Page 24

Rowen cursed, running a hand through his hair. "This is exactly why Callum can't be part of this. The bond is dangerous—it's affecting her too strongly."

"It's affecting her because it's incomplete," I countered, moving to the other side of the bed to face him directly. "You know how this works, Rowen. A partial bond is more dangerous than a complete one."

"The council?—"

"Fuck the council," I snapped, my patience evaporating. I stood, my daggers materializing in my hands as I began to pace. I twirled them between my fingers—a nervous habit I'd never been able to break. "Since when does the Lord of the Underworld bow to a bunch of bloated aristocrats who haven't left their mansions in centuries?"

Rowen's eyes flashed with anger. "Watch yourself, assassin."

"I've served you for three hundred years, Rowen," I said, continuing to spin my daggers. "I've killed for you. I've bled for you. But I won't stand by while you let politics get in the way of what's right."

"Politics?" Rowen snarled, rising to his full height. His horns lengthened as shadows clustered around him. "If I cross into the Fae realm uninvited, it could be seen as an act of war. Kings don't visit other realms without formal invitation and extensive diplomatic preparation."

"This isn't a state visit," I replied, refusing to back down. "This is about her." I nodded toward Sierra's unconscious form. "And about what's happening in the Fae realm. You felt it too—something dark is rising. It took advantage of the death of your mother, and the wounding of Maxiun."

Rowen's jaw tightened. "All the more reason for me to stay here and secure my own realm."

"All the more reason for us to stand together," I argued. I took a deep breath, carefully choosing my next words. "Besides, we're not just kings and subjects anymore. We're part of the same bonded circle now. That changes the rules."

Rowen stilled, his gaze thoughtful. "Explain."

I slid my daggers back into their sheaths and approached him, lowering my voice. "The ancient laws predate even the divisions between our realms. A bonded circle exists outsidenormal diplomatic protocols. You wouldn't be visiting as the Lord of the Underworld. You'd be visiting as Callum's bonded."

"We haven't completed the bond," Rowen pointed out.

"But the connection exists. We all felt it through Sierra just now." I gestured toward her still form. "And these are extraordinary circumstances. Callum didn't just take the throne—he ascended during a crisis after his father died. A father you also had a relationship with."

Rowen's tail lashed, but less aggressively now. He was considering it.

I pressed my advantage. "Besides, it's time, Rowen. It's time for you and your brother to reconcile."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "That's none of your concern."

"It is when it affects all of us." I met his gaze steadily. "You both lost the same mother. You can grieve together. You should honor her memory together."

"Don't speak of my mother," he growled, though I heard pain beneath the anger.

"She would have wanted her sons united," I said quietly. "You know that."

"She's the one that parted us after my father died." Rowen turned away, his shoulders tense. For a long moment, he stared into the shadows gathering in the corners of the room. When he spoke again, his voice was rougher. "Even if I agreed, Callum can't leave the Fae realm so soon after ascending. The magic that crowned him will bind him to the land for at least a moon cycle."

"Then we go to him," I said simply. "All three of us."

Rowen laughed harshly. "And leave my realm undefended while the council plots behind my back? I don't think so."

"Appoint a regent. Designate one of your loyal lords to oversee things for a few days."

"A few days," Rowen scoffed. "You think this will be resolved in a few days?"

A soft moan from the bed interrupted us. Sierra was stirring, her eyelids fluttering. I moved to her side immediately, taking her hand in mine.

"Sierra? Can you hear me?"

She blinked slowly, her silver eyes focusing on my face. "Archer?" Her voice was hoarse. "What happened?"

"You connected with Callum through the bond," I explained, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. "It was intense."

Sierra tried to sit up, wincing. "He's hurting. And scared, though he'd never admit it." Her gaze shifted to Rowen. "We need to go to him."