Page 45 of The Reaping Rose

The pull is undeniable, and yet, I resist. Something holds me back.

Wilder’s magic follows me across the room, clinging to my senses, only loosening when I reach Callum.

Greer spots me first, cutting off Perame mid-sentence.

“Gods, you scared me.” Greer bursts around Callum, pulling me in for a hug and gripping my shoulders as she steps back. “We weren’t sure how long you’d sleep. You were mumbling when you came here; I thought maybe the prison had done something irreversible.”

“How long was I in there?”

“Six days. How long did it feel like?”

“An eternity and also like no time at all.” A shiver climbs my spine.

Greer frowns. “I’m thankful he got to you in time.”

“He’s lucky the prison let him out. I swear Wilder has no sense of self-preservation.”

Perame chuckles, her dagger spinning between her fingers. “Not when it comes to you.”

For a moment, I think it’s a jab. But Perame’s smile is real. Appreciative even. She must notice my hesitation because she pauses the blade, her expression softening.

“You bring out something different in Wilder, that’s all.” She shrugs.

I glance up at Callum, who has yet to say a word. “Thank you for keeping your promise. You got the villagers out?”

“Yes. Letia is with them now in a wing on the east side of the mountain,” Callum says, and my gaze moves up to the stone walls.

“We’re in a mountain?”

“In it. On it.” Perame sheaths her dagger. “The palace is built into the stone and trees as much as possible to preserve the natural elements within the territory. Queen Delayna’s idea.”

She frowns at the mention of Wilder’s mother.

“It’s beautiful.” Gazing up, the jagged nature of the walls makes more sense.

They jut in different directions, while the halls twist and turn with what seems like no rhyme nor reason. They’re built into the landscape.

Movement pulls my attention to the door as two more Fae walk into the room. Perame’s twin brother, Atlas, and Rior.

“Why are we all here?”

Callum leans closer, dropping his voice. “Wilder didn’t say, but it looks like we’re about to find out.”

Atlas eyes Greer as he steps deeper into the room. His fingers thread into his dark-red hair, tying it back off his face. He winks when he catches Greer’s gaze on him, so she immediately turns away.

“Vaelier warriors are worse than the ones in Lyrichia,” she grumbles.

Atlas chuckles at the back of her head, not the least bit put off by her annoyance.

“You might be right when it comes to my brother. His escapades are prolific.” Perame smiles, turning to me. “It’s good to see you again, Elorie. I knew he’d find you.”

At that, she darts across the room to meet up with her brother and Rior, who sit at the opposite side of the round stone table in the center of the room. It’s the color of obsidian, but there’s no resistance from my magic as my fingers graze over it. Greer sits to my right with Callum at her other side. Wilder aims for me as he finishes his conversation with Aurora, who appears more annoyed now than she did when he introduced me.

“I’m guessing you met Aurora,” Greer whispers, leaning closer.

“I did. She seems… focused.”

“She’s terrifying.” Greer watches Aurora finally take her seat a few chairs down from Wilder’s court, but a few more away from the three of us.