Page 82 of Queen of Thorns
Rev
Iwring my hands anxiouslyas the council members arrive one by one. The queen and I greet them at the front walk, and I do my best to remain emotionless.
Caelynn responded last night. She’ll be here in the afternoon, after the council meeting. Soon. I’ll see her soon. I’ll have her in my arms soon.
I smile and embrace Rajin as he approaches, a beautiful redheaded female on his arm. Her smile is kind, her eyes the color of storm clouds. “Prince Reveln. It has been too long,” she says, though it’s only been a few days. I incline my head in greeting.
Alia was a countess from the Glistening Court, and though we were never close, we certainly ran in the same circles for a while. Even as Rai and his mate pass by us and enter the palace arm in arm, I watch how he clings to her. How she leans into him. How his eyes shine when he smiles at her.
My mate will be here soon.
But it will never be the same.
Will you bring me my sacrifice, Reveln?
I clench my jaw against the whispering words of the ancient inside my mind. I wonder if I’m going insane or if it’s real. Honestly, either could be true. I’m still terrified of this place. I still see the blank stares of dead fae staring at me from the rubble in the courtyard and on misshapen bodies on the palace steps.
“Rev?”
I blink, only to realize Kari and Ty stand before me, looking rather concerned. “Sorry,” I mumble and then wrap my arms around Tyadin quickly.
He chuckles and returns the embrace. “Where did you go just now?”
I shake my head and decline to answer that one. I’m not sure how anyone would take it if I was to admit I am hearing voices now.
“I hear Caelynn has claimed her throne,” Kari says.
“And that King Raijin was the first to build a portal in her court,” Ty says, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Don’t remind me,” she groans. “Don’t worry, I have my own surprise planned for her coronation. When will it be, by the way?”
I ignore the pit in my stomach and allow myself to focus on the now. On my friend supporting the love of my life. “We haven’t planned it. The Whisperwood queen wanted to make it this week, but Caelynn wants to focus on our... other issues first.”
Kari’s smile fades.
“I’m almost surprised you’re still here, wearing silver and gold,” Ty jokes.
“Black would look good on you.” Kari winks. “I think I’d look rather good in gold.” She stares up at the palace admiringly.
I sigh but give no response. Because there isn’t one to give. They’re teasing me, I know, but it still hurts.
“We’ll see you inside,” Kari says suddenly, perhaps reading that their jokes didn’t go over as intended. Then, she pulls Ty away and toward the palace gates.
They’re right; I would look good in black. And sometimes, I wish I was brave enough to walk away from all of this to live out a destiny beside Caelynn.
