Page 65 of Fate and Flame
“Has the sun risen yet?” he mumbled into my ear.
“I think you can see the light in the room.” I laughed.
“Let’s pretend like it didn’t,” he protested, squeezing me until I could hardly breathe.
“Happily.” I pulled the blankets up over our heads as his heated hands began to roam my body.
Since I’d been home from the sea incident, he’d taken me in every room and every way that he could, as often as he could, and I’d let him, never getting enough of him. Never fully being able to let him go as he was called away time and time again.
Eventually, we got out of bed and I poured him tea as we stood together on the balcony.“I know this is the biggest day of your life,” I started. “But there’s something I want to talk to you about. Something I should have told you as soon as I saw you after Nealla, but I just couldn’t find the words.”
“I’m listening,” he said, blowing on the hot cup of tea.
His captivating eyes met mine and for a second, I hesitated to say anything at all. This could change everything or nothing.
“You’ve never asked me about the second half of my prophecy, even though that’s what we went through The Mists to figure out.”
“I assumed if there was something to tell me, you would when you were ready.”
“I think I’m ready now.”
He set his cup down and took my hand, lifting my fingers to his mouth and gently kissing each and every one while he stared into my soul.
I love you. It won’t change a thing. I promise.
You’ve never said those words to me.
“I love you,” he said out loud, leaning down to kiss each side of my neck, my ears and my head. “I’ve loved you since the moment you socked that asshole in the bar.”
I laughed. Actually, genuinely laughed.
Fen held me so tight I could feel his heart beating. “I know you’re worried. I can feel it through our bond, but I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
“Nealla told me,” I began and then paused, taking in a deep breath. “It’s just easier if I tell you the poem.”
“Whatever you need.” He rested his chin on my head as he held me.
“Four thrones, four crowns,
North, South, Sea and West.
One Fae, One Will,
Must kill them all and free the rest.”
His hands dropped to his side. He shook his head and stepped away as the shock rattled our bond.“You knew?” he accused, squinting. “You knew you were fated to kill my father and you never told me?”
“I never would have done it, Fenlas. Under any other circumstances, I wouldn’t have.”
“That’s not the point,” he said as he looked away, gripping his dark hair. “And now you have to kill Coro and Autus too?”
“We do,” I said. “You’re still my Guardian.”
He scoffed. “Some fucking Guardian I am, huh? I can’t protect you from being kidnapped. I can’t protect my father from being poisoned under my own nose. I can’t even protect myself from the shit that keeps happening. It’s just blow after fucking blow, and some days it’s a miracle I’m still standing.”
“Fen, none of those things were your fault. I should have told you. But how do you tell the only person in the world you love that you’re fated to kill his beloved father? How does one even find words for that?”
“I guess you don’t. You just keep it to yourself until the opportunity comes up and then you kill two birds with one fucking stone. Fate is happy and the king is dead.”
