“What a fool,” Juliana mutters.
Finn shrugs and takes another sip of his drink. “Perhaps we’re the fools.”
Nodding, she hums. “You still haven’t explained how she kept this power she supposedly doesn’t want.”
“The golden prince gave her the Potion of Life to save her and turn her fae, but in doing so, he inadvertently tied the power to her life.”
Juliana presses her fingertips to her mouth. “Why would he risk such a thing? He had to have known there was a chance.”
“Because he was in love with her— is in love with her.”
“Hmm,” she says. “You said he gave her the Potion of Life because he loves her—”
“He does.”
“Then do you truly believe he’ll sever the bond?”
“No,” Finn says softly. “I don’t.”
“Interesting.”
Finn groans. “Out with it.”
“I was just thinking that the last time two brothers were in love with the same female, Faerie was split down the middle.”
“It’s not the same.”
“You’re not in love with her? You didn’t bring her here to introduce as your betrothed because you want to make sure the people from your homeland accept her by your side? There’s not a part of you that’s hoping to get Mother’s blessing on your relationship to your brother’s bonded partner?”
Finn remains silent and reaches for a fresh bottle of wine. He refills his glass. “You know what brought me here.”
“I know what should’ve brought you here. I know how desperately your people need to see you after all these years. Those who weren’t forced into hiding were scared, praying that their prince would come home, but you didn’t even visit. Not once.”
“Coming here would’ve put the entire village at risk. Mordeus would’ve loved an excuse to lay siege to Mother’s favorite place. I stayed away to protect everyone here.”
She swallows. “I know that, Finn, but not everyone understands. There are some who feel abandoned.” She shakes her head. “You truly intend to celebrate Lunastal by honoring your brother’s bonded partner?”
“He’s not my brother.”
“Oh, I suppose that’s true,” she says, draining her own glass. “Since your father disowned you.”
“You press your luck, Juliana.”
“I speak the truth.” She takes the crystal goblet from his hand and drinks from it. Handing it back, she lifts her gaze to meet his. “You are my prince and the rightful heir. Long ago, I pledged my allegiance to you and swore to put your future on the throne before my own life. That hasn’t changed.
But I also know that you’re here looking for solutions, and you might not like what you find.”
“You might be surprised by what I find,” he snaps.
Juliana cocks her head to the side. “What do you mean by that?”
He’s quiet for a long moment. “What do you know about the tethered?”
“Your line?” she asks.
Finn swallows hard. “My line back before we were on the throne. My line before Mab’s line died out.”
She shakes her head. “Not much. They were servants to the crown. Highly powerful, trusted, honored, but exploited as well. Vessels for our rulers.”
“Have you heard of anyone being tethered since—to the crown or otherwise?”
“Why are you asking, Finn?” Her face pales. “Surely you don’t believe— It’s impossible.”
“I don’t know. I dismissed the possibility for weeks after she arrived, but I’ve felt it from that first moment I stepped close to her. It’s there—a connection that’s unlike anything else. And she draws from me. Has from the beginning. I blamed it on the crown before, but . . . that’s not it.”
“But she still has the power of the crown, if not the crown itself. Perhaps it’s rooted in that— rooted in your destiny to carry that power yourself.”
“Have you ever heard of such a thing happening?” he asks.
“No. But it’s more reasonable than to think the gods would’ve tethered you to some random human.” Juliana’s jaw goes slack and she shakes her head. “Tethered,” she repeats, as if the word itself is a wonder. “I don’t believe it. I think you’re fixated on her and trying to excuse your lustful thoughts . ”
Finn grunts. “Trust me, I have plenty of those, but that’s not what this is about. I can’t explain it.