Page 72 of Terragnata and the Heir of the Earth

“You go back to where you belong. Your home. In Nebbiolo,” he said definitively.

“Your Majesty, I was raised in Viribrum. I believe I have relations here on my father’s side. I matured in the human lands. Nebbiolo is not my home.”

“Well, although your mother and I can agree on nearly nothing, that is one area we see eye to eye on. Your duty is to the Nebbiolon people, whether you like it or not. You will one day be their queen.” Darlan’s eyes gleamed with something that said,though not for long. A shiver danced down my spine.

“And if I return to Nebbiolo with the Rexi, what will happen here? I’ve been told the tensions with Drakkar should cool with my return, but you talk as if there will be no peace…” I trailed off to goad him. I grasped the gist of his desires but knew little of his plans.

Darlan grinned. “A curious one, you are. Just like your father. While my plans are of no consequence to you, I will say this: Your mother used your disappearance to increase those tensions, hoping the two kingdoms would destroy one another. And if it is a war she wants, it is a war she’ll get. The decades of hate she has sewn into the hearts of the Witch and the Fae did not simplydissipateupon your return. I can promise you one thing—if there is a war between the Fae and Witch, the Witches will stand no chance.”

My stomach curdled. “Won’t many die,” I breathed, “if Drakkar and Viribrum go to war?”

“You are naïve, child, to think you would not do the same to protect your own people.”

I struggled in the chains, physical and not. “And the purpose of this display? Why did you have me kidnapped and bound?”

“Well, for one, you will not be let out until you agree. And secondly, your abduction will be positioned… how shall I say, advantageously for my cause.”

“If you think I won’t tell Cas about this, you’re?—”

“Be very careful, Terragnata. This conversation stays between the two of us.Only us. And if it does not, and if you fail to comply with my request to lose the Skøl, well, I would fear for your aunt’s safety. Accidents can happen in prison cells. They do all the time, in fact. They also happen to young pregnant humans, sodelicatethey are.”

I shook my head, looking at the ceiling. If it wasn’t clear he was threatening me before, it certainly was now.

“I agree,” I huffed, praying to the gods that one day I wouldn’t be a pawn in a massive chess game, one I hadn’t the slightest idea how to play.

Parson depositedme in a heap outside the castle gates, the sun already making its descent. He told me to stay put until someone found me. I did, thinking of Ezren—wondering if he’d felt the injuries I’d sustained. The king ensured that I looked worse for wear, a part of his antagonism plot, I guessed.

And then there were guards fussing over me. Cas arrived in under a minute, folding me into his arms and carrying me back to my chambers. He’d looked better himself, with several bruises smattering his face. They’d heal in a few hours, since strong Fae blood coursed through his veins.

He walked in silence. No doubt, Cas wanted to wait to interrogate me until we were far from prying ears. As we neared my room, my mind wandered. “What is your shift shape, Cas?”

He barked out a laugh. “You may find it amusing. While I was blessed with superior scent and unusual magic, my shift is, shall we say, less admired.”

“I could use amusing right now,” I murmured.

“A cat. A black cat with purple-golden eyes. Though I can be very ferocious in my shift, should I need to be.” He winked.

I giggled, imagining him in his feline form, snuggling against me.

He set me in a large chair in front of the fire.Why did I let him carry me the entire way?My legs still worked just fine. The question dissipated with Olea bustling around, preparing tea for us and a bath for me.

Cas knelt in front of me, taking my hands in his. “Terra, I’m so sorry. I should have seen them. I was distracted, and I didn’t protect you. I am so, so sorry,” he whispered.

I pitied him at that moment, wondering what demons my being snatched under his nose brought up. I cupped his cheeks. “It’s okay, Cas, I’m okay. I’m here.”

He shuddered and leaned into my touch. “My guards are investigating, doing everything they can to figure out who the attackers were. They will have to question you at some point. But right now, I just want it to be you and me,mi karus. If… if that’s what you want, too.”

I knew what he offered. I could not deny the comfort, nor the fact that Cas and I had a bond of some kind. It didn’t compare to what I had with Ezren—unpredictable, a wild flame. The connection between Cas and me was old, based on history and mutual understanding. It was safe.

“Olea,” Cas said, still gazing up at me. “Please finish preparing the bath and then leave us.”

She complied. And when she left, Cas pulled me to stand. My hair hung in a matted mess around me. Cas pulled off my riding gloves first, checking to make sure both rings still remained on my fingers, and kissed each one. He undid the outer layer of my riding skirts next, letting them fall to the ground, then pulled out the laces of my leather corset, which ran up my front. He was slow and deliberate in his motions. My breath stuck inside my lungs. I couldn’t exhale, knowing what came next.

The leather fell to the ground, and I now stood in a simple cream shift with breeches beneath it. His eyes ran down me, lingering on the shadow of my chest, which was visible beneath the sheer fabric.

“My turn,” I whispered. He was still in his riding wear. I unhooked the fasteners of his jacket, spreading it, and then I pushed it off him. His tattoo stared back at me, and I let my eyes and fingers trace the outline of it once again. He exhaled, tilting his head back as my fingers made their way down his abdominals, which flexed with his deep breath. They landed on his waistband, and I undid his trousers. I tugged on them, and they fell to the ground, revealing nothing but his manhood beneath.

He swelled, and I froze, my eyes widening, still unused to such a sight. He noticed my trepidation and uttered a laugh, turning to walk to the tub. Cas lowered himself in and rested his head against the lip of copper. “When you’re ready,mi karus, the water is warm.”

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