Page 69 of Crown of Slumber

Aurelia was stiff and unmoving in my grasp, frozen like a stunned creature.

“Aurelia?” I asked.

“I have to,” she whispered.

My eyebrows lowered. “You don’t. According to these people, you belong to me and no one else. You don’t owe him anything.”

She turned to me, her eyes flashing with anger. “Don’t be a fool, Fenn. To refuse a dance from the king would cause the greatest offense. Ihaveto.”

“Aurelia—”

She shoved out of my grip, ignoring my outstretched hand as she moved away from me and melted into the crowd.

The ballroom was too stifling.I had to escape.

I found myself stepping through the open balcony doors, my feet moving of their own volition. At every festive occasion in the Autumn Court, I often sought out a balcony for respite from making small talk with courtiers. It was a rare opportunity to relax and allow my facial features to sag, providing relief from the constant smiling.

I heaved a sigh, taking in the fresh air, the smell of cool and crisp leaves on the wind. The sun had fully set now, but the faint lavender and fuchsia glows still swirled in the sky, igniting the forest that surrounded the palace. In the distance, I made out the Mistwood Hills that separated the Autumn Court from the Star Court.

We were so close. So close to reaching Fenn’s kingdom and getting the answers we needed.

And yet, it still seemed an eternity away. I’d been apart from my family for two days now. Were they well? Was the enchantment that held them dangerous? What if they were in a prolonged, frozen state, and I wouldn’t be able to rouse them when I returned?

“Still escaping out here, I see,” came a voice behind me.

I whirled, heart pounding, to find Callan with a drink in his hand. His blond hair was smoothed out of his face, which was clean shaven. Last I’d seen him, he had a goatee similar to his brother’s. But his eyes were much kinder than Tyrone’s. They always had been.

My chest constricted for an entirely different reason. “Hello, Callan.”

He moved to my side, bracing one arm on the iron railing while the other clutched his champagne flute, occasionally bringing it to his lips. We stood alongside each other, watching the sky darken bit by bit.

After a long moment, he said softly, “I wasn’t sure if I would ever see you again.”

I swallowed thickly, suddenly wishing I hadn’t come out here. Callan and I had often escaped here together. This was where we shared our most private conversations. Our hopes and fears.

Our secret and most forbidden passion for each other.

My cheeks flushed, and I turned away. “I shouldn’t be here.”

“Aurelia.” He grasped my wrist, stopping me from leaving.

I froze at the sound of my name on his lips. Gods, the way he uttered it like a gentle prayer, a plea…

I hadn’t allowed myself to think on how much I missed the companionship of another.Achedfor it.

But Callan’s touch, while warm and gentle, did nothing for me. There was no rush of heat. No jolt of awareness. Not like when Fenn had touched me earlier.

“Please don’t, Callan.” I could barely utter the words, my throat was so full of emotion.

“I thought—With the engagement broken, I thought—” He broke off with a frustrated exhale, then dropped my wrist. “I suppose I was wrong.”

My face crumpled from the note of grief in his voice. Burning suns, he’d believed I’d ended my engagement forhim.

He had no idea what Tyrone had done. Of course he hadn’t. I hadn’t told him, and Tyrone certainly wouldn’t have.

As far as Callan knew, he and I had been caught by Tyrone, then I’d ended my engagement and left the Autumn Court without notice.

I took a deep, steadying breath and looked at him, bracing myself for the unrestrained emotion I would find on his face. His eyes were tight and full of longing and despair. His brows were drawn together, his jaw taut and rigid. He stood, his back perfectly straight, his fists clenched together.

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