Page 82 of Luca

He crossed his arms over his chest, cocking a brow. “That’s how it’s gonna be, huh? Too cool for school now?”

“Yup.”

We laughed, and I went to follow him over to the chaise longue, but Cair called out… “Don’t you want to give him your father’s gift, pet?”

“Oh, I forgot!” I said, and Alex gasped exaggeratedly.

“You have a present for me and youforgotabout it?! Rude.”

I strode over to the bar where I’d left my pack, rifling through the front pouch for what I needed before returning. “He gave me this to give to you.” I handed the leather piece over to Alex, who eyed it curiously. “It’s an apology for the ward and…” I looked up at Tee. “For not telling you about your mother.”

Teighan seemed taken aback, while Alex was busy assessing the jewelry. “What is it?” he asked. “I mean, I know what it is, but I’m guessing he didn’t send a regular bracelet back with you.”

“It’s enchanted. It will allow you to cross into the Fae realm for three days.”

His gaze snapped to mine, and I swore he’d stopped breathing. “Are… are you serious? I can go through?”

I nodded, but reached out to stop him when he attempted to open it. “Once it’s on your wrist, the time will start, and you have to be back here before it runs out.” He left the clasp alone. “It would be best to wait until you’re ready to go before putting it on. You can revive its magic by burying it under Fae soil for at least a month.Ifyou want to keep going back, that is.”

“Hell yeah!” His enthusiasm was infectious. “Oh my God, can we go now?”

I chuckled. “Might wanna wait until all this blows over. You know, in case you’re the king’s next target?”

He groaned like a child being denied a trip to his favorite toy shop.So fucking dramatic.“Can’t I just go over for an hour? Five minutes. Just a peek, then we can come straight back?” he bargained before addressing Cair. “You said we had time before the king made his move, and I’m going to be obsessing over this until I get to go.”

I knew that feeling too well, so I was sympathetic to his plight. “I mean, wecoulddrop back in on Dad? Be all,‘Hey, I know it’s only been a few hours, but we’re back.’”

“I don’t know, bird.” Tee hesitated. “I don’t want to risk putting you in danger. You are too precious to me, and I know you are far from weak, but you don’t have the unmanifested powers or Fae blood that Luca does.”

Alex smiled at his mate, though I could tell he was still buzzing with unrestrained excitement. “No, but I can fight. You’ve been teaching me how to handle a sword.”Pause for innuendo appreciation. “And we’d be quick. Now that Lulu is a wizard, we canwhooshback at the first whiff of trouble.”

“I’m a mage…”

“Rosewood Creek is very secure.” Cair joined the conversation. “While we were there, Zadok renewed the shields to repel ill intent.”

Alex’s eyes lit up and he flung out a hand in my mate’s direction. “See? Even Prince Charming is on my side.”

The barest twitch of a smirk flicked at the corner of Cair’s mouth before flattening out. “On second thought, he may get eaten by a wyvern.”

My bestie spluttered, and a laugh forced its way through my closed lips.

Seconds later, while Alex was busy grousing about how everyone was mean and we all hated him, Kor wandered in through the red curtain, stalling our debate. I beamed at him, almost grateful for the interruption, and he bowed his head in return. “Your Highness.”

I huffed fondly. “We’ve had this conversation already today. You can call me Luca.”

He nodded again, but the gesture was flat. Cair frowned, clearly sensing that something was amiss. “What is it Korgavan?” he asked.

“This just arrived for you, Your Highness.” Kor handed a letter over to my mate. “It is from the city hall.”

The room fell silent.

Cair’s jaw clenched as he gestured in thanks before gracefully peeling the letter open. The page folded out. Kor retreated to the far side of the room to give us privacy as my mate’s dark eyes scanned what it said, the tension in his frame growing with each second that passed. He huffed a humorless laugh. “It seems Father doesn’t need time to prepare himself, after all.”

“What is it?” I asked, stepping in closer to his side.

“It is an official decree, of sorts,” he said. “In more refined terminology, it accuses me of kidnapping a human of the state, andapparently, if I do not return them—and if every last supernatural creature does not vacate Edenglas by the month’s end—then the treaty between our kinds will be voided. They will be forced to see my actions as a declaration of war.”

“What?” I gasped, scanning for everyone else’s reaction.

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