Page 128 of The Stolen Crown

“More of those tales that are not mine to tell, but just know your bloodthirsty mate has used his villainy in approved ways.”

A glimmer flashed in Livia’s eyes, and I did not know if it came from curiosity or a bit of her own lust from the thought of her king slaughtering on behalf of another.

In the next moment, a boot slammed against the door, again and again, until it snapped open.

“Where the bleeding hells are they?”

Livia and I spared a look at each other and laughed.

Celine Tidecaller stood in the doorway. Her long dark hair had glimmers of silver throughout and was tied off with a bright blue scarf.

The Lady of Blades was small but mighty. A woman who held her own on the Ever Crew since she was a child, a woman who’d not always understood what friendship could mean, but when her sharp gaze locked on mine, there was a heady sort of relief in her stormy eyes.

“You.” Tidecaller pointed a finger at me and stomped into the chamber. “Dead. Thought all this time you were dead, and I think I might make it so now after what you bleeding put us through.”

“Celine!” I shot to my feet and hurried to her, embracing the fiery woman before she could prevent it. “Gods, I’ve missed you. I hear you’ve been scouring the seas for Hearttalker and me. I can only assume it means you do not wish me dead and in fact are wholly relieved to see me.”

Celine stiffened, but it did not take long for her to return the embrace. Still, when we stepped back from each other, her dark skin remained flushed in annoyance. “What in the hells made you think you would know anything about the Far Seas?”

“I wouldn’t say we thought we knew anything,” I said with a small laugh. “More forced to do so.”

“Tidecaller is aware.” The Ever King strode into the room next, crimson eyes narrowed. “There, you’ve seen her.”

Celine scowled at her king. “I planned to ask a few questions, maybe tell her word of her arrival has been received by her folk. Always rushing us away, My King.”

“Yes, I am. Now, leave us for the night.”

“Oh, Serpent, you should join us,” Livia said, taking Celine’s hand and leading her back to the chaise. “Mira was telling me all about bedding Tait.”

Erik’s face paled, and I was not certain I’d ever seen the Ever King so discomposed.

With a chuckle, Livia went to her king, kissed his tight lips, then pointed him toward the closed balcony doors where Tait still stood. “If you’d rather not, then I do have a request.”

“Songbird.” Erik dug in his heel, halting his queen’s shoving. “Are you…attempting to get rid of me?”

“What do you think?” She tilted her head. “No more dancing around each other, Erik Bloodsinger. Your damn cousin has fought for you, remained at your side during a war, protected me, and now kept Mira alive. You made small amends during the search for me, but now it is time to let the past die entirely. Hear me? You make certain he knows he is your folk, our folk, that we are family.”

She nudged Erik forward again.

The king turned, a look of unease on his sharp features. “He’s aware we are blood.”

“Don’t pretend you misunderstood me. Go.”

“Love, I’d rather—”

“Go.” Livia pointed over the king’s shoulder. “With every risk we’ve faced, we are no longer wasting moments with those who matter most, Serpent.”

The king flashed his teeth, revealing his own sharp canines. Livia was unmoved. After one breath, two, the Ever King let out a short hiss, reeled around, and shoved through the doors to the balcony.

The instant he was out of sight, Livia spun on us. “Now, Celine and I want to know every damn detail.”

Once, Celine might’ve made a remark about how she’d rather not, but she now had her own lover.

Ruggedly handsome Stormbringer could be blamed for the touch of heat in her cheeks. “What’s the point in denying I’m bleeding curious? Now, get talking, earth fae.”

38

The Heartwalker