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“He ignored me when I was a child, but when I became a teenager and he saw that I could use magic without needing blood… he was jealous. Threatened. He’d challenge me to duels before I knew how to use my magic, under the guise of training.

I thought it was a chance to bond with him, but he used it as a way to torture me.

He’d kick my ass and then… he’d use his flames to show me that he was stronger than me.

I still have nightmares of being held down and burned.

I have scars, even with the healing powers granted to all faeries.

You can imagine how deep some of the burns were.

” He pointed to patches of shiny, uneven skin on his arms, unde r the tattoos.

He lifted his shirt to show me the hard lines of his stomach with burn marks slashed across.

“That’s when I began staying here. He didn’t care about me enough to wonder where I went, he just wanted me to know that he had the power. Galen likes to control his environment; probably because Sylvia keeps him leashed and muzzled most of the time.

“My father reprimanded him once, when he caught him holding me down and putting flame to my face. I thought he was going to permanently disfigure me. Our father was so angry that he threatened to kill him if it ever happened again. Galen stopped bullying me after that. And I got stronger. The animosity between us has never really subsided. Sometimes we’re forced to work together, of course.

I still hung around the castle for Louis’s sake.

I didn’t want him to grow up with only Galen and Sylvia as influences, especially after our father died.

Luckily, Galen has never seen Louis as a threat. ”

Raf paused, taking a swig of a beer, before adding, “And then more recently… when you arrived… I began spending more time at the castle again.” He sighed.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“It’s been eighty years since then. I thought you might think I was just trying to find a way to get between you and Galen. But I watched over you from afar… I had to make sure he and Sylvia were treating you alright.

“I often take the form of a black cat in the castle… they don’t notice me, since there are cats everywhere. I followed you to the library… the day Sylvia brought you in for a meeting. I also spent some time as a crow, watching you train with Louis. I should’ve told you sooner.”

I thought of all the times I’d curled up with that black cat on my bed—how sad I’d been when it stopped visiting. And then I remembered… the cat had been there that day at the library when Raf had attacked Galen. That’s how he’d appeared so quickly. I sat speechless for a moment.

“I can’t believe that was you. I might die of embarrassment. Did I ever undress in front of you?” I asked through slitted lids.

“Don’t be embarrassed… I shouldn’t have invaded your privacy. I stopped visiting once you seemed to be doing fine without me. And no… you never undressed in front of me.” He couldn’t hold back a smirk. “But you did give excellent back scratches… ”

My cheeks grew hot and I gave him a playful shove, suddenly feeling grateful for the dimly lit room. “Thank you, for watching over me, even when I didn’t deserve it.”

“Yes, you did.”

Our gazes met. There was so much depth behind his honey-glazed eyes. It was easy to get lost in them.

“I’m sorry—for what Galen did to you,” I said, putting my hand over his. “And that you had to watch me get close to him, knowing what you knew.”

“And I’m sorry that I wasted so much time distancing myself from you.

I’m an idiot.” He fed me a piece of cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto.

The emotion in his eyes mirrored the regret I felt.

It was too late to go back in time and change the way things played out; we had to suffer the consequences.

I’d be haunted by Galen forever… just as Rafael was.

“Why did it take me so long to win you over?” I asked, nudging him.

He grew contemplative as he said, “I try to stay away from anything that Galen’s claimed ownership over. It’s easier that way.”

I wondered what else Galen had claimed in the last century. The throne was the first thing to come to mind. “How does succession typically work in faerie society? I know it’s assumed that Galen will take the throne, but who decides?”

“Usually it’s the eldest son, but if another sibling is magically stronger, they can make a claim for it,” he explained, growing dour. “I’ve never been interested in the throne. In fact, I’ve spent most of my life actively rebelling against anything having to do with it.”

His posture had been relaxed until I’d brought up the throne. Now he was sitting up straight, scowling at the fire. Did he feel unworthy? He was a born leader, though I admittedly hadn’t thought so when we’d first met.

He let Galen march around like he was the strong one, the brave one, the kind one. And I’d been naive enough to fall for it. My body temperature dropped as another wave of bitter anger washed over me. If anyone was unworthy, it was me.

“Let’s figure out how we’re going to approach the witch tomorrow,” I said, needing to change the subject.

“I think we should try to flush her out of her lair.”

“How? ”

He flashed a devilish grin. “You’re going to find your flames tomorrow.”

“You want me to flush her out with fire ? Have you lost your mind?”

“And wind.”

“I can’t! You know that I don’t know how to wield fire.” I wouldn’t have an opportunity to practice if we were to leave before sunrise. He couldn’t expect me to channel a new element just because a book said I could.

“Your magic won’t challenge you in your unicorn form. I believe in you. And… if you can’t produce fire, we’ll improvise.”

I sighed, resigned. “Fine… I’ll try. But don’t get your hopes up.

Either way, tomorrow we shall show the witch what happens when you try to snare a unicorn.

” I spoke more confidently than I felt, but what other choice did I have?

It was a death sentence to not face her.

It was probably a death sentence either way. At least I’d have Raf by my side.

Once we’d both stuffed our faces, lying splayed out on the floor, bellies distended like two lazy leopards, Raf yawned and said, “We should go to bed. You need as much rest as possible before the Oracle. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

I made a snort of protest. “No way, this is your room. You can shift into a cat if you’re too chaste to sleep beside me in your faerie form.”

“Hmm… there’s an idea. Am I more likely to get back scratches in my feline form?” He arched a brow at me and my stomach gave a nervous flip. I loved how he teased me. With so much tension between us, so much uncertainty ahead, it was a miracle that he could make me smile.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’ve decided I’m more of a dog person.” It had been meant as a joke, but suddenly there was a lion-shaped elephant in the room.

“Ah… fair enough. Well, I promise to behave myself.” A long silence filled the room as Raf helped me off the floor and into his bed.

I crawled under the covers, facing away, as I heard layers of clothing drop to the floor.

The bed sagged when he climbed in beside me.

I tried to ignore the clean cedar scent that enveloped me.

As I was beginning to drift off, Raf broke the silence. “Did I mention I’ve been working on a wolf form?”

I smiled into my pillow. “Big wet nose? Fluffy tail? I bet you’re adorable. ”

The bed rocked with laughter. “Big sharp teeth too. And if you scratch just the right spot, I might let you leash me. Fetch a ball… Destroy your enemies.”

I swatted him with my pillow. “ Go to bed , you dirty dog.” I didn’t turn to look at him, but I could feel him smiling.