Page 17 of Shadows of Ruin (The Broken Prophecy #2)

Chapter 16

Lana

T oday was my birthday.

I’d been alive for twenty-three years, and instead of a day of merriment and celebration, I was trapped in Mysthaven.

Not only stuck in Mysthaven with none of my friends, but also waiting alone, in hiding, to hear if a deadly festival and a Blood Oath would kill my only allies here.

Then, after all that, I’d attend a ball.

The prospect of attending the ball sounded dreadful as it was, but it would also be a ball without Ian. The first ever. Plus, I wouldn’t have my conspiratory partner in crime, Hale Bardot, either. The thought made my stomach roll, thinking of yet another person I wanted safe back home.

And Ian.

I doubled over, my heart unable to spend time thinking about what terrors he might be facing in the dungeons.

My chest constricted, lungs collapsing to where I couldn’t get a breath in. I closed my eyes, desperate to stop my panic from controlling me right now.

I inhaled slowly, tapping my foot nervously on the ground .

What can you see? What can you feel? I let myself hear my friend’s words in my mind.

I stared at myself in the mirror, running my hands over the training outfit Raya had procured for me. It matched my Hidden Henchman persona more than the princess side. Thankfully.

The clothing hugged me tightly, and I forced myself to feel the soft fabric touching my skin. I breathed again.

The black-as-night outfit reminded me of Kade’s shadows around me. The thought calmed me further. I almost sobbed as the tightness in my chest loosened.

My thoughts about Kade persisted, unable to stop thinking about what he’d revealed yesterday in the pit. He’d spoken of his own prophecy. Another damned prophecy that very obviously dictated things in his life. Same as mine.

Internally, the second he’d said it, I balked, not understanding why he would keep it a secret. Until I realized I, too, had kept my own prophecy a secret.

I’d have quite a lot to say to Cassandra once I gained an introduction. But as soon as we met with her, I’d also have to reveal my own prophecy. Which I should probably fill Kade in on as well, seeing as he was not the only one keeping secrets. Maybe. Fates, Kade.

I breathed deeply again.

He was leading a rebellion against his own father, standing up for his people while at the same time being forced to murder traitors. Hearing their story made everything from Canyon City click into place. I’d never seen dead bodies, never saw the man and woman after Kade’s shadows engulfed them.

I’d been swept up in those shadows enough to know they didn’t always cause harm.

Far from it.

I’d condemned him immediately. Even if that was exactly what they wanted me to see, I still felt guilty. Jax teased Kade about being the Monster of Mysthaven, but I saw what it did to him. He truly believed it. I’d believed it too for a moment.

I shuddered. Thinking of the risks Kade took, the awful things he allowed his people to believe, all in the name of saving others, broke my heart. How lonely it must be here for him. Forced to obey a father who used his son so terribly.

This new information battled the dichotomy of the man I knew, who he was with me, versus the atrocities he was forced to commit. I rubbed at my chest, the ache there threatening to permanently etch itself in place.

No matter how much I tried to hate Kade Blackthorn, I couldn’t.

The pull toward him felt too strong. In some moments, my very soul called to him. Wanted him, despite the heartache he’d caused.

I sighed, walking away from the mirror and leaning against the bed. I wanted to curl up in a ball and not move until the world made sense again. Even if I knew that wouldn’t solve anything.

Storm had popped his head in about an hour ago, saying I would be by myself for a while and reminded me not to leave my room until Raya came to get ready with me for the ball.

He didn’t leave until I swore it no less than five times.

I’d wanted Kade to come. To reassure me he’d talked with Cassandra, and they would all be safe. That he would be safe. He had yet to appear though.

Time dragged by, giving me a taste of what a long, boring day I had in store.

Tits and daggers , there better be alcohol at this ball tonight. I could at least drown my sorrows.

A knock at the door startled me, only until I realized it was probably Raya, sent to be on babysitting duty earlier than either of us wanted. Or Storm making sure I hadn’t attempted to escape .

Or maybe Kade had come after all.

I took my time to answer the door, opening it slowly, about to say something rather obnoxious, when I saw who stood before me.

Not Raya. Not Storm. Definitely not Kade.

King Dargan.

I inhaled sharply before remembering myself and curtsied, opening the door wider. Even if I knew only a little about the king, defying him would surely land me on his bad side. I knew my place around a castle, and how to act around powerful men.

“My apologies for the way we first met, young lady,” King Dargan said, a smile I’m sure he thought alluring dancing over his face. “When I heard you’d been placed here in the royal guest quarters instead of the Guardians’ wing, I was intrigued. Would you care to join me for the Festival of Swords this morning?”

I pressed a hand to my chest, bowing my head submissively, even if my skin crawled doing so. “I’ve been asked to wait here until the celebration tonight. I’d hate to be in the way of such an important event.”

“Nonsense,” King Dargan said sharply. “I’ll be escorting you to the colosseum, I insist.”

Not good.

“I’d be honored, Your Majesty. If I could have a moment to change?—”

“Unnecessary.” He reached forward, tugging me through the door to his side. It took all my wherewithal not to flinch at the way his hand curled around my waist. “You look perfect for witnessing a battle.”

My instincts told me this certainly would be a battle with him, just as much as the Guardians’ battle in the ring.

Even though his grip loosened around me, an eerie sensation pricked at the base of my skull. I knew I should not be anywhere near this man, but when a king gave an order, it must be obeyed.

Hopefully Kade would understand I didn’t go looking for trouble. I almost snorted at the quick thought.

Two guards fell in step behind us, their persistent presence as heavy as the king’s. I lowered my head, tracking the king’s footsteps to make sure I followed slightly behind. Appearing subservient would make me seem less threatening.

He led me down the hall, its walls lined with a handful of large portraits of various Fae. All sat on thrones. After reading a few nameplates in passing, I understood this to be a collection of Mysthaven’s prior rulers.

Each face contained a sadness I couldn’t quite shake. One that didn’t make sense to be captured in official royal portraits. The portraits of our prior kings and queens in Brookmere were happy, joyous. Proud. I didn’t get that feeling here at all.

The pain in the eyes of these rulers radiated outward. Especially the one at the end. My gaze flicked to the gold-plated inscription: King Jasper Blackthorn.

“My Guardians have lost their manners, it seems. We were not formally introduced, my dear,” the king said, pulling my attention away from the portrait. He stood at the doorway at the end of the hall. A guard held it open for him, and he beckoned me to follow into the stairwell. “Do tell me your name.”

Calling me a common whore did make it difficult to indulge in the niceties of a formal introduction.

My immediate retort transformed into a slight panic. Kade had spent so much time telling me not to be with the king that he’d failed to tell me what to say to him in case everything went wrong. Which clearly it had. I waited until we finished walking down the stairs before responding.

“My name is Illiana.” Concocting a lie would be too hard to maintain, especially without discussing it with the others first .

“Well, Lady Illiana, I must assume you hold a title of lady if you’re being held in such high regard by my men. It appears you won them over in record time. I cannot recall any others ever being invited to the palace, especially on the eve of the festival.”

He smiled at me before grabbing my hand and placing it on his arm. I wanted to flinch at his touch but controlled my reaction. I didn’t need the king thinking I was suspicious of him. Instead, I put on my royal princess mask I’d donned so many times before and pretended to enjoy his attention. Even if his evil reminded me too much of Andras. I stiffened, my heart thudding more wildly.

Not now.

He was the last person I should think about at the moment.

The king raised an eyebrow, and I forced a smile. I’d done more in the past few weeks than I ever had in my entire life. I was more than the emotions Andras’s cold words made me feel.

If I wanted to be the queen Brookmere deserved, I needed to take back control from those dark memories weighing me down.

My smile came effortlessly as I slipped back into my courtly role. Perhaps I could use this time with the king to my advantage and see what he would be willing to tell me.

“I’m sure I was merely at the right place at the right time. Lonely warriors returning home and all that.” I averted my gaze, recalling how many noblewomen whispered about men enjoying mystery and the chase. Fates, maybe the idiotic rules of court might actually come in handy here.

“Lonely Guardians make for poor bedmates. Perhaps you will be by my side for longer than just today, Illiana.”

I clenched my teeth, lowering my head, eager to change the subject. “I am honored, Your Highness. I have never been to Mount Legion before. It is such a beautiful city. Perhaps you could tell me about it?”

“Ah yes, the first time in Mount Legion is always memorable. I’m sure your journey here consisted of my son and his companions gallivanting across the lands, frequenting the seedy taverns he so enjoys. The grandeur of Mount Legion is a stark contrast to what I’m assuming you’re used to.”

The desire to defend Kade and the others simmered in my chest. “They’ve been nothing but honorable. You should be proud of your warriors.”

The king laughed. “You are a delight. I know all too well what they are truly like. You’ll see. Careful of my son especially. He likes beautiful things but tends to destroy them.”

I refused to give in to the king baiting me for information on Kade. If he wished to gossip about his son, he’d have to do so elsewhere.

As we exited the front of the palace, we walked left toward a large balcony. I had been so caught up when we arrived, I’d missed it completely. The balcony overlooked a great canyon nestled between two of the largest mountain peaks. The immediate plunge down took my breath away. A fierce flowing river raged below us. Rays of sunlight sparkled off the black streaks in the mountainous rocks. At sunset, this view must be spectacular.

“Here in Mount Legion, we pride ourselves on the more fearsome beauty of the earth surrounding us. It takes bravery to see the beauty in such vicious lands, but it’s there.”

His pause lingered, waiting for me to say something. “You speak the truth indeed. I’d forgotten how beautiful wild and dangerous things can be.”

The king smiled arrogantly. “I, too, enjoy the beauty of wild, dangerous things.” His fingers brushed over my shoulder .

I forced a laugh. “I can assure you I am neither of those things.”

Yet.

“Oh, I doubt that.” He chuckled. “For my son and his friends to bring you along with them, you would have to be”—he paused—“monstrous. Speaking of, we must continue. The Festival of Swords is a grueling treat I am excited to experience with you.”

He guided us onward, along the balcony toward a massive, wide entryway. Mountains shot up along all sides, circled around us, and though beautiful, it reminded me of walls, caging me in.

My pulse skyrocketed. Thinking of Andras and his torture in the cages of Brookmere’s dungeon would not serve me here.

The king held out his arm, a gesture I was already tired of. With no choice, I placed my hand on top of it again as we descended stone stairs. Archways ran along the top rows of a massive colosseum. Designed with rows and rows of spectator seats, all of which offered a clear view down to the center of the arena.

Fae filled almost the entire colosseum already, watching the Guardians warming up below. The competitors worked in different stages, some running, some sparring, but all preparing for the main event.

The king led me along an upper walkway and down to a marble-floored landing area. A white pergola draped in black billowing fabrics covered a variety of wines and food spread across tables in the back. Parallel with the view of the arena sat rows of chairs raising in elevation behind the front row of obsidian stone seats. The king’s place was clearly marked, an obnoxious glistening throne standing a head taller than the other seats at the end of the row, in clear view of all the spectators. Unfortunately for me, there were plenty of seats beside his ostentatious throne .

He ushered me forward, past the others milling about. Most stared at me in disdain. I knew from the haughty looks on their faces that I stood among Mysthaven’s nobles here. The divide between nobles and commoners was clear, just as it was back home.

I eyed the throne the king currently led me toward. “Surely the queen or someone more worthy wishes to be by your side for such an important event,” I said. I hadn’t seen or heard of where the queen might be, but surely she’d be here.

The king’s eyes narrowed. “The queen is dead.” He gripped my arm tighter, causing my heart to pound frantically.

Shit. A citizen of Mysthaven would know that. “Well, I’m sure she’s always here in your heart,” I said, desperately attempting to correct the error.

A few moments went by, and the king’s posture straightened. His face softened, like he’d caught himself seconds before flying into a rage. “How right. But, Illiana, I told you you’d be beside me, and here you shall stay.”

I nodded my head. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

The king’s sharp scolding that the queen was dead reminded me how much I had yet to learn about Kade. He hadn’t mentioned his mother ever. Or his father, to be fair. To have this man as his only remaining family was terrifying.

The king stepped away from me and stood in front of his throne, pointing to the arena below. “There is your Storm now, I believe.”

Sure enough I spied Storm, Jax, and Kade grouped together, while Raya remained off to the side, warming up alone. Kade’s back faced me, but as if he sensed me somehow, he turned, glancing up toward us. His eyes met mine, and immediately his shadows flared, expanding outward and causing a few other Guardians nearby to run to the other side of the ring. His gaze sharpened, eyes narrowing. He took a step forward, like he’d be able to reach me, even with an entire stadium between us .

Jax touched his arm, and Kade shook his head, shifting his attention to his father. He lowered his chin before sweeping into a reverent bow.

“Interesting,” the king mused. He raised an accusatory brow at me. The flare of Kade’s shadows, the reaction to my presence in the colosseum, hadn’t been missed. “Here I thought you were brought to my palace for Storm. Yet it appears you may have garnered more than one of my Guardians’ attentions.”