wolf told me before they left for Heart when they…”

“Blew everything up,” I say.

“This is remarkable,” Elswyth says. “So all this time, you were right under each other’s noses.” She clasps her hands together. “How romantic.”

I exchange a look with Nadir. I wish we had more time to talk about this and explore its many layers.

“I’m very glad you came here,” Cedar says. “It seems that destiny has something very big in store for both of you and fate meant for our paths to cross after all these years. I meant what I said about offering my allegiance, Lor. I’ve always felt that the loss of Heart was a detriment to Ouranos. Your queendom’s healing magic was an invaluable asset, and we will never be as safe without it.”

“Thank you,” I say. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”

“I’m sorry for everything,” Cedar says. “I should have tried harder to find you. The guilt has sat with me ever since that day.”

I shake my head. “None of it was your fault,” I say, meaning it. He had no obligation to protect us, and I’ve spent enough time blaming myself. There is no one responsible for anything that happened other than Rion himself.

After all the years of yearning, we have a sort of family again. I wonder at the sincerity in Cedar’s heart, but I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. I’ve spent so long mistrusting everyone that I also want to break down those walls for my own sake. This anger I’ve clutched in my heart will consume me if I don’t find some way to release it.

“Still. I should have tried,” Cedar says as he looks at Tristan, perhaps seeking his absolution. My brother is less inclined to trust or forgive right now, and I don’t blame him. He needs more time, and he’s entitled to as much as he wants.

“Thank you for welcoming us,” Tristan says, leaving the rest unspoken, but it’s clear from Cedar’s expression that he understands there are bridges yet to mend.

“It was truly the least we could do,” Elswyth says, laying a hand on the king’s arm. “You have a home here any time you need it.”

“Thank you,” I add.

“I never thought I’d see the day The Woodlands would be working with The Aurora,” Cedar says to Nadir, leaning forward. “This is quite a turn of history.”

“Well, I’m not officially The Aurora yet,” Nadir replies, and Cedar nods.

“I’ve never liked your father. Just so you know.”

My eyes widen as I look between them, but Nadir grins. “You are far from the only one, Your Majesty.”

Cedar belts out a warm laugh before he turns to me. “Before you leave, is there anything else I can do? Just say the word.”

“Actually,” I reply, because there is something.

Nadir and I discussed it this morning in our sex-drunk daydream and agreed this made sense in our quest for answers. “I wonder if you’d let me see the Woodlands Staff?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE