3. It’s a Lie

three

It’s a Lie

Rainer

L eaning casually against the threshold of my father’s office, I inspect my nails. There’s something satisfying about picking the dirt clean from them while I wait.

The pixies alerted me to the Aer Prince’s arrival moments ago. Sure enough, Ezamae comes speedwalking down the hall, his footsteps swallowed by the crimson runner. I’ve never seen the fecker move so quickly.

I push off the doorframe, ready to make a snarky comment about how he’s back so soon, but the tightness of his features makes me pause.

My blood goes cold as I take in the streak of dirt on his cheek. It’s unlike him to be so careless with his appearance. My vision flickers, dimming, and a dozen terrifying thoughts flit through my mind—all of them revolving around her .

“What happened?” I growl, marching toward him.

“She’s fine.” His voice is slightly hoarse, and he rubs his throat. “Are you aware she’s struggling with her power?”

My pulse picks up, pounding in my temples. “Elaborate, Ezamae, right now.”

His frown deepens. He holds an arrogant palm toward me, and I’m tempted to bend each slender finger back until they snap .

“I am not fond of the way you’re looking at me right now,” he says, with no tinge of fear in his tone despite how he takes a step back. “I simply offered her a hug—”

I growl, lunging toward him. “Touching her was your first mistake.”

His eyes widen, the whites appearing almost comical. “Now, now, it was merely a platonic show of reassurance and affection. Her shadow made its perception of touch perfectly clear.”

I stare, unblinking, as I wait for him to go on.

“It tried to suffocate me to death.”

As his words settle in, humor bubbles up. “A little deserved, no?”

“Suffocation seems an odd punishment for a hug —an attempted hug,” he quickly amends. He adjusts the neckline of his velvet cloak. “It didn’t appear she was in control. She was rather shaken by the circumstances and—”

“If you hurt her, I swear to the gods above and below I will peel your skin back layer by layer while you—”

“For fae’s sake! I didn’t—forget it.” He scrubs at his forehead. “You two are rather impossible at times. Yet I hold you both dear.”

“Take me to her,” I command.

A faint pink dusts his cheeks. “Afraid that’s not possible. I’m rather depleted at the moment, and I need to return to Yvanthia before she drags me back by the testicles.”

My nostrils flare as I take in the Aer Prince. As violent as I’m feeling, I can’t take it out on him. He’s been an ally to both Alessia and me. In fact, some might say I owe him for looking out for my bond while I was incapacitated.

“Tell me: is she okay?” I ask, working to keep my voice steady.

He nods. “She demanded I leave. Appeared quite rattled. I expect she might push us all away, fearing the implications of unchecked shadow magic.” He hesitates, shifting his weight. “It’s a dangerous power, Rainer. While I don’t think isolation is the answer, she’s right to see herself as a risk.”

I scowl at him, clenching my fingers into a fist.

His eyes drop to my hand, tracking the movement. He raises another hand, attempting to appease me.

“Remember why Yvanthia cast away the Lírshadows in the first place? Unchecked darkness spells destruction. Alessia is not going to want your help… but she’s going to need it.”

“Don’t tell me what my bonded needs,” I spit, even though he’s not wrong.

I take another angry step toward Ezamae, but he’s gone in a dramatic puff of shimmering air.

The fecker. I punch the air where he was a moment ago.

I spin on my heel, practically bolting through the hallways to find Kenisius.

Moments later, his booming laughter reaches my ears. I burst into the grand entryway, ignoring the workers milling about, and stalk toward him.

“Rai Rai!” my old pal hollers, oblivious to the stress pumping through my veins. “Sennah and Uriel sent word they’re—”

“We’re leaving now ,” I say. “But we’re stopping at Spiritus Court first.”

Kenisius chuckles, scratching at his beard. “Little hu—demon just left. Shouldn’t we give her some time to settle in before—” The words die off as he studies my face. “Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Don’t tell me she got herself into trouble already. If that no-good brother of yours—”

“It has nothing to do with Tynan,” I grit out. “I need to check on her. She won’t even know we’re there—unless she needs to.”

He gives me a swift nod and strides purposefully toward the oversized front door. “Let’s go.”

We blast out into the late morning air, the doors clanging shut behind us. The vibration reverberates through my bones. I pick up my pace, heading toward the iron gate leading toward the Cursed Wood. Damp, dewy grass kisses my boots with each step.

Kenisius cracks a joke behind me, but I barely hear it over the roaring in my skull.

“Fair warning,” I call over my shoulder. “I am not in the mood for feckery today.”

Shoving the iron gate open, I hold it to allow my pal to pass. Wordlessly, he begins his shift. His body shakes and cracks, submitting to the earthquake within his bones. He contorts, falling forward as tendons and ligaments snap and reshape. His bearded face morphs, growing hairier and rounder. Beaded eyes and a soft black nose punctuate the appearance.

As much as I never wanted to ride the damn bear again, I don’t think I have a choice. With a hefty sigh, I grip his neck and hoist myself onto his back.

“ This is the last time,” I mutter. Although we both know it’s a lie.