Page 93 of The Light Falls
He smiles. “I will. No goodbyes.” His gold eyes stare into mine.
“No goodbyes,” I murmur to him, although this sure as hell feels like one. I step back.
Cormal opens the portal, and we all leave.
Once we return, I send my copy of the official treaty to the vault, along with the council’s copy, and I make a secret copy without the blood and stash it in the Underworld.
My phone buzzes with several text messages. All from Lorn. I stare down at it, tempted to wait, but I can’t keep avoiding him.
Cormal looks over my shoulder. “Lorn?” When I nod, he looks at me. “Go. You haven’t seen him in days. I’ll go check on things in the Underworld.”
“If I ask him to be a part of my life, are you going to be okay with that decision?” I ask, needing to know his answer.
“We are never-ending. Lorn or no Lorn,” he assures me. “If he makes you happy, I’ll learn to live with him.” He kisses me hard on the lips. “You were amazing last night but stop throwing out challenges like they’re candy. I can’t take the stress.”
Knowing he deals with things way more stressful than this little challenge; I laugh. When he doesn’t join me, I realize he’s serious.
“Not too long ago, you told me to save myself,” I remind him with a touch of bitterness in my voice. “Why are you suddenly worried? Do you think I can’t do it?” When he says nothing, I throw up my hands. “Go. I’ll see you later.”
With an irritated growl, he stares down at me. “Stop. I’m not quite used to this new badass who seems willing to take on all her enemies at once.” He thrusts a hand through his hair. “I hear you. I do. Do you want to talk about this now?” His blue eyes are serious as he waits for my answer.
“No, but this is only a temporary reprieve. Got it?” I ask, narrowing my eyes on him.
He gives me a short nod and a firm kiss. “I’ll be back later.”
After he’s gone, I head to my room to switch clothes and guards.
Meri: Sorry, I’ve been gone the last couple of days. Do you have time to meet now?
Lorn: Yes. Botanical gardens?
Not quite what I had in mind.
Meri: How about the little restaurant where we first had lunch?
Lorn: We need somewhere where we won’t be overheard. Botanical gardens. Fifteen minutes.
Irritated, I debate canceling, but I know it’s more procrastination on my part than any desire to avoid the gardens.
Meri: See you there.
Ten minutes later, I arrive with Kian and Laken. Lorn is already waiting for me at the entrance. This time, there is no bright smile or kiss on the cheek.
I frown. “Is everything okay?”
“Let’s walk,” he replies, looking at my guards. He bends his head and lowers his voice. “I had a visitor a couple of days ago. She told me your father is the dark Fae King. At first, I laughed, but later, I remembered the creature in the alley.”
I tilt my head. “The boy?”
He gives me a derisive smile. “It wasn’t a boy, but yes, the one with the message from Denir.” His dark purple eyes study me closely. “She was telling the truth, wasn’t she? Your father is Denir, the dark Fae king.”
The only woman who knows outside of close friends and family is Leandra. “Did this female tell you her name?”
He shrugs. “Leandra. You didn’t answer my question.”
Not liking the tone of his voice, I step away from him. “I wasn’t sure when I came here today whether I still wanted to see you, but this conversation has helped convince me we should just remain friends. And the answer to your question… it’s none of your business.”
“Oh, but it is,” he states firmly. “You see, Basilus wasn’t King Arles’ cousin, he was his half-brother. The Fae love their secrets, remember? Royal blood ran in his veins, which means it runs in Allandra’s too.”
