Page 54

I rose from my throne as she strode toward me, her cloak rippling behind her like a pair of midnight wings. Her glossy hair was brilliant black, and her eyes…her ice blue eyes held stars. For a moment, I was dumbfounded by her beauty. Then the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen smiled at me. And I knew I’d never be the same again.

“King Oberon,” she said as she came to a stop before me. “I must say, I expected more of a greeting when I arrived in your fair city.”

“My apologies, Queen Bellicent.” I jogged down the steps of the dais and held out a hand. “Please don’t take it as a slight. I—”

“You wanted to make a point. You don’t approve of me or the goings on in my kingdom. Trust me, I understand what it looks like. That’s why I came to visit you.”

She took my hand as if to shake it, but I could not help but lift her delicate fingers to my lips and drop a kiss onto her skin.

Blushing, she cleared her throat and pulled away.

“Again, my apologies.” I shook my head at myself. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“It’s all right, King Oberon. I appreciate the warm welcome, even if you didn’t greet me at your city gates.”

“Just call me Oberon. No need for titles.”

She smiled.

I motioned toward the doors leading out of the Great Hall. “Shall we go for a walk? I can show you the city, and you can fill me in on whatever you came here to speak with me about.”

Her eyes brightened, although that seemed almost impossible for how bright they already were. “I would like that very much.”

Together, we walked along the battlements on top of the wall surrounding my city. I showed her the market full of its bountiful stalls. I pointed out the Temple and the lively inns. And, from a distance, I showed her Teine, where a village full of humans had chosen to build their lives. She told me about her family, her kingdom, her former husband, and his plans to turn to the gods. Gods that she did not worship herself.

And then we moved on to more sensitive topics. We shared our dreams. We shared our loves and what we’d lost over the years. A one-week stay turned into a month. And then another. Six months passed quicker than either of us realized. Long enough for me to memorize every inch of her skin.

But one day, we woke up from our haze of lust and love. Her son had sent a letter.

“I must go. I’m needed back in Dubnos.” She climbed out of bed and reached for her robe.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me. “Marry me, Bellicent. I want you to be my wife.”

With a sad smile, she palmed my cheek. “My love, I cannot. My kingdom needs me.”

“We can join our kingdoms together. Light and Shadow can become one. Together, we could be invincible.”

“And who will rule over this joint kingdom?”

“We would rule it together, of course.” I searched her eyes. “Or you can rule it all, if that’s what you want. I would give it all up for you. That’s how much I want you in my life.”

“Oberon.” She dropped her forehead to mine. Her lavender perfume curled around me, achingly familiar by now. I did not think I could handle never again smelling that scent.Herscent. “I will not take your kingdom away from you. And I cannot give you mine. Aesir has been three kingdoms for centuries upon centuries. It should remain that way.”

“Then we leave them as they are,” I said quickly. “You will rule your kingdom, and I will rule mine, and we can still wed.”

She shook her head. “My reign is unstable, and you know it. That’s why I came to you in the first place for an alliance. Kalen will make a good king, but he is not ready. If I’m to wed you, it will need to be in the future when I can come live here with you without worry of what might happen.”

Bellicent pulled away, grabbed her robe, and padded across the room with the hearth’s fire casting an orange glow upon her beauty. Deep down, I’d known her answer. And I understood it was the right thing for her to do. For her kingdom. But selfishly, I would do anything to convince her to stay. Her place was with me. I wanted her by my side for eternity.

She smiled at me while I watched her dress. “I do love you, Oberon.”

My heart lifted. “See me again soon. Come back after you take care of your kingdom’s business.”

“People are already gossiping about my time spent here with you.”

“There’s a cave,” I said. “In the mountains behind Albyria. We can meet there, and no one would have to know. In two months’ time?”

Her smile lit up the entire room. “Tell me how to get there.”