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twenty-one

T he next morning, Louis was vibrating with anticipation as I approached the training ring. Before we spoke, he created a fountain of water around us, making sure our conversation stayed private. “How’d it go?” He looked relieved to see me in one piece.

“I wasn’t able to open a portal or walk to any worlds…

but I could feel the magic calling to me.

We’re on the right path, Louis.” I was in a content mood today.

Despite the conflicting emotions that Galen had elicited this morning, I felt like I’d made real progress.

I was hopeful that I’d eventually go home .

“That’s excellent news! Did you come across any trouble?”

I grimaced. “Galen came by my room while I was gone. And again this morning. I had to explain where I went. I didn’t tell him the real reason I was there, but he knows I went… and that I wasn’t successful opening a portal. He promised not to tell your mother.”

Louis’s eyes widened before he composed himself. “It’s alright. It’s clear to anyone paying attention that he’s infatuated with you. I don’t think he’d do anything that would put you in harm’s way. He could use a good influence.” He grinned, playfully bumping me.

Louis found the tension between Galen and I much more amusing than I did. It felt more like soul-eating agony to me. “I’m glad you can find humor in the situation,” I said, hitting him with wind magic that lifted him up several feet in the air, before dropping him on the ground.

“Ouch. That’s going to bruise!” He laughed in his happy-go-lucky way that was currently pissing me off .

“Sorry. I’d heal you, but I haven’t learned how yet.” I smiled sweetly. “I’ve heard mention of an Oracle—someone who might be able to help us.”

Louis’s face fell and he let out a long breath. “Yes… There’s a witch that lives in the mountains—she should be a last resort. Her knowledge comes at a steep price.”

“What kind of price? I assume you don’t mean money.”

“It depends on what you have to give. She can sense what our fears are—what we value the most. She feeds off hopes, dreams… and other things.”

He looked a bit green and I didn’t want to ask. Unfortunately, I needed to know. “She’s a true witch? Is she Fae? Human? We don’t have any other options, Louis. We don’t have time to waste.”

“Witches are their own entity. There are only a few scattered amongst our worlds. They rarely breed, but are truly immortal, with an infinite lifespan. Their magic wasn’t affected by the curse and they don’t wield it in the same way we do, but that’s not to say they don’t enjoy blood.

They aren’t above eating… anything, and can channel magic from blood, emotions, bargains… their magic can trap souls , Marigold.

“And on top of that, they’re spider shifters—all of them. Not small spiders, but larger than you and I. Some Fae journey to the Oracle to gain insight and never return. Others give something vital of themselves and are never the same.”

I’d never seen Louis look so nervous, but I was desperate to help Meli and find answers. He scanned my face, set in a determined scowl, then looked at the sky like he was cursing the gods. “Have I told you that I hate spiders?”

I grinned, raising a brow. “A Fae male, capable of creating a raging river, afraid of spiders?”

He glared at me. “We’ll need Raf’s help. And Galen’s. We’ll need to get approval from my mother, she won’t let you just wander off castle grounds without good reason.”

I frowned. Spiders didn’t scare me, but she did. “How do we go about asking something like that?” I gnawed at my lower lip as I began to fret.

“I’ll talk to my brothers, we’ll come up with a plan.” He seemed more confident as the idea sunk in. It gave me a small boost of hope, but my stomach was still in knots, thinking of all the things that could go wrong .

“I’ll be leaving for a few days next week.

Rafael will take over your training while I’m gone.

You’re ready to start advancing in your magic and you need a sparring partner.

Ice and shadow play well together—better than ice and water.

Plus, you need to learn how to shift into your animal form.

And… I can’t help you with that until I manage to find my own. ”

I didn’t want to train with Rafael. Whenever I was around him, I felt like a walking contradiction; hot and cold, tight and loose.

I wanted his friendship, yet was ready to throttle him at a moment’s notice.

He’d be relentless and unforgiving. He wouldn’t have Louis’s patience…

which was probably the point. I couldn’t expect other magic wielders to play nice.

Especially if I was ever to face a real opponent. Like Sylvia.

“What about Galen? Ice and fire… that sounds ideal.” I smiled hopefully before Louis shot me down.

“He has no time in his schedule to train you. He’s in meetings all day, if not doing the Queen’s dirty work.”

And flirting with Isla. I sighed. He squeezed my shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Don’t look so worried. Raf doesn’t bite. Remember ?”

I trained extra hard with him during the remainder of our lesson.

I created shields of wind and sustained them as long as possible.

I summoned an ice storm that swirled around us and left us shivering despite the muggy weather.

I may have been advancing when it came to magic, but it seemed all other progress would be halted until we went to the Oracle.

The thought of having to wait dampened my mood. Louis encouraged me to have some fun, but it felt wrong to lose focus now. I was desperately holding on to the idea of returning home soon. But he was probably right—a little fun would be good for me.

There was just one tiny problem. The only person I wanted to have fun with was busy courting another woman.

A week later, I asked Louis if he would escort me to the library to pick out a few books. We’d just finished our last training session together and he’d be heading south to Elysia in a few days. Robert was off duty, which meant Louis was begrudgingly acting as my chaperone .

Following me around like I was a criminal made him uncomfortable.

I also suspected he would’ve already been at a tavern, looking for a woman to keep him company, if I hadn’t been standing in his way.

I’d have two days off before training with Rafael began and I needed some fresh reading material, so Louis would just have to be patient.

I felt severely underdressed in a dirty grey tunic and leggings as we entered the Grand Library. I peered at the mural-covered ceiling, the endless rows of polished bookshelves, and then at a large, statuesque figure sitting at a mahogany table.

I froze when I realized it was Galen. He was hunched over reading, while a black cat laid next to him, batting its tail back and forth.

It basked in a ray of sunshine that spilled across the dark red wood.

It was my cat—the one that had followed me around when I’d first arrived.

When it had stopped visiting, I’d been worried, but apparently it had just grown bored of my company.

Cats. They were too fickle; I’d always been more of a dog person, anyways.

When Louis saw an opportunity to ditch me, he took it. “Galen can act as your chaperone. I’ve got places to be.” Louis shoved me towards his brother and darted away. Traitor .

My heart began to pound when I made eye contact with Galen. I wanted to hide behind a pillar, dive behind a bookcase. Instead I danced in place as he prowled over to me.

“I’ve been doing some research for you, world walker. I haven’t found much yet, but I’ll keep searching until I do.” There was an undeniable hunger behind his eyes. I met his gaze in silent challenge. I wanted him too. And I was finally ready to let him see how much.

“Thank you, I appreciate it. I need all the help I can get,” I replied, rubbing goosebumps from my arms.

“Can I help you find something?” He gave a sultry smile as his gaze wandered over me.

“Books on healing magic. Or really anything that will keep me from dying of boredom this weekend.”

“A wielder of two elements, a healer, and a world walker. How does it feel to be chosen by the gods?” He looked up towards the mural on the ceiling, then winked. “They say ice and fire wielders are extra compatible, you know… ”

“Who are they ?” I asked, biting my lip.

“Fine, you caught me. It’s just me that says that.” He was shameless, and I was smitten. Even his terrible jokes caused a stupid grin to spread across my face. I didn’t recognize myself around him.

I wasn’t sure what had changed, but his guard was down today. He hadn’t flirted with me like this in weeks… I hated that I loved it so much. All logic, all sense of pride, vanished when he looked my way.

Our conversation ran dry. I was paralyzed; the tension between us had pinned me in place. I felt like a preserved butterfly that had been stabbed and mounted on the wall.

I pictured him leading me back behind a stack of books, pushing me against one of the shelves. I could almost feel his lips against my skin as they traveled down my neck and continued…

down…

down…

“There you are!” Isla announced herself, coming from behind a pillar, book in hand. She looked stunning in a flowing white dress that made her look even more Faerie Princess than usual.

“I found what I was looking for. Are you ready to leave?” She stopped short when she saw me.

“Oh, I apologize. I didn’t see you there.

” She looked down at me… at my dirty clothes and frizzy hair.

I shriveled beneath her hard stare. “What have you been rolling in?” Her nostrils flared as she stifled a laugh.

“I just finished training with Louis.” I lifted my chin high, trying to will the rising heat in my cheeks to stop.

“Training for what? It looks like you’ve just mucked out the entire stable.”

I glared at her, daring her to say another word. I was tempted to threaten to send her to another world—one where there was no oxygen. “It doesn’t concern you,” I said, turning away from her. “Galen, am I free to look for books or do I need an escort?”

His eyes were sparkling with mischief. Of course he was enjoying this . “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you right here.”

I left without another glance towards either of them, walking as fast as my sore legs would carry me.

I could hear Isla speaking to Galen as I moved away from them. “Why do you have to wait for her ? I thought we were going to take a walk around the gardens.” Isla’s shrill voice echoed through the silent library and this time it was me holding back a giggle.

I selected a few books, then meandered, taking my time returning to the Prince and his future bride.

I browsed the romance section, but the novel I wanted wasn’t there.

Raf still had my book and had been conveniently absent as of late.

He’d taken it right when the enemies were about to become lovers, and I’d never forgive him for it.

When I found Galen, Isla was gone. “Where did she go?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“I told her I’d see her at dinner—that you were a complete menace and needed to be watched like a hawk.” He came closer, tugging on my loose braid. My stomach fluttered in response.

“How is training going?” he asked, taking my books from me and flipping through them. I tried to focus on his question instead of his beautiful bone structure, but my brain felt full of cotton when he was near.

“Well enough. I’m getting faster, but so is Louis. Eventually, I’ll be less out of shape. And he’ll have it coming...” I trailed off as he began to inch closer.

“I’ve seen you naked. I wouldn’t describe you as out of shape. In fact, I’d be very sad to see any of your curves go.” I suddenly felt uncomfortably hot. Flirt .

“Someone may hear you!” I whispered.

He looked around the empty library. “I’ll take my chances.” He set my reading material down on the table and took my hand as he led me towards the rows of books.

“Where are we going?” I asked as my heart began to race.

He remained silent until he pulled me behind a tall shelf.

“How anyone can look so good covered in sweat and filth is beyond me,” he murmured.

He leaned down and kissed me, stealing the very breath from my lungs.

Before I had a chance to gasp for air, his hand was up my shirt.

My heart exploded as his fingers grazed delicate skin.

“Galen… th-this is a public place. We might be caught. Plus… I thought we’d decided that this is a bad idea.” My voice, my entire body, was quivering.

He paused, while his hand rested under my shirt.

He cupped my breast, gently rubbing circles around my peaked nipple as he stared into my eyes.

He gave me another deep kiss, leaving me panting before he answered.

“ I was in a dark place. I didn’t want to bring you into that.

But that hasn’t stopped me from wanting you.

I’m beginning to think I need you like a long winter needs the first bloom of spring. ”

A lump formed in my throat. I couldn’t breathe. “What about Isla?”

He frowned down at me. “I’ve told you, she’s my mother’s choice. You know who my choice is.”

“Have they made you… hurt anyone else?” I couldn’t look at him, but I had to know.

He lifted my chin up, forcing me to make eye contact.

“No, but I fear the day they do. Being Prince is just an illusion of power. I’m a pawn to them and I don’t know how to leave the game.

I don’t deserve someone as wholesome as you.

I’m hesitant to corrupt you. But sometimes, when I’m feeling selfish, I fantasize about what we could be doing together… if you were mine.”

Every word he spoke melted the permafrost around my soul. “Don’t talk like you aren’t worthy of happiness.”

“I’ll never be worthy of you. But I’m beginning to wonder if you’re my only chance at happiness.” He caressed my cheek and I leaned into it. He was always so warm . We stared at each other, knowing we were teetering on the edge of something.