Page 191 of XOXO

A laugh rumbled from his belly, echoing through the large room.

“I am grateful she loves me, Your Grace.”

He smiled before propping his massive ivory elbows onto his knees and leaning forward. “Have you come here to seek guidance, my child?”

“I have, Your Grace. You were with your mate for four hundred years, so I was hoping you knew a lot about women.”

King Reign let out another boastful laugh. “You are mistaken, my child. Even though I can hear their thoughts, I still have no clue what any woman really wants other than kindness, protection, honestly, and love.”

I nodded, agreeing with him.

“But you don’t need answers to your questions, Valarian, You have had the answers all along.”

“A sandwich from Milo’s, Your Grace?”

He shook his head. “No, my child. Where is the one place that she is drawn to? A place more magical than most of the lands?”

Amethyst Falls? I thought to myself.

“Yes. And with that, you have our answer.”

“But, Your Grace, I do not—”

A light seemed to switch in my head, multiple thoughts running in different directions. The answers had been in front of me multiple times, and I had no clue how I had missed them, but I finally knew what I needed to do to make Flaik Luna special.

The king’s mysterious blue eyes sparkled, a smile pushing up his cheeks, and I knew he had heard my thoughts. “Ember will love that, and so will everyone else. Happy Flaik Luna, Valarian.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Happy Flaik Luna to you too.”

Since I wouldn’t have enough time to complete this mission alone, I headed to my homeland. Upon arriving in Mayhem, I galed as close as I could. Unlike the king’s wards, the outside ring was only about a half mile away from Blackveil Castle.

The cold ground crunch beneath my boots as I made my way across the desolate landscape riddled with deadened trees and protruding roots.

Guards were standing on either side of the iron door, framed by the dark brick of the castle, when it quickly came into view.

Knowing I was the Duke of Mazuria’s son, they both nodded a silent greeting before one opened the door for me.

Instead of going to the father’s quarters, I wielded my thoughts to him as I traversed the halls.

Can you come to the front sitting room and bring Wynter with you?

He answered me in seconds. Of course, son. Be there soon.

When I went to turn down the hallway with the family portraits hanging in it, I was met with a red velvet rope with a sign saying:

Closed for construction.

Not thinking anything of it, I turned around and went down a different corridor until I made it to the sitting room where my father and sister were patiently waiting for me.

“What is wrong, Valarian? Is Ember okay?”

“Yes, Father. Everyone is fine. I just needed to ask you a question.”

My sister had a scowl on her face when she smacked my arm. “You scared the shit out of me, Val! I thought something was wrong.”

“Language, Wynter,” my father warned. “You’re a lady, remember?”

She rolled her eyes before wrapping her arms around me. “It’s good seeing you, but next time send a messenger Imp first.” Wynter released me from her angry hug before her violet eyes locked on mine. “So, what’s going on?”

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