But before I check him over, I just need to touch him.
He turns and opens his arms to me. Jumping from the second step up, I leap onto his body. I squeeze him tight, my legs wrapped around his waist.
I kiss him, and the metallic taste of blood hits my tongue. “You jackass. You almost died. Don’t do that again.”
“But I didn’t, thanks to you.” He kisses me again before nuzzling my cheek. “I appreciate the dagger, my queen. You’re my hero.”
“Hey, what about me?” Damon complains. “I’m the one who knocked Gia out.”
We ignore him. Our hair and clothes are damp from rain, sweat, and blood, but relief makes me feel light.
The danger is over.
Kirian presses his nose to my hair and inhales. “How did you get in?”
“Talon flew me up to the tower. Don’t worry.” I throw a look at Damon. “He’s safe. He went back to the stables after dropping me off.”
“You should’ve stayed in the nobles’ house,” Kirian says, but there’s no bark behind his words.
I twist my lips to the side. “I just saved your life.”
He lets out a resigned sigh. “That you did. As soon as I saw you, my strength increased, and I was able to get free.”
“I would’ve put Gia to sleep before she ran you through,” Damon huffs, insulted he’s not getting more credit. All that earns him is a scowl from both Kirian and me. At least he has the decency to look guilty. “I just wanted to find out how powerful this distilled Day water really is. Now I know.”
“When will she wake?” Kirian asks him, setting me down.
“Whenever I allow it, but I’ll have to stay near her. If I get more than fifty feet away, my influence will wear off in a matter of minutes.”
I start to fuss over Kirian’s wounds while he continues his conversation with Damon.
“She needs to stay asleep until the water leaves her system.” He raises his right arm so I can inspect a cut on his ribs. It isn’t deep, and the bleeding has already stopped.
In fact, all his injuries seem to be healing quickly. My finger goes over a scrape on his arm that’s already closed.
“How long will that be?” Damon wonders.
Kirian looks to Farrel. “If anyone would know the answer, it’s you.”
As Gia’s chosen mate gets up from King Keryth’s chair, he’s visibly trembling. “King Kirian, I can explain many things, if you’ll allow me.”
Kirian holds up a hand to silence him.
“First things first.” Tucking me close to his side, he turns to the frozen, wide-eyed fae still lingering in the hall. “I am your king, and this is your new queen. That isn’t changing anytime soon. It’s true that Quinn is my fated mate and the curse is broken. Spread the word: traitors who took advantage of my absence will be dealt with harshly.” When no one makes a move to leave, he shouts, “Go!”
After everyone has shuffled out, Kirian motions for Farrel to continue.
The dark-haired fae lowers himself to both knees, bowing his head while linking his hands behind his back.
“You take the position of someone who’s up for a beheading.” Kirian’s shocked by Farrel’s submission. “Why? You don’t want to fight me?”
“I don’t want to fight anyone,” he replies to the floor. “Not you, not your sister. I’m tired, my lord. Gia has made me do so many terrible things.”
Am I supposed to feel bad for this guy? “You pushed me through the portal.”
He nods. “I apologize. I never wanted to hurt you. Truly.”
“How did you manage to navigate the darkness?” I ask.
“A seeing spell Gia got from the witches,” Farrel replies, stealing a quick glance at Kirian. “The coven that cursed you, King Kirian—they contacted her about a year ago. They wanted to join forces with her. They said they would help her gain control of the Night Realm.”
“In exchange for what?” Kirian’s voice is hard.
“At first, it was information they were after. They wanted her to tell them right away if you found your mate, and she did as they asked.”
“What was their end goal? To hurt Quinn?”
Farrel grimaces. “I suppose. Gia wouldn’t tell me specifics. All she did was give me orders.”
“The first night in my room?” I persist, wanting all the answers. “That was you, too?”
“Yes. As I said, I couldn’t harm you. I could’ve killed you if I wanted to, but it’s not in my nature. I’ve never taken a life before.”
I start tapping my foot. “But the explosion and the poisoning? I could’ve died then.”
“That wasn’t my doing. A witch named Merina set up those catastrophes. When they failed, Gia sent me to end you before putting you back in your home world.”
A strange prickly sensation crawls up my neck, but it’s not a bad feeling. It’s the same one I’ve gotten before when I know someone’s being honest. I don’t know how I know Farrel’s telling the truth—I just do.
“You had mercy on my mate,” Kirian says, his tone unreadable. “You went against Gia. She was your superior and your mate, yet you defied her.”
Farrel gives a nod as he glances at the woman sprawled on the floor a few feet away. “Over these past several months, I’ve grown to hate her. As of now, I revoke our mating vows. I am no longer hers and she is not mine. As for how much of the water Gia ingested, it was a lot. I don’t know the exact amount, but she’s been like this before. It’ll be at least three days before she’s back to normal. The Glow—it’s addictive and dangerous.”
Kirian tilts his head. “Glow?”
“That’s what people have been calling it. If my powers were more useful, I might’ve become just as lost as Gia. I drank a few sips once. I could hear animals communicating as far as the Day Realm. I couldn’t sleep for two nights because it was so loud.” His dark-blue eyes
