Before I Let Go (Skyland #1)(35)

“It’s settled then.” The queen looked between the three of us before Thalia tightened her hand in mine. “Sorin, bring back my son.”

Sorin nodded before bowing once more, and I pulled Thalia forward and away from the queen. I knew that Evren trusted her. She was his mother, but I couldn’t force the same feeling. My trust for her remained lacking.

But right now, we both wanted the same thing. We wanted Evren home safely, and I couldn’t do something foolish that would get in the way of that.





CHAPTER 12





I typically took dinner alone in Evren’s room, but Thalia had refused to leave me on my own ever since the news of Evren arrived.

I didn’t know if it was simply because she was worried about me or because she feared what I would do, but either way, she hadn’t left my side.

Thalia was sitting across from me at Evren’s little desk, and I had no idea where she found the chair that she had pulled into his room.

“You're like a mother hen.” I tore a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew Mina had brought in.

Thalia simply shrugged and her gaze held firm to mine. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. “

“I'm fine.” It was a lie and her presence spoke to her disbelief of my proclamation. It had been two days since Evren had went missing. Two days since we had any word from Jorah or Sorin about what was going on, and everything inside me was begging me not to listen to their demands that I stay in the kingdom.

But I was far more fearful of losing Evren than I was of any of their wrath.

He had been gone for far too long, and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.

“No, you're not.” She shook her head and took a sip of her wine. “How could you be?” We don’t know they’re okay. Not Evren, Jorah, or Sorin.”

I tucked my knee up against my chest and studied my friend. I was dressed in nothing but one of Evren’s shirts, but I hadn't expected the company. I was planning to crawl in bed and try to sleep away my rising fear before Thalia had knock at my door.

I opened my mouth to answer her, but as soon as I did the door to Evren's room burst open. Both Thalia and I jumped to our feet and my magic swirled around my hands as panic took over.

But it was Mina who stood at the door with her hands against her chest.

“What is it?” I asked, breathlessly.

“It's Evren. He's back.”

Before I could think better of it, I tore from the room. I had no idea where I was going or where he would be, but I couldn't stop to think. I simply took off, my bare feet slapping against the ground, and I couldn't control a single emotion that was racing through me. I could hear Thalia behind me, and everything about her felt as uncontrollable as I did. Evren may not have been her mate, but he was her prince, and more importantly, her friend.

I skidded to a halt when I hit the main entry of the castle, and I watched in horror as Queen Veda leaned over her son who was propped up against the stone wall. His face looked sickly and drained of life, and Queen Veda cursed as she pulled his bloody shirt away from his skin to look beneath it. Sorin paced around the room with blood staining his hands, but he looked up as soon as he saw us. “Adara, he needs you.”

I looked past him to Evren, and I could feel my fear as if it had become alive within me. I hesitated, crippled with raging emotions, but Thalia moved past me quickly. She dropped her knees beside Evren as my stomach turned to panic and guilt.

I hesitated, and Thalia watched me for only a moment before she rolled up the sleeve of her shirt. She was giving me a choice, but when she saw me stutter in my indecision, she took things into her own hands. She was going to save his life. He was going to feed from her, and it would save him.

I should have let it happen. Evren needed her in that moment, and I should have kept my mouth shut. But he was my mate. My magic rolled around my hands violently, and I knew I couldn't sit here and simply watch as he fed from someone else. I cursed under my breath as I tried to shove down the fear that was clawing at every inch of me. I pushed forward and dropped to my knees beside Thalia. Evren's eyes connected with mine, and his gaze softened as he sagged further against the wall.

“Princess.” The word was soft and barely heard, but it rang through me as if he had screamed it.

This was my mate, and I was his.

I pushed the sleeve up my arm that held my black mark with trails of stars within it and held my wrist out toward him.

“Take from me.”

His gaze trailed over my face, before he slowly lifted his shaking hand and followed its path. I shivered under his touch and my heart raced in my chest. This was my mate.

“Are you okay?” His voice was thick and quiet.

I choked on a laugh at his question and tears sprang to my eyes. Was I okay? Was he insane?

“Do not worry about me.” I pressed my hand against his where it was resting against my neck. “Take from me, Evren.”

His eyes shuttered, and I wondered what all he had been through. Who had hurt him like this? Was it the queen? Was it his brother?

“You don't have to do this.” He shook his head softly, and even that took an effort.

“What are you talking about? Take from me.” I begged, knowing that every second that passed, he remained in pain. He remained at risk.