Page 18 of Across an Endless Sea

Of course, Prae comes in just as I give in and peel back the furs to check on her tiny burnt toes.

“Caed,” she snaps. “Ancestors’ balls, what are you doing?”

“Checking for weapons,” I retort dryly.

Prae slumps down against the door, staring at me with her one good eye wide and disbelieving. “You’re worried about her.” She says the words like a curse. “I knew it.”

“If she dies—”

“Oh, don’t feed me that bullshit,” she snaps. “Now do me a favour; think past your pesky fae instincts and tell me the truth. What do you want?”

I snarl at her. “Glory for my father, an end to the war, and food for our people.”

My eyes betray me, searching Rose out, tracing the dirt smeared across her cheek…

“You’re saying the right words…” Prae whispers.

“I mean them.” I force my eyes away from Rose. “This is just some fairy magic trick, like you said.”

There’s no other reason for her to haunt my thoughts like this.

“It isn’t.”

I glare at Prae, who’s gotten up from the floor and is slowly making her way closer. “How can you possibly know that?”

“I asked her. She’s used magic on you, but it wasn’t intentional. You know they can’t lie.”

“How do you unintentionally use magic on someone?” I demand, then curse. “It doesn’t matter. They may not be able to lie, but they love their games.” I rub my eyes. “Either way, nothing changes. Nothing can ever change.”

Because Rose is my enemy. She willalwaysbe my enemy.

I turn away from the bed and head for the door.

“See to it that she doesn’t die. I’ve got some sparring to do.”

“Caed,” she interrupts, as I’m halfway to the door. “You mind getting rid of those?”

I follow her line of sight and curse as I see all six of my ghost swords hovering over Rose, forming a protective cage of blades.

“What the fuck?” I didn’t summon them. Why would they appear when I haven’t conjured them?

“Fae mates,” Prae begins slowly. “Lose control of their powers until the bond is formed. I guess you’re the same, and with your oath…”

My magic is going to attempt to protect Rose, even if I don’t want it to.

My hands clench until my nails break skin. “Fuck.”

I can’t lose control of my power. Being unable to protect myself is a death sentence back in the mountains. My only option is to stay as far away from Rose as possible and pray that, with distance, her effect on me can be muted.

The door slams behind me on my way out. I’m going down to the sparring room. There’s always someone spoiling for a fight, and I need to let off some steam.

Seven

Jaromir

I’m standing in Florian’s office, staring at the map that takes up most of his desk. A map that doesn’t change, no matter how many times I glare at it. I may as well be looking at the one on the wall behind me—the one which Florian used to track sightings of his missing brother. We probably have a better chance of finding Prince Bram than we do of defeating the growing army outside our gates.

We’re screwed. Surrounded by Fomorians on every side, and only the walls are keeping them out. I can’t see a single way to break the siege. We don’t have enough men. We need aid from the minor royals.

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