42. CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 42

DANIELLA

Istood at the edge of the small pond in Imbermore, the Summer Court capital, wearing a blue gown that tried and failed to match the lovely shade of Larina’s skin. A small pedestal with her body rested in front of me, surrounded by a circle of flowers.

Kalyll and the rest of the Sub Rosa were there, their heads bowed. My heart was heavy with a mixture of sadness and gratitude. I took a deep breath and began to speak, my voice shaking with emotion.

“Larina, we’re here to honor your bravery and sacrifice. You were a true friend, and I will miss you dearly.” I stifled a sob.

Kalyll rested his hand on my shoulder, lending me his support.

My voice steadier now, I continued. “Your courage and selflessness saved so many lives. Elf-hame owes you a debt of gratitude. Forever and ever.”

I spoke of her kindness toward Valeriana and her unabashed affection. I told her how much her friendship meant to me, and how I would think of her every day. I spoke of how getting to know her opened my eyes to the unjust way the minor folk were sometimes treated, and I vowed to make things better for them in her memory. Only Kalyll’s comforting presence gave me the courage to finish speaking.

The brooch he gave me was the only thing of value I possessed here, so I placed it on the pedestal next to her.

I met Kalyll’s gaze. Is it okay?

He nodded without hesitation.

As I stood back, a light breeze rustled through the flowers, and the sun shone brightly on Larina’s translucent wings, giving them a soft glow.

A small boat appeared on the placid waters of the pond, slowly making its way toward us. Realizing it was for Larina, my heart ached. The boat was adorned with more flowers and glimmering crystals. As it approached, her body dissolved into a shower of glitter and floated onto the boat.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as I watched the small vessel make its way around the pond, slowly disappearing from view. I knew Larina was on her way to the Blessed Fields, the final resting place of all Fae.

My friends placed their hands on my shoulders, a show of support and shared grief. Despite the pain of her loss, a sense of peace floated in the air. Larina was at rest.

As we turned away, Kalyll wrapped me in his arms. “I’m here for you, always. I love you.” His words felt like a balm to my sorrowful heart, and I leaned into the embrace, finding comfort in his arms.

As we all made our way back to the castle, I felt a sense of purpose. I knew that Larina’s sacrifice hadn’t been in vain. Many would live on because of her, and I would fight for the minor folk and so would Kalyll. Together, he and I could do anything.

In the distance, a beautiful display of colors filled the sky. It was a reminder that even during difficult times, there was still beauty to be found.

KALYLL

A WEEK LATER

“Ridding the court of all the traitors may be an impossible task,” I complained to Kryn.

He kept walking, his eyes lost in a faraway point ahead.

“I’m talking to you.”

“Oh, what were you saying?”

“That ridding the court of all the traitors may be an impossible task.”

“I believe that’s an understatement.”

Everyone was stabbing each other in the back and doing somersaults to avoid being identified as a Cardian supporter. Honestly, there were days I wished to get rid of all of them, and it wasn’t because they had chosen to follow my brother or because of their ambition, but because they’d been willing to destroy our peace in a war orchestrated by Kellam Mythorne.

That was unforgivable.

I suspected some of them were still holding out hope that Cardian would come back. By the time I returned to the tree where I’d stashed him, he was gone, and no one knew where he’d gone. Perhaps, it was better this way.

Kryn had gone back to looking like a childling in a playing field. He had been this way ever since Arabis forgave him, and I suspected he would remain this way for a very long time. Not that I could blame him. I was also rushing away from the irritating council meeting we’d just attended. It had been unpleasant, to say the least, torture compared to the two females who awaited us in the Eastside garden.

There would be enough meetings to attend and weasels to flush out for weeks to come, so the goal at the moment was to enjoy my time away from kingly duties to the fullest.

As we exited into the garden, I caught sight of Arabis and Daniella, working diligently on the rose bushes. Daniella hated being idle, so she had gotten a hold of some garden tools and worked every morning on the task, which she found relaxing and satisfying.

Kryn ran ahead, scooped Arabis off the ground, and twirled her around. Daniella smiled, watching them, then walked in my direction.

“They put us to shame,” she said, planting a quick kiss on my lips.

“They do.” I took her hands in mine and kissed each one in turn. “Miss me?”

“Not really.”

I placed a hand on my heart, acting injured. She smiled that beautiful smile that left me breathless.

“How did it go with the council?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Torture.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It will take some time, but I’ll take care of it.”

“I have no doubt.”

“Naesala is waiting,” Arabis said, pulling Kryn along by the hand. “Better not to keep her waiting.” They started walking down the path, leading the way.

“Are you ready, melynthi?” I asked.

“Yes?”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

“I can’t help but worry about your people not accepting me.”

“We’ve been through this.”

“I know. It’s just the last few days have been so easy. I’ve had a good time with you, and no one seems to care about who I am. The moment I go back to looking human, everything will change.”

Today, Naesala was to undo the spell that changed Daniella’s human features to make her appear Fae. When I introduced her to the court as my future wife, she would be wearing her own beautiful semblance. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and neither would she. Moreover, Daniella wanted to visit her family, but going back in any shape other than her own was not an option.

Besides giving back her human features, the sorceress would also begin to teach Daniella how to extend her human life.

Still, I could tell she wasn’t ready. Not yet.

She was right. The last few days had been peaceful, and despite my duties, we’d had time to spend a lot of time together. And each night had been—

WÖLFE

I wrapped an arm around her waist and roughly pulled her to me. “If you’re not ready, Dani, I will not make you.”

“Hey, there.”

“Hey, back.”

“What are you doing here?” Her smile twisted to one side as if she were trying to repress it.

“I’ve come to take you away.”

She blinked. “Is that so?”

“That is so.”

“And where will you take me?”

I pulled the transfer token from my trousers’ pocket and twirled it in my fingers. “There is a place near Mount Ruin that I can’t forget about.”

Her cheeks flushed, her chagrin making me even hungrier for her.

“I promised you I would take you back.”

“I thought Kalyll had promised that.”

“You thought wrong and should know better, woman.”

I tightened my hand around the token, and in an instant, we stood on moss-covered ground.

Daniella pulled away and pressed a hand to her stomach. “I’ve never liked that feeling.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you something that you’ll like.” I pulled her against me once more, making sure she felt my erection.”

“Oh, dear, someone is quite ahead of the game. Did you forget about foreplay?”

“I didn’t forget anything. If it’s a game you want, I’ll play it until I make you beg again.”

She looked affronted at the reminder of the time I’d made her beg me to fuck her.

Tapping my chin with her finger, she said, “I think it will be your turn to beg, my king.”

I laughed. “And how do you plan to accomplish that?”

She slipped from my grip and moving faster than I’d ever seen her do, she rushed behind a tree.

“How?” I asked, bewildered.

“Another side effect of your shadowdrifter magic. I discovered it in Nerethien. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ll have to beg me to let you touch me.”

“You, cunning woman, keeping such a secret from me. I think I need to teach you a lesson.” I darted toward her, using the vastness of my speed, and to my utter surprise, she’d disappeared.

“Hey, over here,” she called from behind the safety of another tree.

I tried again. Once more, she was faster than me.

For five minutes, I attempted to catch her, but every time, she eluded me. I stopped in the middle of the clearing. “I’m getting angry,” I rumbled.

“That is a you problem. All his majesty has to do is beg.”

Beg? Beg?! Was she—

KALYLL

I dropped to my knees. “I beg you, melynthi.”

“No. Not you,” she said, “Wölfe.”

WÖLFE

“Oh, what the devil.” I slowly unbuttoned my shirt and let it drop to the ground.

The wicked woman peered at me from behind the tree trunk, her eyes hungry, but her expression just as resolute. The set of her jaw told me she wasn’t going to give me what I wanted until I begged.

Bitting down my pride, I placed my hands together in the gesture that supplicants used in her realm.

“Please, Dani. I beg you.”

Wearing a satisfied smile, she sashayed into the clearing, freeing her hair and letting her dress fall around her ankles.

Her luscious shape made me instantly harder. Walking on my knees, I came to a stop in front of her. She glanced down, her long hair cascading over her breasts.

“Take me then,” she said.

She didn’t have to ask me twice. That night, we fucked and made love, made love and fucked without a care in the world.

The Envoy had been right the first time I visited her. You will travel to Mount Ruin without the aid of a transfer token, and during the journey, you will find what you never thought you would ever possess.

True happiness.