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Rolling my eyes, I placed my hands on my hips. “The usual . . . that I need a Guardian.”
She laughed and turned her head in his direction. “Merrick, I’ve tried to convince her to take a Guardian, but you know how hardheaded she is. She clearly gets that from her father and me.”
Merrick snorted. “That’s for damn sure.”
Her eyes focused back on me. “I wish I could see and hear him like I could when I was pregnant with you.”
Merrick’s face softened. “Tell her I wish the same.”
“He says he does, too,” I informed her.
She blew out a sigh. “But I’m glad I can’t hear him right now because he’s going to be pissed when he hears what I have to say.”
Merrick hung his head, and I heard the word “shit” hissed under his breath. My mother smiled at me, but there was only sadness in her eyes.
“I know what it was like when I had to go after Alasdair. It was my fate, my destiny to end him. If you can tell me that’s how this is with you, I won’t stand in your way.”
I knew it was with all my heart and soul. “It is,” I said.
She kissed my forehead and stepped back. “Then go. It’s not as if I could stop you anyway. You’re about to be the queen of your own court, and Iston wants to be by your side. That’s if you decide to accept his proposal.”
The pull to the land grew every single day, demanding I take what’s mine. Iston would make a great king, and our union would strengthen the Frost Court in more ways than one. It’d strengthen not only the fae but the elves as well. Maybe once I dealt with the evil, I could fully concentrate on my future.
“As soon as I get rid of the Shadow fae, I’ll claim my land and marry Iston,” I said to her.
She nodded. “If that is what you wish.” Her gaze drifted down to the dagger on my belt, the one she killed Alasdair with. “Just be careful with the Shadow fae. I want you to check in every chance you get. If you go missing for more than two days without communication, I’m going to the mortal realm myself.”
That was the last thing I wanted.
“Deal,” I agreed.
When her eyes fixated on the red stains on my dress, she blew out a sigh. “You might want to change and get back to the ball. I’m sure Iston’s looking for you.” She lifted her gaze to mine. “Also, it might be kind of hard going on your hunt with him staying here for the next week. Your father’s the one who invited him.”
Closing my eyes, I sighed. “Shit. That’s going to be a problem.”
When I opened my eyes, my mother grinned. “No, it’s not. You have my blood in you.”
“Which means,” Merrick added, crossing his arms over his chest and pursing his lips at my mom, “that you come from the master manipulator herself. She’s the queen of deceit.”
That she was, and I was just like her.
Chapter8
Ella
To give me a few days to hunt the Shadow fae without alerting Iston, my mother had coerced my father to take Iston, his three brothers, and King Aelfric on a hunting trip to the mortal realm. With Iston being the best at the bow and arrow, I had no doubt he’d be the one to shoot the most game. It didn’t matter to me as long as he was out of the way so I could do what I had to. I just hoped three days was enough.
“When I get back, I promise we’ll spend as much time together as you want,” Iston said, strapping his bow onto his back.
My mother stood next to my father and the others who were waiting on Iston by the shimmering portal.
I kissed him quickly and nudged him toward the others. “Go. Have fun. I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Yes, you will.” He smirked and turned on his heel. When he joined the others, they disappeared through the veil between our realm and the mortal world.
My mother walked over to me, and I could see the concern in her eyes. “You have three days, Ella. I’d feel much better if you let me go with you.”
“No,” I thundered. “I’m doing this alone. I know how to find this guy. His energy is like a beacon. All I’m going to do is watch him and figure out a way to get close to him. And then, I’ll strike.”
