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“Maybe this is a good sign then.” My little brother is always incredibly optimistic, and I hope nothing steals that from him.
I thought I’d see if he had any visions last night that may help us in this journey. If there are any warnings or insight into what we might face. But, like he said, maybe seeing nothing is a good thing.
“I wish to join you.” He lifts his chin and puffs out his chest, and I know how badly he wants to fight, to prove himself.
I reach out to rest my hand on his shoulder with a squeeze. “But I need you here. If I don’t make it back or if something happens to me, then the crown will fall to you.” Pulling him in, I embrace him in a strong hug. “You staying here is just as important because I’m counting on you to lead in my stead.”
A look of determination settles over his face when I pull back to look down at him, my eyes lighting up at the strong boy in front of me who used to whack wooden swords at my shins.
“Plus, your dear, old mother needs company,” our mother says as she breezes gracefully in through the doorway, joining us for a small meal in her sitting room.
By small, I mean everything is the size of my left nut. Little snacks of appetizers that can be eaten in one bite. I grab a mini tea sandwich and pop it into my mouth.
Once she joins us, I don’t say a word. I don’t have to. I just keep my eyes steady on her deep ocean-blue ones. She sighs with a crease in her brows. “I wish I could tell you the answers you seek, but I know nothing else of what the future holds.”
The food suddenly turns bitter in my mouth as I clench my fists. I’m not angry with her, but I’m frustrated with walking into the unknown and putting Emma in harm’s way when every bone in my body seeks to protect her.
“All you can tell me is that fate demands the sacrifice of the one who holds the balance of two worlds, right?”
She nods. “I’m sorry.”
I hunch forward, elbows on my knees as I hold my head in my hands and grip my hair. Even with everything else going on, that one line has been weighing heavily on me.
“Draven, the only other thing I can say is to hurry back. That realm and its air are not safe for Fae.”
“I know. Trust me, the last thing we want is to overstay our welcome.” I lift my head, finding her gaze. “Do you think it will work?”
She turns her head away to look out the window with a distant look in her eye. “I believe that with magic and the power of love, anything is possible.”
I push to my feet. “I never once doubted where Emil gets his optimism from,” I say with a small chuckle.
“You should try it sometime,” Emil says with restrained laughter. “You do enough brooding for the lot of us.”
I turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “Now where would be the fun in that? Someone has to grunt curses down the halls.”
A hand squeezes my arm. “Please be careful, my son. I may be told many things by the stars, but nothing is ever certain. I can’t control what I cannot see.”
“I will do everything I can to make sure I come back to you.” She doesn’t have to tell me for me to know the fear she has is for where I’m headed. Her petite body slightly trembles, and her eyes are haunted by the memory of my father never returning. I can’t promise her I will, but I will fight like hell to do so.
“You must go.” She nudges me towards the exit. “I’ve had lots of food made for you all to eat and fuel your strength. You will need it.”
“Thank you,” I say as I stand over the threshold. “I’ll see you soon.”
Her lips quiver, but she simply nods with a tight smile as Emil races towards me to attack me in a hug.
“We’ll be waiting.”
Gently, I rub the back of his head to ruffle his hair that he refuses to cut and hold him a little tighter. We don’t leave until tomorrow at dawn, but I need the rest of the day and night to clear my head with no distractions. I need to make sure I’m alert and on guard.
The moment I release Emil and turn down the corridor to meet the others, my heart aches to leave them. But deep down, to my core, I’m ready to beat Whiro at his own game and free Emma from his threats.
“Are you going to swoop her off her feet and bring her here?” Fynn asks as he clears the rest of the food off his plate.
My expression is blank as I stare at him. “No.” I shake my head. “She will be here when she can.”
A shriek causes my heart to drop momentarily. “I still can’t believe you two are officially mated!” Cora jumps to her feet, swirling around in a circle while she hugs herself. “After all of this, we need to host a celebration.”
“Yeah, it’s not every day you find your fated mate,” Kye adds on with a small smile that has me doing a double take. It’s not often you see this burly man softening his features.
