Page 116 of Fallen Nocturne

There’s nothing wrong with you. He’s your husband.

The words remain trapped behind my teeth.

She wraps her arms around herself. Tears are streaming down her face now. I want to pull her close and comfort her.

I should be angry. I should feel betrayed, hurt, furious that my fated mate is confessing attraction to another.

But I’m not angry.

Because I know.

I’ve known since the moment I saw them together in that healing chamber. The vampire looked at her like she was his entire world.

Fate may have chosen me and declared me her perfect match in the eyes of the Un. But her marriage to him was her choice.

“Why aren’t you angry?” Rhianelle asks, looking up at me with those devastating eyes. “Why aren’t you furious with me?”

“Because—” I stop, weighing my words carefully. I can’t tell her the truth. That’s not my secret to share. Arescaine said Blight, one of the Un might harm her.

“Because I know what it is to want what you’re not supposed to have.”

Her breath catches. “Landon—”

“I’m your enemy,” I say quietly. “I’m the Herald of the Hunt, the commander who helped plan attacks against your people. I serve the king who wants to destroy your kingdom. By all rights, you should hate me. But fate tied us together anyway.”

She’s quiet for a moment. Then, so softly I almost miss it. “I don’t understand why I’m attracted to a stranger when fate literally gave me you.”

Her gaze travels over my face.

“You are brave, beautiful and perfect, Landon. You protect your warriors even when it costs you everything. You are everything I could have prayed for.”

A surprised laugh escapes me. “You think I am beautiful and perfect?”

“Yes,” she says without hesitation.

That answer should make me happy. Instead, it makes the ache in my chest deepen.

Those impossible lilac eyes find mine and hold. She wipes angrily at the tears on her cheeks. “I need to tell you what happened yesterday.”

I go still.

“Arescaine made a flying harness for Coral. Yesterday she flew, Landon. I was so happy and grateful. I went to the forge to help him with adjustments and—”

Her smile fades. She looks down at her hands.

I brace for the words I have expected since the healing chamber as I watch her. Something in my chest settles into a quiet, resigned place.

I knew this day would come, if I’m honest with myself.

I didn’t hope for it or want it. But I expected it. She was always going to find her way back to him. The bond between them predates everything. It predates me, predates fate’s golden string and the Un’s declaration. I knew what I was walking into.

She chose him once. Perhaps some part of her remembers that choice even if her mind does not.

“I wanted to kiss him. I stood there thinking about it while you were away risking your life.” The words come out muffled behind her hands. “For one terrible moment, I nearly did.”

She draws a trembling breath and lowers her hands. Her face is crumpled with guilt. I hold my breath.

“I almost kissed him,” she confesses again.