“I thought it was strange too, but I only saw her for a few moments and she was fine, so I just assumed all was well and someone was watching her back. I thought nothing more of it.”
I’m fuming as I snatch him around the neck and slam him against the wall. “Why the fuck didn’t you come and tell someone right away?”
He clasps my wrist as I squeeze his neck. How incredible it would be to get this weasel out of our lives for good. I’ve never liked or trusted him, but what reason would he have to lie about this? And… his story fits perfectly with the notion that she couldn’t bear to be here during Ahren’s marriage, so she ran away.
An invisible hand seems to wrap around my heart, constricting, the aching sorrow escalating. She wouldn’t leave Luther and I… but that’s something I struggle to believe, even after everything we’ve been through.
Jasion is hitting my arm, his face turning blue. Oh, right. Probably best I don’t choke Ahren’s mage to death on this auspicious day.
I pull my hand back and he falls to the ground, his knees buckling under him, gasping for air.
“The second you see her, bring her right to me, understand?” I growl.
He nods. “Of course, Your Highness,” he croaks.
I can’t stand to even look at him a moment longer, so I turn and march down the corridor, making my way down to the stables. Looks like I’m taking a quick trip along the walls for any signs of Guendolyn and pray to the gods that she’s alive.
I’ll tear down this whole fucking realm to find her if that’s what it takes.
Guendolyn
I burst out of darkness and into a dimly lit room. My eyes scan the surroundings, expecting to see my bedroom in the mansion.
Except, that’s not where I end up, is it? The stench of the dungeon assaults my nostrils as I stand right back in the locked cell.
“Oh, fuck no!” I spin toward the portal that has vanished and curse the damn thing for never listening to my instructions.
I rub my eyes from irritation, ready to scream. I lift my hand to my mouth, but doubt floods me. God only knows where I’ll end up. But when I remember my mother’s words, I know I have no time to waste—I have to try.
Part of me just wants to celebrate that I found my real mother, that I finally understand my past. Sure, it was majorly fucked up, but it’s a start to piece it all together and attempt to move on. So for that, I’ll go in and out of my portal as many times as needed, pushing my limits until it takes me where I ask.
I remind myself that I have fairy powers, whatever that means. If I knew how to wield them, I’d zap out of here in a heartbeat and smite all those who’ve hurt me and those I love. Though considering how much difficulty I’ve had with utilizing my power, I somehow feel that it’s going to take quite a bit of time to harness them.
Geez, what I wouldn’t give for a manual—Using Fairy Powers 101.
A sudden creak of the main door into the dungeon erupts, along with footfalls.
I freeze over, terror clinging to me with the fear that it’s Jasion returning.
Frantically, I press the base of my palm to my mouth, sucking in a breath.
“Gainy? What in the world are you doing here?” a familiar male’s voice murmurs.
I twist my head and almost cry with happiness when I lay eyes on Michae. “Oh my god, you found me!” I dart across the filthy floor and lunge myself at the metal bars, shaking them. “Let me out, please, before Jasion returns.”
“He put you in here?” His voice carries a quiver.
“The bastard accused me of killing the king and is planning to murder me, plus he’s in cahoots with some old fae I’ve never seen before. God, Michae, please get me out.” I’m rambling and bouncing on my toes, half expecting the mage to burst in here and murder him before he can set me free.
Michae searches the place but comes back with sorrowful eyes. “The spare key isn’t here. I need to it.”
I nod, my stomach twisting that he’s going to leave me. “Please hurry!”
“Yes, I will,” he assures as he rushes out, leaving me alone.
I pace back and forth and pray I’m not making the wrong decision to wait.
Chapter 15
Ahren
“Where are they?” I ask Mael, frustration bleeding into my tone. “My brothers couldn’t have just disappeared.”
His brown eyes are wild with worry, and he keeps combing his fingers through his short, white hair in a nervous twitch. Like everyone else, he’s dressed for the wedding in black pants and a leather doublet with silver buttons down the front. The fabric pulls across his middle, and his brow is moist with perspiration.
“Your Highness, I’ve sent the guards for another search through the grounds. We will find them.”
I huff and turn away, biting my tongue. It’s not him I’m furious at. It’s this whole fucked-up situation. I’m here, waiting for the maids to bring my ceremonial clothes, and it’s killing me. I want this shit day over with.
Today I will marry a princess, a stranger, a woman I don’t desire, and the coronation ceremony will take place immediately after. The kingdom is celebrating my ascension to king, and I tell myself over and over that once I am in that position of power, I can change things.
Well, all things except the ability to have the woman I want by my side.
I had hoped Luther and Deimos would join me today for support, but it seems I’ve been forgotten, left behind. One more reason to hate this day.
“Having cold feet?” a male voice slices through my thoughts, a voice that sends chills through me.
“Father,”
