Page 25 of Courting the King of Cliffs

I expanded the city.

I repaired broken things, redid old stonework, and sometimes even crafted beautiful art for people who asked.

But who was I supposed to be in Tremaine’s kingdom? What was I supposed to do with myself?

“Dissiri?” he said from behind me, his voice low but calm.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

I heard him sit down on the floor, and felt him lean against the front door.

More than I felt confused, I still felt betrayed. Though I understood why Tremaine hadn’t told me, there were so many other people who should’ve known me well enough to give me that information themselves.

I finally padded over to the door, fighting another round of tears.

I was so tired of crying.

I was so tired of fighting.

So I sat down next to him, careful not to touch him. I didn’t want him to make me feel better yet. “Anyone could’ve told me,” I whispered. “It would’ve only taken one person.”

“Who else knew?” he asked me.

The question had me jerking my head toward him. “You didn’t tell everyone?”

“Only Quake and Margo. Crag and Eeva got it out of me shortly after I took the throne, when they started trying to set me up with other women. I had no idea Storm knew until he showed up in my castle, looking for you.”

Other women.

As if I’d been the only one for him the whole time.

I wiped my eyes angrily, because there was a damn good chance I had been the only one for him. Through our families, I knew him well enough to doubt that he’d lie about never being with another woman.

And if he’d really known I was his fated mate since the first day we’d met, his nature wouldn’t allow him to consider anyone else, let alone touch them. Male fae were naturally more dedicated to their mates than females were before the ceremony to seal their bond.

“I thought you told everyone except me,” I said quietly.

“I was an angry kid who was constantly in pain, had been abandoned by his parents a few years earlier, and had only recently been taken in by a couple I tentatively liked. I wasn’t about to tell anyone I didn’t have to—especially Storm.”

I supposed that was good enough reasoning.

And heartbreaking enough to make me ache for him.

“What would you have done if your magic hadn’t hurt me?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I remember seeing you, and realizing I’d found my best friend. I just wanted to talk to you,” he said quietly.

I wiped at my leaking eyes. “I would’ve liked that.”

“Me too. It was so fucking lonely.”

I laughed, wiping harder at my tears. “What an understatement.”

“They were protecting you in the best way they knew how. Go easy on them?” His voice was soft, and his hand caught mine, squeezing lightly.

I squeezed back, much harder. “I don’t know how I could forgive them for that. It should’ve been my secret, not theirs.”

“I know.” He grew quiet for a long moment. “But you’re here now, and apparently we work together.”

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