“Its been only nineteen years,” my mother commented. “You haven’t even recovered from the last blooming. You can’t possibly say you’re unable.”
Nefari gave a lopsided smile, although sad. “We called upon a collecting to proceed early. Every life fae offered their ecos to give us the chance of conceiving. Yes, dear, we are unable. Neprion doesn’t have a century to wait. He is fading. So believe me when I say this, Isay is precious for Hessia. And when her insurrection opens up her full potential, we will guide her through it.”
He wanted me to play the role of a princess. To actually be a princess. I would’ve laughed had I not felt like crying. He needed me. Now? He needed me now when I was old enough not to need him.
“And Karmuth?” King Grath asked.
“Your boy will be safe, too. I did not lie when I said that he has access to life.”
Grath nodded once, then walked out of the throne room. No objections? Nothing. He just left. My mother did not have a lot of sway to let us stay. It seemed like we really were leaving.
Chapter 54
KARMUTH
I WOULDN’T SAY I HAD A GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS, BUT I ALSO
did not not have a good feeling about this, which was about as good as it could get at this point.
I was alive, Isay was alive, and Vindica would go on the same way it had for the past fifty years with Queen Siya strengthening the court. I wouldn’t need to see King Grath and pretend I didn’t wonder how different my life would have been had I known he was my father. I also wouldn’t see Hiko. That hurt more.
We were standing in the courtyard, waiting for Isay, who had rushed to her rooms the moment the decision to leave had been made. I’d been steered away by Hiko to pack my own bags and had no chance to go after her.
Almost the entire court had gathered to see our departure. Most of whom I had never had nothing to do with, and I doubted Isay knew any of them either. Yet, here they were, to see us off. Some of their eyes held relief, fewer sorrow.
I suppose having me and Isay gone from Vindica would be easier for everyone here. Less temptation. Less fear too.
“Come now, we’re leaving in ten,” Devina ushered, even though Isay wasn’t back yet. “We’ve already overstayed our welcome.”
“You’re being overdramatic.” Prince Nefari shook his head, but he was smiling.
They were both standing as far away from the gathered death fae as they could, likely unnerved by the crowd, even though their postures didn’t show it.
I hadn’t made my mind up about Devina, but I liked Prince Nefari. While Isay had a hard time coming to terms with the revelation and Nefari’s plan—I knew she did, because I felt it—I wasn’t as worried as I likely should’ve been. There was something about her father that immediately made me feel comfortable. I hadn’t minded sharing my ecos with him and showing him my thoughts.
Unlike my own father, Nefari seemed to sincerely care for Isay, even though he’d been distant all of her life. There had to be a reason for it. For all of it.
Joining the Hessians, we would have time to find out, and Isay would be able to get to know her father.
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.”
