He doesn’t want anyone to know he can see. Clever.
Facing straight ahead, he gives the woman a few comforting pats. “I assure you, I’ll make this right.”
As soon as he utters the promise, she lets out a sob of relief. “Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you.”
Before she can start kissing his feet, he steps back. “My mate has been found. I need you to keep her and the griffin safe while I tend to business at the palace.”
“Of course. Anything you need.” Glancing over her shoulder, the fae woman doles out a couple orders to a female in servants’ clothing, telling her to put Talon in the stables and heat up some soup for me.
“Kirian, please,” I beg quietly. “I want to go with you.”
All my instincts are yelling that we need to stay together, but from the stubborn set of his jaw, I can tell he won’t budge on this.
My unbendable king.
Kirian plants a swift kiss on my mouth before backing away. “Don’t let Quinn out of your sight and protect her with your life if need be.”
He sends me a heat-filled glance and mouths, “I love you.”
I mouth it back.
Then he takes off with Damon, flying straight for the castle. I want to stand here and make sure they get inside, but there’s a small fae boy pulling me into the house while babbling about wanting to show me his toys.
The door shuts behind me, and our greeter takes my soaked coat. “Hello, Quinn, I’m Nalia, and this is my mate Garryn.” The dark-haired woman gestures to the blond man who’s still peering out the window.
He seems way more interested in what’s happening out there than having a houseguest. I’m not insulted. I’m just glad they’re being friendlier now than they were at the ball. I recognize them. They were amongst the fae whispering about my unappealing appearance.
Guess dealing with a stolen family member really puts things into perspective. Who has time to gossip about my freckles when their daughter is missing?
I feel a tug on my hand, and I glance down at the boy. He’s like a little clone of his mother, with his inky hair and yellow eyes. “I have a griffin, too. Wanna see?”
“Gerris, stop hounding the future queen.” Nalia shoots him an unhappy look.
“It’s okay,” I say with a smile. “I like kids.”
“You’ll play with me?” Gerris bounces, still holding onto my fingers.
“Sure. If that’s okay with your mom.” I glance at Nalia, and her mouth is hanging open.
She seems surprised, and I’m guessing a member of the royal family has never offered to babysit before.
“All right,” she says pleasantly, recovering quickly. “Are you hungry?”
“No, thank you.” Although I haven’t eaten since the spaghetti and meatballs last night, my worry is overshadowing my appetite right now.
I hate being away from Kirian. It feels wrong.
At least I have entertainment to distract me. Leading me in front of a stone hearth with a blazing fire, Gerris dumps a wicker basket full of carved wooden animals. One of them is a griffin.
While Nalia watches us from a rocking chair in the corner, he runs circles around me, pretending to fly it through the air. When he asks me to help him line all the animals up, I do, although my fingers are still trembling from the scary ride here.
Thunder rumbles, and I glance outside. I didn’t think it was possible for the sky to get darker, but somehow it does. Hail starts pinging against the window and hitting the house.
“Nalia,” Garryn says, his breath fogging up the glass. “Take cover in the cellar.”
“Is that necessary?” she asks, her clasped hands tightening with concern.
Lightning flashes three times, and much to my horror, it illuminates the clouds. They’re circling faster now, like it could turn into a tornado any second. Suddenly, a bright bolt shoots straight down into the castle.
I feel a sizzle in my chest and dizziness makes my head sway from side to side.
Kirian.
Something happened to him. I know it.
Fear jolts through my heart as the burning heat continues. Sweat breaks out on my forehead, and my vision temporarily blurs.
I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s bad.
Kirian needs me, and I can’t just sit here and do nothing.
“I’m gonna go check on Talon,” I announce, rising on wobbly legs.
Nalia stands so abruptly she almost knocks the chair over. “But we’re not to let you out of our sight.”
Moving in front of the door, she appears to be ready to physically stop me from leaving, and from the knowing press of her lips, I’d say she can read through my bullshit.
We both know I’m not stopping at the stables.
Stiffening my spine, I try to sound as royal as I can. “I’m going to be queen. It’s my duty to take care of Valora. If I have to venture to the Day Realm myself to get your daughter, I will.” I’m surprised to realize I mean it. I care about these people, even if they haven’t always respected me. “But I won’t be able to do that if the king is dead.”
Nalia must hear the truth in my statement, because she slowly shuffles out of the way, sending a resigned look to her husband.
I don’t waste any time. My shoes are still wet from the ride here, and they squish when I fit my feet inside. Deciding to leave the heavy coat behind, I reach for the doorknob. A soft touch to my shoulder makes me pause. I glance to my left.
Garryn’s towering over me, and for a second, I think he might toss me over his shoulder and restrain me.
Instead, he presses a sheathed dagger into my palm. “It isn’t much, but it’s better than being unarmed.”
Gulping, I nod. I’ve never used a weapon before. Hell, I’ve never even punched anyone. I’m not sure if I’d have the balls to stab someone, but it does make me feel better to have it.
As I sprint to the stables, I get soaked all over again. The
