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It was an honest answer, if not one-sided.

Raf couldn’t fully understand the pressure that came with being the heir, but he had his own reasons for not respecting the system.

The Elders and Sylvia had tried to end his life before he’d even entered the world.

And Galen was complicit—working with them to eliminate hybrids.

It was difficult to acknowledge that truth. I stayed silent in contemplation.

“Can I confess something to you?” Galen’s smooth voice pulled me back to the present.

“Anything.” I silently cringed. Please don ’ t let it be more murder .

“Since I tasted your blood, I’ve felt… high . On you. Blood has never felt like this in my system before. Usually it’s just magic. With you, it’s euphoric . Maybe it’s because your magic is strong.” He paused, kissing the shell of my ear. “But I think it’s because of how much I care about you.”

I turned around, needing to see him. “My blood makes you feel drugged?” I blurted out indelicately.

“Not drugged… just happy . Content. A rare feeling for me.” I decided it was easiest to take it as a compliment.

“Honestly, I hate how good it felt. Being bitten—it shouldn’t feel… like that. It seems like another advantage faeries have over humans. It isn’t right. And yet, I can’t stop thinking about it,” I admitted self-consciously. Mortification burned its way through me.

Galen reassured me with a kiss. “Don’t be embarrassed.

Even before the curse, faeries bit each other on occasion.

There’s a reason our canines are extra sharp.

” He rubbed his tongue along a tooth to emphasize.

My heart rate doubled with the gesture. I was dangerously close to knocking him over and having my way with him.

“The blood-bond?” I breathed.

“Yes. You’ve heard of it? The closest equivalent for humans would be marriage, but it’s more than that.

It’s sacred to us—the highest declaration of love.

Not everyone chooses to bond. It’s a serious commitment for beings as long-lived as us.

But that’s the primitive reason behind why it’s so… rewarding. It’s supposed to be.”

His words doused my shame, like cold water washing over hissing hot stones. As guilt dissipated, I acknowledged that joy and self-loathing couldn’t co-exist.

My virtue didn’t define me; it held no real value, at least not to me. If I wanted to give Galen my blood, if I wanted to give him my body, I should be allowed to make those choices without feeling dirty about it.

Aurelian society had no voice here, which gave me the opportunity to find my own. Women were considered equals in Nymera, even if humans weren’t. It was a reminder that social constructs were subjective—and another way to control people. I was going to follow my own moral compass from now on.

Galen slowly stood, finishing his drink. “Would you like to get naked with me?” he asked with a wry grin .

We undressed each other slowly, nerves settling, as fizzy bubbles made their way into my bloodstream. I felt pleasantly buzzed and the effects of the sun added another layer of haziness.

Once we were undressed, he stepped back and admired me, looking exceedingly confident in just his skin. I let my eyes glide over him as if he was a polished bronze statue on exhibit.

“You’re breathtaking,” Galen said, approaching me. “It’s been the sweetest torture… coveting you from afar. And now, you’re finally mine .” He scooped me up, taking me into the water. Before we’d even fully submerged, he was making me squeal as he tickled his way around sensitive spots.

We kissed in the wave break like lovestruck mermaids, splashing around as if we were always this carefree. When he dunked me, I froze the water around him in retaliation, leaving him immobile until he melted his way out, while I laughed maniacally.

Once he was free, I tried to appease him by clinging to him like a barnacle. I trailed kisses along his neck, but he had the nerve to be distracted. “What’s wrong?” I asked, noting his faraway gaze.

“I’ve never been able to wield fire underwater before,” Galen said, perplexed. “And my flames—they were blue . Your magic is so strong that I can transcend the usual limits of my abilities.” A deep V formed on his forehead, making my stomach drop.

“What does it mean?”

“I don’t know—that your blood is rare… special. You are special.”

“I don’t want to be special,” I declared impulsively.

He chuckled. “I don’t think you have a choice, love. There are worse things to be. I’ll protect you—I’ll carry you around in my pocket if necessary, like a little good luck charm.”

I laughed, while I internally panicked. Blood that enhanced power would paint an even larger target on my back. If Sylvia knew … I let out a shaky breath. “Please don’t tell your mother.”

His eyes softened. “You can trust me. Keeping you safe is my number one priority, now that you’re mine. Everything else is just noise.” I swallowed hard as my heart exploded.

Gods , I didn’t want to mess this up. The way he made me feel… It was terrifying—electrifying. And I had no idea what I was doing. I rested my head on his shoulder while we bobbed in the waves .

We both turned when we spotted someone heading our way—a messenger marching down the steep hill. We dashed to grab our towels and were waiting on the shore when he arrived. The man looked as stiff as his freshly starched uniform as he read from an unrolled piece of parchment.

“ Dear Prince Galen,

Her Majesty formally invites you to attend dinner this evening. If you and your pet decide not to make an appearance, the Queen will assume that you’re both eager to spend the rest of your liaison in the dungeons.

Sincerely,

Your Queen ”

Signed Your Queen , not Mother . The messenger read the letter verbatim, balking at the end.

I curled my lip, holding back a snarl… I wanted to kill her for the way she treated her son.

But to my surprise, Galen was laughing .

“The woman has a flare for the dramatic, I’ll give her that. ” I didn’t find it quite as funny.

So much for keeping our relationship a secret.