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His eyes are the color of deep, dark wine.
I didn’t read the letter with him—that was for his eyes only—but I can see that it’s invoked deep pain within him.
A lone tear slips down his cheek. “This life… sometimes I don’t understand it at all. But at the same time, it all makes perfect sense now.”
He leans in and kisses me gently. I taste his blood-tears; his sorrow and his pain.
And I kiss him back, letting him know that I’m here, and Iknow.“You’re here, aren’t you? And there’s a reason you’ve become so powerful. They both wanted you to become strong. For different reasons, maybe, but youarestrong now, Corvan. It’s up to you to choose which path you’ll take. I know you’ll choose the right one. Iknowyou. And I’ll stand beside you.”
He kisses me again, caressing my cheek, his touch reverent. “You have,” he says gently. “Oh,you have. More than I deserve.”
“No,” I counter. “We deserve each other. I’m fairly certain of that.”
“Well, then. Who am I to argue?” He looks down at the letter in his hands. With careful, precise movements, he folds it and slips it back in the envelope. Then he takes the box from my hand and places the letter in it, alongside the lock of his mother’s hair. “There’s a lot that we still have to learn, but the most important thing right now is that we go and find your mother.” His expression softens. “She’s alive. I’m certain of it. And she’s suffered faro too much.”
Doubt and fear mingle with excitement and hope, fluttering wildly in my chest. “If we find her alive, I’d be overjoyed. But I’m also afraid, Corvan. If she’s been held captive all this time, then she’s been treated terribly at the hands of both our fathers. I want her to be free more than anything, but… what if she holds their sins against us? What if she’s vengeful?”
What if she despises me?
Corvan gives me a gentle, patient look; an almost-smile. “Well, then we’ll just have to convince her that we’renothinglike our fathers. Freeing her and killing the ones that are holding her captive should go some way toward starting that conversation, don’t you think?”
“I should hope so. She’s been imprisoned for a very long time. I have no idea what state of mind she could be in.”
“No matter what state she’s in, I’ll make sure she’s safe and taken care of. Even if she despises us at first, she’ll come to understand that we’re different to the ones that sired us. I promise you, she will.” Corvan slips his arm around my waist and pulls me against him. He smells of leather and spice; of warmth andmale, and he’s perfectly intoxicating. “Besides,you’rewith me. I don’t see how she could possibly despise you. How couldanyonedespise you, Fin? If anything, I’d wager she’s been waiting for you. Imagine what Aralya could teachyou, her own flesh and blood.”
At the mention of her name, the magic inside me ripples and dances, making my skin tingle, filling me with pent-up anticipation. There’s that feeling again; of pressure building inside me, with no way of finding release.
“I have a hunch for these things.” Corvan taps the side of his nose. “Battle-sense. You have all this pent-up magic inside you. I’ve seen how powerful it can be. And the trees themselves have chosen to speak to you. Imagine what’s going to happen when you encounter the one that gave you life.”
As the magic dances through my body, heightening everything—the feeling of his leather-gloved hands against my bare skin, the fragrance of winterlilies mingling with his unmistakable scent, the moonlight reflecting off his hard, elegant features—I can’t help but feel the truth of his words.
Even now, in the serenity of this small garden, life separated from death by mere glass and stone, I feel the hibernating trees and the dormant plants. A sound echoes in my mind; a low, resonant hum.
Oh my Goddess.
My heart swells with hope.
It’s good to see that Corvan’s regained his usual steely determination. It’s as if he’s buried his grief inside the box, the lid hiding his emotions under layers of strength.
I remember what he said earlier, when he was speaking with his father. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but certain things were impossible for me to un-hear.
It’s because of the magic in me. It makes everything more acute.
“Corvan?”
“Yes, Finley?
“I heard you say something before, to your father. That you’re going to…take the empire.”
A puff of exasperation escapes Corvan’s lips. “It wasn’t in my plans, but I fear I have no choice now. Ansar’s chosen a despicable path, and I can’t afford to let him consolidate his power.” All of a sudden, he looks contrite. “There isn’t anybody else that knows the empire my father built better than I. If Rahava is to survive and prosper, I don’t see any other alternative.” He takes my hand and plants a gentle kiss on the back. “All I ask is that you bear with me while I bring this chaos under control. I know being married to a bloody emperor wasn’t what you’d bargained for, but I swear, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you from the treachery of the court.”
A soft, incredulous laugh escapes me. He’s just so adorable like this; somehow apologizing for the fact that he’s about to seize power and fulfil his father’s grand plans for him—although I know he’ll do things his own way; he always does.
I can’t stop him. What he’s saying makes perfect sense. I’ve seen firsthand how he runs Tyron; how his men are still loyal to him despite the great transformation he’s undergone.
He regards me with the most earnest crimson gaze, his brow furrowing slightly. “What’s so amusing, hmm?”
“Well, I’d imagine that most eligible nobleborn ladies in the empire would be delighted to learn that they’re going to marry the future Emperor of Rahava.”
