Page 108 of Only Flames Remain

“Sit,” I instructed.

Rensford took the seat opposite me, his features taut with concern. I raised a hand to stop him before he even opened his mouth.

“Aveline is my mate.”

The words hung heavy in the air between us as I held his gaze through the silence.

“You’re sure?” he asked, voice laced with a healthy dose of skepticism. “The royal family hasn’t had a fated couple in…centuries. More than that, truly—”

“I’m sure,” I replied, pulling my opened shirt to the side so that Rensford could see the healing wound.

The edges had completely stitched together, and it was no longer gaping. It was merely a patch of ugly and angry skin that had scabbed over. At the rate it was currently healing, it would be gone entirely in a matter of days.

Rensford’s eyebrows raised high enough that I thought they might reach his hairline.

“Sorin. This is…this is impossible. What in the old gods…she is a human—”

I shook my head at that. “She isn’t human, either.”

“What do you mean?” Rensford asked, leaning toward me. “Much has happened since we last spoke, it appears.”

“I’m not entirely sure what she is…but she isn’t human. Her magic detonated in my chambers mere moments ago. Completely destroyed half of the south wing in the process. She pulled the water from the lake. It flooded through the glass, shattering it.” I peered down at my feet for emphasis, pieces of the broken glass still littering the skin there.

Rensford raised a hand as if to calm me. “Hold on, how do you know for certain that you are fated?”

“The wound, Ren. The mage said it would never heal until I found her. I kissed her…it felt, it felt—”

“You kissed her?” His voice was incredulous as he rose to his feet.

I nodded. “She kissed me, really.”

Ren ran a hand down his face in exasperation. “What a godsdamned mess, Sorin. We were supposed to be using her as leverage against Myros. Against our greatest enemy, in case you have forgotten. She is to wed Kallias Ashbourne. What in the seven hells are we supposed to do now? Send her back?”

I stood now, shoulders back. “We will do no such thing. That is what I came to tell you. Our plan to use her against Kallias and King Faris…all of it doesn’t matter anymore. She is to remain here, in Gothryn. We must protect her at all costs. She will be a target simply because she is mine. Do you understand?”

“Yours?” Rensford challenged with a raised brow. “You intend to claim her publicly? Have you both accepted the mating bond, then?”

My own brow furrowed in response.

“You know nothing of what you speak!” Rensford seethed. “You don’t even know what it is to accept the mating bond! What it means! You are prepared to turn this kingdom—this realm—on its head for your housemaid?”

My temper rose, fire breathing beneath my skin. “She is my mate, Rensford. You will not speak of her that way. What are the chances that I would ever find her? It isn’t something I am willing to let go. She will remain here under my protection.”

“And you’ll marry her?” Ren asked, expression taut. “Has she agreed to any of this? Does your father know you are prepared to throw out the alliance with Ravenscar on a whim? He very well might pass the throne to Emrys. Gods know he has wanted it for himself this entire time. You need to think, Sorin.”

“I am thinking,” I replied through my teeth.

Ren shook his head. “With the wrong head, it appears. We need to speak with King Mavros at once. This cannot continue without the king knowing about it. Princess Morwenna and King Eldrin still reside within these castle walls. We need to come to an amicable solution. And quickly, before you start another war.”

“It won’t start another war, Rensford.”

“It very well might,” he said, jaw clenched. He shed the robe he was wearing and turned toward the wardrobe to dress. “We need Ravenscar for their men—for their resources. We have starved Myros out, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t making their own alliances as we speak. King Faris will never stop. King Mavros is sick. This is hardly the best time.”

“As if I timed this myself. Asked her to sail across the Saltale Sea to come and kill me at Kallias or Queen Dyata’s behest.”

Rensford whipped around as he buttoned his trousers. “She did come to kill you?”

I blew out a long breath, eyes on my bare feet. “Initially.”