Page 30 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

The terrace doors to the queen’s chamber open, and Elijah strolls in wearing only black linen pants that sit low on his hips, revealing a honed body.

For a fleeting second my pulse races with need. But it’s quickly chased by a crippling distress that threatens to tear me to pieces.

This is not my Elijah.

“There you are.” Cold brown eyes find me in my bed. “I have been looking for you.”

“You could not have been looking hard. I’ve been in my chambers for the past hour.” I feign focus on a book I found in the sitting area as I pluck strands of all four affinities, weaving them into a tightly braided coil of silver, at the ready.

“You left the festivities without my permission,” Malachi declares.

“I did not realize I needed permission.” I can’t help the surliness in my tone.

Tell me, key caster, how does it feel to know that you played pawn for centuries in hopes of reuniting with your husband, only to discover that you will likely never see him again?

The unseated king’s words—and his arrogance—still burn beneath my skin, hours later. How dare he say such things to me? How dare he cut so close to the quick?

“Besides, you were busy with your subjects, Your Highness.” A steady line of lords and ladies snaked through the great hall during the feast, coming to our table one by one to introduce themselves and preen at their new ruler’s feet.

“They are your subjects too. Have you forgotten the crown that adorns your head? The one I placed there?”

I tense as he rounds the bed, settling on the edge. He collects the book from my grasp without asking. “Samara’s Quest.” Tossing it aside, his heated gaze drags over the black silk nightgown I found in the closet. Despite the uprising that saw countless sections of the castle destroyed, the king’s and queen’s chambers remained untouched. Overhearing the guards, it sounds like the rebels focused their efforts on searching for missing children. “You are angry with me.”

“I am tired.” It isn’t entirely a lie. I am exhausted. Three centuries of waiting will do that.

“You lashed out at our visitors with far more than fatigue today.”

I caught the side of the beast with a bolt of my affinity. I imagine they’ll need the casters to heal the burn.

Malachi caresses my cheek with his palm before cupping my chin, as a lover would.

I flinch and attempt to pull away, but his grip tightens until it borders on pain.

His dark eyes are searing as they attempt to dissect me. “You think that because I have taken this physical form, I cannot sense what is going through that vindictive mind of yours?” His eyebrow arches with amusement, even as his fingers squeeze.

Tears well in my eyes, but they aren’t for pain. Not physical, anyway. “I have waited nearly three hundred years, I have done all that you asked, and still you have not returned my husband to me.”

“Did I not?” He shutters his eyes, a soft smirk curling his lips.

My affinity bubbles under the surface, begging to be unleashed. I could end this torture now.

When his eyes reopen, he blinks repeatedly, as if regaining consciousness after a long sleep. He focuses on my face and his eyes grow wide with panic. “Dear God.” He releases his tight grip of me, pulling away as if burned.

Dear God.

The Fate of Fire would never say such a thing.

“Elijah?” I ask tentatively.

He breathes a heavy sigh and ropes his arms around me, pulling my body to his. “Yes, my love. This is me.” Hot lips press against my forehead. “I am still here. I have been here the whole time. Ever since you found me in the Nulling.” His voice is hoarse. “It is a never-ending nightmare. I can see and hear everything, but my body and words are not my own to control.”

“But you can see me?”

“I see you. Your anguish, your heartbreak.”

Hope explodes in my chest. “It is not too late, then. I have not lost you yet.”

“You have not.” His lips move to my cheek, then to my lips.

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