Page 19 of Heir of Broken Souls (HOBF #3)

Chapter 19

Delilah

I expect Knox to steer me to our room, but instead, he leads me up the stairs and out onto a balcony, where he gently slides his arms beneath my legs and lifts me in one fluid motion into his hold. His wings flare out, but all he does is perch us on top of the roof, his gaze never wavering from his broken city below.

“You don’t want to fly to your spot?” I ask gently.

“I fear that if I will the army will return.”

And he will fail his people is what he doesn’t voice.

“Does your head feel as if it’s going to explode from all the new information?”

He barks out a short, humorless laugh. “I fear I lost all my senses the moment Elysia began to unravel part of the prophecy.”

After a tense moment of silence, Knox turns to me, his eyes full of awe and wonder. “There is so much we need to discuss…but all I can keep picturing is you.” His fingers trail down my cheeks in a soft caress. “You were magnificent. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight.”

My cheeks flame at his soft words and tender touches.

“Do you know what happened to me?” I lower my eyes. “You still haven’t gone into my mind… Are you afraid of what you might find?”

Knox’s callused hands slide up my cheeks and hold me there, forcing my gaze to lock on his. The heat in his eyes makes my breath catch.

“Nothing you could ever do would frighten me.” He considers my question. “I’m curious about your transformation, and I still don’t know exactly what it means, but no, nothing about it frightens me.” A coy smile spreads across his lips. “In fact, just the opposite. You’re the only safe place in this world. You are my home, Delilah, and nothing will change that.”

My heart pounds furiously, beating wildly to the rhythm of a four-letter word I haven’t dared to utter. Out of fear that once I do, he will be taken from me. Losing Knox would be like losing myself, and I would not be able to survive the loss.

And I tell him as much.

Trailing my fingers across his lips, where mine so desperately want to be, I whisper, “I couldn’t imagine existing without you now that I have met you.” I brush my fingers higher into his soft raven-black hair. “You are the center of my universe, Knox. Everything revolves around you, and so long as I have you, I feel as if everything will be okay.”

“That’s interesting,” he drawls slowly.

“Why is that?”

“Because I can’t help but think that if you perished my world would stop turning. I would simply cease to exist because wherever you go, I go.” He leans forward and captures my lips in a tantalizing kiss. “As one, Angel,” he whispers against them.

My heart skips a beat. “As one.”

“Can I see it now?”

A coy smile dances across my lips. “Oh, you’re ready now?” I pull back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Only took me declaring how deeply I feel for you, I suppose.”

He rolls his eyes. “Don’t play cute.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug. “You tell me I’m cute all the time.”

He chuckles darkly and grazes his canines down my neck. “Now look at who’s procrastinating.”

I would have moaned if it weren’t for his words. There’s no greater sensation than opening yourself to one of your greatest vulnerabilities. Knox could pierce those fangs into my neck and end my life, but there isn’t another soul I would ever allow this close.

“Since when could you not talk and walk?” I tease. “I’m waiting.”

And I always will for Knox.

Standing before my mind’s door my heart pinches as Knox steps out of his mind and takes steady strides across the bridge. Despite his soul appearing dimmer than usual, the flower beds dotting the bridge, the ones we planted with our love, are still intact.

Because despite our world crumbling around us, we are steady. The calm flow of the river below the bridge is a testament to that.

Knox reaches me in under ten steps and wraps his arms around my waist. He might not be afraid of what now lies within my mind, but that doesn’t mean I’m not trembling out of fear. He doesn’t know what he’s stepping into.

Are you ready, Angel?

I should be asking you.

His face lights up with a dazzling smile. I’ll always be ready for you.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I lower my forehead to his chest and soak up the warmth of his skin, the calm steady beats of his heart, and open the door.

* * *

Knox stands and gapes at my mind. He hasn’t taken a single step in, and for the first time, I can’t decipher his emotions.

Knox? I ask tentatively.

This is impossible , he breathes.

Clearly not , I want to say, but something tells me this isn’t the time for quips.

Knox slowly turns to me, bewildered. How are you still alive?

As if I know what happened to me. As if I know how I shifted and changed to something else, something I’m slightly terrified to admit that I know deep within my bones is irreversible.

Beyond Knox’s shoulder is my mind, completely covered in gold. But something tells me that isn’t what has Knox staring, perplexed.

It’s the sheer power thrumming within me.

Just a short walk down a small corridor reveals two doors at the end. One is painted red, which beats and hums as if another’s heart beats within, and the other is gilded.

Standing before the two, Knox clutches my hand in a death grip. Have you ventured into the red door?

It won’t let me.

Knox’s eyes widen. You can’t open a door in your own mind?

Something tells me it doesn’t belong to me , I say softly.

He reaches out tentatively, giving the handle an experimental pull. It doesn’t budge but the beats rise, pounding faster. An odd sensation flushes through me, one full of buzzing nerves as if I have a secret to keep.

I should be terrified for you and yet…

It doesn’t feel bad , I say to him and at his shallow nod, I know he can feel it too.

Without a doubt, the red door contains the consciousness of my power. And by the look on Knox’s face, I suspect this has never happened before.

You always said it had a mind of its own, that it protected you. I assumed that it was beginning to overpower you, but that was never its intention. It’s as if it’s bonded with you.

Bonded.

The word rings through my body like a chant, screaming, Yes, yes, yes ! Nothing has ever felt so right and yet so confusing at the same time.

Wouldn’t I be able to communicate with it if we were bonded?

You do, you just don’t know it.

My head cocks to the side as I wait for him to explain.

There are so many times over the passing months when you have called out for help and your power has answered. It never acted out of control. In fact, it always assisted you within the limitations of your wishes. Whether those wishes were subconscious or not.

I don’t doubt that it’s a partnership, I’ve felt it all along. What has me worried, though, is that it’s keeping secrets from me, and I tell Knox just that.

He rubs the back of his nape, his eyes never leaving the red door. Perhaps it’s waiting for something. I can’t read its mind, because I don’t think it has one, but I can feel its intentions and they’re pure.

Before I can respond, Knox squeezes my hand and reaches for the gilded door. Wait! I scream, jumping in front of him.

My chest heaves, flaring with panic.

There’s no turning back from this. Once Knox walks through this door, he will never be able to unsee it.

Are you sure you want to know?

I want to know everything about you.

Staring into his sapphire eyes, open and shining bright, I nod, take a deep breath, and push open the gilded door.

Refusing to look at what Knox has stepped into, I peer down at my feet and watch a white tendril of fog roll past me. I kick it with my leather-clad boots and it puffs in all directions as Knox’s footsteps come to an abrupt halt next to me.

Delilah…

My name hangs in the air, the only thing he says. The tension building behind me climbs higher and higher until there’s such a gravitational pull to turn around, I can’t stop myself. Knox, as dashing as ever, stands in the middle of my gilded room full of power.

Columns of gold soar into the sky, with no end in sight. The billowy smoke drifts across the floor so high it dances along Knox’s knees. I’ve given up searching for the source of it. Every time you push it out the door, it always comes back. Golden tendrils bounce from gold wall to gold wall, gilding everything in their wake. One glittering golden tendril aims for a speck of column that’s still white, and as it bounces off it, it leaves gold in its wake. The only thing still left untouched is the fog.

Taking a tentative step forward, the golden tendrils freeze midair, turning to me with a consciousness I can’t even begin to analyze. Before I can brace myself they pounce, flying into my body as if to greet me.

Despite the severity of the situation, I can’t help but chuckle as they brush along my arms and coil through my hair. They don’t let up until I pull myself together and say, Okay, that’s enough now, off you go.

Delilah , Knox repeats, awe in his voice. Where’s your pool of magic?

I shrug, taking a seat and waving my hand in front of me. The wisps of clouds dance through my fingers as I do so. You’re looking at it.

But this is…

Endless. I nod. I’ve looked for a cap, or a gilded roof to this room at the least, but if it’s there, I can’t see it with my Fae sight.

You can’t tell anyone. True fear encases his entire body, his legs quivering from it. If Peter ever finds out, he will ? —

I think it’s too late for that. Everyone, including the demonic army, witnessed me transform. One of them probably shared the memory with him before they all perished. I snort without humor. Peter will also suspect something amiss when not a single creature from the army he sent can’t be summoned again.

Knox falls silent, his eyes wide with horror.

I take it from your shocked expression you haven’t seen this before?

Seen it? I’ve never even heard of such a thing.

Building up courage within me, I leap off a cliff I know I can never return to, and finally ask the question I’ve been terrified to face, mostly because I’m not sure I can bear the answer.

Am I still Fae?

Whether it’s the look in my eyes, or the wobble in my voice, Knox kneels in front of me, until all I can focus on is him . Why does the thought of not being a Fae terrify you so much?

Swallowing thickly, I bite my lower lip to stop the flow of tears that wish to escape. Because I thought…I finally found my people.

Knox’s thumbs brush back and forth across my cheek, soothing the ache in my heart. You have found your people, regardless of your heritage. His eyes flick back and forth between mine, assessing, before he says softly, I believe you’re still Fae. Just an extremely, once-in-a-lifetime, powerful one.

I can’t help but burst out with laughter.

He leans forward and plants a gentle kiss against my forehead before taking a seat beside me and wrapping me in his warmth. He tugs lightly on my pointed ears. Hmm. You certainly look Fae to me. Besides the glowing skin, but I think you have so much power now it’s hard to contain within . He places another kiss on the top of my head. You possess all the abilities of a Fae, with your sight, speed, and strength. A softer kiss to my cheek. And most importantly, we have our bond. I’ve never heard of a mating bond outside of Fae. Other creatures don’t have them.

With his every word, the constriction around my chest lessens. Sighing deeply, I nuzzle further into his warmth as Knox continues to stare at the room and my power.

It’s amazing, isn’t it? I say in awe.

It’s divine.

Who would have thought? I think to myself.

If I told the little girl who felt like the most powerless person in Aloriah that she would one day be the most powerful, I wouldn’t have believed it , I say, my voice cracking slightly. I tilt my head back to trace his jawline with my finger. What did it look like? I know how it felt but what…happened to me up there?

Without a word, I’m suddenly watching myself atop Aurora, the moment my wings unfurl and power consumes me until we’re one and the same. A flying phoenix above the world. A gasp flies from my lips as I watch myself fall from the sky and wreak havoc on the demonic army.

Wonder coats Knox’s voice. I’m not sure what changed and why…but your power is our saving grace, Delilah.

Now is a time as good as any to tell him . The ethereal voice returned, right before my magic changed and I killed the demons , I admit.

The night of Ace’s death, I broke down, uncontrollably sobbing into Knox’s arms as I told him of the voice urging me to hurry. I told him of all the moments that came before then, too. I showed him in my mind, but Knox had no idea where it came from or what it could be. Whatever has been looking over my shoulder, trying to help me since the day I stepped into these magical lands, remains a mystery.

Knox straightens now, moving me with him. What did it say?

It’s time.

Knox falls silent, pensive. We relax into the moment, watching the cloud-like fog rolling through my mind, the golden power zipping throughout the room.

Eventually, he breaks the silence. We would have lost more than just Azalea today. Our army would have fallen if it weren’t for you . Knox gently caresses my cheek with the back of his fingers. Axel would be dead if it weren’t for you.

My heart plummets at the memory of finding him on the brink of death. But his words also remind me of yesterday, though it feels like forever ago now.

I fear that a sword might not be the only thing threatening to kill him , I admit softly.

Knox tenses around me before blowing out a shaky breath. Have we failed him? Have I failed him?

My brows furrow as I turn. No! Why would you say such a thing?

Because you’re right. He’s been drinking himself into such a drunk stupor I’m shocked he hasn’t died already. We need to put our foot down . His voice lowers, barely above a whisper. I should have put my foot down a long time ago.

I can’t leave him alone, Knox , I argue. I’d rather enable him than abandon him.

And I’d rather abandon him than bury another friend.

The words are like a physical blow. My body jolts backward and if it weren’t for Knox’s arm around me, I’d fall.

I’ve been too scared of losing Axel, of saying the wrong thing to make him take off again. But that very fear is what’s leading him to his death. It’s exactly as Harlow said.

I assigned him to Elysia today hoping it’d give him a purpose beyond himself. Maybe this’ll be a good first step.

I can’t help but snort. Gods, I have a feeling you’ll be regretting that choice soon.

He shakes his head. I can’t believe he tried to kill his mate.

I can , I answer honestly.

Knox turns to me with a playful scoff. You’re saying you can see yourself harming me?

What? Gods, no! I would never lay a finger on you. I’d rather kill myself before harming you.

Exactly. The bond is like no other. The very thought of their injured mate drives even the sanest of Fae wild, and yet Axel nearly pierced his sword through her heart.

I’m not saying it’s all right, I’m saying I can see where he was coming from. Did you not hear him? It was so guttural. I think all he saw in that moment was Hazel standing in front of him, not Elysia.

Knox drops his head to my shoulder. Gods, and what do we do about Hazel?

My body locks up tight, my breath catching in my throat. Knox hasn’t broached this subject with me yet. Why are you being so candid? I ask hoarsely.

Because I think it’s about time that we talked about her. I’m tired of walking on eggshells.

I never asked you to ! I hiss.

And yet look at you. I merely mentioned her name and you’ve turned into a feral cat.

My eyes blaze with fire. Take it back.

No.

Knox , I seethe.

We’re talking about it and that’s final.

Fine , I spit. You want to know what I want?

Yes, I truly do. Let me into your mind.

I bark out a humorless laugh . Take a look around, Knox! You’re in it!

That’s not what I mean and you know it. You’ve locked away your emotions so tightly I’m afraid you’ll never be able to access them again.

Good! I snap, rising to my feet. I hope I never see her face again. I hope she dies a slow, painful death for all she has done and I pray to all the forgotten gods that I never, ever, feel what she made me feel again. I hope—I hope she dies!

The words pour out of me with abandon, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Even my cheeks heat with the anger that flares within me.

Knox, however, doesn’t sound surprised or fearful in the least.

Finally , he drawls.

You’re a piece of work.

And you’re feisty when you’re mad. I have to say, it doesn’t have the effect you hoped it had.

And what’s that, Knox?

You want me to run in fear of what lurks beneath your surface, but in case you haven’t noticed, not much scares me, let alone you. We’re one and the same, Angel. He shrugs, a coy smile sliding into place. If anything, your outburst turned me on.

Groaning, I plop down across from him. There are plenty more creative ways to turn me on than starting a fight, Mr. Holloway. I suggest you try them sometime.

He rises on his knees and crawls toward me. Is that right?

I shove the heel of my boot into his chest, halting him. Don’t come any further. We still have matters to discuss.

His brow flicks up. Oh? And what might those be?

Lenox and Harlow.

The heat in his eyes vanishes. Do we have to?

You forced me to spill my feelings about Hazel, so now it’s your turn. What happened between them? This has to be more than Harlow acting out because Lenox changed.

I wish I knew , he answers solemnly. But they’ve both been tight-lipped ? —

Knox gives a jolt then, eyes glazing. The sight makes me rise, my heart beating rapidly. Knox? What happened? What is it?

He shakes his head. Edgar just arrived. He…he ? —

Knox stutters, unable to form the words of what his messenger relayed. I lay my hand on his cheek, forcing his eyes to mine. Knox, honey, breathe. What happened?

His Adam’s apple bobs on a swallow. His voice is hoarse, tinged with dread, when he finally speaks again.

Cardania has fallen.