Page 34 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

“Perhaps,” Tay cautions, spinning me again. “But Dark Fae are never to be trusted, Max. Mother always instructed us in their ways. How they trick. Deceive. It’s not worth getting involved with them.”

“Besides as allies?”

He nods. “A beneficial agreement is one thing. Allowing them any closer is… not wise.”

He’s right, of course.

“If he seeks you out again, maybe we need to set firm boundaries,” he adds. “It’s not safe for him to know what you are.”

My stomach clenches, worry sliding down my throat as I swallow. He already knows what I am and it’s not safe. Taylay is right.

I trip, kicking my friend in the shin and he winces, glaring at me “OnCellaand Ger’s brow, I forgot how terrible your dancing is.”

I ‘hmph,’ ignoring the insult. Being naturally clumsy, I’m uncoordinated fordances.

“Do you know why he’s drawn to you?”

My feet skip and I almost bump into another couple. “No. Why?”

“I’m just trying to figure them out,” Tay says, darting us further away from people. He takes me to the back edge corner, mouth firm. “Maybe he’s drawn to you because of what you are?”

Throat dry, I ask, “What I am?”

Tay glances to my hands, still perfectly pale, no hint of red.

“They do seem to have a thing for blood.” He shrugs. “Maybe he can sense that from you?”

The whispered words hit my ears and I sink into myself.

What I am.Tay doesn’t have to say it—a monster. Just like them.

I’ve heard it my whole life, but to come from my best friend, strikes a deep sorrow in my chest.

Tay clears his throat, looking at the crowd. “One day, Max” he begins, a bright smile taking over his dark face, “you will find someone who truly loves you. One day, you’ll find your Heartbond. The one who was fated to be your other half. Just like I did withCully.”

Blinking back hot tears, I try to smile. “A Heartbond? Not everyone is so lucky to find theirs, Tay.”

“No,” he agrees, “But stranger things have happened. Did you ever expect to be at a palace, fighting for unification?” He taps my nose and I glare at the childish touch. “Anything is possible.”

It was a well-loved myth in Neevea: The God of loveDey, lovedlove. When the world was first forming, they spilt hearts into two halves, placing each piece into a being. This other being was another half of your heart—your Heartbond.

The myth was that Gods’ Will would lead you to your other half, to find that missing piece for a love greater than anything else.

The entire Coven believed in it, including that Tay and Cully were two halves of one whole. From the way they loved the other, the devotion, their need and understanding, it was easy to believe in the legend.

Sighing, I change the subject. “How much longer do we need to be here?” He spins me too close to the massive fireplace, the heat drawing sweat onto my brow andfear clamps around my gut. “We’ve been here. You’ve charmed the king. If we leave now, you can avoid dancing with all the eligible daughters. We could go back to our rooms and read tarot.”

“You only want to read tarot because it turns into a drinking game,” he quips. “And we can stay for a few more dances. I’m making real progress with the king. Progress that will help the Coven.”

Gods, he’s always so selfless. Twirling, he pushes me out, arms out-stretched and I lunge forward, locking eyes with the heir.

No longer at my table, he sits with his siblings, guards stationed behind him. He glances once to my hand in Tay’s larger one and raises his wine glass, smirking.

It seems nice enough—but I see the cunning mind at work. He’s trying to figure me out. See what I am. Read my thoughts so as to exploit them.

Nessa was right and so was Taylay. Dark Fae cannot be trusted. No matter how my body reacts, he holds my fate in his hands and I cannot allow feelings to sway the truth.

He’s dangerous.