Shadow Wings (The Darkest Drae Book 2)(63)

I extracted my hands. “I can’t, Kamoi. I’m not Phaetyn, not really. I can’t ignore the problems of this world to solve your people’s problems. I need to leave. I need to help Tyrrik get better, and we need to go to Gemond to talk with their king. We have a war to wage.”

Dyter glanced at me, and I nodded at him. I’d made my choice. I was part of this world whether I liked it or not. I couldn’t stand by while the emperor drove this realm and its people into the ground.

Kamoi nodded. “I understand. You are needed elsewhere now, but when you are done, I hope you’ll come back.”

I shook my head, repeating, “I’m not Phaetyn.”

He smiled, his gaze taking me in. “You are Phaetyn in every way that matters. You’ve captured my heart. Just promise me you’ll come back and we can try.”

I’d captured his heart? When? I took a deep breath and told him the truth. “I’m sorry, Kamoi. If I promised you anything, it would be a lie. There is no we, and there won’t be a we. My heart is Drae; it beats as a Drae. To tell you anything else would be misleading.”

The Phaetyn prince studied my face. “I understand. You can’t reason with the heart. But there may come a time when you feel differently. I’ll not lose hope. Not yet.”

“So you’ll let us go?” I asked.

Kamoi frowned. “Of course I’ll let you go. I was trying to find you to help make sure you got out safely.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, bowing my head. I didn’t know who to trust anymore. I was relying on the judgment of freakin’ trees.

“Don’t apologize,” he said. “I’m surprised you’ll even talk with me after I brought you here. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me.”

“You defended me in the end, Kamoi.” I smiled at him, a tightness clamping my heart at the thought of what he’d lost tonight. “Thank you for saving my life.”

“Thank you, Highness,” Dyter said. “Perhaps you could convey my message to whomever rises to power?”

The Phaetyn prince turned to Kamini who stood quietly watching the scene. “If we’re lucky, the Phaetyn will recognize Kamini as our queen.” He put his hand on his sister. “She’s the highest-ranking female below Ryn.”

I looked back and forth between the two of them and met Kamini’s gaze. “Your mother was Luna, not Alani.” I glanced at Kamoi, and even though I knew the answer, I asked, “You know she’s Luna’s daughter?”

“Yes,” he said simply. “But she doesn’t have ancestral powers.” He faced his cousin and said, “I didn’t realize you knew, Kami.”

“I’ve known for a long time. It’s not hard to piece together when your supposed parents hate the sight of you. Kaelan tended to divulge too much when his ire was raised.” Tears gathered in Kamini’s eyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Kami, but I didn’t want you to have to shoulder a weight you were never meant to carry.” Kamoi hung his head.

She bit her lip while he spoke and then said, “That wasn’t your decision to make.”

He winced, and I felt a zing of pride for the Phaetyn girl.

“You’re right,” he said, bowing his head. “I apologize.” He dropped to a knee before the young Kamini and said, “I will pledge my allegiance to you, Kami, and serve however you deem best. I only want what is best for our people.”

I flicked a glance at Dyter and hesitated, thinking back to what the tree had shown me. I may not see Kamoi or Kamini for a long time, or ever again. Where I was going, I couldn’t be sure I’d even survive. This information shouldn’t go with me to the grave. Despite the terror I’d experienced in this forest, I knew there was good in Phaetynville worth saving. The Phaetyn deserved to have a queen with ancestral powers if she was still alive. “What if there was another child? What if Luna had a child before Kamini? Another daughter?”

Dyter looked at me as if I’d lost my mind, but Kamoi and Kamini only raised their brows in an expression that proved they were related. It also reinforced the fact they’d both made the same connection long ago.

Kamini’s eyes widened with excitement. “Did the trees show you an elder child?” When I nodded, her eyes lit. “Are you sure?” she asked, before whispering to herself, “I have a sister.”

Kamoi glanced at his adopted sister and then smiled widely at me. “Where is she?”

His excitement relieved me. I’d worried he might resent Kamini being replaced. “I don’t know. The trees don’t know.” The eldest daughter’s location was the crux of the problem. With an aerial view, it probably wouldn’t be difficult to find her. She was a land healer in a realm drained of life. “But we can find her.”

Kamoi stood and brushed my cheek with his fingers. “Yes, we can.” He turned to Kamini. “If you want me to search for her, you know I will—”

Kamini held up her hand. “First we need to secure Zivost. If Ryn hasn’t found her by then, we’ll reassess. I want her here as much as anyone . . . trust me. But I want there to be a Zivost sanctuary, too.”

I nodded at the wisdom the childlike rebel had shared. If we never found the other Phaetyn, Kamini would still make a great ruler.