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I double over from sudden pain as I stumble to a temporary stop. Technically, I did steal Hannah, and the lie is like a knife in my gut, causing a rift on my soul—a dark mark I’ll never be able to erase.
Rymus narrows his eyes at my obvious dishonesty. “You lie.”
“Hannah is my fated mate,” I inform him. “And that’s all you need to know.”
“Hannah.” He scoffs. “Such a human name. And your fated mate? That’s preposterous.”
“It’s true. In fact, it’s more common than you’d think.”
If the fae weren’t so proud and snobbish about diluting their gene pool, they might actually find a great reward in their open-mindedness. Maybe that’s why mate bonds are so uncommon in this world—we’re simply not casting a wide enough net to find our other half.
“Regardless of fate, kidnapping humans is illegal,” Rymus recites the law haughtily. “Not to mention, difficult to do. It requires magic.”
His words are as close to an accusation as you can get without coming right out and saying it. He suspects my power is great. He’s probably assuming I can create my own portals.
Portal makers are highly sought after.
In this moment, I realize Hannah and I never had a chance at being anonymous here. I wanted Valora to be our safe haven, but as long as I have my power, someone will always seek to use it.
If Rymus really wants to, he can have me arrested for kidnapping. He could propagate any number of excuses to bring me before the royals.
As if to prove my point, he continues listing my offenses, “I also know you’re taking up residence on a property that isn’t yours. In Olphene, the records for this place say it still belongs to the Day Realm council.”
A roundtrip to Olphene would’ve taken him at least a full day, so he must’ve left as soon as he met us to go check up on our story.
“We’ll leave soon,” I assure him. “Our presence isn’t hurting anyone in the meantime.”
“I have obligations, Ellister.”
“Obligations to do what? What do you want from me?”
“I’d like for you and your companion to accompany me to see the king.”
I was right. He’s trying to make a citizen’s arrest, and he’ll probably be rewarded handsomely for it, too.
Creating a scandal is the last thing I need to be doing. Yes, the world of Valora is tolerant of magical interference, but only to a certain degree. Getting discovered and ending up on royal radar could change the course of history. I don’t want that. Every event must play out just as it has—just as it will in the future.
“Then what?” I ask. “What will that accomplish?”
He shrugs. “The king will know what to do. He’s fair.”
A fair king? That’s about as rare as my vortex power. “And if I refuse?”
“Your willingness would be ideal, but it’s not required.”
Hannah and I won’t be leaving.
Neither will Rymus, unfortunately for him.
He doesn’t know it, but I’ve been leading him somewhere specific. I keep walking, almost lazily, and he stays at my pace while maintaining the safe distance between us.
When I get to the location I want, I come to a stop. So does he.
He’s right where I want him.
About fifteen feet behind him, I spot the hive in the tree, just a large sack hanging from a branch.
Right now, the bees are oblivious to us, unbothered by our presence.
