Illuminance (Unraveled Fate #2)

by Kara Douglas

“As if Calix could get a hit in—have you seen the way Graylen moves?” another girl says in a lowered voice. “I’d let him punch me any day.”

“Will you be the reason one of our princesses is killed? I can guarantee you that if that happens, I’ll kill you myself.”

My gaze catches on the name—my name—marked into his arm. It’s weird to see it there. Even more so that it’s mine. But for some reason, I kind of like it there on his skin.

“I have a lot of pointers I’d be willing to share with you,” he says, his voice deepening.

His green eyes flick up to mine as he says, “I’ll admit I’m rather fond of begging.”

But now I know. The face staring back at me was one I’d seen before. The one who stole me from my home, who placed me in the hands of my father. He looked different then, but it was unmistakable. Duke Wyman. The only question is: why?

“Once all the Essence has been drained, the life is drained with it. You can’t bring back the dead.”

“Are fae only allowed to marry within their race?” I ask. “Not always,” says Ellerry, “but they usually choose it, yes. But soulbonds can be made across all races.”

“The Goddess of the Moon forms our souls and it’s only her that allows us to be reunited with our other half. A fae’s Essence can be intertwined with another. Two halves of a whole, separated by two different bodies. One’s mirror soul is their match in every way possible. Their Essence is equal in power and strength.”

“It was excruciatingly painful if one half rejected the bond, leaving the other to drift through their existence hoping they’d change their mind.”

“Do you feel that?” Graylen asks slowly. He’s right behind me. I grind my teeth together, unable to respond. “You haven’t had the pleasure of meeting my affinity.” He pauses, carefully turning me toward him. “Let me introduce you.”

“Incredible,” Graylen murmurs.

into my ears. “And burn them all.”

“You should leave,” I choke out as tears stream down my cheeks. “I’ll never leave you,” Graylen says softly,

I feel a solid pair of arms catch me, pulling my body into his firm chest. “You’re safe here.” Graylen’s voice soothes something broken in me. “I won’t let you lose control.”

she have that of four?”

“How do the rocks feel beneath your knees?” I snap, deflecting. And we both know it—humor to mask my failure. “I’d kneel before you all day if that’s what it took,” he says, his voice dipping deeper than I’ve ever heard it.

“Scared of a kiss, little soldier?” I tease. He huffs a laugh and brings his lips against my ear. “Be a good girl and stop talking.”

“My fire never cools for you,” he murmurs.

“I’m not surprised Graylen knew that.” He grins. “What do you mean?” I ask. Calix shakes his head with a laugh and pats my shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll tell you eventually.” He beams.

“Fuck it,” he murmurs and grabs my face between his hands. He pauses just before his lips touch mine, hovering so close I can feel the warmth of them whispering against my mouth.

“I was wondering how long you were going to stare at me.” His voice floats into my mind, and I shiver—a feeling that I don’t think I’ll ever get used to. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Feel free to stare as long as you want; it’ll only make us even from how often I find myself watching you.” Even in my mind, I can hear the teasing in his tone.

I start to lean toward him, heat thrumming in the air between us. “I wouldn’t do that.” His voice fills my mind, stopping me. “You won’t be able to stay quiet for what I have planned.” “Something you plan for all of your women?” I tease. “You are not other women.” The look on his face grows serious. “I can promise you that.”

“Are you trying to get me undressed?” he asks softly and cocks his head to the side. His gaze trails down my body and back up. “If so, I’m happy to oblige.”

“You can watch if you want,” he murmurs behind me, and I spin around to focus on the jagged rock wall instead. “I’d actually prefer that you do.”

“Whoever did this to you better be dead,” he says roughly.

“If they aren’t, then they will be soon.”

“If you have a mark on your neck, it’ll be because I put it there,” he murmurs. “And I can promise that it will be from pleasure, not pain.”

My entire body warms. It was Graylen all along.

You wanted freedom, Lunaria. And I was prepared to give you that, even if it meant I wasn’t there to see you get it.”

“An Aegis can influence minds,” he whispers, his gaze roaming my face. “A better Aegis can destroy one.”

“I said—” he grits out, turning his attention back to Reichardt, “Crawl. To. Her. Apologize.”

“You’re too violent for a woman, too out of control,” Reichardt says, his voice weak. I look him directly in his eyes, and when I do, I don’t find an ounce of regret in his gaze. I say without an ounce of doubt, “I am violence.”

The last thing that I hear is screaming, but I think it’s coming from me.

“I will always find a way back to you,” he sends into my mind, his emerald eyes frantic with fear. “I don’t want to be here if you aren’t here.”

The last thing I see is a look of pain on his face as the portal to the Vale closes behind him.