Page 119 of King of Storms and Feathers

“And with magic, even inherited power, it requires belief to work.”

“Exactly. So cloaking may or may not work for her. And—”

“Enough talk. Time to retrieve her.”

“Arrow! Without me, you can’t get into the city. I must go with you and uncloak Mydorian. There is no other way for you to enter.”

“Fine. But as soon as you’ve gotten me into the city, you’ll return home. I don’t want to risk your safety.”

“After what I’ve told you, Arrowyn, I’m surprised to hear that.”

She shouldn’t be surprised. I understood why my Sayeeda had helped Leaf escape. Ari wanted Leaf to be happy because she loved her, too. She was just a lot less selfish than me.

Ignoring the disturbing thought that I might love someone other than myself, other than my people, I rolled the ache from my shoulders, then cracked my neck. “Ari, let’s go.”

“Arrow, you must rest before you fly. Please. You can’t know what you’ll face in Mydorian, and it would be pointless to arrive in a hostile environment with your power drained. You need a little sleep at least.”

Ari searched through the pouch she wore across her body, then offered me the sleeping medicine on the center of her palm.

Fuck, as much as I hated to admit it, she was right. Without sleep, I would be in no shape to convince, let alone force, my human to return to Coridon with me.

“Fine. I’ll take a small sip,” I said, accepting the bottle. “I’ll rest for an hour or two. Then we’re leaving.”

Looking far from satisfied, she nodded. What choice did she have?

I called a servant over. “Send a message to the Zareen. Tell her she needs to contact Mydorian immediately for news on the missing princess and report back to Coridon.” The man bowed and hurried away.

Raiden touched my arm. “Traveling on horseback with an escort of soldiers would be the wiser plan.”

“When have I pretended to possess wisdom?”

A wry smile flickered on his face. “Fair enough. My mother’s role in this matter—”

“I should execute her.”

Ari spoke up. “My assistance depends upon your guarantee of our safety—both Ildri’s and mine. Exile us if you must, but you can’t harm us.”

“If that’s your price, then I’ll gladly pay it. We’ll discuss your atonement when I return.”

Three sighs of relief stirred the air. They should have known I wouldn’t hurt them. They were the family I had chosen. I depended on them all and understood the reasons for their betrayal. I would do anything for Leaf too… except let her leave me.

Raiden had protected Esen because he loved her like a sister.

Ari was bound to me in service, but she was also bound to the Zareen and to her people, the elves. Without the reavers’ cooperation, Coridon would fall.

Ildri had always possessed a soft heart. Her cool exterior hid a mother’s ferocious desire to protect everyone from harm, especially lost souls like Leaf.

“Ari,” I said, walking toward the elevator. “You had better be in my chambers within two hours and not a moment later.”

As I entered my apartments, I slugged a shot of the sleeping potion, then stretched out on the floor of the pavilion. I sighed and rested my head on my linked hands, staring up at the mosaics on the domed ceiling.

Winged fae—all past rulers of Coridon—flew across the gruesome tableau, swords piercing their enemies’ hearts, wild-eyed muscular horses rearing as they charged across a battlefield of blood and gore.

Nightly, Leaf had viewed those images when I first brought her to live in my apartment. Guilt stabbed my heart as I thought of how they must have terrified her. My little Leaf… who was likely destined to become a queen.

Laughter erupted from me, a harsh sound that echoed in a loop around the dome. Everything about Leaf finally made sense. Her stubborn nature, her fierceness, the way she walked, and held herself. Even her violence.

Of course she was born to be a queen. The stupid thing was… deep down, I had hoped she would be my queen. But I’d bought her, chained her, claimed her as mine because I wanted her, with no thought for her feelings, certain that in time, she’d be content, no, happy, by my side.

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