Page 99 of A Kingdom of Pleasure and Torment

“Both,” Firo says. “But I don’t think he intended to fall in love with you along the way.”

A tearful laugh catches in my throat. “Would that he hadn’t. Would that I hadn’t.”

“You could wish for it,” Firo suggests.

I have no wishes left. Luthian tricked me into giving the first away. I used the second to free Kathras.

But perhaps there is hope. Perhaps I could get another wish, somehow. “Do you think that if I wish for Parphia’s enchantment to be broken, I could be restored? I could be a faery, as I was born to be?”

“Wishes are the strongest magic there is,” Firo says. “I doubt even Parphia could have created a spell strong enough to withstand it.”

A wish is an important thing. They don’t come along every day.

One must be careful what they wish for.

One must be mindful of the consequences.

“What I truly wish for,” I begin, knowing that my wish is not guaranteed, “is to see Luthian again.”

And then he is there, standing before me.

Chapter Forty-Two

The Luthian who appears before me is not the faery I met in the graveyard, and he is a shadow of the faery who left me here at court. He’s always been blue-gray, but now he is paler, like the snowy side of an ash. His dressing gown is askew, his expression tired, and I know that isn’t because I’ve woken him. He has the look of someone who lost a fight with wakefulness days ago.

He blinks at me, and at Firo. “What’s happened?”

“Cenere used one of her wishes to bring you back,” Firo says calmly.

“I-I had no wishes left,” I whisper to myself.

They don’t seem to hear me.

Firo tells him, “She knows everything.”

Luthian’s eyes widen.

“Everything,” I repeat. “I know the truth behind every one of your lies. I know about Parphia’s child, and that I am that child.”

“Then you have all the answers, and my presence isn’t necessary.” He tilts his head, daring me to go further.

I will not be cowed by him any longer. “The favor you have done for me is finished. Our agreement was voided, remember? Because I wished it? In a few hours, I will be queen of this court. I owe you nothing.”

“Did you prepare that speech before you summoned me?” Luthian laughs, but I see through it. He is frightened of me, now that I know the truth.

“No. I wished for your presence because there is still something I do not understand.” I turn to Firo. “Thank you for your counsel. I will see you at the coronation.”

“You will?” Firo’s eyes dart to the clock table in surprise.

He may not be able to tell me the future, but he’s horrible at hiding it.

“Luthian of Mithrax,” I say, walking toward the door without sparing him another glance. “If you try to leave court, I will have you hunted for sport. Follow me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he says, and my heart thrills at his forced obedience.

It thrills just to see him. I don’t know how I stopped myself from lunging at him, throwing my arms around his neck, begging him to forgive me and to stay with me, but I’m proud of my restraint. I want to tell him that I’ve missed him, that I can’t stand the thought of a life behind these palace walls without him. But above all of that is a profound anger, a fury I have every right to express.

And a deep confusion that I’ve managed to bring him here, at all. I had no wishes left.

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