Page 36

EMBER

B eing a prisoner of the shadow fae palace wasn’t what I had expected it to be.

After all, I was held prisoner by my daughter, insisting she stay with her father and learn more about him—a father whom she didn’t have the privilege to meet growing up because of me.

I couldn’t very well leave my daughter and return to the human realm without her.

Thus, my being held in the palace. Guilt gnawed away at my insides as I tailed Drake and Melodina, touring the gardens.

Three weeks had passed, with Melodina tailing Drake everywhere he went.

And I had never seen a male happier. He even allowed Melodina into his meetings with the other fae royals, and she’d sit on his lap while he conducted.

Drake had also been teaching Melodina how to use her magical gifts.

Already she was good at teleporting. Pride had shone in Drake’s eyes as he’d told me it was a rather advanced spell for her to master.

A part of me could understand why she did it—why she had chosen to stay with her father rather than return home with me.

She’d felt betrayed by my lies. Along with that, she never had any real friends growing up as a kid; she’d always been made to feel different.

Here, in the fae lands, she wasn’t. She had found someone who looked like her.

Her father. And she had reclaimed what she’d never had while growing up—a loving, doting father.

Though a part of me was still hurt by her insistence to stay as if she chose Drake over me.

The small knot of hurt coiled and writhed inside of my chest.

However, the small knot of hurt lessened some when I saw how Melodina thrived under Drake’s care. I found myself in awe as I witnessed how gentle and caring he could be—what he was to our daughter.

“Papa, Papa, Look!” Melodina cried as she raced ahead of him on her little legs. She stopped before a flower with a periwinkle blue trumpet and pink stem. “Isn’t it pretty?”

Drake stilled the same time I did. My heart pounded inside my chest. It was a flordastel flower—my favorite flower, the one of my homeland.

I had discovered it in these very gardens with Drake all those years ago.

He had comforted me when I’d missed my homeland.

My gaze lifted, my wide eyes colliding with Drake’s.

“Isn’t it the prettiest flower here, Papa?” Melodina asked. I glanced at her to find her sniffing the flower. “It smells good. I think it’s my favorite flower here!”

Melodina spun around, a sly grin on her cheeks. “Daddy, why don’t you give the flower to Momma?”

My eyes narrowed as I glared at my daughter. Her grin only grew cheekier.

The little minx is trying to play matchmaker! I thought with dismay. Though my inner wolf barked in amusement, her tongue lolled out in happiness .

Drake took the flower and plucked it from its stem.

He slowly approached me as if I were a frightened doe.

I remained rooted where I stood, watching him, my breaths quickening.

He reached out and tucked the flower into my hair.

He stepped back a little, admiring my profile with the flower in my hair.

He smiled softly at me. “You’re right, Melodina,” he told his daughter. “I think this is my favorite flower, too.”

My heart tripped over itself at the softness in his eyes as he gazed at me. I knew these feelings, this reaction I had to him. And I couldn’t feel this way.

Shit…I’m beginning to fall in love with him all over again.

My inner wolf growled her displeasure at me. Well, who was I kidding? I had never grown out of love with Drake. My hurt and betrayal had just smothered the emotion so thoroughly that it was easy to ignore, to forget.

I can’t love him. I just can’t. He’ll hurt me all over again.

I drew away from Drake, my gaze lowering to the cobblestone path underneath my feet. Then I felt a small hand grasp mine. I looked up to find Melodina holding my hand, offering a reassuring smile. In her right hand, she held her father’s. She brought both our hands together until we touched.

“Mama, Papa,” Melodina said. “Friends!” She smiled wide as her gaze flicked between Drake and me.

I found my throat had closed off. It was difficult to drag in precious oxygen. Drake stared at me with a tenderness that stole my breath away. His fingers entwined with mine, and I could read in his eyes the lingering plea.

Trust me .

But could I? Could I trust him with my heart once more?

Rapid footfalls broke the connection. Drake dropped my hand as he spun around to face his guards advancing toward him as they shouted for ‘His Majesty.’ I fisted my hand, feeling the cold absence of Drake. Shaking my head to dispel my thoughts, I tuned into what the guards were saying.

“Your Majesty! We have received urgent news from the summer fae king,” One of the fae males said as the three guards drew to a stop before us.

I felt my gut clench instantly. Drake and I had been waiting for retaliation from the summer fae. Was this it?

“The summer fae king has just declared war on the shadow fae.”

The world tilted on its axis, and I found my knees grew weak. Pressing a hand to my temple, it took every ounce of control within me to stay upright. War?!

“War?” Drake hissed.

The guards nodded. “A messenger bird dropped this scroll to us moments ago.” He handed Drake said scroll. Drake read over the contents, his eyes hardening with each word.

I licked my lips. “What’s it read?”

Drake sighed. “He wants Melodina. And he will fight for her. My Troops and I are to meet him in battle tomorrow at Reaper’s Peak on the battlefield.”

I felt my stomach roil as if threatening to empty its contents of the breakfast I had earlier. I reached for Melodina, placing her on my hip and holding her close to me.

Drake let out a vicious snarl. “Rally my troops,” he commanded the guards. “We’ll leave tomorrow at daybreak. ”

They bowed low. “Yes, Your Majesty!” Then they pivoted and raced away.

“Drake,” I said, gaze pleading. “This land isn’t safe for Melodina. Let us return to the human realm where she will be out of harm’s way.”

Drake shook his head. “No,” he said. He placed a palm on Melodina’s back, and she looked up at him. “You and Melodina will be better protected in our lands. If you go to the human realm, enemy fae can easily take you both.”

I read what was left unspoken in his eyes, l ike the last time they took Melodina.

I gnawed on my lower lip as a wave of indecision crested within me. Drake took my hand.

“Come,” he said.

He led us out of the garden and into the safety of his palace.

I woke up to dawn’s early light slanting into my bedroom through the window. I yawned, then glanced down to find Melodina tucked against my front. Yesterday, we had shortly retired to bed once Drake was called away to a war meeting. This time he hadn’t allowed Melodina to sit in.

I brushed the back of my hand against her cheek and gazed lovingly at her. War. With the summer fae. There would be many casualties on both sides. My heart clenched as I thought of Drake on the battlefield, falling under enemy swords.

I shook my head fiercely. No, he wouldn’t die. He was too strong .

Melodina’s eyes cracked open. Her gaze lifted to me. “Good morning, Mama.”

“Good morning,” I replied, though my stomach writhed at what this morning would bring.

The door to my bedroom opened. I turned to find Drake entering. He donned his battle armor, black plating surrounding his chest and waist, stretching across his legs and arms like the tough plating of a rhinoceros. His hair was pulled up in a severe top knot, likely to not impede his fighting.

He stepped toward us, his gaze solemn. “I have my best men outside of your door. They’ll guard you and our daughter with their life.”

I nodded, believing him.

His lips pulled in a frown. “I must go lead my troops.” Yet, he remained as if rooted to the floor. I could tell he was hesitant to leave us. As if he didn’t trust we would be safe within the walls of his palace and wished to be by our side.

I sat up and slipped my hand into his. Drake’s eyes snapped wide at my intimate contact.

I peered into his eyes. “Go. We’ll be fine.” I squeezed his hand hard. “But please be careful.”

Drake looked into my eyes, and it felt as if he saw into me, saw my innermost feelings and thoughts. I fought not to squirm, to not let the love I held for him shine through. He couldn’t know because I couldn’t stay here forever.

After a long moment, Drake blinked. A slow smile touched his lips. He squeezed my hand back. “Thank you, Ember.”

Melodina crawled over my lap to kneel in from of her father. Worry shone in her round gaze. “Please be safe. ”

Drake’s gaze softened. “I will be,” he promised.

Melodina opened her arms, and Drake pulled her in for a tight embrace. “I love you, Papa,” Melodina whispered fiercely.

Drake’s eyes widened in wonder, his lips parting as a slow exhale breezed from him.

He pulled back slightly and looked at his daughter.

A crooked grin splayed across his face. He dropped to his knees and gathered Melodina into his arms once more.

“I love you, too,” he said. His gaze flicked to me. “Both of you.”

Shock whipped through my insides. I inhaled sharply.

H-he…loves me…?

My inner wolf dropped to her belly before rolling over onto her back, preening for our mate and basking in the confession.

Could I really believe that Drake loved me? Uncertainty created a hollow in my heart.