Chapter 17

Seventeen

Iwoke with a jolt. I heard nothing, saw no intruder. Nevertheless, a shadow fae was near. I felt his magick, a ghostly whisper along my skin.

Silently, I reached for my knife beside the bed, unsheathing it without making a sound. A quick scan of the room. He wasn't in here. The curtains billowed at the open balcony door, larks chirping in the early light of morning.

I stepped cautiously outside, ready for an attack, looking toward the shadows where he'd likely hid himself with magick. But then I saw the intruder, not hiding at all.

He stood to the far left of our balcony, back straight and rigid, looking out toward the mountains, the first light of dawn shining on his golden hair. Rather than relax, I remained ready to defend should I need to.

"My prince," I acknowledged.

He turned slowly, taking in my nakedness and my fighting stance. "My prince? So formal, Vallon. It is just us." There was a twinge of hurt in his voice.

I didn't answer. I was far from where I was supposed to be, sleeping in the wraith king's castle, which was unheard of. Last I reported to him, I was on watch in the woods south of Lake Moreen, checking on my ward. Torvyn knew all about my father's dying wish.

But now, I was miles away from our home, where I should have been. And no doubt, he could smell her on me.

He stared, his golden eyes taking everything in as always. "She's pretty, your little ward."

"She's my mate," I snapped quickly. "My wife."

For the first time since I'd known him as a boy, a look of shock widened his eyes. "That is…unexpected."

"Nevertheless, it is true." Tension vibrated from my frame, and I still clenched my knife at my side.

"No one will care if the high priest takes a light fae to wife." He glanced at the blade in my hand. "Is that why you've hidden away with her in King Goll's summer castle?"

"There are other reasons I cannot bring her to Gadlizel."

"What reasons?" As always, his question wasn't a question. It was a command.

As high priest, I usually answered without pause. But now, I kept my mouth closed.

The sun peaked above the horizon, gilding his orange-tipped black wings, the markings of his royal line.

"Why are you threatened by me?" he asked, a frown pursing his brow. "We're friends."

"Are we?" I couldn't keep the gruff tone out of my voice.

"What are you talking about? Of course, we are."

"Torvyn, you've been withdrawing more and more these past many months. Even when I see you or talk to you, I feel like you're not truly there. I fear that—" I cut off my own words, refusing to say what I believed. But Torvyn's dawning expression said he knew.

"That I'm turning into my father."

I nodded stiffly.

He heaved a sigh and looked out at the mountains. "I am not mad, Vallon. I'm angry and frustrated, and I'm fucking frightened." His voice had dropped to a whisper.

I'd never heard him admit the last. He was certainly speaking to me as his friend now.

"We all are," I admitted, for the evil was waking with rapid speed and slowly bleeding out into the world.

"So that's why you won't bring your little wife to Gadlizel? Too close to the monster we're fighting?"

"It isn't that actually," I admitted. For though it was true the evil being that lived deep in the mountain was growing in strength, I knew I could protect her. I'd flee the mountain with her at the first sign the dark one had broken through our wards.

"Then tell me, brother."

I startled. Torvyn hadn't used that term of affection in years. When we were boys, we would pretend we were brothers since both of us had no siblings. By all accounts, with the exception of a blood bond, we were. We'd lived through many trials together, but this past year he'd withdrawn. And that was what had me cautious about telling him.

"She is a seer," I said flatly.

His frown deepened. "What kind?"

"A world seer."

There were three kinds. A soul seer prophesied only for one person and their future. These seers were always attached to people of importance, usually kings or queens. God seers spoke the will of one of the gods. But a world seer saw visions that impacted all of fae kind.

"I see," said Torvyn.

"Exactly. I won't bring her to Gadlizel because she'd be in more danger from your father than from what lies in the belly of the mountain."

He turned back to face the sunrise. I joined him at the banister, setting my blade on the flat of the stone railing.

"I understand your hesitance, but I need you, Vallon."

"I'd kill anyone who tried to harm her," I admitted, "including your father."

He turned his head to me, observing the truth written on my face. "Then she is your god-given mate."

"She is."

"So we don't tell anyone she's a seer," he said conspiratorially.

Suddenly, I felt as if I was speaking to my friend like we always had. He and I against the rest of the world.

"You'd hide that truth from your father in defiance of his law?"

"My father." He snorted. "I barely recognize him from the man he once was, Vallon. You know it as well as I do."

Yes, I did. The king was not the man I had pledged my fealty to so many years ago.

"What if she has a vision among others?" I asked. "She doesn't have control of her magick yet."

"Vallon, you never come to court now, and your villa is so far above Gadlizel, you might as well live in a different realm. No one will think it strange that you rarely come to court since it has always been so with you."

"I prefer my solitude," I said flatly.

He chuckled, a sound I hadn't heard in a long while, but then he sobered, his golden eyes sincere when he said, "I need you, brother. I'll protect your mate as well. I give you my solemn vow." He held out his hand, forearm vertical. "Besides," he added, "perhaps she was put into your life to help us all. A world seer, Vallon? It's rather coincidental, don't you think?"

"I think it's the gods' doing."

"Then let us listen to the gods. Just because my father ignores them doesn't mean that I do." He opened his palm. "Take my hand. Take my oath."

I pressed my forearm to his and clasped his hand, relief and rightness washing through me. "I accept your vow to protect my mate with your life." I held his gaze, finding only the loyalty of my dearest friend.

"With my life," he agreed.

I exhaled a breath with sharp relief as I clasped his shoulder with my free hand. "I've missed you, Torvyn."

"I am sorry I've been so"—he huffed out a breath—"removed." He glanced down and dropped my arm. "Now, as much as I enjoy standing here while you're naked, you should probably return to your wife."

I laughed and stepped away, taking my blade from the banister.

"When can I expect you back home?" he asked, opening his wings, readying for flight.

"Soon. We have an errand first that will take a few days. But don't come calling for a week. Or two. Perhaps three."

He laughed again, a warm sound that reminded me of our carefree days of youth. There was little cause for joy or laughter these days in Gadlizel. It was good to hear the lightness in his voice.

"I'll give you a full cycle of the moon, then be ready for my visit." He flapped his wings once and landed atop the railing. "What are you going to do about your mother? She may be in the way for all the recreation you have planned with your new bride."

"My mother will be overjoyed and will stay well out of the way because she's wanted grandchildren for ages."

That suddenly struck me. The idea of children with Murgha. My heart clenched with warmth.

"Quite right," said my friend, the Prince of Gadlizel. "See you in a month."

Then he lifted off and sped high into the sky. I noticed a larger shadow streaking through the clouds high above us. The king's dragon. On patrol, most likely. But with a shimmer of light, Torvyn vanished, camouflaged with the sky. The dragon might smell him on the wind, but he'd never see him.

I returned to the bedchamber to find Murgha still peacefully asleep. Her lovely face upturned toward the morning light, the covers tucked under her slender arm across her breasts, completely unaware of what had transpired. There was so much I had to tell her about Gadlizel. But not now.

I'd tell her later. Instead, I sank back under the covers behind her and pulled her warm body against mine, relishing this bliss before we had to return to the world.