Tristan

SERENA’S LIPS PART, MOST LIKELY TO shoot off a snarky response at Zander. I place my hand on her lower back and she cuts me a hard look, but immediately relaxes at my touch.

“Just be you . . . only respectful,” I whisper in her ear.

Her eyes drift to my mouth, focusing on the slight scar above my lip. I notice she does it when she’s trying to calm herself down. And I can’t help but like that she does.

I move aside, stepping in front of her, snatching her hand and dragging her toward one of several Greek-style homes.

We pass between the large columns, and the two motionless guards standing outside the open entrance ignore us as we freely make our way inside, into the expansive interior marble courtyard of Helios’s palace.

Four more large columns frame an ancient, stone water fountain. A statue of a nude decorates the middle of the entryway. Water spills from its mouth into a pool below, where tiny water sprites frolic around, splashing and playing. Their delighted laughter echoes off the marble.

Sun filters into the room through an opening in the ceiling, above the fountain, allowing natural light to highlight the ancient paintings and drawings on the walls.

“I’ve been expecting you,” a sultry voice greets us.

We all lift our gazes to a golden curved staircase in the back of the entry. Aoife moves down the stairs, taking slow, methodic steps.

I’d forgotten how blinding her beauty is. Light radiates from every part of her body, shimmering off her skin and glowing out through her completely translucent white chiton.

She wears the elegant dress in most tasteful manner, dipping low in the front to show off her stomach and dragging on the floor behind her as she takes each step.

Gold-plated sun bands decorate her arms, attached with dainty chains to the rings on her fingers. A copy of Helios’s gold-leafed crown adorns her head, marking her as his.

As she descends the staircase, her familiar honey eyes devour every inch of me. I shift under her gaze.

“Tristan,” she says, when she reaches the bottom step.

“Aoife,” I reply, inclining my head in a civil greeting.

“Zander. Delightful to see you,” she greets.

Aoife takes the last step before holding her hand out for someone to take. Zander steps forward, dropping a kiss on it before placing it on his arm to escort her to where we are.

I place my hand on Serena’s lower back again, hoping to keep her calm, knowing how Aoife can be. “May I present Serena St. Michael, princess of the gargoyle race.”

“You may,” she encourages, with an intrigued look.

Serena blinks away her annoyance as I watch her take in Aoife’s perfect tan skin and long platinum-blonde hair, braided on each side and pulled back.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“Of course it is,” Aoife replies haughtily.

Ignoring Serena, she releases Zander’s arm.

Approaching me, she looks me directly in the eyes with an alluring self-confidence.

Serena holds her breath next to me as Aoife’s eyes shift to hers seductively and the nymph moves into her personal space.

Aoife takes Serena’s face between her palms and pulls her closer, her lips brushing the gargoyle’s as she sensually kisses her.

“Holy shit, that is hot,” Zander blows out.

In an instant, I pull Serena away. At my reaction, a strange glint crosses Aoife’s eyes and a secretive smile appears on her lips. Every hair on the back of my neck stands at attention watching the two of them. This is bad.

Aoife’s eyes narrow and slide between us. “She tastes familiar, Tristan.” She licks her lips again. “Ah, there it is,” she goads. “Your scent. Your taste. She’s yours. Marked.”

Serena’s sapphire eyes turn fiery at the statement, and I step between them. “Aoife,” I say her name in warning.

“Do you want me to teach your little gargoyle princess how to please you properly?” She whispers enticingly.

Serena angers behind me, but Aoife’s cautioning eyes slide to the guards in forewarning. They’re watching us.

Fuck. I look to Zander, who inclines his head in understanding. Serena—I don’t have time to explain to her.

I slide my eyes closed, hoping she doesn’t freak the fuck out, but instead, that she will follow my lead and play along.

“That would be most kind of you, since it is the reason for our journey,” I reply, and Serena growls behind me.

I spin quickly, grabbing her face and looking her in the eyes, the action happening so fast, her eyes widen in a startle.

“Do not argue with me, princess,” I warn, her eyes narrowing at the nickname, “or I will strip you naked right here, in front of the guards.” I emphasize the last word, hoping she catches on. Her gaze slides to the open door where they stand, and realization crosses over her expression. “And then I will allow Aoife to show you, out in the open, where all can see and hear, how to properly please me. Now, go with the nymph to her chambers, where there’s privacy.”

Serena’s anger doesn’t dissolve, but at least she gets it.

She yanks her head out of my hands, and Aoife clasps her hand, pulling her toward the stairs. “There is an art to hosting two lovers at one time,” Aoife explains loudly, so everyone can hear. “I will show you. They will follow.”

Annoyed, Serena allows herself to be dragged up the staircase.

Zander and I share a glance before following. The deities spell the realm so other supernatural beings can’t use their gifts. Therefore, we’re powerless here, which means we need to be on guard and follow Aoife’s lead.

Once in Aoife’s chambers, she closes the door tightly, turns, and addresses us. “Helios has become overly concerned for my safety recently. His visits to the earth realm are longer and longer. The guards, while silent, are always listening and watching. Is that why you are here?”

“We’re here because of the Sun of Vergina. The sixteen triangular rays are his signature.” I pull my necklace out of my shirt to show her the emblem. “My insignia was charmed by Helios himself, at my mother’s bidding.”

Her honey-colored eyes lift to mine. “I love Helios. I won’t break his confidence, Tristan. Not even for you.”

“I would never ask that of you. But you hold answers.”

“Serena bears the insignia on her skin. I feel its power from where I stand, exuding off her. You must already know of the prophecy, since you fulfilled it. What other answers do you seek that I could possibly be safeguarding?”

“Helios spends a lot of time on the earth realm. He sees and hears things,” I tread lightly. “Treacherous things.”

The nymph stands straighter, understanding my meaning. “Serena smells like the humans on the earth realm. Why can’t she help?” she asks in a strained voice. Fearful.

“Did you just insult me?” Serena interjects, and Zander steps in front of her slightly. Protecting both her and Aoife.

I throw my brother a pleading glare, asking him to help keep Serena calm. Aoife won’t help if she’s angry.

“I understand you’ve spend most of your life, princess, living among the humans in their dingy realm, while we all enjoy the luxury and beauty of the supernatural realms.”

“The earth realm is equally as beautiful,” Serena retorts.

Aoife laughs. “I doubt that. If humans set their eyes on our worlds, they would never return to theirs. It’s why we keep ours hidden. Theirs is full of ugliness. Darkness and deceit. Treachery. Earth is where our kind goes to slum it.”

“That’s saying a lot coming from a nymph mistress.” Serena fires back, and I snap a cold angry gaze at her.

She lifts a challenging eyebrow at me and narrows her eyes a fraction, making her displeasure with me known.

Anger and tension hang in the thick air and Aoife presents me with a hurt look, one that will haunt me, but can’t be fixed now.

I shift my stance so that I’m only focused on her, giving Serena my back. I know it will only piss her off further, but right now, I don’t care. We need answers and I need to leverage my previous relationship with Aoife to get them.

I breathe out a heavy sigh and move closer to Aoife, softening my tone. Hoping our past will persuade her.

“I need your help. I’m not asking you to betray him. Just share with me what you know to be factual. That’s all.”

The nymph frowns. “You’ve made a fatal error by marking Serena. Helios never meant for it to be this way.”

“How was it supposed to be?”

“When Helios discovered what Michael promised the dark army, all those years ago, he was disheartened. But when he found out that Michael forced the queen’s hand and bound you to Serena, he was enraged and stepped in.”

“Why would a god be upset?”

“The gods and goddesses enjoy the company of the woodland and water nymphs and sprites. If the two realms go to war and the beings cease to exist, the deities will be lost without them. The senate wanted Helios to unite the realms, keeping the nymphs and sprites safe. The Sun of Vergina was meant to connect you and Freya. But you changed your destiny, rewrote your fate. And because of this, war is on the horizon at your and your love’s hands.”

“And Oren?”

“Helios has returned on several occasions troubled by what he has seen while on earth. Oren is working with the dark army. Regardless of whether you marry Freya or not, Oren now seeks war and has made agreements that cannot be changed or withdrawn. He wishes to rule both realms.”

Cold sweat breaks out across my skin at hearing the confirmation. “How is he planning to do this?”

“Your realm is sheltering Serena. The dark army can’t attack on supernatural soil, per the treaty. However, Oren has agreed to open his borders to Asmodeus, granting his army access during the wedding. In exchange, Asmodeus has promised to extinguish everything in your realm, including you and the royal family. Your planned deaths are meant to look like casualties of the unforeseen attack. This is the reason he moved up the date, knowing Serena’s love for you would bring her into the realm. You’ve played right into his hands,” she scolds. “Marking her sealed your fates.”

“FUCK!” I bark out.

The look on Aoife’s face is tense as she falls silent.

“And Helios?” I grind out.

“He’s displeased and has made his own arrangements to protect the nymphs and sprites during the war. The gods and goddesses will offer no assistance to you now. If they do, the nymphs and sprites will be caught in the cross fire.”

“This is fucking amazing,” I growl.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but as my future king, you should know.”

I give her a small smile and pull her into my arms.

“What will you do?” she asks.

“I am a fighter who refuses to be intimidated by any being,” I reply, pulling out of her embrace. “I’ll fight.”

Over my shoulder, I glance at Serena and Zander.

Serena’s eyes have darkened several shades.

Zander just looks pale and at the same time, ready to go into battle and murder someone. I know he’s ready for war.

I turn my attention back to Aoife. “Thank you, for telling me this. On my honor, I’ll protect our kin,” I vow.

The woodland realm was her home before she chose to live with Helios. She is a nymph. She’s worried for her kin.

“Peace be with you,” she murmurs in my ear, and plants a gentle kiss to my cheek. “Go now, before Helios returns.”

The return into the woodland realm is silent and tense. My gaze slides to Serena. She gives me a hard look, still pissed off at the way I spoke to her earlier. Warranted, but annoying as fuck right now. Zander slips past us and stops, turning to face us. The look on his expression says it all.

“What’s the next step here, Tristan?” he asks.

Exhaling, I run my hand through my hair because honestly, I have no fucking clue what to do next. This whole thing is a shitshow at this point. And trust is nonexistent.

“The only thing on our side right now is that we know what their plan of attack is, allowing us time to prepare,” I reply in a clipped tone.

“Why not just show our hand to Oren? Then there is no need for the wedding. I could leave. Return to the Academy. The dark army only wants me. If I’m not here, they don’t have to charge into the realm,” Serena suggests.

“It’s too late. Oren has made his deal with the dark army. Regardless of whether the wedding happens or not, or if you are or are not present in the realm, they’ll attack,” Zander answers. “No offense, but he couldn’t care less about you, Serena. You’re simply the bait. He wants the realm. Your leaving won’t stop that. At least with the wedding in place, we know when and where to expect the attack.”

The chatter around me is starting to grate on my nerves, making me more tense. “Then that is what we do. We give the appearance that we are going to go through with it and allow them to invade. When they do, we’ll be ready,” I reply.

Zander doesn’t say anything.

Neither does Serena.

Which is good, because the feeling that this is all my fault is settling in the pit of my stomach. It’s killing me.

I should have walked away from her months ago.

I can’t protect her.

Or my realm.

Or anyone I care for, for that matter.

And it is my fucking fault.

“We need to be careful who knows. The last thing we want is our knowledge getting back to Oren or Asmodeus.”

“What about Rionach?” Zander asks.

“No. I’m still unsure of my mother’s role in all this.”

“He is the commander of your army, Tristan. And our father. A planned attack on the realm is not something we should keep from him,” Zander counters.

“We need to. For now.”

“What about my clan? Maybe they can help—”

“No. If they start pulling resources from the Academy, or simply show up in this realm without a reason, it might alert the dark army that we know something. We keep this between the three of us,” I order, and face Zander.

He sighs. “You want to prepare for war behind the back of the commander of the queen’s army, and not tell a king that his future heir is about to be placed in danger? This has disaster written all over it. We should bring Rionach in on this.”

“Business as usual. Prepare our army, quietly.”

“SHIT!” He yells out, frustrated at me. I get it. I’m pissed off with myself. “I’d better get to work then. Serena, I’ll pick you up around six for the gala,” my brother says, and vanishes.

“You’re putting him in a terrible position, Tristan.”

“I fucking know!” I lash out at her. “What the hell do you want me to do here, Serena? Everyone is vying to hurt us. I trust no one, not even my own mother at this point.”

I wasn’t being tactful or kind. I don’t have it in me anymore and I know she knows it, because she looks at me with a regal edge to her, unruffled. Strong. Fierce. A future queen.

“I understand you are frustrated. I am too. But this is the world we live in, Tristan. It’s shitty and dark and full of lies and deceit. But there is good in it, too. There is us. I get that you are trying to protect what you love. Those are honorable and good traits, not bad. But you aren’t alone. I am here, by your side. I will fight for us with you.”

“Just because I protect, it doesn’t mean I’m good. Don’t confuse my purpose with other emotions.”

“I’m well aware of your purpose.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“You want to protect the princess, lock her away for safe keeping. The problem is, you didn’t choose a princess who needs a knight in shining armor, Tristan. You chose one who protects. Who fights. Who speaks her mind. You can’t push me away under the guise of safety. I won’t let you.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and her sapphire eyes narrow at me in challenge. I rub my hands across my scruffy jaw, watching her. She’s right. It’s time we both accept our fates. Which means I need to stop treating her like a fragile doll and start treating her like an equal.

“You are brave. And beautiful. And irritating as hell. You’re strong and can be extremely violent at times. And goddamn if you aren’t too smart for your own good—”

“You done?” she interrupts, her breathing heavy.

I sigh and let my head fall forward so I’m looking at my boots and the forest’s moss-covered floor underneath them.

“Aequus.” I whisper the word.

“What?”

“It’s what we’ve become. It means equal,” I lift my gaze and hold hers, feeling like I’m drowning in the depths of her stare. “I will never stop protecting you or trying to keep you safe. But you’re right. You’re not a princess who needs saving. You are my equal. A future queen who is ready to save her kin, and mine. We’ve rewritten our fates. Now, we face the consequences, together. Whatever may come.”

She opens her mouth, and then closes it.

“In the real world, good doesn’t trump evil, because evil doesn’t play fair. So I am asking you, as my equal. Stay the course, or reach out to Rionach and your uncle?” I pose, backing away slowly with my eyes locked on hers.

She returns my stare, and I can see her running through all the possible scenarios and outcomes in her mind. I’ve almost decided she isn’t going to answer, when she suddenly blinks and gives me a small, curt nod.

“Stay the course.”