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I’mAralya’sdaughter.
And everything I thought I knew about her was a lie.
“Tell me everything you know about her,” I demand, wrapping my fingers around Corvan’s wrists. I pull his arms down and move closer, until our bodies are almost touching. “What is she? What amI?”
“Your mother was brought to Rahava from across the seas. According to your father, she’s a dryad.”
Dryad.The word hits me in the chest like an arrow. I don’t know what it means, but I know it’s the truth.
“What… what is a dryad?”
“A magical being.” His voice is gentler than I’ve ever heard it. “Born of the forest and attuned with nature. A true child of Eresus. Of the Life God’s direct line. The embodiment of life and rebirth, possessing power over the trees. That’s all I know, Finley. It's all I've been able to glean from the rare books in my library. There isn't much written on dryads. I wish it were more, but that’s the reason we’re here.”
A spark ignites in me; tiny but destructive. “Before… you said you were going to find her. If she’s alive…” A dark thought hits me. “Did hehurther?”
Whatever shred of leniency I felt toward my father, it’s completely gone now.
Idespisethat man.
“Finley.” Corvan lifts his dark glasses, allowing me to see his eyes. He might be the imperiousKral,but he’s also the man who’s delighted me and made me feel safe.
Even though hebitme.
I can probably forgive that now.
He takes my hands into his and pulls me even closer. “I cannot say that your father didn’t hurt her. I can’t say that. I know for a fact that he brought her to Ruen against her will and then had her sent away after you were born. And it’s entirely possible that your mother’s still alive, held somewhere in Lukiria. If that’s the case, then time is of the essence. Now that we’re officially betrothed, it’s only a matter of time before the Rahavan Court finds out.”
“That’s why you’re in such a hurry. Why you’ve brought me into the mountains so soon.”
“Knowledge is power. I believe my father sent you to me for a reason. There’s something he isn’t telling me, either because he’s trying to manipulate me, or because hecan’t.And there are others that might not want our union to happen. Unfortunately, I have a lot of enemies within the empire.”
“You’re an imperial prince. I wouldn’t expect any less.” There’s a little tremor in my voice. My legs feel like jelly.
He gently kisses the top of my head. For a fleeting moment, I feel the insistent pressure of his lips through the soft scarf. He radiates warmth and tenderness. “Are you ready to face them?”
No, I’m not.
But the world isn’t going to stand still for me. I need to move forward.
Or else, I’ll drown.
I look up at him; at a crimson gaze that burns through all my doubts.
I have to face this.Especiallyif there’s a chance my mother’s still alive.
“I am.”
He takes my hands. “I don’t know what the Khaturians will do once they learn what you are. I have no doubt they’re going to use magic on you. Rest assured that I’ll be by your side, and as long as I’m here, nothing bad will happen to you.”
His aura washes over me; powerful and protective.
Corvan isn’t a knight in shining armor. He isn’t a golden prince or a noble saint. His hands are stained with blood—as are his lips. He knows how to wield power, and I’m sure he has his own reasons for seeking the truth of my heritage.
Nobody’sallgood; there’s shades of grey in between.
But he’s never betrayed me. He’s treated me more respectfully than anyone I’ve ever known.
And with all the power he has over me, he could have done anything he wanted.
