Page 123 of Unraveled
“Thank you, miss.” Alaris straightens his coat and smiles at me. “I knew from the first time you came into the kitchen that you were going to play a big part in His Majesty’s future.” With that, he steps back so others can greet us.
“Sir, where are our families?” someone asks from the back. A fae with pink hair that’s matted by grease and still has sticks poking out. “Was Eponde affected?”
“I haven’t gone back to Eponde yet.”
“Sire, are the hybrids returning?” another says.
“Isshea hybrid, like Morla?” Pink Hair says, in a harsher tone.
I wince. Ash’s gaze cuts to whoever spoke and everything around us grows dark with his temper. His aura thickens in a way that would have been terrifying a month ago. There isn’t a doubt in my mind this show of power is a warning for my sake.
“She’s my mate, so no, she isn’t like Morla.”
Silence descends after that and the fae with pink hair falls back behind the others. All of their eyes follow me, more with curiosity than not.
“Are the wards strong enough?” someone else shouts, cutting through the tension.
Ash places his hands on me and pulls me behind his body, giving Nera a look over his shoulder. Like I wouldn’t know he wants me out of here while he deals with his people.
“I just came back from Penumbra and haven’t been to Eponde—or any of our cities—yet. You are free to go and see if your families are well.”
Nera tucks her hand into the crook of my elbow and pulls me into the castle. “Boring politics,” she says, though her brows pinch in the middle. “Let’s go inside so we can get clean.”
I look back at Ash, who nods at me with a tight smile. Then he faces his people, and I let Nera guide me into the castle.
“Will he be alright?”
“Oh, yes. He was born to handle this,” Nera says. “You will learn, too, as you are bound to be their queen.”
I stumble on my feet at her words. Had Nera not caught me, I would’ve kissed the marble floor. Her smile is sad, but gentle—and true. “Don’t be nervous, Mia, you’re going to be an amazing queen.”
“You’re just saying that . . .”
“Have you met me?” This time her smile reaches her eyes. “You went to Penumbra and saved us. You’re powerful and amazing. They will grow to love you, like we did. You just have to give them time.”
Inside the castle, fae are everywhere. Some are cleaning. Others seem a bit lost, talking with each other in hushed tones. All look at us as we walk by, bowing at Nera and staring at me.
I never knew there were so many lunargyres in the castle, though I guess it makes sense. Many were statues out in the gardens, and many—Ash told me—lurked in the shadows. Perhaps some of them have seen me around during the last month and a half. And to them, I’m an outsider.
I glance at where the roses used to be, and a part of me mourns the loss of the plants. Another, bigger part of me is happy they’re gone, since Morla used them to spy on us.
I rest my hand over Nera’s, squeezing it tight as we step onto the floor where Ash’s room is. “How are you doing?”
“I’ve been better.” She shrugs. “But don’t worry about me. I’ll get over what Finley did... and what happened in that horrible place.”
Naheli waits inside Ash’s room. I guess it never occurred to me, but this is now my bedroom as well. The wolf spirit lies on the bed like we didn’t just come from battle. Her dark indigo fur buzzes with static. I stop right inside the doorframe before Nera can leave.
“I don’t suppose I could borrow a few dresses from you? I’ve been waiting for Morgana to bring me some new ones, but since she was Morla all along, I have nothing to wear.”
“You keep destroying the ones I lend you.” Nera’s mischievous smile takes over her features. “Plus, if you are without clothes, then perhaps I will get a nephew or niece early.”
“What?” I stare in horror at the back of her beautiful wings as she walks down the hall, waving me off and cackling like a maniac.
She just reminded me that Ash and I were together back in the Crossroads house, and I didn’t take the birth control potion the day after.
Chapter 42
FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS LATER . . .
