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He remained silent for a painfully long amount of time, in which a hurt I didn’t quite know how to identify slowly sunk its talons into my mangled heart. The secret I was keeping about the truth of hismotherreared its head, but I forced it back again with the weight of my exhaustion.
“But that is what is required of a good King.”
I huffed sadly. “Yes… You are absolutely correct.”
Nakoa’s voice hardened into something cold. “If you’re to be Queen, I would want you to be the same. Nothing should ever come before our duty to our people. To the Kingdom.”
Exhaustion settled deeply inside me. I only managed a soft hum of agreement.
“And I don’t see how that’s a hindrance to being a good mate, Mareina.”
A heavy sigh of resignation left me as I could no longer hold back since I’d first learned of his manipulations. And even more so since he’d confessed that his vision had told him thatIwas the one to kill Zurie. Which would be glorious and all if I didn't feel like I was doing his dirty work for him, and he had no qualms with the fact that I might potentially die doing so.
“Because I would never sacrifice your happiness and wellbeing to achieve those things… It may be short-sighted and selfish, but if it came down to it, I would never want, much less ask, for you to risk and potentially sacrifice your life to help me fucking take the throne.”
The words were bitter, finally leaving my mouth. Nakoa’s gaze snapped to mine in understanding.
“Mareina…”
“I know we have no otherreasonablechoices, Nakoa. I’m going to uphold my vow… I would fucking burn this Kingdom to the ground for you if it meant protecting you, despite our differences… And as much as I can objectively appreciate what a noble endeavor this all is… I just won’t ever be able to fully give myself to someone who doesn’t love enough to reciprocate that.”
Nakoa sat there for several moments. My eyes, blessedly, remained dry. Instead of feeling heartbroken, I just felt… A draining combination of numbness and sadness.
“… Goodnight, Mareina.”
Chapter
Fifty-One
MAREINA
Iwoke to strong arms cradling me against a broad, muscled chest as Malekai’s sea salt and embers scent enveloped me. Overwhelming relief and warmth inspired me to nuzzle deeper. A deep hum of pleasure sounded from his chest.
“Sorry to wake you, but I couldn’t let you sleep on that lumpy couch.”
A few moments later, Malekai set me on Val’s guest bed. “I don’t want you to sleep on that lumpy couch either.”
“Mmmmm… As much as I’m dying to crawl in that bed with you, I’m not sure yoursoulboundwouldn’t attempt to kill me for it.”
I gave a sad huff.
“I doubt it. He wants Zurie dead too badly and is relying on us to make it happen… We can both remain clothed. It’s not an invitation that’s sexual in nature. ”
Malekai chuckled as he sat beside me, sweeping back the hair from my face. “Oh? That’s a shame.”
Laughter, no matter how fleeting, liberated the weight on my chest. His large hand settled on my cheek, and my own reached up to hold it there. My chest ached with emotion and gratitude as tears suddenly pricked my eyes. He had a way of doing that, even with such a small gesture.
“For a hundred years, you’ve been my light in the dark, Malekai.”
“And in the glaring brightness of harsh reality, you’ve been my blessed, dark reprieve.”
My throat struggled to work past the clogging emotion stuck in my throat. Malekai leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. My eyes squeezed shut, sending tears streaking down my cheeks. He pulled back quicker than I’d have liked, eyes darting to where my hand held his against my face. A pleasantly surprised look on his face.
“Well, hello…”
I followed his gaze to see the dark red tendrils of my magic curling around his hand and up his harm.
“Oh gods, sorry…”
