Page 19 of Tale of the Heart Queen

It’s a fair question.

I look around the room, conscious of the guards and staff moving in and out. None of the others seem the least bit bothered that we’re all half-dressed.

“Could we talk about this later?” I ask, hoping to buy myself some time to come up with a story that isn’t completely the truth but sounds good enough. “I’m really very tired.”

Cyan’s eyes darken, but he doesn’t argue. “Very well. We’ll get you a new room.”

“Thank you,” I say as he rattles off instructions to one of his staff. Then I’m escorted to a new suite similar to the one I just destroyed. Cyan, Linden, and Anemone follow me, and I turn to face them, still clutching the towel around me.

“Tomorrow, you will be explaining why you just blew a hole in my palace,” Cyan says pleasantly enough, though the underlying threat is obvious. “Until then, please rest up. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. When they all leave, I close the door behind me and lean against it.

A moment later, there’s a knock, and I swing it open to find a servant.

“I thought you might need these,” she says, handing over a pile of white cotton balanced in her arms.

“Thank you,” I say gratefully before she curtsies and scurries away. When she’s gone, I drop my towel and pull on the soft white pajamas, which include loose pants and a sleeveless top. It feels good to be in fresh clothing and it has the effect of clearing my head a little.

Pacing the length of the room, I consider my next move. I need to speak to the Coral. It seems like my best chance. Heading for the door, I twist the knob, hoping for a late night visit. But I’m greeted by the presence of the two guards Linden promised.

“You are to remain in your room until morning,” one says, folding his thick arms.

I squeeze the door handle, but this isn’t really a surprise. Getting to the Artefact won’t be that easy.

“Fine,” I say, slamming the door.

For now I’m stuck and tired enough that maybe I’ll be able to sleep. I pull back the covers and slip under them, tucking them up to my waist. Once I’ve had some rest, maybe I’ll be able to think clearly enough to come up with a plan.

Then I open my hand and stare at it. I’ve spent so many years craving my magic, but I’ve forgotten what to do with it.

I miss Willow and Tristan, and I wish they were here with me to sort this out. Tristan controlled his magic so easily. Why am I so bad at this? Willow would know what to say to make me feel better.

And Nadir. I would give anything to feel his arms around me. To slide into my feelings for him and pretend nothing else exists. He would help me, too. He’s the only one who’s ever been able to coax anything from my magic, and I’m sure he’d know how to help me understand this.

With my other hand, I clutch at my chest, my breath pinching with loneliness. Once again, I’m alone in a strange bed in a strange palace, being asked to risk my life to save the ones I love.

Pressure wells in my eyes until tears start to fall. I wipe them away, but more replace them, so I let myself go, sobbing into my pillow until I cry myself into a lonely, troubled sleep.

CHAPTER 9

PRINCE RION

287 YEARS AGO—THE AURORA KEEP

Rion stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the lapel on his black jacket, wishing this day into oblivion. He’d been such a fool to sleep with that woman, but she’d been attractive and embarrassingly flirtatious, clearly eager to bed him.

Rachel had been giving him the cold shoulder again after he’d canceled another dinner when a skirmish had occurred along the kingdom’s southern border. She didn’t understand the pressure he was under and how much The Aurora needed his firm hand.

He’d wanted to make her jealous that night. Make her pay for her lack of . . . attention.

But then Meora had fallen pregnant. She must have bewitched him into the entire scheme, intent on joining him on his throne. His father was this close to dying from the Withering, and Rion was only biding his time, waiting for the inevitable.

He’d spent years acting in King Garnet’s stead, conquering territories in the name of The Aurora, but without the crown on his head, he could do only so much. Once his father was gone, he’d expand The Aurora’s army, redirecting funds towards training new recruits. He knew the Heart Queen, Daedra, was plotting against him and the other rulers were speaking of allying to overthrow his kingdom. If Rion wanted to secure The Aurora as the leading power in Ouranos, being its king only in name wasn’t enough.

He’d been so close to getting everything—his crown with Rachel at his side.

And then he’d fucked it up.