Page 151 of Cursed Evermore

I sent echo ravens to spy on Elariya's family and Thayden. Through port visions, I was able to see that Thayden was in the process of getting a petition to King Varis for permission to search the magical realm for Elariya.

To throw them off track, I left evidence—that I made sure Thayden found—to suggest Elariya had been taken west to the savage lands of the mortal realm.

I could have been a prick and made it look like she'd escaped because she didn't want to marry him, but I didn't think anyone would believe that. Not because they thought she was in love with him, but because of her duty to her family.

The marriage contract was only arranged because they needed it to happen. I shouldn't care, but I didn't want to make them suffer. I'd promised Elariya I wouldn't let them, and I meant to stand by my word.

Diverting herbetrothed'sattention to the savage lands would give him and everyone else searching for my mage plenty to do for a very long time. The land was extensive and known to harbor all sorts of criminals who practiced forbidden magic.

That plan would create a good distraction until it didn't. Hopefully by then, I would have found the ring.

Now that I was home, I was eager to see Elariya. Justseeher. Not speak to her.

It was time to become the observer again and keep my distance.

I planned to conduct the spell in two days. That would give her enough time to recover from the Ruskiel’s attack, and me the space I needed to get my head together.

I sensed her presence in the garden, so I portalled out there and concealed myself in the archway by the fountain.

Standing amongst the roses, she gazed up at the Phantom Moon, looking more beautiful than I'd ever seen her.

Her hair hung in loose waves down her shoulders, and the bodice of her dark blue dress hugged her delicate frame, pulling my attention to all my favorite parts of her. Parts I wanted to touch and taste so fucking badly it ached my soul.

The fascination on her face was something I wished I could bottle, or at least be closer to. Close enough so she knew I was there, watching her discover the magic of my world.

When she saw the moon this morning, I'd told her to wait until tonight. I knew her mind would be blown because during a Phantom Moon, the magical realm held two moons in the night sky, a complete eclipse of souls.

It was the only remaining celestial wonder here. Many of us had grown up on stories of the Illymiare Moon—a time when two moons always hung in the sky.

As children, we called it the fading moon because of how it disappeared.

“It's so beautiful. And two moons... My mind can hardly comprehend it,” Elariya spoke as if answering my thoughts, and I wondered for a moment if she could see me.

Then Garrick walked up to her. I'd been so taken with her I hadn't even noticed he was around. But of course, he was. He was guarding her, just like I'd ordered him to.

“It only ever happens during the Phantom Moon,” he answered, his eyes roaming over her body in ways that made me clench my fist until my knuckles cracked. “The magic from the realm allows us to see both of them.”

“I feel like I'm caught in a dream.” Her tone was hushed with reverence.

“That sounds like a good thing. At least you didn't say nightmare.”

“No. Not nightmare.” Elariya smiled at him. Actuallysmiledat him. The only time I'd ever seen her smile was when she'd been with her cousin at her engagement celebration. And that had been a forced smile.

The one she gave Garrick just now was genuine. It came as easy and effortlessly as breathing. It was the sort you gave a person when you enjoyed their company.

“I’m glad, because that would mean I'm not doing my job right.” He reached out and playfully took a lock of her hair between his fingers.

My already simmering blood boiled, and I stepped out of the shadows, my mind conjuring all the ways I'd break my lieutenant's hand for touching what was mine.

Just then, Sirril rushed out, and I stopped in my tracks, still concealed from them all.

“My Lady, the chocolate cake is ready, and it's absolutely divine,” Sirril chortled, clapping his hands with glee.

His positive energy diffused my rage and I hung back. Garrick dropped his hand to his side as Elariya faced Sirril, and I was glad when she moved away from him.

“Thank you so much for going to all that trouble.” Elariya smiled at Sirril, but I didn't feel the same rage as I had withGarrick. And not when Sirril bowed and took her hand to lead her inside with fatherly care.

“The pleasure is mine, my lady,” Sirril rattled on. “I simply can't wait to make the next meal. It's rather exciting having you here.”