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“Proud?”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I told him everything about last night. How I learned to fight, about Leon’s mother, and how together we destroyed the entire swarm.
His eyes watered with pride. “I always knew you were strong.”
“Father, I can’t go back home and be stuck in a castle. Not when I can do so much. Last night proved how important we are to the fight against the Rift.”
“I know how you feel,” he said, his gaze flitting to Leon and then to me. “For once I was you. So was your mother. Oh, could she fight and do it well. You know we had fought side by side once, and it was probably the most spectacular moment of my life. But Havana,” he said, his voice getting stern. “You’re a princess and you have a duty to fulfill.”
I closed my eyes as tears fell. “Is there no other way? I can’t marry Antoine. I can’t . . .” my voice broke as I cried.
“Do you love him?” my father asked, and I knew who he talked about, but I couldn’t bear to meet my father’s gaze.
I nodded.
“He is a dark fae and you cannot marry him.”
Leon stood off in the corner, watching the exchange. I looked back at him as tears filled my eyes. Knowing this was our last day.
“I’m not ready to leave,” I said to my father. “You’re asking me to give up everything. I am to marry someone I don’t love and to sit in a castle when I am so much more than a princess. You have five other daughters. Why can’t they marry? Why can’t you just let me be helpful?”
“You are my heir,” he said. “If I had died last night, the kingdom would have gone to you. You cannot live as you wish. That is not what it is to be part of the royal family. We are honor bound, Calista.”
I shook my head, ignoring how he used my first name to make his point. The moment I stepped onto theRavagerCalista ceased to exist. Wiping my face, I steadied myself. “Then let me have today.”
“You think I’m going to trust you not to run off with this pirate?” My father’s voice rose.
“What choice do I have? If I run off, you will just follow us again. I need one day.”
“No,” my father said, glaring at Leon and I put my hands over my eyes, crying because I didn’t know what else to do.
I could defy my father all I wanted, but I wasn’t sure about Leon. Would he fight for me? If I said I wanted to run, would he run? I didn’t want to look at him because I was afraid I’d gaze into those golden eyes and see the truth. He would not go on the run with me because that would mean leaving his ship, his crew, his mother, and I hadn’t known him long enough to surpass any of that. I could understand if he wouldn’t risk it all, even though I would.
“Your majesty,” Leon said, finally speaking and coming closer. “Havana is royalty, and she is honor bound, but she is also a light bearer and a powerful one. That magic is slowly fading from this world. The darkthings are moving more inland than they ever had before.” He glanced at me with a slight smile on his face. “You may want to keep her in a castle, and I understand why, but Saol needs her. If you would have seen her last night, you would understand that the only reason the Oasis stands today is because of your daughter.”
My heart swelled with his affirmation. How was I ever supposed to walk out that door without him?
“I love her,” he said, his gaze firmly on mine. “And while I respect you and your ways, you are not my king.”
The tension rose as he said those final words, even though he was correct. On the surface, he would be bound to the fae king Kane. As Kane handled any fae that walked on the surface and similar underground, Queen Merelda handled the dark fae and pretty much any creature that made its way below the surface. Leon was right. We were supposed to respect all the kings and queens of all the different races, but when it came to obedience, you couldn’t get in trouble unless you were disobeyingyourking.
Shouting sounded outside the door and Leon unsheathed his sword. The door flew open and a female fae dressed in all black leathers with braided honey hair and skin as golden as the sun walked in.
“Raina,” Leon said lowering his weapon. “What are you doing here?”
Her yellow gaze went straight to me. “I’m here for her.”
Leon looked back at me, panic in his wide eyes. “What do you mean?”
The king groaned as he moved to a sitting position, and I grabbed his arm. “Father, no, rest.”
“My daughter isn’t going anywhere.”
Raina moved into the room. The king’s guard stormed in behind her, but she showed no fear, her face remaining calm. “You do not have the authority to make that decision. The magi request her aid, and I am leaving with her.”
I stood, knowing that if I didn’t say something, the two men I loved would start a bloodbath. “What do you need me to do?”
“No,” Leon growled, stepping in front of me.
