Page 168 of Kingdoms of Night

Before Feron could respond, Titania turned her gaze back to Oberon. She squared her shoulders and set her hands on her slender waist, her chin high. “I don’t suppose you know where our son is.”

“Both would appear to be missing.”

“You know which one I mean. Puck.” She practically spat his name out.

He shrugged. “Couldn’t say. He is chaos, and chaos does not like to be contained.”

“If you wanted to make matters right with me, Oberon, then you could start by handing him over or punishing him for his insolence and interference.”

Oberon shook his head, his eyes sharp as his upper lip curled. “One daughter sleeps in placid waters, another fell to darkness eternal, one son is lost to the cosmos, another devoured forever, and our eldest despises us both. But yes, let’s kill him. Really show just how admirable our parenting has been. Think of the role models we will be to all far and near.”

“Your indulgence has made him reckless,” she hissed. “There was a time when he would have contented himself with minor pranks.”

No glint of humor lit Oberon’s eyes. “What you are doing is wrong, Titania. It cannot be justified.”

“Our continued existence is our justification. If you are so happy to lay down and die, do not ask me to join you.”

“I haven’t asked you to lie with me for centuries.” Oberon scoffed. “And after what you did toher, I will never ask you again. So far as our eldest, I may not approve of what he does, but I will neither permit nor encourage his destruction or torment.”

“Watch your words. One day you will go too far.”

“My great fear is that I will find that in all of this I never went far enough.”

“In some things, that is true. And for those, I will never forgive you.”

Oberon lifted his shoulder, a muscle twitching in his stony jaw. “And I will never forgive you. Nor willhe.”

One of the hunters entered the courtyard, leading a magnificent spectral horse, fully outfitted and ready for combat. Despite the ghostly blue coloration and enormous muscles, the horse appeared almost docile. The hunter passed it to Feron.

It wasn’t fair; it wasn’t right. They had only just found one another, only just realized how much they meant to each other. She flung her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. “I love you.”

“I love you too, ma vigne.” He kissed the top of her head. “And I love only you. There’s nothing that will change that. Ever.”

“Our duties for this ride will conclude just before dusk,” the warrior with the lead whispered. “We’ll set up camp in Lambton. She won’t let you leave until all of the Gift has been gathered this cycle. And that could take days.”

Feron frowned, surprise on his face.

“Thank you,” Idalno said. Maybe they did have more friends here than they thought. She looked up at Feron once more, taking in his handsome features, his gentle eyes, and tender concern. “I’ll get to Lambton.”

“Not if it puts you in harm’s way. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. No matter what, I will find you. Just stay safe.”

“And I will find you.”

“Hurry up, Feron,” Titania called. She was once more on her elegant horse and held the helmet in both hands. “We ride now.”

Feron kissed Idalno. Her body ached for his touch as soon as he stepped away.

“I will see you soon,” he said. “As soon as soon allows.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY

IDALNO

As Feron disappeared with the other riders of the Wild Hunt, Idalno’s heart sank. How could things have changed this fast? To realize that they belonged with one another only to be parted? She bit back the tears. It would be all right. They would find a way. Somehow. If she could find a way to get to Lambton Village, she might see him after the Hunt concluded for the day. But how to get there? She might have her own responsibilities now that she was here and a protege. Whatever that entailed.

Oberon came alongside her, wine glass still in hand. “So...what exactly are you? You obviously aren’t fae. But a witch, perhaps?”

“What?” She frowned a little. This wasn’t where she had expected the line of questioning to go. What kind of leader was he?

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