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10 AELIA

The sound of birds chirping woke me early the next morning. The winter sun cast everything in a pale light. Tharan lay asleep next to me. I wanted to wake him, but I also wanted to freeze this picture of him in my mind: his wine-colored hair, the way his lips looked so lush and kissable even when he was asleep. His chest rose and fell with deep breaths, the way you sleep when you know you’re perfectly safe.

My eyes fell to his bare chest, and I traced his toned muscles down to where a deep v cut his hips. I bit my lip. My core quaked at the thought of him inside me. I could already imagine the beautiful feeling of my breath catching in my throat, as his sensual mouth claimed mine while our bodies became one. The delicious ache between my legs—a reminder of the passion we’d shared last night.

His eyes flickered open. “Enjoying the view?”

“Always,” I said, giving him a wink. “Thank you for last night. This place is amazing.”

“You’re welcome.” He pulled me in for a kiss. His mouth still tasted of the champagne we’d had the night before. “I wanted to make it a night to remember.”

“I’d say you succeeded.” A smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

Our foreheads touched, and Tharan let out a sigh. “Let’s just stay here and let the world melt away.”

“Both of us have too much of a conscience for that.”

He clicked his tongue. “Don’t I know it?”

“It’s still early, though.”

“Time is irrelevant when you’re a king. There are always things that need tending to, and with our impending travel, we must get back. A sleigh should arrive shortly, and we will be on our way.”

I lay back in the bed, dramatically draping my forearm over my eyes. “I don’t want to.”

Tharan trailed kisses down my arm, playfully nipping at my neck. I tried to steel my face, but I couldn’t help but smile when I was around him.

“The sleigh will be here shortly, and I’m sure you’ll want a hot cup of cocoa for the ride home.”

“Well, I guess I could be persuaded.”

“That’s what I thought.” He kissed my cheek before rolling out of bed.

I pulled the fur-lined cloak over my nightgown and slipped my feet into a pair of satin slippers while Tharan donned his white shirt and cloak. Taking my hand in his, he led me out of the sanctuary, back down the marble corridor, and into the chilly winter morning, where a sleigh pulled by two dappled draft horses waited for us. Tharan helped me to my seat.

We sped through the forest. I sipped hot cocoa while the trees sped by. As we approached the Alder Palace, a pit grew ever larger in my stomach. I didn’t want to leave this place—the first place I’d known true peace in fifteen years, but like most good things in my life, it was not meant to last.

Tharan pulled me close, and I reveled in his warmth. Neither of us said anything, not wanting words to spoil our remaining hours together.

Frost and Winter sprinted up to the sleigh when we arrived at the palace, whining and wagging their tails. Tharan helped me out before kneeling to let his wolves lick his face. Winter trotted over to me, nuzzling my hand with her nose.

“I’ve missed you too, girl,” I said, giving her a scratch on the neck.

She wagged her tail happily.

Hopper and Sumac appeared in the doorway. Each dressed in their respective traveling attire. Sumac in a light armor made of silver leaves and Hopper in a brass buttoned jacket. The morning sun caught in his amber eyes, illuminating the deep golden hues within. He stood the way only someone with military experience could: feet shoulder-width apart, eyes straight ahead, stoic expression on his handsome face. I imagined all the trouble Tharan and Hopper got into in their youth. Both handsome cadets—lovers would have fallen at their feet. An old version of myself would have felt jealous at that thought, but I knew Tharan only had eyes for me.

I hadn’t forgotten his proposition from the other night. I’d never been with two men at once. The idea was intriguing, but I didn’t want to hurt either of them, and these sorts of things usually ended badly.

“The servants have prepared your things, my Lord,” Hopper said, not breaking his gaze.

“Ah, very well then,” he took my hand. “We will ready ourselves to leave. Is Baylis awake?”

“Yes, she’s awake, and she is also ready to depart.”

“Good,” Tharan said, leading me into the palace. “Have everything packed and ready in an hour.”

My stomach tightened. “So soon?”

“There’s no sense in putting it off.” He squeezed my hand.

“You’re right.” I was going to have to face my fears sometime, so I might as well get it over with.

I stared at the bedchamber we shared for the last few weeks. It had become my home. I hadn’t felt comfortable in anyone’s bed but my own in a very long time, and Tharan made me feel like this was ours, not just some place where his lover slept. I ran my hand over the intricately patterned quilt, tracing the delicate designs made of fine thread.

“Aelia, it’s time.” Tharan stood in the doorway to his dressing room. His hair was tied back in an olive ribbon, and he wore his royal doublet, complete with the seal of the Alder King on the breast. I sucked in a breath and the sight of him. Power seemed to radiate from every pore. His skin glowed with vitality… with magic.

“What about the crown?” I asked.

“I am not that audacious. I’ll put it on when I get to Elohim.

“I wish I could see you walk into the Great Hall. I’m sure your grandfather will be shocked to see you.”

“More like annoyed. But he did agree to see me, so I guess that’s something.”

“I’ve heard stories of Elohim. How the streets are paved with gold.”

Tharan chuckled. “Not quite. White marble or granite, but yes, it is very lavish.”

I quickly changed into my traveling outfit: leather boots and a white tunic with a burgundy sweater over it.

“Are we meeting back here, or should I meet you in Elohim?”

“Back here. I doubt they’d let you through the gates.”

“That’s very true.” I strapped my dagger to my thigh.

“Ready?” he asked with a smile.

“I guess. There’s one last thing I need to do.”

I grabbed the Scepter of the Dead from where it sat on a plush pillow. “Take this, and I’ll meet you out front shortly.”

Tharan nodded, taking the scepter from me.

Can I come out for the trip? the Morrigan’s voice whined in my ear.

I rolled my eyes. “You can come out when we get to Ruska.”

Fine .

I kissed Tharan on the cheek and quickly ran to the stables, where Arion waited for me. He greeted me with a snort, and his breath turned to vapor in the cool air.

I snagged an apple from a barrel and laid it flat in my hand before offering it to Arion. He nibbled it delicately. I ran a loving hand over his velvet fur.

“I’m sorry I can’t take you on this adventure, boy.” I leaned in one last time to take in his scent before planting a kiss on his mane. We’d been through so much together, and it felt wrong to leave him. But he’d be safe here.

“Be good.” I gave him one last pat before returning to the castle.

Tharan entwined his hand with mine. Two carriages sat, ready to depart in opposite directions. Royal advisors and the palace staff lined the walkway, waving to us as we passed. Before we parted ways, Tharan turned to face them. “I appreciate everything you do for this kingdom and the Wild Courts. I will be gone for a long while. While I am away, Fionn, Master of Coin, and Wren, Master of Forestry, will be in charge. Please give them the same respect you would give me.”

The servants bowed their heads in respect. Some wiped tears from their eyes. In the short time Tharan had been the Alder King, his people had come to love him. A far cry from the iron fist Gideon ruled with.

Hopper and Sumac stood in front of Tharan’s carriage while Baylis waited for me in front of ours. I didn’t want to let go of Tharan’s hand. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

“You must be strong, my love. We will see each other again. And we have these.” He tapped his ear.

I mustered the best smile I could. “This isn’t goodbye.”

“No. We’ll see each other soon.” His hands cupped my face, and he leaned in for one last kiss.

The crowd cheered, and my cheeks reddened. Taking one last look at Tharan, I held a fist to my heart.

“I love you,” he whispered in my ear before escorting me into the black, lacquered carriage.

My heart twisted in my chest. In the heat of passion, I told Tharan I loved him, but now in the clear light of day, my hesitations returned in full.

Baylis took a seat across from me, and I fought the tears welling behind my eyes. A horrible feeling of dread swept over me, chilling me to the bone. I may not be a seer like my sister, but I knew enough to read the signs.

“It will be alright, Aelia. We’ll be back here in no time,” Baylis said, patting my knee.

I blew Tharan one last kiss. He caught it and put it in his pocket before disappearing into his carriage.

Fingers shaking, I lit a cigarette, hoping the smoke would calm my nerves.

“I know, I have to keep telling myself that. But I can’t shake this feeling that something is going to go terribly wrong.”

“Things have been going wrong for fifteen years, Aelia.” She took the cigarette from me and held it to her lips, inhaled, and blew the smoke out the little window of the carriage. “You’d think we’d be used to it by now.”

“Part of me thinks it’s good we haven’t yet. My humanity isn’t fully gone.”

The carriages pulled away, and I sunk into the plush seat, taking another drag off my cigarette. I wanted to turn my whisper stone to check if it worked, but I wasn’t ready to show Baylis yet.

We glided through the burned forest into the lush area unaffected by the battle that threatened to ruin an entire faction of sylph. A smooth ride, the elegant carriage was a far cry from the rattling boxes I’d traveled in as a mercenary. The trees reached into the heavens; their trunks so wide they carved tunnels through them. Snow trickled through the thick canopy as the horses trotted along. With each passing step, the knots in my chest tightened a little bit more.

With the dense snow and cold temperatures, it would take us weeks to get to Ruska, but luckily, there was a portal to the Alder Embassy a few days’ ride away—a precaution in case any adversaries ever got through.

Tharan would not be so lucky. Elohim would never allow a sylph court to portal into their territory. He’d have to go through countless checkpoints, and even then, he would be watched like a hawk. It would take at least a month, if not more, for him to get to Elohim, unless they allowed him to portal once he entered their territory.

I leaned back, cigarette to my lips. “What do you think Mother looks like now?” I inhaled the smoke into my lungs.

“Probably the same. She never aged in the years I knew her. They say all three need to be together for their powers to work—past, present, and future.” She stared out the window. The reflection of light off the snow made her pale complexion sparkle. Her hands twisted a handkerchief nervously.

“All these years, I’ve resented her for seeing my future and knowingly sending me to my doom. Now, I wonder if she could see anything at all,” I said.

Baylis bit her nail, shaving off little bits of herself. “I wonder why I can suddenly see things too. What did I see for Gideon? Is what I’m seeing correct or only the possibility of things to come?”

“Maybe Mother will have the answers. You saw the past before—Or… was that a memory?”

Baylis didn’t answer.

I stared out at the forest. A red cardinal flitted between the branches—a sign of good fortune. Perhaps my fears were unfounded.