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The implication hangs in the air between us.

Jake and Matt are dead. And now I’m sharing a bed with the prince who everyone thinks killed them.

“I didn’t ask for any of this,” I say, and Sophia gives me a sad smile.

“None of us did.” She hesitates, then adds, “Just be careful, okay? The ones they favor the most are the ones who fall the hardest.”

With that warning, she follows Victoria, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the crushing weight of likely isolation from here on out.

As if I wasn’t already isolated enough after Jake and Matt were murdered by the Night King for touching something of his.

But that wasn’t about me. It was about Aurora, who positioned herself in the perfect place to make it look like it the murders were done for me and not for her.

I have no idea why she did it, but I’m going to find out. And luckily, it’s easy to find her. She’s where she always is—reading in the courtyard like it’s her own private sanctuary, her spine straight, her movements elegant, her stillness calculated.

She looks up as I approach, her perfect features arranged in an expression of mild curiosity.

“Prince Aerix’s favorite has graced us with her presence,” she says as she stands, but there’s no bite to her words. Just a quiet observation.

“I know it was you,” I say, skipping pretense.

“Know it was me who did what, exactly?” She tilts her head, like a predator assessing potential prey.

“I know the king killed Jake and Matt to protect you.” The words tumble out faster than I intend. “I figured it out from the handwriting on the notes. It wasn’t Aerix’s.”

“And now you’ve come to... what?” she asks with a smile. “Confront me? Blame me?”

“I’ve come to thank you,” I say, surprising us both.

Her brows lift. “For the deaths of two boys?”

“For helping me.” I lean forward, dropping my voice despite the empty courtyard. “Jake was making me uncomfortable. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. And Matt...” I swallow hard, thinking about what he did to Sapphire. “He was emotionally abusive to my best friend. He broke her spirit. He deserved what he got.”

The words feel strange on my tongue. Like they belong to someone else. Because I’m not supposed to celebrate murder, no matter how much I hate the victim. Yet here I am, doing just that.

And I don’t feel sorry about it.

Aurora studies me for a long, silent moment.

“I didn’t ask the king to kill them,” she finally says. “But he’s... protective. If someone touches what he values, they bleed for it.”

“The king truly values you?” I ask, my throat tightening before I can ask what I’mreallywondering.

Does the king love you?

Can Aerix love me?

Do night fae even know what love means?

Aurora’s laugh is soft, almost musical. “He values, but he doesn’t love,” she says, as if the question was written all over my face. “Not like humans do. But he possesses completely, and with his possession comes protection and security. With it, I’m able to live without fear, knowing that if anyone dares to touch me, they’ll pay the price.” She pauses for a moment, sizing me up. “That’s what you want, too, isn’t it? What youcrave?”

I nod, fascinated despite myself.

“It’s what I have with Aerix,” I finally say. “When we’re alone, he treats me like he cares about me.”

Like he loves me.

“You’re special, Zoey.” Aurora reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I saw it the moment you arrived here. Most humans cower or break soon afterward, but you adapted. It’s a gift your prince clearly recognizes.”