Page 189 of I Dream of Dragons

“I know.”

“No, Rae. I won’t let him hurt you.”

“He won’t. Tomorrow is the third trial. He wouldn’t dare.”

This is breaking me into pieces. He’s right, this is our night. Our last night. And I thought I’d have more time with Jai before joining the king and attempting to kill him.

“I have to go, Jai,” I whisper. “Forgive me. I love you. I love you more than you can ever know.”

“Why the fuck are you telling me this now?” His dark eyes glitter. He hauls me against him, gazing down at me. “Dance with him if you must, and then come back to me.”

“But if I don’t, remember what I said.” My breath hitches. “You have my heart, Jai. You always had it.”

Blinking away tears, I rise on tiptoe to kiss him. I try to memorize his face, the feel of his strong hands cupping my face, the taste of his lips.

It’s over way too soon.

But then he bows his head, frantically peppering my face with kisses, then finding my mouth again and plundering it.

I’m crying now and when he tastes my tears, he breaks the kiss. “Fuck…”

“I have to go.” I pull away. “I have to dance with him, Jai. If I don’t go, he can use the mark to make me. I’d rather walk there of my own will.”

His face falls, then rage sparks in his eyes. “I’m going to tear him apart.”

“But not tonight. It’s fine. Just a dance.” This time, I paste on a smile. “I’ll see you later.”

He’s trembling. He grabs my arm. “Promise me.Fuck.Promise me you will come back to me, Rae.”

I swallow hard. “I promise I’ll try.”

“Not good enough. Come back to me, or I’ll burn the world down to find you.”

Swallowing more tears, I step away, certain my heart is breaking in two. It hurts that bad.

I hear a howl in my mind, and I’m not sure whether it’s Jai or Phaethon, or both of them together.

Lifting my chin, steeling myself, I make my way to the dais.

The music is playing and playing. I can barely hear it. Everything around me is a blur, a buzzing. My heart stayed with Jai. I feel hollow as I curtsy in front of the fae king. Hollow and wrung out.

Sadness is already weighing me down. I’m missing Jai although we have barely parted. I miss our tomorrows. Our lazydays together. Having children who look like him. Growing old together.

But that was probably off the table anyway, I tell myself, as a measure of consolation. Who knows what dying and coming back can do to a body? Losing color in your skin, eyes, and hair surely isn’t all there is to it.

There’s also the turning into a dragon part, of course, but… right, apart from that.

“Your Highness,” I say, straightening.

“There you are.” His countenance is pleasant, but his gaze is hard. “I feared I’d have to send my guards to retrieve you. Or use the mark.”

I incline my head, fighting back anger.

Lady Selene is glaring at me. From up close, it’s easy to see. Surrounded by her ladies in waiting, she’s wearing a sharp smile that has nothing to do with joy.

The king blatantly ignores her, though. He steps down from the dais. Then he lifts a hand. “Play!”

Immediately, the musicians strike up a stately tune. I shiver as the king pulls me into his arms and leads me into a simple courtly dance.