Page 127

I plopped beside her, and with the back of one hand to my brow, I let my head fall to her shoulder. “Livie, is this what it feels like all the time when you are with Bloodsinger?”

She snorted, choking a bit on her mead. “I suppose that depends what you mean by ‘feels like.’ ”

“Oh, go on, then. Ask what you wish to ask.”

“All right. How was bedding Tait?”

The laugh scraped out of my throat before I could stop it. “Livia Ferus! How corrupted you’ve become. Never would you be so bold mere months ago.”

She smirked and settled against the back of the chaise, smugness lined in her expression. “Well? What happened? You left Jonas’s alver vows practically seething at each other. Now, good hells, it was hard enough to get him to leave this damn room.”

“You ought to know more than anyone the change of a heart.”

Livia touched the strand of polished bones around her neck. “True enough.”

I studied my palms, uncertain where to even begin. “I must confess something. You recall when I mentioned a sea singer took hold of me during our search for you?”

“Gods, yes.” Livia shuddered. “I’ve had my own experience with a singer.”

“The song, horrid as it was to be compelled in such a way, drew me to Tait. Not because of his features, delightful as they are, but it felt…strange. Like something snapped free in my heart and reached for him.”

She nodded. “The same happened to me when Erik stopped the singer who captured me the first time I visited the Tower.”

Hells, it was a relief to have someone understand. “I’ve never felt such a connection to anyone. Then, of course, it was all rather wretched since he seemed to detest every breath I took.”

“He certainly doesn’t now.”

“I know it’s difficult to believe, but I might’ve been hasty in judging him.”

“You? Being hasty? I don’t believe it.”

I tossed a fringed pillow from the chaise at her head. “Forced so near each other, we had to work together. Naturally, truths unfolded. His tale is not mine to tell, but he has reason to be stoic, to think he is better suited alone.” A smile teased my lips. “I like to think I’ve proven some of his previous beliefs incorrect.”

Livia returned her drinking horn to a small table, then took my hand in hers. “You know what I think of Tait Heartwalker. The man nearly died trying to save me, and I cannot think of a better woman to take hold of his heart. I’m so pleased for you, Mira.”

As I knew she would be.

Livia was two turns my senior and, during our youth, had been more like an elder sister I admired enormously. She was more thoughtful in her words and actions than I was, but the sort of friend who would hear of my brash mistakes, then be there to help me conceal the evidence.

I bit down on the corner of my lip and lowered my voice. “You think it will be well, truly?”

“Why shouldn’t it be?”

“Because of my duty to my kingdom. We have spoken a little of it, but I know how loyal Tait is to the Ever. There are moments when my thoughts run wild and I wonder if he will one day decide choosing an earth fae is not—”

“Mira.” Livia tightened her hold on my hand. “Hear me, all right? If he is the man of your heart, your hjärta, then he would give it all up to merely spend his days with you.”

“It feels different with him, Livie,” I whispered.

She hummed and took another drink. “I can’t recall if I ever mentioned this, but Erik told me once that he wanted to give Larsson the blood crown and run away to be forest folk.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. The Ever King did not want his own kingdom if it meant he did not have me. It was the moment when I knew beyond any doubt that Erik Bloodsinger would always be mine. If Tait is that man for you, then it will not matter if you are earth fae or sea fae.”

“What will Erik think?”

Livia took a moment to consider the question. “I think he will be…stunned. By the by, what was all that embracing you did earlier? I thought Erik was going to wither at any moment if you continued.”