Page 8 of A Game of Monsters (Realm of Fey #4)

I would never admit it out loud, but it was unsettling seeing how much Lockinge had changed since I’d last been here. Compared to the slow progression in Icethorn – with towns and villages once abandoned now rebuilding as part of a community – Lockinge looked like a city I’d never visited before. It was as if the explosions – atrocities I had caused when we blew up all of the Asp’s hideouts – had never happened here. Any sign of ruin had been covered up with golden-trimmed banners with the symbol for the Creator stitched into the material.

Everywhere I could see, there was more evidence of who ruled here now.

The Nephilim, guided by the unseen hand of the Creator.

We landed in the heart of the Cage – the outer slums of the city. It wasn’t by choice that we stopped here. The moment we flew close to Lockinge city, the Nephilim were aware. A horde of the angelic warriors accosted us mid-air, armed and poised to protect their city.

The welcome wasn’t what I expected. Not at the end of a golden blade, with the distrusting glare of a winged warrior before us. Even if the blade was only lifted for a moment before they realised who I was, the unsettling feeling in my gut hadn’t wavered.

“King Icethorn,” a nondescript Nephilim said in welcome, bowing slightly to show respect, lowering his weapon. “We were expecting your arrival earlier than this.”

“Do you greet all guests with drawn weapons?” I asked, nervous at how quick they’d come out, and how quick they were put away. “Or is it special treatment for me?”

“My apologies.” The winged warrior swapped his weapon for an outstretched hand. “My name is Zarrel, and Cassial tasked me to be on guard waiting for you.”

I took his hand, not wanting to continue this greeting on the wrong foot. “Thank you for your patience, Zarrel.”

Erix scoffed from my side, wings bristling. In comparison to the angelic beings that stood before us, he looked much like the monster they’d last known him to be. The monster I had told him he wasn’t. But my perspective was certainly different to the angel before me.

“As you can imagine,” Zarrel said, shooting a nervous glance in Erix’s direction, “the humans dwelling in this city were not long ago terrorised by gryvern. When we received reports of one flying into our skies, it made us… nervous.”

“I can confirm that Erix is no threat,” I said, unable to hide the irritation in my tone.

Zarrel looked again to Erix. If I wanted to believe their slip up was a result of not knowing Erix had been the one to fly me here, the glint in his azure eyes suggested otherwise.

“What matters is you are here now, and all is well,” Zarrel said. “I’ve been given strict instructions to bring you to the castle where you can rest. As the letter from Eroan suggested to expect your arrival earlier today, any meetings planned have been postponed until tomorrow. Our Saviour Cassial was displeased to hear of your… late arrival, as he was excited to finally host you.”

There was no ignoring the bit of disdain in the man’s tone. How could I blame him?

I’d helped orchestrate the destruction of the very things they’d vowed to protect.

The keys to Duwar’s realm, and thus the only way of keeping him locked away.

“Saviour?” I repeated, not caring for anything else he’d just said. “Interesting. I last remember Cassial being known by another title.”

I side-eyed Erix, who looked like he was ready for a brawl. When his lips parted, it was to confirm my statement. “The Creator’s Shield, was it not?”

Zarrel flexed impressive wings, downy feathers falling to the ground like snow. “Much has changed in the months past, as I am sure you are well aware. As you can see around you, Cassial has headed a major improvement to Lockinge and those dwelling around it. Dealing with the… damage left behind from your last visit to Lockinge,” the Nephilim replied. “If memory serves me correctly.”

Was this why they greeted us with weapons drawn? Because I’d been the heart of why so many buildings in the Cage burned to a crisp, and not that Erix had flown us here?

“It has been a long day of traveling,” I mentioned, drawing the attention away from the past. “I hope you can forgive our late arrival, the reasons for which I will bring up in my meeting with Cassial. In the meantime, a little rest will be just what we need. Please inform your Saviour, that we have arrived in one piece and look forward to an audience with him tomorrow.”

“No need, by now Cassial is already aware that you have arrived. There isn’t a single detail overlooked in this city.” Zarrel paused long enough to offer me the most blinding smile, one that almost reached his eyes, but not quite. “Let us get you into the castle with haste, unless your gryvern would prefer another means of travel to the destination?”

“His name is Erix,” I snapped, unable to control myself. The fury came thick and fast, half aided by my exhaustion but also at the idea of anyone disregarding him as nothing more than a mindless monster.

Erix laid a hand on my arm. “It’s okay, Robin, I am sure Zarrel meant no harm.”

“I certainly didn’t.” Zarrel quickly bowed, without even attempting to hide his subtle grin. “Please, King Icethorn, Erix – follow me.”

Large white wings beat down, sending the Nephilim skyward. Erix made a move to embrace me, so close that when I spoke, my words were for him alone. “Well, he was pleasant. And by pleasant, I mean prick…ly.”

“I’m not going to tell you that you’re wrong, little bird. But perhaps it is best we keep pretences up for the duration of our stay. Pissing off our hosts wouldn’t be beneficial to our already taut relationship.” Erix focused ahead, worry set into his brow. “And to be fair to Zarrel, we are late.”

“So? Pissing off their guests wouldn’t be a smart way to start this either,” I reminded him.

He didn’t reply, but I knew Erix agreed.

Erix wrapped his arms around me and the ground fell away as he got us airborne. A cloud of Nephilim hung above us, outlined by the full moon. At the head was Zarrel, eyes fixed to me, an attention I didn’t want nor enjoy. He waited for us to follow, his smile still etched into what was an undeniably handsome face. There was something calculating about his stare: a dislike that I understood but didn’t have to accept.

The final stretch to Lockinge Castle was brief.

I took a deep breath in through my nose, expecting to smell the stench of shit and ale that infected the slums of the city. Instead, the air was fresh. Better than it had been before. More proof that the Nephilim were succeeding in their new challenge at improving the humans’ lives.

I recognised the places where our fires had burned the Asp’s hideouts. It had been as a means to draw Aldrick’s followers away from the castle long enough for us to break in and save the fey he kept as prisoners. Except, where shells of burned buildings should’ve been, were now the scaffolding of new buildings. Not homes, but places of worship, each and every one of them. With their spired roofs, it looked as though the Nephilim had hand-picked Abbott Nathanial’s church and placed them throughout the city.

So much had changed, in such little time. Even the castle looked different the closer we got. The whiter the stone walls appeared, almost brand new. It was clear that the Nephilim had tried to scrub away the sins of the city since they’d taken control of it. And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder what they’d done with the Below – the prison beneath the castle. Had they filled the prison with Hunters – a place hundreds of fey had once been held for Aldrick to harvest for blood like cattle? Or would they keep it empty, just in case they one day required it again?

Deep down, I felt as though I already knew the answer.

No matter how many times I requested, Zarrel – the white-winged Nephilim who’d not-so-kindly welcomed us into Lockinge – refused my requests for an audience with Rafaela.

Waiting until morning to speak to Cassial was easy to accept considering I had not come here for him. But knowing Rafaela was close, I could barely contain myself.

I’d not come all this way only to be denied the one thing I came for: answers.

“I will put forward the request that you’d like an audience with the traitor – with Rafaela,” he corrected, although I knew his hesitation was to give me a clear message. “But I cannot guarantee Cassial will accept. But rest assured, King Icethorn, I will do my very best.”

Somehow, I didn’t think his ‘very best’ meant much.

I felt every muscle in my body tense as I stood in the middle of the chamber I was given. Erix was, as always, a shadow at my back, studying Zarrel with a wary eye. Our shared emotion for the Nephilim tainted the very air around us. No doubt Zarrel noticed, but likely didn’t care. He’d made it very clear the feeling was mutual.

“I made the summons request clear in my letter,” Erix said through gritted teeth. “As you have previously confirmed, you already received it.”

“We did. But in that same letter you also made it clear that you were to arrive hours prior to this,” Zarrel reminded. “It’s late. The city is asleep, and so should you both be.”

We couldn’t argue with that, and the more I did, the more questions Zarrel would ask. I came for answers, not to create unwanted questions from people I didn’t know.

Zarrel gestured to the room, the wave of his hand more a dismissal than anything else. “You both have travelled miles and deserve to recuperate your energy. Breakfast will be hosted in the old throne room tomorrow morning. There you will meet with the other heads of the fey courts before a day of council meetings.”

“And Rafaela?” I pushed for a final time.

The curl of Zarrel’s lip sickened me. His disgust for Rafaela only increased my disgust for him. “I will arrange for you to petition that request directly with Cassial after the morning’s activities. I’m not the one who can grant you the acceptance you seek, I’m afraid.”

“Does Rafaela not have the ability to answer for herself?” I said, my growing unease now a maelstrom of panic.

Rafaela had told us that she may face punishment for what part she had played in destroying the three keys, but I was beginning to wonder exactly what that punishment entailed.

Zarrel’s pause made my skin burn hot. “Goodnight, King Icethorn. Erix. You’ll find everything required for your brief stay already in your respective rooms. If you need anything else, there will be guards stationed close by at all times.”

And with that, Zarrel turned on his heel and left. I watched, dumfounded, as the door closed behind him. Neither of us spoke, not as we watched the door, dumfounded by the response regarding Rafaela we received.

“Actually, prickly doesn’t seem right,” I said. “Prick feels more fitting for him.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Erix broke his line of sight from the door, settling it back on me. His silver eyes roamed over my face, noticing details I couldn’t see without a mirror. “Although I hate to admit this, you do look tired, Robin. Maybe it is best that we sleep until tomorrow. And by we, I mean you.”

I blinked, squeezing my eyes closed as an attempt to will the headache from my skull. “Do you know what they have done to Rafaela?”

Erix paused. I opened my eyes, turned to face him and saw the clear worry across his brow. “No, I don’t. But I promise we will find out first thing. Tomorrow, okay?”

We were all aware she’d face punishment. But I’d not found out what exactly that punishment had been. And I admit, I hadn’t attempted to find out. With everything happening to Duncan, my mind had been occupied. Guilt was so familiar, it was almost comforting to feel in that moment. Of course, I’d tried to reach Rafaela by letter, multiple times. I believed her silence was because she was too busy with the humans. Now I worried the lack of response was for a more sinister reason.

A reason I had to find out.

But since the Nephilim weren’t going to help me, I knew someone else who could. But for that, Erix needed to leave me alone.

“Then let’s hope that Cassial agrees that I can speak to her,” I said, plans forming frantically in my mind. “Maybe he will also have answers as to why I never received responses to my letters to Rafaela.”

I got the impression they never reached her, that’s why.

“Yes. A solid plan.” Erix looked from me to the closed door. There was obvious hesitation in his lack of movement. “You know, if you’d prefer, I could stay in here tonight, with you.”

For the past few nights, Erix had taken a seat beside my bed and watched me. I knew he also slept, but having someone so close, someone I could call on when I needed it, was a blanket of relief.

My heart screamed for me to accept him, but my mind had other focuses.

“I’ll be fine tonight.” I shook my head before I gave in to my weakness for him. “Your room is opposite to mine. I know where to find you if I change my mind.”

Stay with me. Don’t leave me. I need you.

I couldn’t present those demands to him. I wouldn’t. My desires didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered was answers, and I couldn’t wait to get them tomorrow.

I needed them now .

Erix looked exhausted, likely the reason he didn’t refuse me. There was no denying that, from the deep shadows beneath his silver eyes, to the pallor his skin had taken, hours of flying had drained him. Although his body was not completely fey, not entirely gryvern, he still had his limits.

“Promise you will actually sleep, or at least try.”

“You spend more time worrying about me, instead of yourself, Erix.” I eyed him up and down. His slumped posture, the shadows beneath his eyes and the heavy drag of his feet all confirmed that he was exhausted. He’d just flown across a realm for me, it was a miracle he could still stand.

“I do, and will. Always.”

It took restraint I hardly had to not blush. “Anyway, I’ll just be stirring all night. I don’t want to keep you up.”

“I wouldn’t mind the stirring. Besides, I’m used to sleeping through your snoring by now,” Erix added, voice soft as he fiddled with his hands.

“Lies. I don’t snore.”

“Are we really going to have this disagreement again?” Erix released a short chuckle which quickly became a yawn.

Erix had first accused me of snoring when I fell asleep behind him as we rode into Cedarfall lands the day I was saved, saved myself, from execution. The memory was so clear it could’ve happened yesterday, not longer ago.

“Then be glad you can sleep without the burden of those snores tonight. Sleep well, Erix,” I said, opening the door for him before I changed my mind.

He took a step closer, worry set into the lines beside his eyes. “Are you sure, little bird?”

If he tested me one more time, I’d crumble and tell him exactly what I wanted. “Yes, I’m sure. Go. You look like death warmed up. Get some sleep. Nothing exciting is going to happen until tomorrow, you heard Zarrel.”

We both glanced toward the door opposite the corridor to mine. There was hardly a physical space between us, and yet the cavernous gap was growing.

“Okay.” Erix walked away slowly.

Did he expect for me to call out and change my mind? Perhaps he did know me well, because the urge to do it was on the tip of my tongue. Instead, I forced my lips shut and watched my guard enter his room and close the door.

I stood like that for a while. Focused on his door, listening to the sounds of shuffling inside quickly quieten. Then I turned my attention to the corridor. I could see the junction of conjoining hallways at the end, and the winged guard who walked up and down it. I waited, counting the seconds between his pacing. It took seventy-four seconds for him to complete his walk and return.

A lot could happen in seventy-four seconds.

I slunk back into my room, soundlessly closing the door behind me. Scanning the modest room, I saw there was nothing but a trunk of clothes, a four-poster bed, a low table set up with food and water and an even smaller bathing chamber.

I set my mind to the task at hand – finding Rafaela. And for that, I needed some help. Erix wasn’t the only one to send letters ahead of our arrival. All of mine had previously been addressed to the woman I required to see, but the last one I’d sent was addressed to someone else.

Crossing the room, I laid my hand upon the glass of the window.

The winter storm inside of me enjoyed the excuse for release. It rushed up through me with ease, spreading ice across the glass and the wall surrounding it. I didn’t stop until icicles hung beyond the window, like the jagged teeth of a monster’s jaw.

Then, I did the one thing I’d become good at doing.

I waited.

I took a seat on the edge of my bed, noticing for the first time just how tired I was as I felt the plush bedding beneath me. But sleep had to wait. There was more than one reunion I prepared for in Lockinge.

Minutes stretched out until I caught the slight tap beyond my closed door. I stood quickly, crossed the space and opened it to reveal the face of a ghost. It was half covered by a mask, obscuring the knowing grin she, no doubt, had plastered across her mouth.

“Robin Icethorn,” the hooded woman sang my name in greeting, voice muffled by the material across her lower face. She lifted painted nails, pinched the mask and tugged it over her face. Not that I needed to see her to know who she was.

I smiled, beckoning the assassin inside. “Hello, Seraphine.”