I didn’t and knew I couldn’t look at her.

Feeling her gaze upon my back, I closed my eyes as my heart slowed, then I opened them and continued climbing.

Rorn awaited me on the chaise in the parlor, his fingers at his brow. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”

“Your ego will have to soothe itself elsewhere.” I perched at the window and unwrapped the banana I’d left there yesterday. “I’m not in the mood.”

The fruit was taken from my hand before I could blink, Rorn’s nose an inch from mine. “You might blame me for the demise of our love, and I shoulder that blame despite your own misdeeds, but this?”

I waited, half-wishing I might grow fearful—stars, maybe even heated—by the anger in his eyes.

But I felt nothing as he said, “This will only push us farther apart, Astrantia.” When I failed to respond, his head tilted. “Though perhaps I am a fool for thinking otherwise, and that is what you truly want.”

“My king,” I said, not unkindly. “The distance between us grew too vast many months ago, and we both know it.”

His eyes swirled over my face. “You punish me with words you do not mean.”

“No.” My fingers crawled over his hair-dusted jawline, a sad smile curling my lips. “I merely speak the truth.”

His lashes fluttered. He straightened when I took my touch away. “You know I will do whatever it takes to see you happy again.”

“Treating Carelda this way…” I shook my head and met his eyes as I said softly, “This isn’t it.”

His gaze swept to the floor. His words were a whisper. “I’ve lost you.”

“Rorn.” Rising, I stood close as I searched his narrowed eyes. “You’ve lost yourself.” Taking his hand, I squeezed it. “Find him.” I stepped back. “And before it’s too late.”

With a low snarl, he was gone.

THIRTEEN

Scythe

“Commander,” Tres called. “We’re leaving?”

“I am. You may do as you wish.”

The village had already been vacated before our arrival, and judging by the state of some of the homes, many of them had been empty for a long time. “Waste of our fucking time.”

But not completely.

I’d found some new books amongst the few belongings left behind by this particular community of elusive golden fae.

“File out,” Tres called to the rest of the legion.

Flame ruptured from my palm. Though not as violent as our king’s, it was enough. It wouldn’t serve me to show off. I tossed it toward the barns along the eastern perimeter of the village, ensuring it would wipe out any crops that anyone nearby might be returning to tend to.

And so it went.