Page 82 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

“We need to be careful. Without the lord, the raid will fail and with those three knowing about you?” He sighs. “I don’t trust them. The heir now? Even less. I’ll need to ask Nafre what we should do next.”

Swallowing, I follow him back to camp.

Chapter 29

Max

Resting outside the tent, I sit as far from the fire as I can with Reid across from me and Fee standing beside the flap. Taylay has been in since we arrived, using his magic to mend the heir and the moon is high now as we wait.

Most of the Dark Fae patrol nearby. Everyone waits to see what will happen.

Wringing my hands, Fee kicks the mud, aggravated.

“How much longer?”

“Tay will work until it’s done.” Or his magic reaches its limit. “Did you really want to kill your brother?”

“Watch your tone, Human,” she snaps, glaring at me. “You will never know how important Kaden is to me. But I made him a promise.”

Licking my lips, I lean back as Reid watches me. “Do you regret breaking that promise if it means your brother lives?”

The princess looks at me, assessing before answering. “No. I’d rather have my brother intact than my word.”

I can agree.

In a short amount of time, the Fae means something to me. Whenhe’s not irritating me, or pushing my boundaries, I like his companionship. I like that he understands me.

After seeing his curse, I feel a closeness to him I’ve never experienced.

I had seen that same darkness inside my soul when villagers would avoid me, when they would hide their children from me, when kids would throw pebbles at me. That same beast that sings to me, the same magic that rises in me whenever I let go of my control.

The heir and I aren’t that different.

The distrust, my unease morphs into quiet tenderness, as Tay finally exits, face drawn, hands covered in blood.

“Well?” Fee asks. “How is he?”

“Healed,” Tay responds, taking a rag from Reid. “The bleeding has stopped and the skin is closed. But I’ve never healed anyone cursed, so I’m not sure how to rouse him. He’s lethargic.”

“It’s the curse,” Reid says, sipping form his wine. “He’s battling the beast. He’ll only awake once the beast is put back into its cage or if he’s given blood.”

“I’ll go find some.” Fee shifts, whipping a small knife out from her boot. “I’ll force it down his throat if he won’t take it. It’ll help him recover.”

At my curious expression, Reid shrugs. “Kaden doesn’t drink blood as often as other Dark Fae.”

Fee snorts. “More likewon’t. You know why.”

The princess stalks off into the woods, ignoring Reid’s call to wait.

Tay tosses the rag onto a log, looking at me. “My magic is depleted.” He yawns. “I’ll need to rest.”

Standing, I walk him back to his camp, closer to the volunteers. For some reason, it’s colder here than by the Dark Fae camp.

Before he goes into his tent, he jerks his head toward the heir’s.

“Don’t ever ask me to do that again.”

Shocked, my mouth parts. “I’m sorry?” What inSeti’s Hell?