She might think she didn’t want to right now, but I remember sitting in that armchair in her room, staring at her wrapped up in the blankets and telling me she wasn’t ready to let the memory of her father go.

Me? Oh, I definitely was. King Grath had chosen not to be part of my life. He’d walked out on me just like he’d walked out of the throne room, without looking back.

Neither had he come out to say goodbye thirty minutes later after I’d arrived with my meager belongings, most importantly, my dadao. It seemed like Grath was the only one not here, the rest of the fae stood before me in an awkward half circle.

Drek and Ronya.

Sinister and Regar.

Sela…

“Leaving already?” she purred, walking closer to me with those hips swaying. Nothing wrong with the sight, but I was not looking.

“Afraid I don’t have a choice.” I shrugged. I wasn’t complaining, not really.

“I was hopeful you’d come see me for one last time.” Sela licked her lips seductively. It stirred absolutely no desire within me, however.

I shook my head, smiling. “The plans for our departure were abrupt. Besides, you know I wouldn’t have come, because of—”

“Isay.” We said her name together just as she walked out of the palace fighting a maid for the handle of her suitcase.

I grinned at her tugging the giant thing along once the maid finally gave up helping.

She wore a light summery dress, not the same she’d had on the first time I’d seen her, but the imagery was not unlike when she’d first arrived in Vindica. She hadn’t been helped with her suitcase then either, but more due to everyone pointedly avoiding her and not her stubbornness to do it on her own.

Oh, she’d hated dragging that thing up the stairs. Hated the whole court, really. So much had changed since then.

When Isay stopped next to me and took a moment to look at the death fae gathered to say their farewells, she did not scowl but gave a shy smile instead.

“It’d be too much to ask for a goodbye kiss then?” Sela asked. I’d forgotten she was still there, my eyes stuck on Isay and the way she radiated life.

I didn’t mind when she squinted her eyes at Sela. “From my mate? Most certainly not.”

Sela laughed. “I remember you saying he wasn’t your taste.”

“You can’t really say before you get a taste, can you?” Isay mused.

Sela laughed again. “I really wish I’d had a chance to get to know you. We would’ve gotten along.”

“As long as you keep your hands off Karmuth, we will. I’m sure we’ll get the chance. My mother lives here, after all.” Isay shrugged.

I gave Sela a smile, all that I was allowed to do.

Isay did not stop Ronya from hugging me after Sela stepped away, though. “We’re going to miss you, Kar. Will you write to us?”

“If I’m able.” I looked to the Hessians waiting on the far side of the courtyard. The king tapped his hand against his cloak impatiently as if goodbyes bored him. The queen held herself like she was above everyone here in the court. And then there was Devina.

I couldn’t figure her out, but she was certainly a force to be reckoned with. Isay’s father might allow it, though.

I turned back to Ronya. “You’re the first one I’ll write to.”

“Princess.” She nodded at Isay. “I’m sure you’ll take care of him.”

“It will most likely be the other way around. I will do my best, however.” Isay smiled at her. She was absolutely stunning when she smiled. “I’m glad to see you’re all right. I would’ve loved to get to know you. Karmuth feels strongly about you, the both of you.”

Ronya’s eyes teared up, and Drek coughed from beside her. “Such a sweet thing to say.”

“It’s true,” Isay confirmed, making me look at my feet and dig my hands into my pockets.

“Oh hell,” Drek cursed. “Come here, boy.” He pulled me into a hug too and patted my back.

I officially didn’t like goodbyes when Hiko and the guard replaced Drek and Ronya. “Brothers for a day and you’re already leaving.”

I snorted. “We’ve been brothers for a whole lot longer.”

“It won’t be the same without you.” Regar pouted.

“I’m sure it’s just my tight ass you’ll miss,” I laughed.

“Don’t—” Regar raised his hand dramatically. “Yeah, just don’t.”

“I’ll miss you too, although not your ass. Just not my style.” I looked to Isay smiling beside me. She was the only one whose ass I’d be thinking about.

“You sure know how to break my heart,” Regar sighed, both of his hands coming up to grip at the shirt over his chest.

I shook my head at his playful theatrics. “You’ve got the wrong brother. You’ll have Hiko, You’ll be fine.”

“So will you.”

“Yeah. So will I.”

I embraced both Regar and Hiko. Sinister just gave me a nod.

“It’s time to go!” Devina called out.

I grabbed Isay’s hand and together we walked towards our fate. I would be fine. We would be fine. Nothing could touch us if we stood together.

“I’ll be with you, forever and always,” I told her. “Come what may. We will get through it all, beautiful.”

She squeezed my hand. “I know we will.”

THE END

Acknowledgements

I am so incredibly astonished to have written this book in less than two months, and I have the Realm of Midnight boxset and my incredible beta readers to thank for the motivation and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you, and I mean it.

Did I know Isay and Karmuth’s story would turn out this dark and emotional? No. Did I enjoy torturing you with the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter? Yes, I did.