Page 43 of The Other Side of the Mirror

A quick trip through the mirror. Yael says she misses you already. How’s Morehaven?

I let out a sigh at the thought of the massive castle—all cold white marble and stone. Though I couldn’t help but also picture the prince that lived within these walls, who was supposed to be my soul bonded.

Taking some getting used to. I got pretty accustomed to woodland living.

I wondered if he also missed our nights in the Faewilds, lying next to each other as his warm breath caressed my cheek with every low murmur.

If you want a night under the stars, all you have to do is ask.

My heart filled as I read the casual offer, even as I tried not to notice the way it fluttered at the undertones of a night together. Then I dropped my hands to my sides as I heard footsteps behind me. I spun around and couldn’t help the flush creeping up my neck when I saw Prince Aviel standing there, watching me with those pale blue eyes. Thankfully, my back had been to him when I wrote to Bash.

Despite our mostly innocent conversation, there was something in me that didn’t want anyone to know about our messages—about my lifeline outside of this fortress.

“Evangeline—”

“Please, just Eva,” I said, hoping my blush had died down.

Those clear eyes missed nothing though. I watched them dart from my cheeks to my throat before dipping lower. There was something almost predatory in his gaze, the path of it deepening my flush.

He’s youranima. And somehow this union is supposed to save everything. You need to try to let him in.

“I apologize I was gone so long. My meeting with my advisors couldn’t wait.” Aviel took a step closer, and I tilted my head up to look him in the eye. “I was hoping we could get to know each other better.”

I nodded. After all, this was exactly what we needed. Yael had said it would be like something had been there all along…and maybe it would be as simple as getting to know each other for the bond to form. Even if I didn’t know what that sort of love was like in practice, I knew I needed to go into this with an open heart. Or at leasttry.

Nervously, I brushed my hair behind my ear. His eyes locked onto the movement. “I was thinking the same. And there are a few things we need to discuss.”

A smile flirted with the corners of his perfect mouth. “I would expect nothing less.” He gallantly reached out his hand. “Come.”

I noticed Aviel was in the habit of commanding rather than asking. But for once, I wasn’t trying to argue as I took his outstretched hand—giving him a pass for now. His hand now covered where Bash’s last message had faded into my palm.

“Let me give you a tour of your new home, and I’ll answer what I can. But Eva?” I looked at him expectantly. “Do try not to wander too far, especially at night. This castle holds many secrets, some that even I am not privy to. If there’s something you wish to do or somewhere you want to go, just let a servant know to alert me, and I’ll come with you. Or provide an escort.”

I swallowed thickly, not sure why his words triggered such apprehension.

“I’ll be more careful,” I promised, plastering an innocent look he had yet to learn to fear on my face, as I carefully avoided actually agreeing to his ask. Yet Aviel seemed satisfied by my non-response as he led me away from my newfound sanctuary.

* * *

The castle was enormous. There were so many grand halls and chambers it could take days, if not weeks, to explore them all. Every surface was adorned with sparkling jewels, elaborate carvings, and other luxurious details—one opulence after the next. Even the luminous, white-domed ceilings were embellished with sprawling glass chandeliers.

But despite the otherworldly beauty of the silver and white décor, it all seemed to run together, the same sparkling white marble following us from room to room. Instead of the likely intended sense of pristine purity, the endless white ended up feeling monochromatically banal, though I was careful not to mentionthatto my royal tour guide. I found myself missing the bustle of Imyr, the sounds of the city flitting in, the bright blue of the city rooftops. The radiant color hidden behind those shadow-gray walls.

Aviel’s presence beside me still felt overpowering, and I wondered if that was the bond starting to take hold—that alertness I felt, like my body was trying to tell me something. He asked me question after question about my life with obvious interest as we walked. I told him about my parents, my brother, and my life in the mortal realm, brushing over the time between the fire and the golem’s arrival. When I reached my journey here, I avoided telling him the details of my travels, as if I might get Bash, Yael, and Rivan in trouble for not taking me to him as quickly as they could. Instead, I focused on how they had helped me discover my magic—about which he wanted to know every detail.

He was attentive, poised, and effortlessly charming—quick to chime in with questions, yet somehow hard to read. Not to mention so classically handsome, it was impossible to deny my attraction. His hair shone even out of the sunlight. Golden skin peeked out from the two open top buttons of his perfectly fitted shirt, the structure of it only enhancing his muscular form.

When we reached the entryway, the enormous vaulted room echoed with our footsteps. Two servants stood with winter cloaks in their arms as if waiting for us, bowing as I thanked them. I tried to still my quickened breath as Aviel wrapped the smaller cloak around me, fastening the silver clasp at my neck as my heart pounded beneath his fingertips. I felt his fingers graze my neck as they lingered a second too long.

When our eyes met, I could see the heat in his before he stepped away, swinging his own cloak around himself. It evoked an image of every literary prince charming especially when he held out a hand in wordless invitation.

“Do you know anything about who my parents were?” I blurted out as I took it, hope bleeding from every word.

I tried not to look as disappointed as I felt when he slowly shook his head.

He squeezed my hand. “I wish I did, especially as it might have helped me find you sooner. But I’ll make it a priority to find anyone who does have answers for you.”

I smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”

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