Because of me. Because I couldn’t leave him alone.
We’ve done way more than kiss. We’ve blown the fucking curse. To smithereens.
But what if it’s not too late? What if Astrid could pull off something huge—like turning back time?
If I could go back to a week ago, I could stop this chain of events. I could simply not show up at our field that day. Ghosting Kirian would be super harsh, but I’d do it if it was for his own good.
I don’t know if there’s some kind of magic in the Shadowlands that crushes a person’s hopes and dreams, but despair crashes down on me.
I hug Kirian tighter, wishing there was something I could do to fix this.
I have to try. I have to see if there’s still a way to break the curse.
Even if that means he won’t be with me.
He said witches like deals, and I wonder if there’s anything I could offer Astrid as payment for such a large request. There’s got to be something I can bargain with.
What would I give up for him? Anything. Everything.
Would I die for him? Yes. That’s how much I care about this man.
A lump forms in my throat, and I’m trying not to cry. Can the creatures sense sadness, too? I sure hope not. Because if they can, they’ll all be flocking to us soon.
“What’s wrong, young one?” Kirian’s use of my old nickname only makes my heartache worse.
“Nothing,” I squeak out.
“I can feel your melancholy as if it’s my own.” He rubs my thigh. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not being open to your suggestions earlier. If you don’t want to go back to the palace right away, we don’t have to.”
I’m glad he can’t read my mind. If he knew what was really bothering me, he’d try to convince me I’m wrong.
I clear my throat. “Of course Delaveria is where you want to be. I don’t expect you to change your ways for me.”
“Well, you should. You’re going to be queen. Your opinion matters, and it would be good for the kingdom to see us more. Maybe I could appoint a second in command to take my place while we’re gone.”
Oh, this sweet man.
“Like who?” I humor him, even though I’m too uncertain of the future to make plans.
“Gia. She’d love it. She’s been asking for more responsibility for a long time. Maybe it’s her turn.”
Kirian’s willingness to compromise makes me love him more, and I want to tell him that, but a sudden screech pulls my attention away.
“What was that?” My entire body tenses.
“Hold on tight,” Kirian orders before spinning in a circle.
His axe makes a wet sound when it connects with something, and I clamp my lips together to keep myself from screaming.
“It’s a pack,” Damon calls next to us, but the words get swallowed up into the dark unknown.
A pack? A pack of what?
Tightening my legs and arms, I hold on for dear life as Kirian’s body sways back and forth. Yeah, I’m probably not going anywhere when I’m in the pouch, but I feel a bit like I’m on one of those mechanical bulls. His motions are jerky as he turns this way and that, and the lingering queasiness from the stardust poisoning gets stirred up.
Although the fight lasts less than two minutes, it feels like forever before we finally resume walking. I’m assuming the immediate threat is gone, but I don’t want it to happen again.
I go back to thinking about the field. Helping Kirian gather honeysuckle and hearing the songs he coaxed from the crickets.
The creek. Teaching Kirian how to catch a fish and watching his face scrunch up when he felt how slimy it was.
Butterscotch pudding. Books. Board games.
We encounter another pack of something. I think this one has wings because I hear frantic flapping above and around us.
Climbing trees. Dancing. Playing with Kirian’s hair.
I stay in my happy place, shutting out everything around me, until we make it to our destination.
Patting my butt, Kirian says, “We’re here.”
I’m shaking as he unties the carrier and I slide down his body, staying as close as possible.
“It’s just through here,” Damon tells us.
At my back, Kirian molds himself to me, gripping my hips and curling his upper body over mine as he nudges me forward.
All of the sudden, there’s light. It’s not super bright, but after being in complete darkness, it takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust.
“So, you just walk in here like you own the place now?”
I follow the raspy voice to a small, frail troll. She’s sitting in a rocking chair by a fireplace. With her gray dress, silver hair, pale skin, and honey-colored eyes, she almost blends in with the drab surroundings.
When I look around, I see we’re in a cave.
The walls, ceiling, and floor are rocky and uneven. Shelves have been chiseled into the stone, and there are several stacks of books. There’s a bubbling spring in the far back corner, and the water is steaming like a hot tub.
Three circular rope rugs create designated areas in the open space. One for the dining room, one by the fireplace, and one in front of what looks like a kitchen counter. They’re multicolored—a mish mash of black, brown, yellow, and white. There’s something strange about the material they’re made from. It’s glossy, almost like… hair.
A cot with brown blankets sits along the wall to our left.
It’s surprisingly cozy in here, considering the location.
“Please forgive me, Astrid.” Damon swaggers over to her wooden table and pulls out a chair for himself. “We’ve been through quite a lot to come see you.”
“I know,” she responds, still rocking in her chair. “Nice hair style, by the way. I told you to let me cut it last time.”
Damon flips his shoulder-length locks. “You just wanted my golden mane for your rugs.”
“Better than getting it burnt off, don’t you think?” she counters.
Wrinkling my nose, I peer closer at the woven mats. Yeah, they’re definitely made out of hair.
Disturbing.
Kirian draws in a measured breath, as if he’s calling on his patience. “We need—”
“Two kings in my cave.” Astrid rocks forward with so much force, she catapults herself up to a standing position. “Two kings. My, my, my. What luck I have.”
“It wasn’t luck, and you know it,” Kirian deadpans. “You told Damon something important about my future. Something you knew I couldn’t resist learning more about. Now I’m here. You have answers I need.”
I lightly pinch his arm and whisper yell, “Don’t be rude.”
“Listen to the lady.” Shuffling over to the kitchen area, Astrid picks up an empty ceramic bowl and brings it to the table. “Shoo.” She waves Damon away.
With a huff, he joins us by the door.
Humming a random tune, Astrid begins stirring the bowl of nothing with a wooden spoon. “You can’t just come in here demanding things. You have to be willing to give something in return.”
“I can pay you.” Kirian puts his hand in his pocket.
“Your gold will do me no good here.” Her eyes shift to me. “And if you want answers, you’ll have to ask the right questions.”
“I’m prepared for that—”
“Not you,” she interrupts Kirian before pointing a crooked finger in my direction. “Her.”
“Me?” I ask. “Why me?”
“Because you’re the one with the right questions.” Her tone is downright condescending. Like, duh.
But there’s a knowledge about her. She understands why I’m here.
My heart drops.
This is it.
I’ll find out how to get Kirian’s sight back. I’ll find out who his mate is.
And I’ll never be the same. For as long as I live, I’ll mourn the loss of the man I almost had.
“You two have to go.” Astrid flicks a hand at the men next to me.
Kirian’s expression turns hard. “Absolutely not. I refuse to leave Quinn’s side.”
Astrid shrugs. “Then there’s no deal.”
Lacing my fingers with Kirian’s, I tug on his arm. “You have to let me do this.”
“I don’t have to do anything. Not when your safety’s at risk.”
“I’m safe here with Astrid.” I turn to her. “Right?”
“Eh.” She gives a non-committal nod.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Not helpful.
“Kirian, please. We came all this way.” I hate to be dishonest with him but appealing to his fear is the only way to get through to him. “I deserve to find out who’s after me.”
It’s not a complete lie. I might explore the whole who’s-trying-to-murder-me thing. After I get my answers for Kirian.
If he senses my deceit, he doesn’t show it. His face softens, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be right outside the door. If you’re not out in fifteen minutes, I’m coming back.”
“Okay. See you soon.” I smile, trying my best to sound confident.
“I love you.” He turns to leave.
“I love you, too.” More than you’ll ever know. “Wait!”
Before he can get too far, I launch myself at him. If this is the last time I’ll ever kiss him, I’m going to make it a good one.
Wrapping my legs around his waist, I smash my lips to his. I breathe in his scent through my nose, and revel in the way his silky hair feels between my fingers. When his tongue brushes mine, I try to memorize his taste. My fingers scrape over his sharp jaw and the rough stubble on his face.
I want to tell him how much he means to me. That I don’t regret a second of our time together. That he’s literally my hero; his friendship saved me in so many ways.
But I can’t.
If I do, he’ll definitely know something’s up.
“You’re not doing a very good job of making me want to leave,” Kirian rumbles out, rubbing the tip of his nose against mine.
“Sorry.” I detach from him and slide down.
Smirking, he tucks some of my hair behind my ear. “What did I say about apologizing for kissing me?”
In answer, I turn my head and kiss his palm, holding his hand to my face for a couple more seconds.
“Go,” I tell him softly.
“Fifteen minutes,” he says again, and it sounds like a warning.
The doorway where we came in must be enchanted, because I see nothing but rock. As I watch the guys leave, my mouth pops open. They just walked through a solid wall.
“Payment will be needed upfront,” Astrid announces, still moving the spoon around in the bowl. I pace over to her, expecting to find something in it, but nope. It’s definitely empty.
“What do you want?” I ask warily.
“I’ll take your hair.”
I grasp my long strands, remembering the bubble gum incident. I was so traumatized by it, I haven’t had more than a few trims since then. But I’ll let her shave my head if that’s what it’ll take.
“I won’t take off much,” Astrid promises, mistaking my silence for hesitation. “Just six inches.”
Holding up the length, I estimate it would put the ends right above my nipple. I blow out a breath. “Okay.”
A bright smile lights up Astrid’s face, revealing a wide gap between her front teeth. “Wonderful. Let me go get my scissors. Then we’ll talk about what you want to know.”
I swallow hard.
Now’s my chance to bargain with a witch.
Quinn
After the last snip, I look down at my new hair. I thought Astrid might do a quick hack job, but she didn’t. Instructing me to stand very still, she took her time. She even created some framing layers around my face.
“Well, what do you think?” She holds up a mirror.
The handle is white, and it looks like it’s carved from bone. I try not to visibly cringe as I wrap my fingers around it. Turning my head, I peer at my reflection and flip my new style around. It’s bouncy and I decide I love it.
“You should’ve been a hairdresser,” I say, admiring Astrid’s work.
“A girl can be many things, if she wants.” Her footsteps scuffle across the floor as she gets a teacup from the kitchen. Lifting a kettle away from the fireplace, she comes back to the table. “You, for example. You could be a queen, if you choose. Please, sit.”
I sink to the chair Damon had occupied a while ago. And now that I think about the passing time, it feels like it’s been longer than fifteen minutes.
Glancing back at the rock wall, I wonder if Kirian’s okay or if he’s freaking out because I’m still in here.
“Now, then. It’s time for your questions.” The teacup lands in front of me with a soft clatter, and Astrid pours hot liquid into it. “Ginger tea. It will help settle your stomach. Quite the fiasco you went through recently.”
“You know about that,” I say, surprised.
“I know everything.”
“So, you’ll tell me?”
“Everything? Oh, no. There’s not enough time for that.”
“No, I mean about Kirian. To help him. I don’t really need to tell you why I’m here, do I?”
“Your blood pumps so fast,” Astrid observes, avoiding my question as she peers at my pulse point. “Are you scared?”
“Yes,” I answer honestly.
“Of me?”
“Of what you’ll tell me.”
“Ah. You’re afraid to lose the king.”
“Well, coming here was my idea in the first place.” I sip at the tea. It’s actually pretty good; sweetened with honey, just how I like it. “I sort of pushed him into it. I thought I was doing the right thing by helping him find his mate. I want the curse to be broken.”
“Such a selfless act. You must care for him greatly.”
I nod. “I’d do anything for him.”
Astrid hums. “You know, I’m much more interested in you. In your world, people don’t understand you.”
“It feels that way, yeah.”
“You’ve always been different. Sort of off. Like you can’t relate to your fellow humans.”
“Yes.”
“They rejected you, over and over again, no matter how hard you tried to fit in.”
Man, she’s really nailing it. At least there’s no pity in her voice. It’d be worse if she felt sorry for me. “Until Kirian came along, I really didn’t have anyone but my parents.”
Astrid squints at my face. “Tell me… what was your first impression of the young prince?”
“Well, he was kind of rude.” I laugh, remembering how snooty Kirian had been. “But he was also really beautiful. My poor twelve-year-old heart could barely stand it.”
She smiles. “Quite taken with him, were you?”
“Yeah.” I blush. “And after we talked for a little while, I knew he wasn’t mean. He was sad.”
“And how did that make you feel?”
“Sad.” I shrug. “Sad for him.”
“Empathy is an emotion I lack. You can’t have love without empathy.”
I tilt my head to the side. “You’ve never loved anyone?”
We’re getting off track, but I feel for the lady. She’s obviously lived a long time and she’s all alone. In the Shadowlands, no less.
She doesn’t answer me. Instead, she reaches into her pocket, then drops a few strands of my hair into the empty bowl before adding some tea. I scrunch up my face because I think she might drink it, but then she sprinkles something on top. The powdery substance is white and a little sparkly. It looks like stardust.
A dim light glows from inside the container, and Astrid motions me forward. “Take a peek in here.”
I do as she says, and as I hover over the bowl, I see the sky in the liquid, stars and all.
“Recognize this?” she asks. “This is the solar system of the Night Realm.”
“Of course. I’ve been staring at it for the past six days.
”
She cackles. “Oh, you’ve been staring at it for a lot longer than that.”
“Huh?” Glancing up at Astrid, I watch as she picks up the mirror again. She puts it in my right hand and begins manipulating my arm. “Hold it out, like so. Angle it this way. Yes, just like that. Don’t move.”
I’m in an awkward position, bent over the table with the mirror over my head. I look from my reflection to Astrid. “Okay?”
“Keep looking at your face.”
Lights coming from the concoction dance over my cheeks. Not wanting to piss Astrid off, I stay focused on the mirror as she rotates the bowl and tilts it slightly upward. She rolls it to the right. Then to the left. Round and round the constellations go, reminding me of a night light I had when I was a kit.
Then Astrid starts to slow. “Yes, here it is. Almost there.”
My heart thunders as I watch the glittery lights come to a stop.
When the pattern shifts into place, I gasp so hard I almost choke on my own tonsils.
Every single star in the sky lines up perfectly to my freckles. All the dots on my cheeks. The cluster under my left eye. The blob over the bridge of my nose. A few spots on my chin.
The full moon fits into my right iris, the smaller crescent moon outlines the left side of my nose, and a half moon sits on the curve of my bottom lip.
“She is marked by the sky at night,” Astrid sings in an eerie tune.
I almost drop the mirror. Grappling with the bone handle, I manage to catch it right before it hits the ground.
Straightening, I slump back in my chair and whisper, “It’s me. It’s me?”
Chuckling, Astrid does a funny jig with her feet as she finishes her song. “You’ll know her by love at first sight.”
Panting from excitement, I shake my head. “But it wasn’t. He’s never seen me.”
“But you saw him.”
“Oh my God!” I exclaim, shooting up from my chair. Raking a hand through my hair, I pace from one end of the room to the other. “I did. I loved him right away.”
The curse never specified who it would be love at first sight for. Those tricky witches. Kirian’s fated mate has been under his nose this entire time.
And it’s me. I’m his soul mate.
Coming to a stop, I lean against the counter in the kitchen for support. Because I might pass out from hyperventilation. “No wonder he got so pissy when he didn’t get to see me for a long time. He couldn’t help it.”
The Fae King's Curse Page 18
