Chapter 32: Fates Entwined: Chapter 31

he room they’d put Keen in had belonged to Beortric, Theda’s brother, a New Kingdom prince before he’d married and become a Sunlander in order to pursue science. Everyone agreed science served a purpose, even among immortal Fae, but it was…unpopular. Only the weak chose that path. Battle mastery and magical pursuits were the norm among his kind. It was unheard of for a noble Fae with magic and strength to practice science—until Beortric had given up everything for his passion.

For the first time in his life, Keen understood why a man would do such a thing. Marrying Illa was for the best, but Keen’s heart beat heavy and unsettled inside his chest.

He had never been one to dwell on something he couldn’t control. The angels had promised millennia ago that they would watch over their children. Belief in the fates was at the root of their culture.

Fae fought to protect what was most precious to them—the land, their magical gifts. But that was the problem. They’d been sired by angels with different abilities—New Kingdom with their elemental abilities and Old Kingdom with their mental powers. Those forefathers had held grudges against each other, and somehow the grudges transferred to their children. This notion Elena had of bringing all of Tirnan together would never work, and now she’d convinced Reese to risk her life based on the idea. It infuriated Keen to no end.

The fates of Fae were entwined and tangled in a way no Halven could undo.

Another knock sounded at the door. There had been several over the last hour, and still Keen ignored it.

This time the guard used a key and entered. Keen lifted his eyebrow at the man’s blatant disregard for authority. “My apologies, sir. But they are waiting.” The guard shifted nervously. “The queen refuses to wait any longer.”

Keen had never shirked his duty. Not once. It was why he’d risen among his fellow soldiers, despite being banished from Old Kingdom years ago. He was a ruthless warrior who always followed orders—unless he was the one giving them.

Somehow, this duty to marry Illa weighed on him like the barrels of gold New Kingdom mined and sold to humans. He couldn’t bring himself to walk down the stairs. To do so felt as though he were betraying Reese, his tiny Halven.

Halven. She was his. He’d made it so when he claimed her in the bedroom of a tavern. And he’d do it again.

Keen was calm under pressure, faithful to his people. Never had he experienced the sheer frustration Reese brought out in him. He wanted to throw her over his shoulder and lock her away half the time, and kiss her insolent mouth the rest. In short, she drove him insane. The thought of not having her in his life, not knowing if she was okay and where she was… It was eating him alive.

While most men cowered before Keen, Reese—small and proud—had stood her ground from the beginning. She was strong, his little one, and her heart was beautiful. Her strength weakened him in a good way—allowed him to be quiet while the rest of the world fought. How would he live without her?

He’d do anything to protect Reese, which meant he’d agreed to marry Illa, because to disobey Portia put all of them at risk. He’d risk his own life, but not Reese’s.

He wanted her with him—always. But if he married Illa, he could never be with Reese again. This was what had him pacing Beortric’s old room, unable to walk out the door to face his future.

Keen scrubbed a hand down his face and glanced at the ceiling. Then he did something he’d never done in his life. Not since he’d been old enough to realize he was an orphan and his family had been murdered. Not after he’d grown and learned the truth of his noble blood, and how his right to the throne had been torn from him.

He prayed. For .

Keen spun on his heel and stormed out the door in front of the guard who was still waiting. His heart was cold and shredding inside. There would be nothing left of it after what he was about to do.

Tirnan didn’t build houses of worship the way the Earth realm did. There was no need. Tirnan a part of the heavens—created for the children of angels. Royalty wed in their castles, and the rest wed in their homes surrounded by loved ones.

Keen walked in an escort of his guards, his legs suddenly leaden with what felt like the weight of the ocean that surrounded Tirnan. But he was good at hiding his feelings, showing strength in the line of duty.

They approached the entrance to the salon where the wedding was to take place. Radnor stood outside the room, his expression emotionless, though Keen suspected more lay beneath. Next to Radnor stood Portia—and about fifty of Keen’s men.

He led the men, but they didn’t answer to him. Not anymore. Keen was the master of the guard, but these men had sworn fealty to Portia. The power Portia bestowed upon Keen was for show. And they all knew it.

Portia’s eyes flared as Keen stopped in front of her. “How dare you make me wait? Do you think this a joke?”

“My apologies. It isn’t every day a man commits himself for life to another.”

“Don’t be foolishly sentimental. This is a political marriage that will bring you power. Or have you forgotten?”

“Power…” He let the word roll over his tongue. Funny—Keen felt powerless. All because he loved a Halven and was desperate to protect her.

“Yes, power, you ungrateful beast. Or do you plan to betray me? For I shall unleash the heavens upon you, should you try.”

It was a curious threat, given Portia’s recent actions. Murdering his people. Threatening the innocent. She honestly believed she had the ear of the angels?

No one had seen their forefathers in thousands of years, but none doubted the angels’ eyes on them.

“I am here. Shall we proceed?” he said without answering her question directly.

Portia’s eyes narrowed. But she must have decided his words were good enough, because she spun in her deep purple gown, the likes of which Keen hadn’t seen worn by any royal, and swept into the salon. She had made good use of the royal seamstresses, shouting her power and wealth to the world by whatever means necessary.

Keen proceeded to follow her, until Radnor held up a hand.

“A moment.” Radnor’s voice was firm. He waited for Portia to continue on before he said, “The queen is anxious for this union. But are you?”

“I do what I must to protect my people.”

Radnor seemed to take him in. “Which people? Fae? Or is there a beautiful Halven you consider your own?”

The older man had surprised him, but Keen kept his expression blank. “I am protecting the innocent.”

“I see. You must mean the innocent.”

Keen nodded.

“I do not disapprove. I simply wish to confirm you will not harm one of my daughters in your attempt to protect the other. Illa is my Fae-born child, but I consider Reese no less mine. I believe your—

—fall with my Halven child. You’ve been placed in quite the predicament. But hear me now—should you harm either of my daughters, I will destroy you.” Radnor slapped him on the back. “Best wishes.”

With that, he walked inside the salon after Portia.

Keen took a moment to compose himself. He didn’t fear Radnor. If Keen harmed Illa or Reese, he’d welcome death. But Reese’s father was correct. Keen felt nothing but brotherly affection for Illa. His feelings for Reese were another thing entirely. She had him tied up in knots and desperate for her.

Instead of attempting to figure out how he’d get through this, he simply moved his legs forward in long strides and didn’t think. He was a warrior. He acted.

To protect the greater good—no matter the cost.