Closing my eyes, I sunk to the floor. “Yes, it’s me,” I shouted back. “And I’m fine.”
His voice was just outside my door. “What happened?”
I made a huge fucking mistake, that’s what happened.
Not only was Kai able to see through my element of surprise, but I’d also fucked him. I’d stepped over a line and I didn’t know if I could find my way back across it.
What I needed to do was forget everything I’d just done. Maybe I’d wake up and it’d be a bad dream. However, when I opened my eyes, I was still naked in my room with Kai’s scent all over me. What the hell was I going to do?
Chapter12
Ella
There was no sleep for me last night. So instead, I took a shower, washed every trace of Kai off me, and then lay in bed.
Merrick was on my couch this morning when I finally dared to face him. However, I wasn’t about to tell him I slept with the enemy. Instead, I said I failed in my mission and would try again. When was that going to be? I had no clue. I knew I wasn’t ready to face Kai just yet.
If I was going to kill him, I needed time to get my head back in the right place. That was why I spent the entire morning walking the border between my parents’ Ice Court and what would soon be my land.
I thought the Land of the Fae would’ve forsaken me for what I did last night, but as I touched the snowy ground, its magic flowed through my fingers. It felt like electricity coursing through my veins, and it took my breath away. It still wanted me to claim what was mine.
Closing my eyes, I breathed in the frosty, cold air. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to betray you.”
The magic grew more intense, which made no sense; it almost knocked me off my feet. I’d done something so wrong that it shouldn’t be forgiven.
“There you are!”
I stood and spun around to see Lia, Bayleon, and Bastian at the edge of the woods, standing by the path that led back to the palace. Even from this distance, I would’ve known it was Lia because of her bright red hair. And also, because she had two of the sexiest men in the Land of the Fae beside her. They were all dressed in their warm green leather warrior gear of Spring.
Lia waved for me to join them and shouted again. “I wanted to see you before we head out!”
My parents’ castle was going to be desolate without my family from all the courts. My aunts, uncles, and cousins had been here for over two days, and it felt like I’d barely seen them. The only two I’d really talked to were Lia and Shailyn.
When I made it across the icy meadow to Lia and her men, I hugged her hard. “I’m sorry we didn’t have more time together.”
Lia returned the embrace. “It’s okay. You can always come to visit us in Spring.” She let me go and winked. “Or we can sneak away to the mortal realm for a bachelorette party.”
My stomach dropped. “What are you talking about?”
Her smile faded and she glanced back at Bayleon and Bastian before focusing back on me. “Uh . . . I was under the impression from your mother that you and Iston were going to take the marriage bond.”
I did tell my mother that. However, things changed last night.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I said, waving her off. “I’m a little slow this morning.”
Her brows furrowed. “Are you okay?”
I looped my arm through hers, and we started on our way back to the palace. “Of course. There’s just a lot on my mind.”
Lia lowered her voice. “I know what you mean.”
Bayleon and Bastian gave us some space, but they weren’t far behind us.
“Is there something you want to talk about?” I asked her.
She shook her head and smiled. “I’m just in a weird place right now. I’ll figure it out eventually.”
She had two men who were in love with her. However, her problem was that they were brothers. I’d take her situation over mine any day. I was supposed to marry a prince, but instead, I was out having sex with our enemy.