damage. The last time I lost control, I broke four ribs and punctured a lung. Even then, those were minor injuries to what could really happen, like with Nessa.
“You are home.” King Ulric settles down on his throne and crosses his legs, placing his hands on top of the wolves’ heads. His eyes flit over me, probably taking in how weak I’ve become since the outburst. “It has been decided that you will spend a week in my light court with me and my daughter, Princess Evangelina, then a week with your mother in the dark court. On the weekdays you will attend Shadowborn Academy which will have new protection from both the courts to ensure your safety. Either way, you are expected back from the academy an hour after the last lesson of the day and weekends.”
My heart pangs at the idea of meeting my mother, the frigging dark fae queen. I’ve heard she is bat shit crazy, worse than King Ulric, and now I know that’s saying something. The rumours alone make me want to run away, but I have a funny feeling I wouldn’t get far.
Another wave of his hand and a gilded mirror appears next to his throne.
“Only you may use this portal to come back. I expect you here every night this week for dinner and to sleep here for your safety.” A shadow flits over his face. “And Corvina, I may have given you up once, but I will not be losing you ever again. You would be wise not to mingle with those who seek destruction.”
In other words, I shouldn’t hang around Pitch.
I’m livid at him but I need to hear his side of the story. I can’t just take the king’s word for it. Father or not, the fae is a complete stranger to me and he’s also a king who isn’t above bending the rules.
“I look forward to dinner with you, Your Majesty.”
I incline my head sardonically, and with a glance in Pitch’s direction, I step through the mirror. The other side leads me into the forest where Shadowborn Academy stretches towards the sky in the near distance. Pitch emerges not three seconds later, and I turn to him, half of me wanting to scream and the other wanting to kiss him.
“Of all the places you could’ve taken me...why there?” My voice comes out small as I rest on a fallen tree embedded in the earth. My legs and hands are still trembling from all the magic pulsing in my veins. Remnants of the king’s healing still linger in my body though and that certainly helps to dull the pain a little.
Pitch walks over and sits beside me. “I thought the faerie pools would’ve taken us to the Dark Kingdom.”
“You mean to Queen Narah?”
“Yes.” He turns to me and his hand reaches for my face, but he stops and pulls his arm back. “Will you ever forgive me, Corvina?”
I think for a long moment, worrying my bottom lip. “It depends. Did you really want to kill me?”
Pitch nods, causing my stomach to churn. “I was misled by my mentor at the time. He told me of a prophecy. ‘One born of light and dark, royal down to the last drop, blue of hair, silver as night, this child will be the most powerful in the ever long night.’ He claimed this child would be the undoing of our kingdom and that if I wanted to protect our people, I had to lead her into a wishing well in the Enchanted Forest.” His long lashes turn wet as tears threaten. “I didn’t know what would happen—I was just a kid myself—but when I saw you die, I couldn’t just stand there, so I went in after you. I never returned to my own realm until the day you entered the forest again.”
“Why did you go back?”
“To kill my mentor.” He says the words without any remorse, sending a chill through me. “I also told the queen that I had found you alive, safe and well. It was the first time I’ve ever seen her shed a tear.”
I’m quiet for a long moment, digesting every word and debating on whether or not I should trust him. Unlike Light Fae, the Dark Fae can lie without repercussions, and Selena only knows how many times Pitch has lied to me since the day he led me to that damn well. I can’t believe I was so trusting despite always knowing he was hiding something from