Page 33 of Chaos Tempted

After pouring myself a glass of water, I gulp it down in one shot. Unladylike, but I don’t care, no one is around to see. Except maybe Wynstelle, spying on me.

How easy it has been for me to slip into my soul sister’s consciousness. I don’t get the impression Wyn feels me do it. But I didn’t feel Wyn slip into my mind either, only learning about it when she’s discussed it with her mates.

I’m unsettled that she’s able to use the link as I do. I didn’t think Wyn, a mere human, could ever develop the skill.

Is it Oakes’ influence during the mate bond? Perhaps it was a mistake to have encouraged Wyn to bond with him, but I had no choice but to tell Eldrin how to solidify a bond with a mortal with a changeling mark. The Mage Weaver threatened to come after me if I didn’t follow her orders.

Fear pumps in my blood at the thought that I’m doomed, no matter what. Prince Eldrin might reveal my changeling origins, and I will be cut down by rogue human soldiers. And if I resist any instructions by the mage, I will be killed.

I take in three long breaths. Remaining calm is the key to blocking Wynstelle from my mind.

I shiver. What lengths will the males go to keep their mate safe?

“Would they hunt me down, torture information out of me, and kill me?” I whisper to myself.

If it’s for Wyn’s protection, I have no doubt that they will.

And I wouldn’t blame them.

King Nathaniel calls for me to see him in his meeting chamber.

Walking in, I focus on the chair where Wynstelle once sat and vividly remember her face when she first heard the news of her origins. Wyn was shocked to her core. I felt that disbelief along with her. She thought herself no more than a human blade-smith servant—a second-class citizen in a magical fae world, where she has no rights.

But Wyn is one of the most important people in either of the realms.

Wyn’s life sealed the peace treaty between the mortals and elves. And her blood will herald the next war.

I pull my eyes away from the now-empty chair and turn to my adopted father. “You wished to see me?”

“Shut the door. Sit.” His voice is formal and his gaze is cold.

I do as I’m told and do my best to remain calm. Nothing will be gained by losing my temper or wits. Waiting patiently, I place my hands on my lap.

“All these years, you have known much more than you have led me to believe,” the king’s voice rings with no doubt in his assumption.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play innocent.” Nathaniel keeps his voice level, but there’s a threat in his tone. “You have a stronger connection to Wynstelle than you originally conveyed to me. You felt her emotionsandher whereabouts through your link. Now, you’ve sensed her mate bonding in another realm. And there is more that you keep from me. I can see it in your eyes.”

“I—” I begin.

Nathaniel stops me. “I caution you not to lie. Iwillknow.” He leans forward to gaze into my eyes. “Are you working with King Magnus to destroy me?”

“No!” I fling myself from my chair, fall to my knees at his feet, and wring my hands, imploring him to understand the horrible predicament forced upon me at birth. “I have never even met King Magnus… unless it was when I was chosen as an infant to be your child.”

“What about the Elven Mage Weaver who visited you in secret?”

My eyes widen in shock, and I pause, trying to figure out what to say. “You knew about that?”

“Of course, I knew.” He crosses his arms in irritation.

I blink in shock. “Why didn’t you ask me about it before?”

“I wanted to trust you.” He explains, “I wanted to believe the mage was here to help you keep your changeling powers in control. However, with everything that’s happened, I wonder again why King Magnus wanted you with me.”

“You can still trust me.” My eyes well with tears. “What you suspected was true. The Weaver taught me how to contain my magic so that I didn’t expose our arrangement to your subjects.”

“Whatelsedid the Weaver come here to do?”

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