Page 79 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

Illeron’s response was far calmer. “I can see why she found you an attractive alternative. Did she enjoy it?”

Recalling my wife’s answers when I had questioned her, I suspected the truth was more complicated than her perception. “Yes, and no. From what she has said, she enjoyed the work and what it accomplished. My guess is she didn’t appreciate her inherent value being tied to her ability to work.”

Illeron grimaced. “Such is the nature of the shapeshifter communities if they let the unchanged remain. It sounds like hers was one of the kinder groups.”

“Kinder?”

“Banishment, beating, and sometimes execution are not unheard of. In some communities, the unchanged are maimed and imprisoned.”

Revulsion drove me to my feet. “She’s never going back.” I paced to the window and glared out at the night beyond the mirror-like glass.

“She probably doesn’t wish to go back.” Illeron came up behind me and studied my expression in the glass through narrowed eyes. “Have you asked her what she wants? My experience is that wives tend to know what they want.”

I smirked. Avril had a reputation for being very outspoken. “Callie isn’t as outspoken as Avril.”

“But she speaks up when she needs to.”

“She does.”

“Ask her. Your life is hers now too. Let her help you carry the burden.”

A shadow elf stepped out of the shadows in the far corner of the room and bowed to both of us. “Master Illeron, your presence is required.”

Illeron acknowledged the elf with a gesture but addressed me. “Sleep, friend. Rest in the assurance that you and your wife are safe for tonight. Then tomorrow, ask her what she wants her life to look like. She might surprise you.”

Illeron left with his shadow elf, melting into the darkness. I rested my forehead against the cool glass. Why did the prospect of asking Calypso what she wanted out of life scare me so much?

It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to be happy. It was more complicated than that. As king, my people depended on me for their safety, their government. They looked to me for wisdom and for decisions that protected our nation and represented our interests to foreign powers. My servants expected me to provide them with wages, give them work, and maintain a safe and fair working environment. My brother depended on me to rule so he didn’t have to. My father depended on me to run the kingdom, thanks to his own curse. But none of them depended on me for their happiness.

What if I couldn’t give Calypso what she needed? What if she decided I wasn’t worth the hassle? I groaned. What if I wasn’t enough?

“Azulin?” Calypso’s soft voice broke through my tortured thoughts.

I lifted my head and blinked at the reflection of her petite form in the darkened glass. Turning to face her, I drank in the sight of her.

Light caught in the warm highlights of the mass of curls falling unbound around her shoulders. Her lovely silvery-gray eyes studied me gravely. The concerned frown pulling at her mouth made my gut twist afresh at the realization she was worrying.

“Are you well?” she asked.

“I thought you were headed to bed.” Everything within me wanted to reach for her. Hold her and reassure her that all would be well. She was safe. I would see to it.

“I couldn’t sleep. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“We both know that isn’t true.” Calypso crossed the room and rested a hand on my chest. Instantly, the frantic whirl of thoughts in my head slowed.

The contact affected her as well, and the tension in her stance eased. Gazing up at me, she said, “The burning in my chest tells me something is twisting you up inside. You aren’t alone anymore, Azulin. I can help. Even if all I can do is listen, please, tell me what you need.”

“Don’t leave.” Too choked up for more words, I covered her hand with my own, securing it there lest she change her mind and take it back. Then slipping an arm around her, I pulled her close and rested my forehead against hers. Calypso tensed as our magic flared up around us, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she relaxed against me, embracing me in return.

“I’m here,” she whispered.

Closing my eyes, I drank in her closeness, savoring the hum of our magic mingling. Illeron was right. Calypso and I needed to talk, but not tonight. I kissed her temple and nuzzled her hair. For now, this was enough.

Twenty

Calypso

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