Page 20 of Heir of Broken Souls (HOBF #3)

Chapter 20

Knox

“I want to know how this happened!” Elaric, the prince of Cardania, bellows, the veins along his neck protruding.

Elodie, his sister and the princess, weeps by his side, but her tears might be more angry than sorrowful.

“How did they get past our wards?” The question is watery, but no mistake, Elodie is just a serpent waiting to strike.

“And where the fuck is the bitch?” Elaric snaps.

Delilah, with wide eyes, trails behind me, encountering her first royal meeting of the courts. I’d like to say it’s usually far tamer than this but…well, it never is. Their outburst is more justified this time, though.

“Elaric, don’t make this situation worse,” I say beneath my breath, not at all surprised when the Fae’s rage turns my way. I’ve known him since we were infants, so I can push his buttons more than most. I raise my hands in surrender but add, “She already hates you enough. Don’t go giving her a reason to punish you when?—”

“I’ve already lost my court, Holloway, I do not care what that airhead?—”

“Speaking out of turn once again, Elaric?” the queen of Air drawls as she makes her presence known.

Delilah stiffens beside me and by the way Elaric and Elodie’s bright blue eyes cut toward her, I wasn’t the only one to take note of it. I track the way his eyes rove over her form, assessing her for reasons I hate to admit I did myself the first time I met her. Everyone has heard the rumors of the human-turned-Fae residing in my court. I’m just appalled not a single one of them came to meet her or extend their gratitude, considering she freed us all. By the gods, they should’ve come crawling on their hands and knees, worshipping the ground at her feet.

A low snarl slips out before I can stop it, but it diverts their eyes away all the same.

The triplets are next to appear. With identical features of freckles and green eyes, along with fire-red hair that falls to their waist, I never can tell them apart.

Dipping my head, I address them broadly. “Daphne, Willow, Aspen.”

They offer me the same courtesy of a bow before moving on to Elaric and Elodie, whispering their sympathies. The queen of Air narrows her eyes at her royal neighbors who always, without fail, ignore her. We should be bowing to her exclusively, but nobody does. Not since she ignored our requests to reinstate our crowns.

I brush my fingers against Delilah’s hand, checking in, and I’m shocked to find her as stiff as a board. She can’t seem to tear her gaze away from the triplets, and it finally dawns on me why. They look like Hazel. I give her hand a squeeze, praying my touch can bring her back to the present, especially as the queen steps forward to us.

“Still with us, I see, Delilah.” The queen of Air’s brown eyes examine Delilah from top to bottom before landing on her pointed ears. “In more ways than one. You never turned back into a human?”

Delilah’s swallow is audible as everyone pauses, listening in on the conversation.

“A spell was placed over my body. I was never human, not truly.”

Low murmurs fill the room, along with curiosity so thick I can practically taste it upon my tongue.

“So, the rumors are true,” Daphne drawls. Or perhaps it’s Willow…Aspen maybe?

Delilah takes a steadying breath before lifting her chin. “They are.”

“Curiouser and curiouser.”

“Can we get back to what really fucking matters at this moment?” Elaric all but seethes. “Cardania has fallen and you best believe that insipid, foolish man will use our location to attack your courts next. He has easy access to the Tree of Life now!”

Elodie places a soft hand on her brother’s forearm to calm him, but her gaze sears the queen right to the spot. “Yes, what are you doing to stop this, Olivia?”

At the mention of the queen’s first name, a muscle ticks in her jaw. She wants nothing but to be treated like a royal pain in my ass. Speaking out of turn will not get us far in this situation, but I can understand their hatred. They just lost their home, their people are hurt, and their city has been conquered because the queen once again failed to stop a plague from invading our lands.

All the while sitting atop a throne she refuses to relinquish.

“My men?—”

“Are fighting along the front lines, we know,” Elaric cuts her off, ignoring the way the queen’s eyes gleam with fury. “But what are you doing now to get them out of our home?”

Her answer falters as the doors behind the meeting room bang open. The royals of Ornx, sun-kissed and leather-clad, saunter in with grim expressions.

“Finally,” one of the triplets murmurs.

“Sorry, just busy trying to defend the lands and all that,” Kaius quips, the younger of the two brothers and the most hot-headed.

“We’ve sanctioned spies to head into the land. We need to know where their main base is before we do anything,” Darius declares as he comes to a stop beside the queen. He merely gives her a cursory glance. “Unless you beat me to the punch?”

Olivia looks down her nose at the brothers. “If you have men to spare from the front lines, boys, then be my guest, but I’m not allowing the human king an opportunity to infiltrate another inch of this land.”

“No, you just allowed them to take an entire court,” Elaric growls.

The queen of Air holds up her hand. “Tame yourself or run along. Tantrums are not permitted in the meeting room.”

I almost roll my eyes. Gods, she tries to treat us like children at every step of the way.

Elodie steps forward. “We need men sanctioned around the border of Cardania or else we will all fall. I suggest you take the men off your fence and send them where they are needed.”

Silence descends. Along with tension so thick you could slice it with a butter knife.

Delilah, at my side, seems to hold her breath, but I can’t keep the indignation out of my voice as I ask, “Is it true? Have you kept warriors sanctioned at your gate?”

Olivia flicks her gaze to Delilah and then to me, as if to say, Are you really questioning me right now? A snarl rises to my lips. Delilah has nothing to do with this; she is my mate, she has every right to be in this room?—

“Considering you have the tyrant’s daughter in this very room with us, Mr. Holloway, I suggest you don’t turn your questions my way.”

The room explodes. Magic seers to life.

Snapping a shield around Delilah, I throw her behind my back, flinching at her startled yelp. My shadows run for every direction, engulfing the room and the royals.

“Cease your magic immediately!” I bellow.

They ignore me.

“How dare you bring his filthy fucking spy here!” Elaric growls.

The Ornx brothers move in sync, their weapons drawn. “Hand her over, Knox.”

“She is the reason for our downfall!” the triplets sneer in sync.

Growling under my breath, I lift my hands, along with my power as I blanket everyone in the room, not only taking their sight from them but hiding Delilah. “She was a captive of his hand,” I explain. “He was the one who placed the spell upon her body to trap her in the human lands, and she is the one who attempted to kill him. It was her cunningness that drew out his true identity. She is not related to him. She is a victim !”

I’m heaving by the time I finish, and by the small hands clutching my back, I’m not the only one shaking either.

“Are you sure?—”

“Are you really asking the mind reader if I’m sure of the truth ?” I bark out a laugh. “Of course I’m sure! Let’s also not forget that Delilah and I are mates. We are physically bonded.”

Despite my proclamations, their magic continues to fight mine. With a curse, my entire body tightens as I slip into their minds, past their shields, and show them. Show them memory after memory of all Delilah has done to help the Fae race. How they should be thanking her for saving them, not trying to harm her.

A weighted pause ensues before I hear the shuffling of feet and weapons sheathed. With the reluctance acceptance from all except the queen of Air, who already no doubt knows the truth from her spies and won’t allow me into her mind, I tentatively retract my magic. I’m not at all surprised to find them staring beyond my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of Delilah.

“Now.” I clear my throat and straighten. “We need a plan of attack and a plan to ensure the safety of the neighboring courts. I suggest we stop bickering and get to work, because every second those filthy demonic creatures are in Cardania is another second too long.” My eyes cut to the queen, who knows Delilah, who knows what happened from our fight with Emmalyn. My next words are practically a spit of venom. “Instead of throwing out accusations against my mate , I suggest you use your voice for good. Perhaps offer your court to those in need hiding from the tyrant moving to conquer our home.”

Elaric claps me on the shoulder, moving with his Fae speed before I can react at his close proximity to Delilah. By her startled gasp, she didn’t anticipate the move either.

“Let’s get to work,” Elaric commands, his gaze boring into my mate.

The Ornx brothers pinch the bridge of their noses. “We’re in for a long night with this damage control.”

* * *

The brothers were right. Five hours later, we have a slightly feasible plan. But until the dark lord is dead, we have no chance of reclaiming Cardania. The best we can do for now is send in spies for information, plant a swarm of men along the border to stop further infiltration, and set up camps for refugees in the Air and Fire Courts.

Delilah and I arrive at the shambles of our home late in the night, and unsurprisingly, my court are waiting for us. They call out all at once, their voices far too loud with the headache that has been present since the moment the queen of Air stepped into that meeting room.

“How are Elaric and Elodie?”

“I hope the bitch gave up some of her men.”

“What plans have been put in place? Are we leaving?”

Delilah steps up beside me. “We’re not leaving our home, but the people are.”

I’m glad she was the one to break that tidbit. Honestly, all I need is a large dark glass of amber liquor and to sleep for weeks. I’ve never been so exhausted in my life. Choosing to fill them in mind to mind as opposed to speaking, the room falls silent. At least for a brief, beautifully peaceful moment, and then they all start up again.

“The queen doubled the patrol around the Tree of Life?” Lenox grumbles. “And just where is she pulling those men from?”

Nolan, still dressed in his fighting leathers from earlier, says, “All things considered with Cardiana’s fall, that could be the best avenue.”

I dip my head, grateful for his positive outlook. “How was the evacuation? Is everyone out safely?”

“Those who survived, yes,” Harlow answers.

The words I never wished to ever be uttered in this place. My heart pinches so painfully my fingers twitch at my side to rub the ache.

Clearing my throat, I look my family members in the eye, needing to say something to bring them together. “While we thought the in-between was the distraction, we were unfortunately wrong. Now knowing all that we do, the attack upon our borders was the true distraction. Azalea was never the intended target, but we did the best that we could with the little information we had. Was it the best outcome? Absolutely not, but now we know that he is operating three steps ahead of us and we will be smarter next time.”

“I don’t suppose you saw Emory?” Lenox asks.

The question stumps me, and draws a furrow between Delilah’s brows too. “Nolan, you’ll have to continue helping the refugees. Can you keep an eye out for her?” I ask, my mind on the beautifully tortured dark-skinned Fae.

“Of course.”

After all, we not only owe Delilah for our lives but Emory’s, the spell cleaver from Cardania who helped us determine what type of dark magical spell was placed upon the Tree of Life.

Speaking of… “The queen has sanctioned double the patrol around the Tree of Life.”

“And where exactly is she pulling those men from?” Lenox grumbles.

“Knox, we should rebuild the wards as soon as—” Nolan’s words die as Elysia sways on the spot, her eyes suddenly glassy and milky white. She speaks above him, a lilt in her voice.

“ All you seek lies beneath the tempestuous saltwater heap.

With guided fins comes the battle at dawn, that which you must survive.

For the future lies within the golden hands, which will raise the once sacred land.

Enter upon your discreet and all your answers will be at your feet. ”

Elysia sags once she finishes, and Harlow jumps to catch her before her head hits the wall. All the while, Axel looks on with such disgust in his gaze, I itch to slap the back of his head.

That is, until all eyes turn to me and widen. Although they aren’t looking at me.

Turning, my gaze slowly glides to Delilah. She looks at me with such fright I wipe any and all shock from my expression as I come to stand beside her and hold her hand.

She pats her hair down as she asks, “What is it? Do I have something on my face?”

“Close,” Harlow snorts.

Cutting her a glare I quickly focus on Delilah once more, grabbing her hand. I can’t hide the awe in my voice as I breathe, “You’re glowing gold.”