Page 127 of Kiss of Fire

“Couldn’t you have kept me with you?”

“Darling, I wanted to. I really did. But Aelfric’s demons can track anything. They had my scent. I had to keep moving and that’s no life for a child. I thought if you looked human, you could fit in. Grow up safe and happy.”

Raya picked a blade of grass and began to shred it.

“Why… oh, it doesn’t matter.”

“Ask me. Ask me anything.”

“Why didn’t you come for me when I was put in that hospital?” There was a lump in Raya’s throat and she tried to swallow it down. “Why did you leave me there?”

“I honestly thought it was the safest place for you.” Aelah took Raya’s hands, gently stopping her from plucking more grass. “I made a mistake. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

“You’re here now, that’s what matters. But I need you to know that I still think of Caroline as my mother.”

“I understand. And she’d be so proud of you. You’re a strong person, Raya. I don’t just mean your power, which is extraordinary. But your resilience. Your determination. I’m very much looking forward to getting to know you.”

Raya gave a wobbly smile.

“Me too.”

“Have you thought about what you’re going to do? Now that you’re the Fae Queen?”

“I honestly don’t know. I have no idea how to rule. And I don’t want to live in Feyir. I want to stay here in Nurhan.”

“Because of a certain tall, dark, handsome jinn?” Aelah smiled mischievously. “I’d stay here too if I hadthathunk pining for me.”

Raya blushed.

“He’s not pining for me.”

“Yeah, sure. Have you told him yet?”

“Told him what?”

“That you love him. I mean, he declared his feelings in front of the whole damn Fae Court so presumably he’s desperate to know if you reciprocate.”

Raya squirmed uncomfortably.

“I haven’t told him anything.”

“Why the fuck not?”

Aelah’s language was worse than hers. At least she knew where she’d inherited it from.

“Look, I haven’t had the chance to speak to him yet. And anyway, I don’t even know if he meant it. Everything was so chaotic.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? When you disappeared, he flew back to Norway and forced Magda to tell him where I was. He tracked me down when no-one else could. He practically shanghaied me to come on a suicidal rescue mission. He said if I didn’t, he’d tell every demon in the whole world where I was hiding.” Aelah paused. “He was very, very angry. I think I ought to warn you he has a hell of a temper.”

“Understatement of the year. Did he roar at you?”

“Loud enough to tear a wall down. I’m pretty sure I’ve lost the rental deposit.”

They both giggled and Raya felt a swell of happiness. Shade had moved heaven and earth to find her. She desperately wanted to talk to him. But she had to make some decisions first.

“What shall I do about Feyir?” she asked. “I can’t just abandon it if I’m queen. But I don’t want to live there.”

“You could appoint a proxy. A regent. They can rule in your name, for a while.”

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