Page 98 of A Kingdom of Destruction

“You make it sound like you’re doing me a favor. Who would even come to see me?” she pressed him.

“Then consider it a surprise instead. It’s one you are going to love, trust me.”

He seemed to be under the impression she really loved surprises, but all her life, Aven felt the only good surprises were the ones she saw coming. Which didn’t make them surprises at all. Her skin tingled, too stiff for her liking, and something small and deadly lived in her stomach.

Today, Nora had chosen a flowing gown of chiffon and lace. Bell sleeves flowed down to her waist, and the print harkened to spring flowers in shades of ivory and yellow. The waist tapered down into a point and drew the attention down to the flowing skirt, brushing the floor with every step. She’d never have the grace of the fae, and she’d never stop feeling clunky and clumsy in comparison.

He must have read into the expression on her face. Cillian only chuckled.

“Please, tell me.” She injected a bit of demand into her voice. “Who would you bring here?”

“Your father.”

She stopped in the center of the forest path. “You would bring him here? After all the trouble he caused?”

“I’d do it for you,” he assured her. “Because you want to see him and you need the connection.”

“He’s not a good person. You were worried about a group of peasants protesting. Do you know the kind of army he might bring with him?” She’d written the letter, and Cillian agreed to send it because it seemed the safest option, and she agreed.

Her heart cried out to see her father, her only surviving family member, to have him hold her and assure her things were going to be all right. But the danger he presented and the things he’d already done did not instill her with any sort of confidence. Not to mention she wasn’t sure how either of them would react.

“This isn’t a good idea,” she finished.

Cillian hugged her in the comforting way only time allowed to flourish. Aven clung to him.

“I think it’s an exceptional idea. If it would make you happy and give you a much-needed break from all of the stressors, then consider it already done. Or do you not think our men are up to the task of protecting us?”

“You’re inviting your enemy into your palace,” she argued.

“I’ve already done so, and look how it turned out.” He pressed a light sweet kiss to the top of her head. “You’re a risk taker. It’s part of your makeup. Even if you consider this a risk, why dig in your heels?”

She hated to think of herself as his enemy, but once upon a time, she had been. She would have stopped at nothing to see them all dead with her blade slashed across their throats. Now she had Cillian’s ring on her finger, and their wedding was less than a week away.

“I’m sure it will take time to reach him and convince him to come, but this is the offer I make to you. I’ll retrieve him myself if it will help put your mind at ease.”

At ease? No, there was no calming her mind.

A twig snapped somewhere in the garden, and Aven whirled around, the sensation of being watched a physical caress on the back of her neck. Roran was out there lurking somewhere, she swore it.

He wasalwaysthere.

Eavesdropping on every word they said and no doubt picking up on what she kept to herself. Would he have made the same offer as Cillian? To retrieve her father and bring him here only to give her a measure of peace?

No, absolutely not.

“I think it’s very sweet of you to do, but it’s just one more thing to add to our growing list of responsibilities.”

“I care about you, Aven.” Cillian tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and his fingertips lingered on her chin, warmed by the sun. “I’ll do this if you want. I get it, the wedding prep is overwhelming. If you need this to prove I care, then I won’t hesitate.”

She dipped her head in acknowledgment. “I’d appreciate it.”

Being allowed to see her father after such a long absence meant the world to her. This time when Cillian kissed her, whatever audience they may or may not have had faded into the scenery. It was only the two of them and his kindness, his thoughtfulness.

For the first time today, she felt like something shifted between them, and he’d shown her a little bit of the emotional vulnerability she’d craved. It was only right for her to do the same for him in return.

“I’d really like it,” she murmured against his mouth.

“Then it’s done,” he whispered back.

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