Crown of Flames and Ash (Courts of Aetheria #2)

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

A elia

This was not at all how I’d imagined my one-week respite to start. Aidan refused to disclose any detail of my past, and in turn, I refused to speak to him. It had been three torturous days of silence and meaningful glares. Crouching in front of the chicken coop, I half-heartedly tossed a handful of feed and sighed. “At least you little ones are happy to see me.” I clucked at the fluffy yellow chicks as they stuffed their tiny beaks with kernels, chirping happily.

Of course Aidan’s happy to see you, little Kin . Sol’s grumpy voice sailed through my mind.

Then why won’t he tell me the truth ? I fully realized I was whining; even in my head I could hear the irritating twinge.

I believe he’s given you the answer to that question, regardless of whether or not you like the answer. It is for your safety.

“It’s not fair!” I blurted, startling the chickens. They squawked their displeasure before continuing with their feasting.

It may not seem fair, Aelia, but often, difficult decisions must be made for the greater good .

So you agree with him ? Indignation fired up my mental tone.

There is one thing that I understand clearly. That man cares deeply for you, and if he’s willing to suffer your wrath, the secret he has kept from you all these years must truly be worth his continued silence .

Now you’re going to tell me Reign lied for my own good too.

I never mentioned the Shadow Fae . His tone turned surlier still. In fact, he hadn’t mentioned Reign at all since the battle. I apparently was the only fool who couldn’t get him out of my damned head.

Whatever… Where are you, anyway ? I hated to admit it, but after the constant hustle and bustle at the Conservatory, this sudden quiet had me uneasy. And lonely.

Soaring over the Court of Ethereal Light, on my way back toward Feywood .

Good. I could use a flight to take my mind off things.

You may want to warn your fellow Kin in the village. I’ve already received more than my fair share of fearful gazes .

Not fun being stared at, is it ? I hadn’t hazarded a walk through the village since my return, but I couldn’t imagine the relief of once again being able to amble freely without the constant stares at my rounded ears and odd hair.

I am a dragon, Aelia. I live under perpetual scrutiny by all—Fae, Kin and wild beasts alike .

A twinge of regret stabbed at my heart. Gods, I was being selfish. I’d been so wrapped up in my own misery I hadn’t once considered my skyrider. As one of the few remaining dragons, he lived under perpetual attention. I’m sorry, Sol. And not just for being so insensitive, but for my overall behavior in the last few days . I’m just so ?—

Hurt . He spoke the word softly, stilling my thoughts.

Heartbroken, devastated, furious… The list went on and on.

If it’s any consolation, the Shadow Fae is in no better condition .

My heart kicked at my ribs, and I sucked in a breath. How do you know ? Raysa, I hated how eager I sounded.

I told you I was flying over Light Fae territory. I may have seen the good professor wreaking havoc across the Conservatory lands .

Doing what, exactly ?

Let’s simply say he wasn’t in control of his nox , and half of the academy had been plunged in darkness .

The corners of my lips lifted into a begrudging smile. Draven would certainly not be pleased, especially since those silver cuffs were supposed to keep Reign’s nox in check.

Do you feel better now, little Kin ?

Maybe. Yes . A tiny bit .

It was easier to pretend everything with Reign was a lie—that the moments we shared weren’t real. Those lingering glances, the whispered confessions, the feel of his body protecting mine—all just illusions. But a deep, dark part of me knew the truth. Despite my lack of experience with males, this connection between us was more real than anything I had ever felt before. And, unless I was completely clueless, the same could be said for him.

But none of that mattered because he’d betrayed me, lied to me again and again.

Not to mention the fact that he was a prince of the Court of Umbral Shadows, our greatest enemy.

Despite the feelings we may have had, we could never be together.

I’ll be back in Feywood in a quarter of an hour . Sol’s reply interrupted my dismal musings. I huffed out a breath, forcing my thoughts back to the happy chicks.

See you soon . My life was so much simpler a few months ago. All that mattered in my little world was right here. Patting each of the chicks a quick goodbye, I closed the coop and stood, brushing the excess feed from my breeches.

The reassuring sound of flapping wings tilted my gaze to the sky. Well, that was quick. I searched the pale blue for Sol’s gilded form, but instead of my dragon, two other familiar creatures emerged from between the clouds.

“Greetings from the Court of Ethereal Light!” Rue waved wildly atop Windy, with Sy aboard Griff right behind her.

“We’ve come to spend a few days with our favorite round-eared friend!” Symon threw me a wink as his gryphon’s wings slowed their frantic beating.

“Oh, my goddess!” I squealed as I ran toward my friends. “What are you two doing here?” A beaming smile stretched across my face as the pair landed only a few yards from the cottage.

Rue leapt off her mount and raced toward me, long, curly hair billowing out behind her and arms spread wide. She pulled me into a hug, and for the first time in days, my heart felt full once again. Symon embraced me from behind, his nose blatantly nuzzling my ear. “Kin sandwich, my favorite!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at my ludicrous friend.

“I hope you don’t mind we came without a proper invitation.” Rue held me out to arm’s length, and Sy finally released me.

“Not at all. This is the best surprise ever.”

Sy clapped his hands, bouncing on his toes and causing a wisp of blonde hair to come loose from its neat tie at his nape. “I was hoping you’d say that. You did promise me a proper tour of Kin lands and all the round-eared females I could get my hands on.”

I smacked my friend on the back of the head, smiling. “You are absolutely incorrigible.”

“Incorrigible? Let’s hope the Kin females find me absolutely adorable.”

“Oh, I’m sure they will.” I wrapped one arm around Sy’s back and weaved the other through the crook in Rue’s arm, then I tugged them both toward the cottage. “Come on, I want you two to meet Aidan.”

An hour later and my adoptive father was spinning jokes alongside my two Fae friends around the kitchen table. I supposed I shouldn’t have been so surprised since he was, in fact, one of them. How long had he been posing as a mere Kin to protect me? And why were his ears round like mine? What sort of magic could be powerful enough to conceal those pointy tips?

A sobering thought crossed my mind as I watched the three of them and their lighthearted banter: Aidan had given up a life of luxury at court to live at the foot of the perilous Wilds and toil in the fields for the past twenty years. For me.

A wave of guilt crashed over me as I regarded the man who had raised me in a whole new light. Stars, I was beyond self-absorbed. Aidan had given up everything for me for some ungodly reason, and here I was, furious at him for it.

Reaching across the battered old tabletop, I squeezed Aidan’s hand. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed over my teacup as Sy regaled us with a tale of his failed attempts at wooing a Kin female on his last visit to Feywood.

My adoptive father offered me an indulgent smile. “No, I am sincerely sorry, estellira ,” he whispered. “And I pray that one day, I will be able to tell you everything. But for now, I hope it is enough to know that you were, and are, truly loved.”

I nodded, blinking quickly to keep the tears at bay. My fingers drifted up to the medallion on my chest. As I traced the engraving, I couldn’t help but consider its true origin. Was it simply another one of the lies Aidan had concocted to keep me safe? Forcing the slew of questions to the back of my mind, I drew in a breath. I simply had to trust Aidan as I always had. Once my friends had left, I’d properly apologize for my terrible behavior and thank the man who’d so selflessly raised me all these years. Perhaps, Sol was right, and some secrets were worth keeping.

Sy’s big hand smacked my back, jerking me from my thoughts. “So, where will you take me tonight? I want to sample the local Feywood female delicacies with a native.”

I nearly choked on my tea.

“Oh, yes, me too!” Rue blurted. “I’ve never been with a Kin either!”

“What about Devin?” I speared my roommate with a look.

She waved a dismissive hand, a smirk playing on her pouty lips. “Oh, Aelia, Devin and I are free to do as we please. We have an entire week apart, after all.”

An entire week ? I feared it would take me lifetimes to move past what Reign and I almost had, much less if we’d made it to the level of intimacy Rue and Devin had.

“You should take them to Faerie’s Flagon,” Aidan interjected.

Rue clapped her hands, bouncing in the chair. “Oh, Raysa, that sounds perfect!”