Chapter 29

Béke Day Seven

The air was thick with the scent of amber. I whipped around, trying to gain my bearings amid the massive snow banks that surrounded me. Everything was white, save for tendrils of oily darkness slipping through the snow, sickening with its touch. Veins of black wound their way through the thick piles, melting them until I was knee-deep in water. And still, I could not find the source of the smell. My unbound chestnut hair lifted in a strong breeze that brought wispy shadows in on its wings. I flicked my fingers in an attempt to bring my magic to my palms, but nothing happened with the movement. My breath caught in my throat, panic clawing its way up as I felt utterly powerless.

Shit, shit, shit, I had to get out of here.

Without a moment's hesitation, I pushed off the rocky ground beneath me, but my legs were encumbered by the soupy water surrounding them. My heart galloped faster and faster as I struggled to run, and my crazed movements only seemed to thicken the water around me. A splash at my back sprayed water in every direction, and I whipped around, a hand clutching my chest as Kazimir appeared from nowhere.

"You are mine," he growled, lunging for me, and I was helpless as his hand closed over my throat.

A gasp ripped through me as I bolted upright in bed, dragging Ruslan from sleep a moment later. Without hesitation, he cradled me against him, wrapping his arms around me protectively. "Shh, sprite, it was only a dream."

A choked sob caught in my chest as he continued to soothe me with gentle, circular strokes on my bare skin, the warmth of his large frame enveloping me and chasing away the chill of powerlessness. "It was him," I managed to choke out, and Ruslan only pulled me tighter.

"I'll always keep you safe, sprite. I am only a thought away," he promised.

Dragging in a serrated breath, I wiped my eyes and allowed his heat to relax me. "What time is it?"

He brushed his lips over my bare shoulder. "Time to eat breakfast."

"Good, because I could use a cinnamon roll to banish my nightmare," I said, eliciting a low rumble behind me. When I squirmed in his arms, he released me, and as I scooted out of bed, I was grateful that I had not drunk too much at the feast the previous night. "I'm going to shower before we go."

Ruslan was out of bed a moment later, throwing back the curtains hiding Radence from us, and the pinkish purple of dawn over the Agrenak Mountains was revealed. He tossed a little of his magic into the fire, bringing it to life, and I knew it was because he wanted to ensure I was warm enough. With happiness bubbling in my heart and banishing the lingering bits of fear, I strode into the bathroom and turned on the taps for the shower.

When I returned to our bedroom, Ruslan was reading, one arm holding his book and the other thrown casually behind his head, his muscles flexing in the morning light. I paused for a moment to admire him, still in disbelief over how incredible he was to me. To others, he might be the ruthless king, but to me, he was soft and sweet, and the love I felt down our bond was deeper than any ocean and just as endless.

"Ready to go?" I asked, drawing his attention away.

With a smirk, he set his book aside and rose from the bed, revealing every naked inch of his body. "I will be in a moment." I gulped at his erection, my thighs dampening from the sight of it. "My eyes are up here, mate."

Jerking my gaze to his face, I blushed, then sashayed my hips as I walked toward the dresser filled with my clothes, dropping the towel away from my body as I did so. The growl that came unbidden was entirely too satisfying.

"If we didn't need to focus on winning the Day and Crystal Realms to our side, I'd fuck you against this until you went hoarse from screaming my name."

"Maybe later," I purred, pushing my ass out as I bent to pull undergarments from the bottom drawer. When I straightened and glanced over my shoulder, his expression was dark and playful, and he looked like he wanted to devour me.

"I'll hold you to that."

We werethe first to arrive in the dining hall, and once I'd realized that, I bolted straight toward the steaming pile of sweets, taking all the best pastries for myself. A sigh brushed across the back of my neck, and I whipped my head around to find Ruslan holding two plates filled with meat and cheese. I smiled at him, batting my lashes innocently. "Is one of those for me?"

"Since you will only eat these if I get them for you, yes," he teased, nudging me along with his leg. We settled at our usual table just as the other monarchs began to arrive, their entourages trickling in behind them.

Queen Viktoria and Queen Immonen sat across from me, and we fell into easy conversation, while Ruslan spoke with their husbands. An idea dawned on me as we chatted, and I knew Ruslan would approve. "Would you two care to join me today as I select my wedding gown? High Ladies Liliana and Domi will be in attendance as well."

Queen Viktoria's expression was open and bright, almost motherly, and it warmed me from the inside out. "It would be my honor. I still remember my wedding as if it were yesterday."

"I've never been to one, so I have no idea what to expect," I admitted, ducking my head for a moment. Then with a sigh, I continued, "I could use all the help I can get. Thankfully, Ruslan has taken care of most of the planning for me."

His regard fell over me as I uttered his name, and he gave my leg a light squeeze beneath the table. "You are brilliant in your own right."

"I'd be delighted as well. While the Night and Day Fae may have the best cloth weavers, the Crystal Fae have the best fashion sense," Queen Immonen boasted, tossing her platinum hair over her shoulder.

The smile spreading across my face was interrupted by a string tugging in my low belly, leaving me with a sense of rising nausea. My attention snapped to the Night Fae who sauntered into the room.

Kazimir strolled in with a swagger that made me want to roll my eyes, and as he piled his plate with food and walked toward us, my stomach threatened to return its contents to my plate. He wore the Night Crown with an air of haughtiness, with his nose lifted even higher in the air than normal and a shit-eating grin he flashed at everyone who glanced in his direction. The chair scraped obnoxiously against the ground as he pulled it back and joined us at the table. All our conversations ceased, and I did not need to be an empath to know that everyone at the table was wildly uncomfortable.

Tapping into that spear of crystal wrapped in flames and moonlight in my chest, I pushed soothing emotions into everyone around me, knowing that the shift in mood would be in everyone's best interests. With six people surrounding me, it was a bit difficult, but when Queen Viktoria's shoulders relaxed, I knew I had managed to pull it off. I couldn't wait to tell Zuriel.

"Thank you, sprite."

"You're welcome."

My magic had affected Kazimir too, and the oiliness that had surrounded his aura was notably absent. Warmth returned to his countenance, and he opened up conversation again. "What has everyone planned for the free day?"

The queens pressed their lips together, and as we locked eyes, I knew they would not speak of my earlier invitation. Thankfully, King Consort Geza offered words first. "I for one would like a day to relax. I am sore from all our competitions."

King Airre chuckled, then turned to my mate. "I'd like to see some of your new mines, King Ruslan." He dropped his voice conspiratorially. "My wife is fond of pretty things, you see."

Queen Immonen's eyes sparkled like gemstones as she shout-whispered, "Your wife is very fond of pretty things."

"Consider it done, King Airre. I will take you myself to one of our newest mines, where any rock you find is yours." Ruslan flashed him a winning grin, though it was all the ruthless king on display and not a friendly comrade. "Anyone else is welcome to join us on the expedition."

Kazimir contributed little else as our conversations drifted onto other topics like agriculture, trade, and new technologies, but he studied each word intently as if he were memorizing them and packing them away to review later. Ruslan explained how the lifts the others would see on their way to the mines had been created, then mentioned a few other inventions of the Iron Realm in the last few decades.

My mind was only half in the conversation, every hair on the back of my neck standing with Kazimir only two seats away from me. The dream still had me on edge, and I wanted to leave the dining hall as soon as possible. The moment Liliana finished eating, I caught her eye across the room, and she seemed to understand what I needed. Grabbing Domi by the arm, she pulled her toward me until the two of them stood at the end of the table. "We'll meet you in the courtyard in ten minutes?" she asked with a quick perusal along the table.

"Yes," I confirmed, and the queens across from me dabbed their mouths with napkins and rose from their seats. I felt two sets of eyes on my back as I did the same, though I only smiled at the ones closest to me as I hurried to leave.

Ruslan held my hand, our fingers touching until the last possible moment. "I love you."

"I love you," I replied, then followed the females into the hallway, where we parted ways so I could order a carriage from the stablehands while they dressed for our outing.

Fifteen minutes later, we rolled away from Ryza and toward the dress shop – supposedly the most exclusive in the whole Iron Realm. The five of us were a tight fit in the carriage, but no one seemed to mind as we laughed and gossiped on the way. The shop was near Steel, Liliana mentioned as we rolled past the Félvér club, and then she was ‘forced' to recount tales of her experience for Queen Viktoria, who was fanning herself by the time we finally rolled to a stop in front of the wide-windowed boutique.

"Greetings, Your Highnesses," the female clad in soft black clothing said, holding the door wide for us to enter as we emerged from the carriage. The space reminded me of the dance studio where Ruslan and Kazimir had pleasured me until I could no longer walk, with mirrors adorning every wall, some covered by racks of fabric or ready-made gowns. Unconsciously, I glided over to them, running my hands along the material and admiring the luxurious feel of everything in the shop.

To think, a little under half a year had passed since I'd left my chains behind.

I was so lost in thought that I did not hear Liliana"s approach. "This reminds me of our first day together."

I jumped, clutching my chest as my heart leaped and sank, and I released a whoosh of air. "Sorry, you startled me." Regaining control of my breath, I paused, focusing on everything around us in an attempt to ground myself. "It reminds me of that, too. I'm so glad you're here." To show her my sincerity, I reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"You're my best friend. I wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied, squeezing my hand in turn. "Now, let's see what they have to say."

We rejoined the queens and Domi on the far side of the space, where two Félvér and one Iron Fae female waited for us. "Natasha! Aliana! I didn't realize you two worked here," Liliana said when she noticed the two Félvér.

"Liliana, what a pleasant surprise," the dark-haired one replied with a wide grin. "We haven't seen you the past few nights at Steel."

Liliana glanced at me conspiratorially. "I'm trying to convince Izidora to come with me next time, Natasha."

Aliana's eyes trailed me up and down, and from the red tinge to them, I had to guess she had Demon blood. "Yes, Your Highness, you should come and bring your king with you. We'd have so much fun together."

Heat blossomed throughout my body as Liliana's tales, still fresh from our ride, rose to the front of my mind. "As much as I would love to join you, I don't think Ruslan would allow anyone else to touch me right now."

Liliana's dark brows pinched before they leaped up her forehead. "No fucking way! How did you not tell me?"

The two queens looked at each other in puzzlement before Domi's face broke into a wide, knowing smile. "You accepted then?"

"Yes," I breathed, grinning ear to ear as that thread that tied me to Ruslan hummed contentedly. "I was going to surprise you today since you'll see the mark when I try on dresses."

Before the words finished spilling from my lips, Liliana tackled me into a hug, throwing me off balance and stealing a laugh from my chest. "I'm so happy for you."

Tears sprang to my eyes as our contact allowed me to feel the full depth of her emotion. "I am happy, happier than I've ever been. Happier than I ever thought possible."

But there was still so much lingering trauma I needed to heal.

Could both be true at the same time? Could I truly be so incredibly happy and still suffer from what had happened to me?

Liliana held me at arm"s length as I sniffed and blinked rapidly to dispel the tears that threatened to fall. "You deserve it too," she told me.

As Domi wormed her way in, the three workers excused themselves, offering us a moment of privacy. Queen Viktoria embraced me next, followed by Queen Immonen, the other mated female in our group.

"Izidora, being mated is the most incredible gift anyone could be given. I wish Airre and I hadn't fought our bond for so long. I am so glad you made your choice…" The queen of the Crystal Realm blinked rapidly, platinum lashes fluttering violently before her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

"Immonen?" I whispered, heart pounding in my chest as something unearthly settled over me. The sound that the queen made next was something between a gasp and a choke, and as she collapsed, Liliana and I reached for her, our reflexes kicking in just in time to lower her gently to the ground.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked, attention flitting everywhere as I searched for the source of her distress.

"She's having a vision," Queen Viktoria stated, hands hovering protectively over her belly.

Immonen's body twitched again, arching off the ground, and Liliana cradled the queen's head in her lap so it didn't smack against the floor. "She's been having them often lately," she said quietly, glancing around us to ensure we were alone. The dressmakers' absence was a relief. I didn't think Queen Immonen would want anyone to see her in this state, let alone strangers.

With my empath magic, I reached for her, sending soothing emotions her way in an attempt to ease the tension lining her brow and the frown pulling down the corners of her mouth. But as I opened myself to her, I was hit with a wave of pure terror, so powerful that it turned my stomach over and inside out, and I immediately wanted to heave. I must have reacted in some way, because in the next moment, Liliana hissed, "Put your mental barrier up!"

Nodding, I did just that, and the emotions of the queens, Domi, and Liliana melted away, leaving me firmly in my own mental space. As I returned to myself, so too did Immonen. With a shudder, and then a few long, slow blinks, her eyes refocused, and she gulped down air.

"Shh, just lie still for a moment," Liliana soothed.

But Queen Immonen had a wild, crazed look in her eye, and I didn't need my empath magic to read the fear rolling off of her. Her attention landed on me, and she grasped at my shirt, yanking me close to her with the desperation of a female possessed. "He can't know, he can't know, you can't tell Kazimir that you accepted the bond."

I stiffened, her proximity and the force with which she gripped me sending ice skittering down my spine.

"Please, Izidora! You can't tell him!" Immonen's voice reached a fevered pitch, and both Domi and Liliana placed reassuring hands on her in an attempt to get her to release me.

"Why not?" I asked warily, air lodging in my lungs as I waited for Immonen's response. I knew from the level of distress she displayed that whatever she'd seen in the vision could not be good.

She swallowed, twin sets of tears spilling over and tracking down her cheeks. "Once he knows… everything goes dark."

"What do you mean, everything goes dark?" Frustration speared through me, and I gritted my teeth against the rising tide of rage. "I thought choosing a mate was supposed to fix all of this!" My words came out harsher than I intended, but none of the females paid it any attention.

Some of the fervency lifted from Immonen, and she allowed Domi and Liliana to uncurl her fingers and sit her upright. With a sniff, she wiped her eyes and smoothed her hair before responding. "I don't know… the visions aren't always clear. I get flashes and impressions more than anything lately. And they shift so much… one day, I'll be certain of an outcome, and the next, the Goddess shows me something completely different." She paused, closing her eyes briefly as if she were trying to create the vision again. "But this, this will come to pass once Kazimir knows."

Goddess damn everything.

"Fucking Fates," Liliana swore, glancing at the heavens, then at the ground. "We can't exactly go around telling everyone about this vision either, because that would mean we know about Izidora and Ruslan's mating bond. Which we don't." She shot a pointed look at the gathered members of our group.

"Agreed," Queen Viktoria hummed, glancing over her shoulder in the direction the others had disappeared. "We must also swear the females to secrecy. The knowledge should not leave this room."

Another secret in the Iron Realm.

"You won't even tell your husbands?" I asked the two queens. Domi, I was already certain, would not tell Kaztar.

"I am the only queen in a continent of proud, arrogant kings. We females must stick together," Queen Viktoria stated firmly.

"As much as I love him, my husband is one of them," Queen Immonen sighed. "I will try my best to keep this from him, but as you know, Izidora, the mating bond gives us access to each other's minds. He's already in there asking if I'm alright after my vision."

I grasped her hands in mine. "Thank you, Immonen. Tell him we've got you."

"You can't tell Ruslan either, Izidora. He'd immediately kill Kazimir for the perceived threat against you. Your mating bond is super fresh, and he's already kind of volatile as it is." Liliana shrugged as if her statement was obvious. Which, I guessed, in a way it was. Ruslan didn't show his vulnerable side to anyone but me.

"More unstable than Kazimir?" I quipped, quirking a brow.

She huffed a laugh. "No, but Ruslan would burn the world down for you. Kazimir would… burn the world down for you, but in a different way."

I had to suppress a smile. Liliana had no idea what Ruslan would do for me – had done for me. A wicked thrill swept through me as the memory of us slaughtering my former captors together and then fucking while covered in their blood drifted to the forefront of my mind. I snorted and then helped Immonen stand. She swayed slightly before finally steadying herself. She smoothed her skirt, then said to me, "I don't know what will happen in the coming days, weeks, or even months, but if my visions are any indication, it is nothing good."

The Goddess had said as much when she appeared in my dreams alongside my parents. Choosing was supposed to be the fucking solution to everything, and to hear from Immonen that if Kazimir uncovered mine and Ruslan's solidified bond everything would still go dark did nothing but return my apprehension with roaring ferocity.

I chewed my lip as the two queens leaned on each other for support and made their way to a low sofa across the room. Domi squeezed my shoulder, then joined them, leaving Liliana and me alone.

"That definitely put a somber air on the day," I finally said, attempting to laugh to dispel the unease settling in my belly. But my core was cold and chilling more with every passing moment at the thought of what it meant for everything to go dark.

"Let's forget about it all and enjoy the day. Right now, it's just us about to design you the sexiest damn dress we can so that Ruslan falls to his knees when he sees you in the temple." Liliana succeeded in making me smile at the imagery of my strong, powerful male softening like melting butter for me.

"Why are you the best?" I joked, linking my arm in hers and closing the rest of the distance to the pedestal where Natasha, Aliana, and the Iron Fae female spoke with the queens and Domi in hushed tones.

When we reached them, all three lifted their gazes to me. "We swear not to speak a word of what we see today to anyone," Natasha said. "We swore an unbreakable vow to Queen Viktoria." The three lifted their wrists, and a faint line of gold lined each of them.

"Unbreakable vow?" I asked, my body shaking slightly.

What else did I not know about the magic of this world? Had Kazimir locked me in an unbreakable vow without my knowledge, and was that why I still felt him?

"Only crowned monarchs can make them, as part of the Goddess's balance," Queen Viktoria informed me. "This particular one will remain in place until you tell Kazimir that you accepted your mating bond with Ruslan. If any of them speak on the subject, they will die immediately."

"Thank you," I said, my shoulders loosening with the knowledge that Kazimir would not discover that Ruslan and I had accepted the mating bond until I was ready for him to know, and that there was no unbreakable vow I had been trapped in without my consent.

Liliana released me, and I stepped onto the pedestal, banishing the lingering worry and focusing on the spectacular array around me.

The dressmakers began scrutinizing me, circling and assessing and drawing imaginary lines with their fingers. Aliana spoke first after a thorough pass. "What style and color would you like?"

In a panicked glance in the mirror, I sought out Liliana, hoping for some assistance, but Immonen cut in with her suggestion first. "My dear, with your Angel heritage, you must wear white."

"White with lots of gems!" Liliana exclaimed. "This is the Iron Realm, and you're marrying the king of it."

I laughed, "I like both of those suggestions. Can you make something that is form-fitting? I want to really wow Ruslan."

"We can," Natasha confirmed. "If I may make a suggestion?"

"Please." I indicated she should continue.

"With your figure, you'd look incredible in something like this." She pulled a dress from a nearby rack, the bodice tight and nearly transparent with bones holding its shape. The skirt was cinched tight from the waist to mid-thigh, where it flowed in waves of light fabric in every direction, the train so long it was wrapped over another hanger.

My eyes widened as I beheld the elegant dress, and I nodded immediately. "Can we add some sleeves to it? It's quite cold at the moment." That earned a chuckle from the group, none of us accustomed to the bitter winter weather in the Iron Realm.

"Slip behind the curtain with me, and I'll help you into it. From there, we can make alterations," Aliana said, and I followed her a few steps away, shedding my pants and tunic while she unlaced the back of the gown. With great care, I managed to slip into the middle of it without stepping on the fine fabric, and the Félvér wriggled it over my body until the top of the bodice brushed against my breasts. I held it in place while she tightened the silk on the back, giving my cleavage a nice lift. She glanced up from her work and caught my eye in the mirror. "King Ruslan will not be able to resist you in this. The Iron Realm is sexy, and you, Your Highness, look sexy in this dress."

I had to agree with her. The dress was flattering in all the right ways and showed enough skin to be alluring while leaving some to the imagination. Aliana carefully bundled the train in her arms, helping me pivot so we could exit the room.

Stepping back into the parlor, we found my companions perching on the edges of their seats. Liliana squealed and bounced, while Immonen clasped her hands in front of her mouth, over a watery, close-lipped smile.

"You look stunning," Queen Viktoria enthused, her eyes alight as they roamed the dress.

Once I was settled atop the pedestal, the dressmakers worked together to fan out the train, careful not to step on it.

"Lift your hair so I can see your mate mark!" Liliana exclaimed.

Grinning, I twisted my long locks, then lifted them off my back, revealing the perfect circle between my shoulder blades. In the mirror, I watched my best friend swoon. But then the reality of Immonen's vision settled over me and I released my hair, hands shaking as I smoothed it. "No, my back needs to be covered. This mark has to be covered."

Liliana jumped to her feet and leaped over the train to my side, grabbing my hand and grounding me as panic sunk its claws into my chest. "Shh, take a breath, we will fix it."

My vision swam, but I nodded and sucked in a ragged breath.

"I have a perfect solution," the Iron Fae female said, crossing to the opposite end of the store and returning with an intricate, jeweled piece that had a thick collar and cascaded row after row of diamonds. "This will fit over your dress and make you sparkle."

"It"s beautiful," I breathed, sweeping my hair over my shoulder so she could secure it and hide the mark once more.

A bubble of laughter burst around us, and I found myself brimming with joy as I stared at my friends, and then at myself in the full-length mirror. The dress was exquisite, hugging my curves in all the right places, the soft, billowy fabric making me look ethereal, and I knew the moment I added my wings to the ensemble, I'd bring all the realms to their knees. The thought heated my low belly in the most delicious way.

I couldn't wait for Ruslan to see me in this.

Liliana wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed as we looked at ourselves in the mirror, and more than anything I was relieved to have her with me. She was the best friend anyone could ask for, and during the turmoil of Béke, she'd been a steadfast and grounding presence that I so desperately needed.

But my moment of joy was yanked away when a tug at my back had me snapping my head up and staring in the mirror, out the window, and into the street beyond.