Page 49 of Foretold

Not knowing what to do, I look to Rave, whose lip twitches before he announces, “You may rise.”

They all rise and cheer, and I look across at Cove, Elios, and Nico at the back, standing in a row. My gaze turns to Soren, standing to the right of the throne, armed as usual, his sword’s hilt easily seen over his shoulders. Sinda is on the left of us, sword on his hip. I wonder if they are expecting any unrest or just being careful.

Rave pulls me closer and brings his lip to my ear. “Your throne will be sitting here next to mine tomorrow.”

“Did your mother’s get moved out of here?” I ask, brow furrowing.

His eyes flash black. “She never had one. My father made her sit with him.”

Like I just had.

His fingers tighten as he must sense my emotions through the bond. “I only had you do that because I didn’t have another option tonight.”

Soren comes and stands in front of us as everyone clears the room.

“We have a lot to discuss,” Rave says to him, but his eyes are still on me, his hand moving to the back of my nape in a possessive gesture.

“I know,” Soren replies, crossing his arms over his chest. “We need to get the council together.”

“Tomorrow,” Rave replies, his jaw tightening. “Today, we mourn.”

Rave’s brothers join us, forming a semicircle around us. They all bow their heads, and for a moment, I feel like I’m intruding. I didn’t know their King Tane well, and from what I did see, he might not have always been the best man, but he was still their father, and he inspired love and loyalty from all of his sons.

“Let’s have a drink,” Cove mutters, and they all head to the dining hall, Rave lingering behind with me, his large hand resting on the small of my back, his fingers spread.

I go up on my tiptoes and pull his head down, pressing a sweet kiss on his lips. “You go mourn with your family.”

His brow furrows, a hint of uncertainty flickering over his face. “You are my family too. You are my queen. You aren’t going back to Chaos tonight.”

Does he think I’m going to leave him when his father just died?“I’m only going back to our room, Rave. Not to Chaos.”

He rests his forehead against mine, our eyes closing. His fingers cup my cheek as he lifts his face, and when I open my eyes, I find him studying me with a guarded expression. “Howdid you know?”

Every muscle in my body locks tight.

Licking my suddenly dry lips, I step back from him and wrap my arms around myself. He eyes the gesture and tilts his head to the side. “Whatever it is, you can trust me, Astrid. I’m your mate. Your king. I know you’re keeping something from me, and I want to know what it is.”

“Rave!” Soren calls out, breaking the building tension between us.

He straightens slowly, towering over me, and looks toward the door. “We will talk later.”

I nod, swallowing hard.

The time has come to lay it all on the line.

I trust him.

But I’ve held onto this for so long that it’s still hard to admit the truth.

Even heartbroken with the loss of his father, Rave walks me to our room so he knows I’m safely in the ward, opening the door for me.

“You sure you don’t want me to stay?” he asks, and I shake my head.

“Your brothers need you.”

His strong, muscular arms grip the doorframe above my head, and he nods, his eyes clouded.

Then he kisses my forehead and leaves.

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