Page 51 of The Crowned Queen

“Are you?” Jaxon snorted. “I thought you were here to spy for your father⁠—”

“That’s enough, Jaxon.” Garrick cut in sharply. “I’m quite certain our High Inquisitor had very good reasons for sending his daughter here to assist you with your bond. Remember who your friends are.”

“Yes sir,” Jaxon said, his voice tight. “I apologize for my tardiness, High Commander. It won’t happen again.”

“Hmm.” Rowland hummed noncommittally. “We’ll see. I care more about you accomplishing your task and drawing this pesky fae prince out of Aetheris.”

“He’ll follow her.” Garrick glanced back down at the map, tracing his finger over the road from Aetheris. “They always do.”

“Will he?” Rowland stared at her, a frown creasing his face. “He’s taken Farhallow. The fae in Ravonfar have gotten wind of it. Rebellion is stirring despite Pryce’s public punishments—or maybe because of them. Only a fool would give up his position now.”

Araya sucked in a sharp breath. Loren had taken Farhallow? Nearly a third of the fae the Arcanum depended on to refill their amplifiers lived there. That was why they controlled everything in the slums—from housing to medical access to food and clean water. If the Arcanum had lost it to Loren…

Then they had lost access to their power, too.

“Surprised, Miss Starwind?” Rowland didn’t look away from her, his expression unreadable. “Your mate has proven to be quite the thorn in our side. He’s supposed to be here, trying to save you. But instead he’s there—tearing our city apart.”

Gods—if that was true, then Loren wasn’t the only one who would get hurt if the Arcanum used her against him. Every fae in Aetheris was at risk. Their mate bond wasn’t just a weakness—it was a liability.

“That’s just because we haven’t let him find her yet.” Garrick said. “The combination of runes we used on Miss Starwind prevent her from reaching out through her bond with the prince without explicit permission. It would have been foolish to invite an attack on the road, but now that we’re here—” he nodded at his son. “Go ahead, Jaxon. Have her reach out now.”

Jaxon’s grip on her arm tightened, but there was no hint of his displeasure in his voice when he spoke. “Go ahead, Starling.”

She didn’t want to. But the rune carved over her heart tingled, warming against her skin in warning. It would punish her if she resisted. She’d managed not to betray him before—and how many more chances would she get to reach out to him? She needed to take this one. To tell him not to come for her. That her life wasn’t worth the lives of all the fae in Farhallow.

Araya closed her eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek. Her own magic turned inward, reaching out⁠—

And found nothing.

No warmth. No distant sense of his presence. He was just...gone.

Like he had blocked her out.

Araya’s eyes snapped open, the shocking realization settling over her. Part of her didn’t want to believe it. He wouldn’t block their bond—he loved her.

But he loved his people too.

Araya lifted her gaze, meeting Rowland’s eyes. “He won’t come.”

“Mates always come for each other,” Garrick said, looking at her with cruel pity on his face. “You weren’t educated on it—by design, of course. But he’ll have no choice⁠—”

“I can’t feel him.” Araya couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face, even as her heart broke. “He’s blocked the bond. Blocked me. Probably the same night you raided Farhallow. You can’t use me against him now.”

“No fae would do that willingly,” Garrick said. But he didn’t sound sure.

“He’s not just any fae.” Araya laughed, the heady mixture of relief and heartbreak bubbling over until tears streamed down her face. “A king puts his people first.” It wasn’t all on her to keep them safe. “How many collections can you miss before you run out of magic?” she challenged, looking Garrick Shaw straight in the eye. “It’s not as many as we always thought, is it?”

Garrick stared at her, for once nonplussed.

“Well,” Rowland said. “That’s unfortunate. You promised me she would be useful, Garrick. But all I see here is a sharp-tongued halfblood you and your son have no intention of controlling.”

A muscle in Garrick’s jaw twitched. “It’s a minor setback,” he said. “I’m sure⁠—”

“I’m sure your son’s little pet is far smarter than any fae should be allowed to become,” Rowland said dryly. “You Shaws always did have a penchant for the pretty, intelligent ones. But if she can’t be used to lure the prince out of his stronghold⁠—”

“Blocks can be overcome, Erik.” Garrick looked straight at Araya as he spoke. “We’ve avoided causing Miss Starwind excessive physical and emotional distress so far, but if Loren Shadowbane has blocked the bond from his end…” he shrugged. “Inquisitor Pryce is here, I’m not opposed to making use of her specific skillset.”

Araya’s laughter dried up.