Page 116 of The High Mountain Court

“What? The Witchslayer?” Remy straightened, nearly jumping out of the bed. “You would leave a Vostemur on the throne?”

“I realize it may seem unreasonable, but Renwick has been our ally for some time, Remy,” Bern said. “He has had to walk a fine line of allegiances for many years. He is the one who brought me into play. He is the one who slipped you that dagger.” Bern cocked his head toward Remy’s dagger that lay on her bedside table. “His people will listen to him far more than they would a High Mountain fae too.”

“He could be double-crossing us.” Remy balked. “He could have just been securing the throne for himself or hedging his bets . . . we cannot trust him.”

“I have reason to believe we can . . . ,” Bern said, but before Remy could interject, he continued, “I agree we must be cautious, though, which is why Rua is going to stay behind and oversee his transition to power.”

“Rua?” Remy protested. “You would leave my little sister behind with our sworn enemy?!”

“She volunteered for the job.” Bern laughed. “And I need not remind you that Rua is in possession of the Immortal Blade. She is a fearsome warning, and her presence along with the Immortal Blade will make any Northerner think twice of mutiny.”

Remy grimaced. It was true. Keeping the Immortal Blade in the North would be a clever act of intimidation. She hated that her little sister had to stay with it, though. Did Rua even know how to use a sword?

“So you go to the mountains,” Remy said looking at Bern, “I go east, and Rua stays in the North. Scattered through the courts once more.”

“Hopefully not for long.” Bern smiled sadly. He grabbed something out of the pocket of his satin waistcoat. “Here.”

He produced a long gold chain holding a heavy glowing red stone: the amulet of Aelusien. Remy shook her head at first, but Bern pressed it into her hands.

“You should have it. You did, after all, nearly die obtaining it.”

Remy looked to Hale, smirking at her. He must have told Bern the story of how the amulet of Aelusien came into their possession.

“And it will add a nice bit of pressure on the East too,” Bern added, cocking his head.

“Were you his general? Raffiel’s?” Remy wondered, looking at Bern. The male’s face caved again at the sound of her brother’s name.

“No,” Bern said. “I was his Fated mate.”

* * *

Remy exited the bathing chamber and returned into the opulent room. She tied her hair up in a burgundy scarf and wore a fresh golden tunic with red embroidery, fitted trousers, and riding boots. The amulet of Aelusien hung heavily around her neck.

Hale had pushed for them to stay another night in the Northern Court. Remy had denied him, insisting they leave for the East at once. They needed to intervene before Hale’s supposed brother, Augustus, and the late King’s advisors had time to regroup. Word of what happened the night before would reach them soon enough, and Hale and Remy needed to be right behind the news, ready to take control of the Eastern Court.

Hale had cleaned up as well. He stood over a basin of water, his white shirtsleeves rolled up. He had shaved off the beard from his dungeon days. He looked the princely warrior once more. He shifted his hair out of his eyes. His chestnut brown hair needed a trim too. The sides had gotten long, and the top now stretched past his nose, forcing him to swipe the locks back.

“Ready?” he asked, rolling down his sleeves.

Remy walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. He smiled into her shoulder and gave it a kiss.

“I love you,” Remy whispered into his hard chest.

Hale’s arms enveloped her, squeezing tighter for a moment before releasing her. He moved his hands to frame Remy’s face. Remy didn’t think she would ever get used to the way Hale looked at her. She could stare into those smoky gray eyes forever.

“I love you too.” His face was so open and beautiful at that moment.

He leaned forward, his lips meeting Remy’s in a soft, slow kiss. It was a kiss that promised many sweeter, slow kisses to come. It promised many nights when they could take their time passionately exploring each other’s bodies . . . though Remy did not mind their rushed and frantic lovemaking either. She wanted it all with this gorgeous male in front of her. She wanted a lifetime with her Fated.

Hale pulled back from the kiss, leaving Remy wanting. His half-hooded eyes snagged on the Shil-de ring on his right hand, resting on Remy’s cheek.

“You should not have put this ring on me, Remy.” His voice filled with lament. “It belongs to you and your family, and now I cannot take it off.”

“You are my family, Hale,” Remy whispered.

Hale’s eyes darted to hers, raw and vulnerable. His entire family had been a lie. He was just a pawn in his adoptive father’s bigger plans. He had never treated him like a son. “I don’t really know what family even means.”

“Neither do I,” Remy said with a sad smile. “I don’t know if I’m meant to feel closer to the sister I haven’t seen in fourteen years. I don’t know how much of a familial bond will carry us through. But I do know something that Heather . . .”

---