Page 63 of Where We Belong

“Aiden!” Agni shoves my shoulder, then snatches her hand back as though the contact burned her. I have been taught to never strike a female, but I wonder if a sibling counts. Glaring down at her I take a little, deliberate step forward, tilting my head slightly. “Agnimitra.” I lower my voice, slowing down every syllable so she can get it through her thick, human skull, “Eira belongs to me. She always has, she always will. And she knows it.”

Eira studies the stone beneath her boots and I cup her jaw in my hand, thumb brushing lightly along her rich skin, the contact sparking a heat in my icy veins. Those beautiful, deep brown eyes and wet eyelashes make her look so endearing, I admit, the sight stirs something darker in me. Something wicked. She does not need to be willing. She just has to stay. To be safe. I almost lose myself in a trance when I trace her plump bottom lip with my thumb, but Agni’s expletives bring me back to reality. “I will speak to the King this afternoon.” I say, loud enough to drown out her ranting.

“Then let’s do it tonight.” Eira sniffs.

I let go of her and watch her gracefully glide out of the library, my half-sister galloping after her. I work out a click in my shoulder, joy thumping through me. Mine. Safe. Peace. “So now you have what you need. Are you pleased?”

“No.” Kaed’s temple is propped against his fist as he lazily flips through a book. There is perfect silence for a while as I settle back down at the table beside him. “Controlling someone won’t result in them loving you, Prince.”

I do not even look up from my book. “And I suppose you would know all about that? And not that it is your concern,” I continue, ignoring his frown, “but Eira is simply running to your little friend for some...relief. He is her distraction. Perhaps in the way you were a distraction for my mother.”

Thankfully, he realises he has wasted enough of my time and makes for the exit. But just as he reaches the threshold, his voice disturbs my peace once more. “One day, we will speak about your mother. But not today. I do not wish to shatter the version of her you have built in your mind. Just know this: if you go through with this tonight, with Eira, you are continuing a cycle of brokenness. I know what you have been wrestling with all these years isn’t easy. But you will always have power over your choices.” The door shuts silently behind him.

Chapter 56

Kaed

But serve I must, she has my life,

I cannot resist, I’m enthralled.

“I don’t know why you’re crying, little star,” he murmurs, his fingers tracing soothing circles along her spine. “You will not make that vow.”

“I will!” Eira chokes out, gripping the front of his tunic. “I won’t let you die, especially not for something you didn’t do.” She looks up at him and strokes his bruised cheek before he kisses her palm. I’ve seen Nyk flirt and charm his way into beds across the territories. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve walked in on him mid-conquest. But I have never seen this version of him, it suits him.

“There is no point in living if I cannot live with you. If I must watch you with Aiden, that is worse than death.”

“Then go. Back to Ember and serve there. I can handle myself here.”

He plants small kisses on her forehead. Nothing like the charmer I once reveled with. “I am pledged to the crown until I die. I cannot leave and neither would I leave you here. If I must die, I will do so knowing you are free. But how could I live knowing you are a slave.”

“You cannot stop me, Nykholas. It’s happening tonight, whether you like it or not. It’s my life.”

“That it is. So don’t let any male shape it and decide what it means to you. What a beautiful light you are, Eira. Burn bright.” He rests his forehead on hers, hands in her hair as she grips his forearms, sobbing. “Do not let him trap you in his lantern just to light his own dark path.” Even Theron and the newly regenerated Barkus are silently sitting in their cells as if they too respect the grief in the air.

“Kae,” Nyk says, “Don’t let her do this.”

“They’re both aware I don’t approve, brother, but I cannot force them.” Ashley and I had spent the entire afternoon attempting to convince Eira that we would find another way. But she knows Aiden’s jealousy better than anyone. Even if he isn’t behind Nyk’s imprisonment, he would surely watch him die without blinking if it meant he could have Eira to himself. She’s certain he isn’t behind it, but it reeks of design. Timely, isn’t it? Nyk pledged to die and now Eira set to bind herself to him.

“Damn it, Kaed,” Nyk whispers, defeat heavy in his heart and a sheen on his eyes. “He won’t release me anyway.”

*

“I am happy to go, Uncle. I can get my class covered if that is a problem.”

“Oh my god, no one cares about your class, Aiden. We all forgot you even teach.” Ashley shoots, rolling her eyes so far back that the green almost disappears. When Aiden glares back, I’m reminded of Nyk and his brothers many years ago.

“That’s half a day’s travel, the enchanted forest of Cinder, their entrance rite, the trials and traps, my gods.” The King mutters, half to himself, his gaze drifting between us from his brother’s memorial bench in the gardens. “All three of you? Gone?” A shadow of sadness passes over his face and for the first time, it strikes me that he might be lonely. Vale and Theron’s betrayal cut him raw. His hurt and shock evident. And he’s always kept Aiden close, losing him would surely shatter what’s left of his fragile heart. Now, with Ashley back, the constant reminder of his brother, his best friend, he can’t let her be taken again. A pain I know all too well.

“Four.” Aiden crosses his arms. “Eira too.”

“I do not know the male you are becoming, Aiden.” He studies him with the grim disapproval of a heartbroken father. “Captain, son, do you believe you can keep them safe? That you can pass through the entrance rite?” He extends a hand to me and as I grip it, I notice the slight tremble and return the squeeze before I let go.

“I do. With my life.”

He massages his temples, still clearly not entirely satisfied with the situation, but the council had spoken. “I will accompany you to the edge of the forest.”

“Will you release Nyk?” Ashley asks, vivid, green eyes boring into the King, my heart pounds awaiting his answer.