or green shrubbery. When I was little, and Herrick still loved me, he’d given them all names and stories; he’d spun tales for me about their lives while he pushed me on the swing.
“Alisa.”
The voice was low and commanding, and I whirled to find Duncan emerging from the shadows. His handsome face was cold and haughty as ever, one hand in his pocket, as if he didn’t care what he risked when he came to see me.
My heart galloped. I’d longed for him so much, and here he was.
“You shouldn’t be here.” I couldn’t muster a polite tone, rattled as I felt after speaking with Raile. “It’s a mistake.”
He shrugged one big shoulder. “So it’s a mistake. For you, I’ll make mistakes.”
The tightness of anxiety in my chest suddenly melted into warmth.
“Come here,” I said, catching his hand in mine.
I drew him with me through the castle and into my rooms. Faer and I used to share them, but he’d moved into my father’s apartment with him, leaving me alone. I’d been lonely at the beginning, but Faer and I just kept growing apart—and angrier—and now I was glad to have the peace.
“Nikia, wine, please,” I told my servant. She nodded and disappeared through the door, closing it softly behind her.
“Do you think you’ve had enough?” He frowned, pressing his hand to my cheek. “You’re flushed. I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I’m angry, not drunk,” I said, then managed to smile. “You’ve definitely seen me angry. Remember Edelwick’s class? I’m pretty sure I was pissed off for the entire hour, six days a week.”
“Perhaps,” he said, but his gaze was troubled. “Are you in trouble?”
“Maybe,” I said. “It’s the kind of trouble only I can deal with, either way.”
“You don’t have to be alone,” he told me.
I did, but it was sweet that he wanted to help me anyway.
Nikia returned soon with the wine and a tray full of snacks.
“She knows me well,” I said lightly, popping a berry into my mouth before I poured my glass and his. The two of us toasted, and some of my tension ebbed away as I drank with Duncan. He was silent as he so often was, but there was comfort just in having him across from me.
“Where’s Azrael tonight?” I asked. I’d heard he was back from the rift, but I hadn’t seen him yet. Just saying his name made my heart pound a little faster; I’d spent the past year, while Duncan was at the academy and Azrael was at the front, worrying over Az. And I’d missed them both more than I would ever admit.
“I told him I’d come pay our respects to Herrick, since he…” he trailed off. We both knew how badly Herrick wanted to kill Azrael. That had been the worst part of having Az at the front; I’d thought Herrick might get his chance to make sure Az never returned.
“Since Herrick wishes he’d pay his respects in blood?” I asked lightly.
“And I wanted to see you,” he said flatly, and I couldn’t hide my surprised smile. It was rare for Duncan to admit to how much power there was in the bond between us.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I admitted, my voice soft.
He touched my face, his fingertips skimming my cheek. When he leaned toward me, my breath caught in my chest.
“It was hell spending a year at the academy without you,” be admitted. “Your memory is everywhere for me. The place is…empty…without you.”
He surprised me into smiling, but somehow, suddenly, my eyes filled with tears. I wished I’d had the chance to spend both years at the academy, even though it was a miserable place. I wished I’d had the chance to spend two years with him.
“I’m here for now,” I said. “For tonight.”
And I would make sure I never belonged to anyone else—exclusively—no matter how determined my father was to see me with Raile, and Raile alone. Herrick was determined to make sure I lost my claim on the throne as I became someone else’s queen; he didn’t care about my happiness.
But I could look after my own happiness. I was quite sure who would make me happy.
“For tonight,” he whispered, and his mouth met mine.
Then the two of us were pushing each other across the room, stripping each other’s clothes off, until we fell into my bed. I laughed as I scrambled on top of him, and he pushed his dark hair out of his eyes so he could smile up at me.