Devon’s heart jolted in his chest. And there it was. Spoken aloud as though it wasn’t the thing he’d been dreading since he’d heard Karen utter the words.
“The time will come when you need to make a choice. To save Charity’s life—to give her a life—you must take the hard road, sacrifice your heart, and let her go.”
“This is it, then,” he said to no one in particular. “This is the big deciding moment in Charity’s life.”
The First’s continued smile was thin. She did not enjoy speaking with those of “lower status.” “This is it, yes. If things go badly here, Charity will, of course, always be welcome. She can stay as long as she likes—we will make room for her. Unfortunately, with no desirable skills, she will have her title stripped and a gravely reduced status. Her living situation will change somewhat for the worse. This is to be expected, for one who is only half fae.”
“Your people are harsh, First.”
Her eyes marginally narrowed. He’d spoken out of turn.
He didn’t give a shit.
“And if this goes well?” Devon asked, his heart beating too quickly and a sweat breaking out on his forehead. He felt eyes on him and noticed the Second standing somewhat removed, watching the interaction. Devon couldn’t read his expression or body language.
“Then things will only improve for her. She will be celebrated as the Third Arcana and trained as part of our ruling force.”
“And if the Second has a full-blooded heir?”
“Do not trouble yourself with our politics, Shifter,” she said, her voice lowered, and shivers crawled up Devon’s spine. “They are far above your ability to comprehend.”
“You’re awfully arrogant for someone with a warrior title and a penchant for hiding in the woods, away from danger.”
Her eyes spat fire, but before she could respond, the Second was invading their group.
“Tempers are running high.” The Second placed his hand on Devon’s arm. “Mother, let me escort him back to his table. This is a big day for everyone. We’re all feeling it.”
After a long beat, the First said, “Of course. Please enjoy the competition, Alpha Shifter.”
She didn’t have to say the next words, although her tone said it for her: Because it will be your last in the Flush.
“Charity would be heartbroken if you weren’t here to see her big moment.” The Second slowly led Devon through the tables as people found their seats. They smiled and nodded at the Second, but no one acknowledged or even glanced at Devon. “It is hard to determine the best course of action in these situations. When I was in the Brink, the pull of the Flush became painful. I missed my people more than anything. I did not belong in the Brink. It was not the right place for me. And so, as much as it hurt, I left. I walked away from the love of my soul, from my beating heart, and have spent every day since regretting it, now more than ever.”
The Second stopped next to Devon’s seat, patted his back, and walked away as the first participant emerged from the arch. Even the fae’s clapping was polite.
“What was that about?” Rod asked.
Devon watched the retreating back of the Second. “It sounded like he told me not to leave.”
Macy and Yasmine frowned. Macy said, “He can’t expect you to stay here. Not with the way you’re treated.”
“He’s been pushing Hallen at Charity—we’ve all seen it,” Andy added. “Why would he do that if he wanted you to hang around?”
“He probably wants you to give Charity a choice,” Barbara said, leaning forward on her elbows to look across the table at Devon. “She’d go with you. Maybe she’d want to stay for a bit longer, but she’d leave this place with you.”
“I agree,” Dale said. “Roger wants her back in the Brink. You can make that happen. I vote you tell her it’s time to go.”
“You vote?” Devon said. “Since when is this pack a democracy?”
Dale and Barbara both visibly shrank in their seats, one helluva change considering their initial hesitance to submit to him as alpha. Devon hardly gave it two thoughts, his mind swirling on what the Second had said. On what Barbara had said.
He wanted to take Charity back with him so badly it hurt. He wanted her to officially move into his house and join his pack. He didn’t want her to lose all of this—the warrior fae, the Flush—but did it need to be her new reality? Couldn’t she come back for birthdays and Christmases, the way most people did with family?
The thought of leaving her behind made him want to throw up. Made him want to rip the table in two and go on a killing spree.
“You think she’d come back with me?” he asked softly, his hope so thick it was choking him.