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His eyes are the same green as mine.

“It’s passing,” I explained, finding my mouth was dry. “Rest will be good.” Proving my point, I rose to my feet, leaning against the bench as I oriented myself. Satisfied, I took my first step.

The Starlit King took my arm, insisting on giving me the extra support. Meanwhile, Rhett directed him toward our rooms.

As we walked, the Starlit King cleared his throat. “Once the agreement is signed, will you consider returning to Karenia with me? I’ve made countless mistakes, but now that we’ve found one another, please give me this chance.”

I blinked at him. I wanted to deny him now, cut off my ties before we became entangled any further. But telling him no wouldn’t be strategic. Until I could come up with something better, he needed to think I was interested.

“Let me think on it,” I said instead. “Karenia would be lovely.”

Chapter thirty

Bound

Zayne

Daughter.

His words echoed in my ears, choking all else out as I fisted the shadows around me. Forced to the darkness, I watched as the Starlit King helped Ayla back to our suite, Rhett and Rimu trailing behind them.

She washisdaughter.

By Teyr, it couldn’t be true. Except…

My gaze trailed the length of her growing antlers. They’d been such short nubs when we’d first met that I’d refused to see the truth: Once they reached their full size, her antlers would be as majestic as her father’s. And her magic… I had tasted her starlight, drank it to my core.

I should have recognized it.

There were countless signs I’d refused to see, and now that I forced myself to look, it was obvious: Ayla was her father’s daughter, through and through.

Not just his daughter.

She was hisheir.

Her role was undeniable. I’d felt it when the throne’s bond pierced her mind,razing our tether in the process. Everything had shifted so suddenly, so forcefully that I feared my chest would be ripped open and we’d lose the connection entirely. In the aftermath, our tether wasn’t the same.

It was a small relief to watch the color returned to Ayla’s cheeks as she neared the suite door, her strength growing with each step. Rhett opened the door for her.

At the threshold, the Starlit King turned to leave, catching Ayla’s gaze one last time. “Please consider what I said. The Starlit Isle could be your new home, if you wanted it.”

She nodded without answering.

All the same, fear raced through me. Regardless of what Ayla wanted, the call of the throne could only be ignored for so long before she was compelled.

I shadow-stepped into the suite, following the others inside. Rhett closed the door, and I barred it in place. “Help Ayla to the couch,” I instructed. “I’ll bring over water.”

Ayla shook off Rhett’s grip. “I can do it myself.” But she didn’t hide her exhausted plop onto the cushion.

Rimu paced about the room, responding to everyone’s nervous energy, as Rhett settled next to Ayla. I set a bowl of dried fruit and glass of water on the table before her.

“Stop acting so concerned.” Ayla took the water glass and threw half of it back in a single gulp. “I’ll be fine.”

I bristled under her assurances. She’d had two bombshells dropped on her. Her mind was now restructuring.

“Though when this is over, I think I’ll sleep for days,” she admitted.

I shook my head. “Forget the shards. We’re going now. I want you safe, I need you safe.”