Page 72 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“This way,” he says, winding down a narrow pathway lined with bushes. A cave materializes out in the distance, and he points to it.

“Through there. It will take you back to the surface.”

“How do you know that?” I ask, eyeing the dark opening warily.

“Oh, you’re not the first living person to wander in here,” he says. “Zerra does like to play.”

I curl my lip at that.

“Can you go through there? Can you come back?”

“Oh no,” he says. “I’m dead. Once, we’d had a bit too much wine, and I dared your Great-Great-Great Aunt Sophie to jump through it, and for about seven long seconds, we thought she was gone, but then poof. She appeared standing right here next to us. So we spent all night tossing ourselves into it, but alas, we returned every time.” He laughs at the memory, and I find myself smiling as I look back in the direction we came.

“I wish I could talk to them all,” I say, and he gives me a sad smile.

“It’s not your time yet. You’ll get your chance, and when you come to see us, we’ll be waiting for you with open arms. Go and live, my boy. Do better than your father did.”

“I’ll try,” I say. “Thank you.”

“Go on. I hope it will be many, many years before you return.”

He opens his arms, and I hesitate.

“What is it?” he asks with a curious tip of his head.

“You’re not what I expected,” I answer. “Given how my father is . . .”

Garnet’s arms flop to his sides as he nods. “I won’t pretend I was always a good man or a good father, either. But sickness and death have a way of softening us all. I, too, regret so many things.”

That I can understand. He spreads his arms again and with a sharp breath I fold against him. He hugs me tightly, and I allow myself to revel in the comfort of his embrace. What might my life have been if someone had been there to hug me as a child?

“Live a long and happy life with your mate. I look forward to meeting her when it’s time.”

After another second, we pull apart, emotion knotting my throat. There are so many things I want to say, and he must sense what’s on my mind because he adds, “Someday, my boy, we’ll have all the time in the world to talk about everything. But for now, you need to go home.”

Slowly, I nod, turning towards the cave.

Standing at the threshold, I look back at him.

He gives me one last smile and then bows.

With a salute, I turn and step through the dark opening.

And then I plummet down.

CHAPTER 28

RION

THE AURORA—236 YEARS AGO

Rion stalked through the forest, winding his way through the darkness of the trees. Night had fallen hours ago, and he’d waited patiently in his study, nursing a strong drink, as the Keep settled into the ignorance of sleep. His research missions were always kept secret. He couldn’t risk anyone tracking his movements.

It had been decades since he’d forced his father to descend, finally taking his crown. Decades since he’d attempted to conquer Ouranos until that witch Serce had fucked up his plans. Without his magic, he’d lost so many potential years of experimentation, and only recently was he strong enough to start trying again. He’d find some way to accomplish his goals that had been thrown off course all those years ago.

When his parents, Zerra rest their souls, had departed this world, he’d wasted no time performing the ascension with Meora at his side. Herric had talked him through it, ensuring a smooth transition thanks to the power of the virulence.

As Nadir aged, he’d grown no closer to the boy, who was now a man, and there would be no bridging that divide.