Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE: PROMISES AND BETRAYALS

I found myself pacing my chambers, drowning in turbulent thoughts, when a soft knock sounded at my door. My body froze, eyes darting to the entrance.

After a moment, a feminine voice laced with worry called, “It’s me.”

Irritation sparked in my gut. I would rather not see anyone right now. Yet guilt gnawed at my chest. Rosalina didn’t deserve my foul mood.

“Come in.”

The door flew open to reveal my late friend’s sister on the threshold. Tears shimmered in her silver eyes. Her willowy frame trembled on the verge of sobbing. I stepped toward her.

“Hey,” I said softly. “What’s wrong?” I winced internally. What the hell am I saying? Her world just crumbled.

Rosalina rushed forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and burying her face against my chest. “You fool!” she cried, sobbing openly.

I swept my hand over her dark brown waves, the silky mass flowing down her back. “I know today has been difficult,” I cleared my throat, “but you have nothing to worry about.”

She whipped her head up, eyes glinting with suspicion. “Are you certain about that?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her fingers dug into my back as if to keep me by force. “I heard you. Though I was seated far up in the commoner section, I still heard you tell Queen Celeste that you…” her lower lip trembled, “you pursued the werewolf princess.”

I fought back a wince.

Damn it all…

“Tell me that isn’t true.”

I gripped Rosalina’s shoulders, unable to find words to deny it.

Rosalina shook her head in disbelief. She pulled back, wrenching from my hold. “Oh gods…you love her.” She spat the words like Seraphina was an abomination. To our people, her kind was.

I shook my head fervently. “No, I don’t.”

Lying bastard.

But I needed to say anything to keep Rosalina with me. I couldn’t lose her and break my sacred promise to Kieran. I was a man of my word, and I’d be damned if I broke it now.

Rosalina’s voice pitched higher, eyes rounding in near hysteria. “You’re going to marry that creature, aren’t you?” She sniffled, flashing an accusatory glare. “I thought I meant something to you. I thought what we had transcended any bond. Was it all lies?”

I drew Rosalina into my arms. She writhed in my grip, kicking out—her foot connecting with my shin. But I held firm. I wouldn’t let go. I’d lost Kieran. Not only that, but I wouldn’t lose his sister. Though my insides felt shredded. My body craved Seraphina; my heart ached for her. Yet, my mind warred against those emotions, wanting to stay loyal to Rosalina.

Bowing my head, I buried my face in her hair.

Damn it all…

“I won’t marry her,” I told Rosalina. Those words nearly shattered what remained of my soul. “I promise.”

“Are you certain?” Rosalina’s voice was timid and hesitant. She drew back enough to look into my eyes. “The king seems determined.”

“I know he is. But I’ll find a way to avoid it.”

Rosalina ducked her chin in defeat.

“Hey,” I said, hooking a finger under her chin and angling her head back to meet my eyes. “I promised, didn’t I? You know how I am about keeping my word.”

She nodded after a moment’s pause. “I know.” She gave a small smile. “But I can’t say I’m completely at ease yet.”

I rubbed her shoulders and pressed a soft kiss to her brow. “Better?” I asked, raising a brow.

Her smile widened. “Much.”

“Good,” I said. Glancing at the clock on my nightstand and sighing, I added, “The summit is about to resume. We should return.”

Rosalina gave a shaky nod. I moved to pass her when she caught my hand. I glanced over my shoulder at her. She blinked back tears, trying to appear brave for the hell we were about to face.

“Promise?”

I forced a grin that felt too tight. “Promise.”

We entered the long corridor and walked side by side in silence. I couldn’t have spoken anyway. My eyes remained on the floor, heart pounding with each step toward the Great Hall. As we neared the doors, a figure in a silver dress reached the junction simultaneously. My head snapped up, eyes catching those captivating sapphire orbs.

Seraphina.

Beside me, Rosalina stiffened. Her body went rigid as she glared at Seraphina. The werewolf princess’s gaze slid toward the dark fae female. Yet instead of hostility as I expected, I saw bleakness shadowing Seraphina’s dull gaze. She dipped her head in a polite nod and entered the hall first, never looking back.

I stood as if rooted to the floor. All coherent thought fled my mind, leaving only jumbled chaos. I yearned to go to her, yet knew I couldn’t. My hands felt numb; the need to touch her, to hold her, burned like fire in my chest. I swallowed and drew a steadying breath. Glancing at Rosalina, I saw her still glaring where Seraphina had stood.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go in.”

Guiding her into the Great Hall with my hand on her lower back, we quickly took our seats.

As soon as I sat, my siblings pounced.

“Hey,” Prince Darius hissed. “What in the nine hells is happening?” I remained silent, gaze fixed on the ceiling. I would rather not look at anyone or anything. But Darius wasn’t having it. He gripped my shoulder and shook it. “Lys, answer me.”

I whirled on him, shadow claws emerging. “What do you want me to say?” I hissed.

On Darius’s other side sat our little sister, Princess Nyx. Her soft brow furrowed in concern. “You could start by telling us when you planned to inform your siblings you’d found your fated mate.” Hurt flashed in her eyes, sending a blade straight through my chest.

My gaze softened as I looked at my little sister. “I couldn’t tell you, Nyx.”

She licked her lips, gaze dropping before meeting mine again. “Why?”

I clenched my jaw, looking away. “Because I didn’t want it to be true. Part of me hoped it was impossible, that it would all fade away.”

A pregnant pause. Then understanding dawned in her eyes. She gave a slow nod. Nyx and Darius exchanged a meaningful glance. So much was communicated in that look. Darius turned back to me.

“We’re here for you either way,” Darius said with a firm nod. Nyx nodded behind him.

A knot lodged in my throat. Swallowing didn’t loosen it. “Thank you.”

King Silvion, the elf king, began the meeting. He turned to King Fenris. “Well, what is your decision?”

King Malachar sat awaiting his words. My breath caught in my lungs, refusing to move.

King Fenris rose to his feet, nearly swaying. His shoulders seemed to bear an unbearable weight. He appeared to have aged years in mere hours. Straightening, the king declared, “It has been decided.” His neck tendons grew distended as he swallowed hard. “We agree to the union between Prince Lysander and Princess Seraphina.”

The world tilted on its axis, and weightlessness descended as if I were falling into an abyss. Gazing across the Great Hall, my eyes found Seraphina’s. I read the same bleak resignation reflected in my gaze shining from her sapphire depths.