Page 31

Chapter Thirty-One

A elia

After recounting the lengthy details of my imprisonment and muddled bloodline for the entire flight back to the Conservatory—leaving out the more embarrassing specifics, like the frequent delusional appearances—Sol fell silent upon our descent.

For the past half hour, I’d been sandwiched between Mordrin and Phantom, both Shadow Princes watching me with such intensity it felt as if I’d been physically assaulted. They each regarded me with a mixture of fear and uncertainty, like I could disappear again at any moment.

On occasion, I would meet Ruhl’s anxious gaze, offering a reassuring smile, while it was all I could do to keep my narrowed glare off Reign. There was something different about him. The brutal, blood-thirsty images of the male clearly embedded in my mind were at odds with the Fae prince before me.

Tossing the pointless thoughts from my mind, I focused on the swath of radiant, lush land quickly approaching. The academy stretched out before us, the glorious sun-kissed spires twisting so high I was certain they would reach the sky. Raysa, how I’d missed the sun. And Luce. I never thought it would’ve been possible. Even if we were only to remain for a night, I wished to enjoy every minute of it.

My thoughts flickered to another home, my first one in Feywood. Aidan ! How could I have forgotten about him—again? I needed to see him right away. He must have been so worried.

How is Aidan ? I threw the question through our bond.

Devastated at your disappearance. As we all were. Obviously .

I must see him. My heart began to flutter, life breathed into my faltering organ at the thought of my adoptive father.

Soon, Aelia. We must determine the best course of action first.

But he must be so worried.

Reign already sent word of your rescue through one of his shadows.

Why would Aidan even associate with the Fae charged to destroy me?

As Sol angled his wings toward the earth, I dismissed the thought, and instead, reveled in the warm sunlight cutting through my training leathers, ignoring the odd sense of foreboding settling in. If I could, I would spend the rest of the evening basking on the lawn just to soak in every last drop.

That won’t be possible . You must remain hidden for the length of your short stay . Sol’s voice put an end to my sunny musings. Everyone on campus believes you to be dead. Draven included .

Right… I suppose maybe now is a good time for you to catch me up on everything that’s happened here in my absence.

That would be the job of your cuoré as he is the one who’s taken the lead in your rescue efforts.

Ruhl dealt with Draven?

No, Aelia, Reign.

Why does everyone keep saying that? Reign is not my cuoré. He is my enemy, bound by a blood vow to destroy me .

Sol huffed out a breath through his nostrils, slivers of smoke darkening the air around his snout. I fear there is much more that occurred during your time at Helspire Keep. Much that you have no recollection of whatsoever, little Kin.

Don’t call me that! The angry mental outburst shot through my mind, unbidden. I am not a lowly Kin. I never have been. I am Princess Aelia of Inferna .

His shock at my outburst surged through the bond, and I gritted my teeth, already regretting it. But before I could summon the words of apology, Sol’s rebuttal simmered through. And my, how that grand title suits the new you . His talons hit the earth, my stomach somersaulting at the no longer familiar sensation.

What is wrong with you ? The exasperation sharpened my tone, even internally. I’ve only just returned and already you’re reprimanding me? I know you’ve never been completely honest with me, and now you’re lying to me about my true cuoré?

The wave of indignation grew more volatile, surging through our connection. Dismount . Now . He extended his long leg, crouching ever so slightly.

For what is supposed to be a happy occasion, someone is certainly in a mood . I grumbled the thought straight through our bond before attempting to dismount.

I would say the same .

Before I could get another thought through, he slammed a wall down on our connection, completely cutting me off. Infuriating, moody dragon.

I slid down his leg, boots hitting the soft lawn on the edge of the campus with a quiet whisper. The sounds of the academy blurred in the background at the arriving dragons. Even from this distance, I could make out the training field filled with students wielding a variety of luminescent weapons. The familiar scene ignited an unexpected sense of longing in my chest.

I barely noticed Sol launching into the sky as I stared out into the blur of luminous light and whirling training leathers. Phantom took off shortly after, once she’d deposited Reign in the shadows of the forest a few yards behind me. My gaze chased to his, only to find those midnight orbs already locked on me. A flicker of something stirred in my chest, a yearning I couldn’t quite name. Rue and Symon’s skyriders alighted moments later, drawing my attention away from the male who was to be my undoing.

My roommate leapt off Windy immediately and raced toward me, wrapping me in her arms once more. “I just can’t believe you’re really back.” She pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.

“No fair, I need to be in the Kin sandwich!” Sy curled his arms around us both, squeezing me into his chest.

Rue reached around and smacked the side of his head as we twirled beneath the shade of a towering lightwood. “You can’t call her a Kin anymore, you idiot.” With a grin, she threw me a wink. “She’s a princess now. Should we refer to you as ‘Your Royal Infernal Highness’ from now on?”

“Oh, gods, no.” My nose crinkled at the arrogant sound. And yet, hadn’t I just gotten angry at Sol for calling me otherwise a moment ago? Ever since my powers were unbound, I’d felt as if I were balancing on a knife’s edge. What was wrong with me? I pressed my fingers to my temples, the beginnings of a headache threatening.

“Are you all right?” Ruhl marched closer with Reign at his side, both brothers wearing matching pinched expressions. Though I rode between them the entire journey, I was convinced they were holding a conversation just under my nose with the endless back and forth of shadows.

I nodded quickly. If only I had better control of my own, perhaps I could have learned what they were so animatedly discussing.

Kaelith grumbled, holding his hand over his eyes for additional shade as he scanned the academy grounds from beneath the cloak of shadows keeping us hidden from wandering glances. I couldn’t quite make out his words from within the soundproof orb that encased him, but he did not seem pleased.

Once Liora, Devin and Gideon arrived, Reign assembled the lot of us in a tight circle hidden beneath the thick copse of trees. “Light Fae students, all of you are to return to your regularly scheduled activities. We cannot afford to cast any suspicion until we’re ready to come forward with Aelia.”

“Already? But we just got her back,” Rue whined.

“There will be plenty of time to catch up once we find a more permanent place for Aelia to remain.” Reign shooed them off, his blossoming scowl frightening enough to send anyone running.

My friends gave me half-hearted waves before dispersing across the campus—all except Rue, who defiantly gave me one more quick hug before following the others. For a moment, I wished I could go back in time to the day I arrived at the academy. As terrible as the first few days had been, they seemed much easier than now.

“Ruhl, take Kaelith with you to Arcanum for the night,” Reign continued before ticking his head at his friend. “Gideon can help you keep him hidden. We can’t have a Night Fae roaming the Conservatory.”

Through the murky shadows, I could just make out Kae’s citrine irises flaring in anger. He couldn’t exactly protect or train me if he was kept across the river.

“Relax, Kae,” I muttered. “We’ll find a more permanent place for both of us soon, right?” I turned to Ruhl.

“You will not be hiding out in the same location.” Reign’s eyes seared to mine, before Ruhl had a chance to respond. “I’d prefer to have any and all Night Fae as far away from you as possible. Especially with you like this…”

I slapped my hands on my hips and glared at the overbearing male. For some reason, this part of him felt oddly familiar. “Well, it’s a good thing you have no say in the matter. I need Kaelith to train me.”

“We managed just fine when I was training you, princess .” He spat my new title with such disdain a flicker of a memory ignited. I tried to hold onto the whirling image, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

“Enough, both of you.” Ruhl stepped between us, pressing a palm to his brother’s heaving chest. “Reign and I will determine your place of residence as well as your training schedule with Kaelith once we’ve discussed the variety of issues still up in the air.”

Reign’s eyes grew wider with each word that spilled from his younger brother’s mouth, velvety shadows curling around us. And if I was being perfectly honest, I too was stunned by this calm, levelheaded version of the cocky Shadow Prince I’d come to know and love.

Love ? The word tasted strangely bitter on my tongue.

Of course I loved Ruhl. He was my cuoré.

“I’ll take the Demon Fae back.” Gideon moved beside the cage of shadows the princes had conjured to keep Kae hidden. “I’ll make sure no harm comes to him.”

Before I could protest, Gideon vanished, taking my former jailer with him. Shadowtraveling. I couldn’t wait to master that power. “Fine,” I finally gritted out, sweeping my gaze from Reign’s turbulent countenance to meet Ruhl’s steady one. “I’ll agree to at least consider your suggestions for future training.”

“How generous of you,” Reign spat before turning his seething glare on his brother. His shadows darkened, concealing the three of us in a cloud of swirling ebony. “And while you’re securing the enemy, I will take Aelia to see Draven.”

“What? I thought I wasn’t supposed to be here at all.”

“You’re not. But it’s imperative we see the headmaster?—”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I shouted.

“Oh, but you will.” His hand wrapped around my upper arm, and tiny shocks rippled across my flesh, dragging out a gasp. If Reign felt it, he showed no signs, instead only hissing, “Because even if you refuse to believe that I am your cuoré, I am still your professor and your mentor, and you, child of twilight or not, are my acquisition. It is now my duty to inform the headmaster of your miraculous return.”

“Have you lost your mind, Reign? Why would you tell Draven of all people?” Ruhl asked. “The moment he sees her he’ll know. The stench of nox and zar are seething from her pores.”

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

“Why?” I blurted.

“I wish to see just how firmly the headmaster is entrenched in King Elian’s pocket. I must know what the king has planned for her.”

“And if he goes straight to the Light King?” Ruhl interjected.

“Don’t worry, brother, I’ll wipe out his memory before he gets the chance, just like last time.”

My eyes widened as I took in the venom in Reign’s tone, the utter determination in his features. It was only then, as my gaze lingered over his imposing form, that I noticed the missing silver cuffs.

The manacles that Draven had forced him into wearing when he became a professor at the Conservatory were gone. A chill skirted up my spine as hazy memories again fought their way to the surface. Reign had always been powerful, but now, without the nox -siphoning restraints, he would be unstoppable.

“It’s a risky move, brother… One I do not believe is worth the possibly disastrous consequences.”

I had zero desire to see the headmaster, but how long could I remain hidden from everyone? “Either way,” I interjected, “it’s only a matter of time before both Elian and Tenebris discover who I am.” I speared the eldest prince with a steely glare. “And at that point, you’ll have no choice but to fulfill your vow.”

“Reign is not going to kill you, Aelia,” Ruhl growled. “My brother could never bear to lay a hand on you.” The tight set of his jaw, the darkness in his eyes, he looked in agony as he spoke the words.

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because he’s in love with you, duskling. Reign is your cuoré. Not me.”