Page 55 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

“What would have happened if he had chosen his family?” Xander demanded.

His mother looked away.

His grandfather met his stare and said, “He would have failed.”

“Failed or died?”

“It is one and the same in this challenge, Grandson.”

“For choosing his family?! That was unfair. Most people would think choosing your family over your lover would be the more admirable thing.”

“Yes, and most people would have failed that trial,” the King said. “Take heart, Xander. Leovar lives, and he loves you more than anything else. He has proven his vow.”

“Proven his vow? Was that a test of his determination? Or of his honor?”

The King shrugged. “I don't know what the realm is testing him for. It has a perspective that we can't possibly comprehend. It is judging Leovar with that vast and unique intellect.”

“Xander.” Zane took his hand. “Look.”

Below them, in that terrible stone place dedicated to magic, Leo was in yet another illusion, but this one had taken him to the middle of the temple. Each test would gain him ground. Xander let go of Zane and leaned over the stone railing to watch as Leo faced . . .

“Oh, fuck me,” Xander whispered. “Leo.”

In the illusion, Leo was with Xander. They were walking down a forest path. Xander was speaking—a fake Xander. It was eerie to see a copy of himself down there, using a voice that was his own. Like witnessing someone else's dream.

“Let's go back,” Fake-Xander urged and opened a door before them. “It will be you and me. We can leave all of this behind.”

“You don't want that,” Leo said.

“You did it for me. Let me do it for you. We can return to the human realm with magic, Leo. With the power I have now, we can make our own kingdom. If you want, we could rule the entire world.”

Leo went still. “I . . . I don't want another kingdom, Xander. And I certainly don't want to rule the world. Is that what you want?”

“I want us to be safe and happy. Here, I'm just another shining one. But in the mortal world, I could rule. I could bring magic to humans. Imagine what they would offer me to get a taste of magic, just a taste.”

“No, this isn't right.” Leo backed away. Then he looked down at his hand—at the ring upon it. The heartstone gleamed. Leo stopped moving. Looking up again, his shoulders squared and his chin lifted. The Prince set his stare on the fake Xander and demanded, “Who are you?”

“What?”

The real Xander leaned closer, hands clenched on the stone.

“Who are you?!” Leo pointed at the fake Xander. “The man I love would never say those things. He doesn't care about ruling people or controlling them. That's part of what I love about him. I don't know who you are, but I know you are not Xander.”

The real Xander made a soft sound as his chest filled with warmth. And he wasn't the only one affected. He heard his mother sigh, and the sound was echoed around the viewing balcony.

Down in the temple, the image of Xander shifted into a column of golden light. “You are correct, human. I am the First Realm. I am magic personified. I am pure power. And I will give you a piece of myself if you take me with you into the human realm.”

“Why would I do that?”

“You could have everything you want. Your family and your lover.”

“Xander would never leave. Not like that.”

“He will if I change his mind.”

“Don't you touch him!” Leo roared. “I don't care how powerful you are. If you change my Xander, I will find a way to destroy you.”

Xander's breath caught. His eyes watered and his lips trembled. He had never seen Leo like this, hadn't even known his prince was capable of becoming a warrior. For Xander.

The column grew brighter and brighter.

“Leo!” Xander shouted. The light blinded him.