It’s believed that the gods do this so the courts don’t grow stagnant, so that no one ruler has power for too long. My father was nearing his time when he passed his power to you, and everything I remember, everything I’ve read about it sounds uncomfortably similar to what I’m experiencing.”
“We’ll fix it,” I whisper. My eyes feel suddenly hot and wet. “We’ll find a cure for you and the children. We’ll figure this out.”
When he finally looks at me, he treats me to a soft smile, but it never meets his eyes. “As much as I appreciate your concern, that’s not your job. I’m only telling you because I want you to understand that I might not be able to protect you—especially if Sebastian doesn’t bend on the bond.”
“I understand.” I swallow. “But I’m not worried about myself.”
His brows draw together. “We very nearly lost you—again. If they’d gotten a goblin to take you to Arya instead of taking you through those mountains, or if Sebastian had arrived an hour later . . .”
“I’m not staying behind, Finn.” I wrap my hand around his arm, and power flares inside me, filling me up. I gasp at the strength of it and watch as his lips part. He said it’s different for him—not a flare, but a connection.
“We will travel to Staraelia on horseback, so consider the physical toll of the journey as well.”
“We won’t use goblins?”
“No. In part because that becomes difficult when traveling with a group, but more so because of the perceptions. In many parts of this land, goblins aren’t trusted, and traveling with their magic can send the wrong impression.”
“I can handle it, and I promise not to put Oberon’s power at risk. I will be as well-behaved as your wolves. Just let me come.”
His lips part and his nostrils flare in exasperation. “You truly think my primary concern is my father’s power.”
“Well, yes.” I shrug. “I can’t blame you for that.”
He cups my jaw in one big hand and skims his thumb across my bottom lip. A shiver runs through me and I lock my gaze with his. “I think we should try to seek an audience with the priestess without you.”
“You—”
He presses his thumb against my lips, silencing me. “But the decision is yours. All I ask is that you’re honest about how you feel, and if we need to delay by a day or two, then we will. I have other reasons for wanting to be present for Lunastal, but if we need to, we can go straight to the priestess.”
As if suddenly realizing how intimate his touch is, he drops his hand and stands. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Finn,” I say, stopping him before he reaches the door.
He turns, his dark brow arched. “Yes, Princess.”
I fold my arms and give him the most self-assured smirk I can manage. “Use your thumb to stop me from speaking again, and I will bite it.”
His smile is slow and wicked, but it brings light into his eyes that I’m hungry to see. “Is that supposed to be a threat?”
I grab a pillow and launch it at him, but he disappears, and it falls to the ground.
Chapter Sixteen
A few hours later I’m awake again, bathed and dressed and dying for a cup of coffee. When I open the door to exit my unconventional bedroom, Sebastian’s waiting just outside, and he spins around at the sound. He’s stiff, fists clenched at his sides. Worry is all over his face. For a moment my defenses fall, and I feel it. Terror, worry, concern.
Heartache.
All those feelings of his I’ve been working so hard to block out.
“How are you feeling?” he asks. I can almost see how badly he wants to touch me. How much he wants to pull me into his arms. But he’s holding himself back. Instead, he looks me over again and again, as if he wants to make sure I’m okay and gobble me up all at once.
“I’m fine. Better. Thanks to you.”
“I felt you,” he says softly. “In the fire. I couldn’t get there fast enough, and by the time I tracked you down in the mountains, the Sluagh—”
“I’m better,” I say. “Finn said I used too much power at once, but I feel as good as new this morning.” And it’s almost true.
He nods. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
“Thank you for coming to save me.” I shift awkwardly. “I know you aren’t very happy with me right now, that I’ve hurt you, but you still came.”
“Of course I did.” He takes me by the shoulders and turns me toward him. “I said I would always come for you, and I meant it.”