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Soon, we’d have to return to the palace. Soryn and Keffa were likely scouting the perimeter, searching for us. They knew I wouldn’t stay out in the storm, especially not with Una. But I had no desire to face the world just yet. I pulled her closer, relishing her soft, warm body.
Glancing over at the small table I’d built for rudimentary cooking when I came here, I wondered if I had any rations stored in my satchel still on Drakmir. Likely nothing worthy of feeding my mate.
Son of Vix.My mate. I squeezed my arm around her waist, still savoring the warmth of her beneath the wool blanket I was glad I had packed on Drakmir.
Finally, her eyes blinked open, bright by the blue-coal still burning. I should’ve given her time to gain her bearings after what we’d experienced together, given her a moment to collect her emotions, but I was too ravenous for her thoughts. I’d been ruminating on her the whole time she rested, the storm long past now.
“What were you seeking at Dragul Falls?”
She blinked rapidly, turning her body to peer up at me. She didn’t try to put space between us. For that, I was grateful.
She trailed her fingers through my curtain of black hair spilling onto her chest. “I was looking for a text. One that is god-touched.”
Frowning, I asked, “How do you know one is there? What is it for?”
She moved her hand to my chest and traced the runes etched into my skin by my gods. I couldn’t prevent the low groan at her sweet touch.
Her mouth quirked up on one side while she continued to explore my skin, and I attempted to focus on the conversation. “When I came here before…” Her eyes lifted to mine, the gravity of what she was confessing catching my full attention. “I was trying to find this text that was prophesied by our oracle to be there, one that I was sure would help against the plague.”
“You were seeking a cure for your father?” The pieces finally fell into place, what she would’ve risked her life for so many years ago.
“Actually, my father hadn’t fallen ill with it yet. But so many of our people have.” She heaved a sigh, her breath brushing my bare skin, bringing me back to awareness of her intimate embrace. “And now he is dying from it.”
“An Issosian oracle said it was here, so close to Silvantis?”
She nodded. “I can show you.”
“How?”
That mischievous smile returned. “I brought the book with me. I’d hoped that I could look again since I’d be so close. Maybe the gods wanted me to find it.”
“By sending you to me?”
She turned those violet eyes down, away from me. I touched her chin, tilting her gaze up. She finally met mine again.
“The gods did send you to me,” I informed her. “Vix would not have allowed you to live after bathing in Näkt Lykenzel if you were not.”
Fire returned to her gaze. “What if I’d died? You could’ve been wrong.”
“Did you believe you would die?”
She hesitated, then finally, “No.”
“Neither did I. There was fear, I admit, but I’ve always known. Since the moment I saw your wings in the throne room as you stood up to my father.” I quirked a smile at that memory. “I think even before then. When I saw you in the dungeon being lowered on that hook—”
When she shivered, I stopped, pulling her tighter against me, brushing my hand up and down her spine. She rested her forehead against my chest, trailing a delicate hand to my waist.
“I apologize. I didn’t mean to remind you of that day.”
There was a lengthy moment where I wondered if I’d hurt her by reminding her. But then her reply baffled me.
“When I returned home, I was horrified at what I’d risked, at what I’d lost. I still mourn the magick I had and my white wings. But I also felt there must be purpose in it. I’ve always felt it could not be for nothing. And you’re right.” She lifted her gaze to mine again. “I am meant to stand beside you. Perhaps it is to discover and cure this plague. Or something else. Something greater. But I know down to my bones that I am where the gods want me to be. It seems so strange, an Issosian princess and a wraith king.” She huffed a laugh. “But I know it’s true.”
A growl rumbled in my chest as I swept my mouth across hers. “It is true. It is right.” Then something caught my attention as she ran her hand down my arm.
“Una.” I took hold of her hand and raised her wrist closer so that I could examine the demon rune etched into her skin. My chest warmed, a proud knowing at the sight of it, while myheart raced with excitement. “You were given this on the night of Servium.” I knew it instinctively.
“It’s on the other wrist, too.” She wriggled to lay more on her back and showed me. “What does it mean?”
