Page 5 of Of Wind and Terror

“Prince Calan declared war on the Spring Court the second he stole Kassandra from me,” I hiss. “We will destroy his entire kingdom if we have to.”

Cayetana swallows heavily. “Your Highness?—”

“Do not second-guess my decision again. You’re a good soldier, but that’s all you are—a soldier. Expendable. Replaceable.” A part of me knows I don’t truly mean those cruel, heartless words. Cayetana has become someone I’d almost consider a friend over the years.

But common sense has left me. Exploded outwards in a geyser of hate, regret, and guilt.

Hate towards Calan.

Regret that I didn’t protect Kassandra when she needed me most.

Guilt that I’m here at my castle, twiddling my damn thumbs, while she’s enduring who the fuck knows what.

Cayetana’s eyes frost over in a way I’ve never seen before. I can see the retort on her lips, one she desperately wishes to let loose like an arrow, but she reconsiders at the last moment.

All she says, tone curt and brisk, is, “Of course, Your Highness. My apologies.”

That’s it. No comments about how I’m an idiotic bastard. No threats. No insults.

She moves nimbly towards the throne room, but I don’t immediately follow her. My mind is in turmoil.

For years, I’ve lived my life as half a fae, going through the motions while darkness plagued each and every step I took. But then I met Kassandra, and suddenly, my world was full of light. The shadows dispersed, and I could see a future that wasn’t weighed down by demons and monsters and past sins.

Now that she’s gone, the darkness has returned with a startling vengeance, but it’s worse than ever before. I’m a blind fae who was granted sight for only a limited time then had it brutally wrenched away from me.

What would Kassandra do if she could see me now?

Be disappointed in your behavior, I think scathingly.

I can see her in my mind’s eye—heated glare, pursed lips, and an expression of haughty disdain warping her beautiful features.

How will I ever get her to fall in love with me when I act less than fae the second she’s gone?

I don’t deserve her.

I’ll never deserve her.

But maybe I can take steps to change that.

Or maybe…

Maybe I need to accept the fact that I’m not a good fae or a good prince. Maybe I need her to fall in love with the true me—darkness and all.

My beast has already claimed Kassandra.

The question is…will she want him as well?

3

KASSANDRA

Inever really considered betrayal to have a taste before, but just now, as I look up at San’s smiling face, something bitter coats my tongue. Something sour and acerbic and surprisingly potent with an almost ashy texture.

I stare into his white-blue eyes and feel my heart sink like a lead boulder in my chest.

“We can either do this the easy way or the hard way, but either way, you’re coming back with me. I think it’s time you returned home. Don’t you agree?”

No.

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