Page 28 of The Never List (Never List #1)

Rylee

Moonlight sparkles along the ocean as Axl’s ship cuts through the waves with ease.

We set sail three hours ago, the ship navigating around the edge of the Sapphire Cove while Pierce, Axl, Kal, Jax, and I ate and mingled with the kings. There are a few servers on board, Mirren included—though she hasn’t shown herself much since dinner. A few kings’ enforcers and nobility round out the ship’s company, as well as the elite enforcers following the kings around like loyal puppies.

Angry loyal puppies.

I’ve been studying enforcers my entire life, and the elites are definitely a different breed. The four bodyguard assassins move like a unit, almost as tight-knit as the Legends, but with less grace. They’re all hard edges, their muscled bodies accented by the elite uniforms they wear—black leathers, gold vests, and diamond-encrusted masks that make seeing their eyes impossible. Every time they’re around, I try my best to get a peek beneath the mask, if only to be able to identify them beyond the number emblazoned on the upper right shoulder of their uniforms, but I’ve never been successful.

Probably a good thing. I’m sure they’re all bastards— cold-hearted and entitled and predatory, just like Turner.

Icy fear tumbles in my stomach at the thought of him, and it takes all the willpower I have not to smooth a hand over the now-healed but still skin-deep bruises I have from him. He’s been a ghost haunting my thoughts for weeks, drenching me with terror that he’ll finally find his way to one of the royal cities and expose who I really am. The only semblance of peace I get from the thoughts is when I assure myself over and over again that there are thousands of enforcers employed across the kingdom, and the odds of him being granted an audience with the kings are slim.

I lean against the railing, sipping on sparkling wine and counting the seconds until I can be free of the kings’ gazes. Surprisingly, Baydel has kept his distance, and there isn’t an execution or test in sight. Maybe he has something else in mind, some grander display to catch me off guard, but he’s barely spoken a word to me.

I can’t decide which is worse: him giving me veiled threats about my sister, or him being silent and indifferent.

Sighing, I smooth down the folds of my silk gown. I chose emerald green tonight, much to Pierce’s delight. I’ll be traveling to his city tomorrow, and now that I’ve been doing this whole potential mate thing for a couple of months, I’m feeling more confident. I don’t feel the need to ask Kal or Axl to come with me this time.

Sure, I’m nervous about getting to know Pierce on a deeper level, but I’ve spent a good amount of time with him during my stays in the Ruby Aire and the Sapphire Cove. Mostly, I know I’ll miss Axl, just like I’ve missed Kal. Though, luckily, Kal has visited many, many times.

Heat flutters beneath my skin at the memories, and I can’t help but long for the days when the Choosing business is done and I can just be with them all at the same time whenever I want…

Wait .

Since when did I start seeing a future with them? A real future with a true partnership between the five of us? I look down at the ruby ring and sapphire bracelet on my right hand, the tokens a searing bond of connection that zaps up the center of me, spinning visions of a happily ever after.

I hold back a laugh.

Happily ever afters aren’t destined for people like me.

Liars.

The thought has me automatically searching the ship for Jax, my heart dipping. Kal and Axl are fond of me for who I am…they just don’t have all the specifics. Maybe they’ll overlook the details I’ve kept from them. Maybe they’ll hate me regardless. Jax is certainly halfway there, though we did have a moment last week on this very ship, which gives me the slimmest glimmer of hope.

“Have I told you how absolutely ravishing you look tonight?” Pierce’s voice is warm and fluid, sending delightful shivers over my skin.

I can’t hide my smile as he settles beside me against the railing, his own emerald suit fitting him like a glove. There isn’t a piece of fabric out of place, not a sharp line hidden. He looks regal, the most princely of the Legends, and has this sophisticated air that naturally radiates from him, likely due to his incredible gifts.

“You have,” I say, turning to face him. “Thank you.”

Pierce leans a little closer, lowering his voice between us. “I’m sure the entire kingdom won’t be able to take their eyes off you, either. Just think of the illustration that will be in the royal post tomorrow.”

My eyes flicker toward the half dozen Occuli across the ship. They stick out among the nobility mingling and sipping sparkling wine, their unblinking eyes and green flames ensuring they’re given a wide berth among the company. Oddly, I’ve gotten used to their presence. So much so that I’m careful in my words and actions when they’re around and relish the times they’re not. Luckily, they’ve never crossed lines and tested me with their magic again like they did in the Ruby Aire. Whatever Kal said to them obviously worked.

“You handle yourself like royalty around them,” he continues, nodding toward the Occuli. “It’s a massive adjustment, having everything you do in public observed and reported on, but you’ve adapted so quickly.”

I huff a laugh. “I couldn’t let a little thing like being stalked deter me from you Legends,” I tease.

Half true. I also couldn’t let the Occuli or the kings or anything stop me from trying my best to survive and uncover answers about my sister.

Pierce furrows his brow, the sexiest little wrinkle forming there. “Of course not. And you’re the first potential to stick around as long as you have,” he says, eyeing the tokens from his friends on my right hand and wrist.

I swallow hard, unable to soothe the slight worry prickling in my stomach. He’s right, and I can’t help but wonder what will await me from here. As no one else has made it this far, there’s no history for me to read and know what to expect.

The kings have already tested me twice—first with Baydel’s attempt to claim me, then with my reaction to the execution. What will come next? What will they attempt in an effort to see if I’m a worthy mate for their sons? A worthy future queen of Lumathyst?

He keeps his voice low. “Are you wondering why Baydel and the other kings have been so quiet tonight?”

I straighten, apprehension blooming in my chest. “Reading my mind, Pierce?”

He wets his lips. “Only if you ask nicely, darling,” he says, his voice liquid and velvety. A promise of what’s to come.

I smile up at him. “Truly?” I ask, though we’ve spoken on it before. “You’re not rummaging around through my head?”

He draws closer to me. Goddess, he smells like amber and violets, intoxicating and riveting at the same time. “I told you before,” he says, brown eyes scanning my face. “I actively try to stay out of the minds of those closest to me, but from the first moment I met you, you’ve been an enigma.”

I swallow hard.

“You’re different,” he continues. “And while I’m dying to find out exactly why, I won’t force myself where I’m not welcome.”

“How very gentlemanly of you,” I tease, relief unraveling some of the tension in my shoulders.

“You didn’t answer my question,” he says casually.

I sigh, pressing my lips together. “Would you think me a coward if I admitted I’m worried about what the kings will test me with next?”

“Never,” he says, shaking his head. “Like I said, you’re the first to stay this long, to attempt to know us as well as you have.” He glances across the boat, where Axl and Kal are speaking with a handful of nobles, before returning his focus to me. “You’re strong,” he says. “Courageous and bold. Worrying about the unknown is the most natural thing any of us can do.”

I nod, taking comfort in his words. “Do you know what’s to come?” I hedge.

He smiles. “I can’t see into the future, darling,” he answers. “And I’m not privy to the kings’ plans, either. We’re all in uncharted territory now.”

“If you did know,” I say, tilting my head, “would you warn me?”

Pierce studies me. “That’s a complicated question.”

I study him a bit harder. “I believe Kal and Axl would,” I say, nodding toward them. “If they overheard their fathers discussing an upcoming test set up for me…I think they’d give me a warning.”

Pierce shifts his weight, the motion smooth as he looks down at me. “The purpose of a test is to get a genuine reaction,” he explains, ever the Mind with his logical sense. “If we warn you, how are we to know if you’ll react from the heart, from your most basic instincts, or if you’ll choose to react in a way that would be pleasing to us?”

Sadness stings my chest at his words. “I hate that you have to wonder such things,” I admit, sighing. “The Choosing has corrupted the authenticity right out of finding a proper mate for you four,” I continue. “First with the promise of an increase in nobility status and wealth, and second with the title of queen at the end of it, should they survive. Unfair.” I look up at Pierce with what I hope he can tell is sincerity. “But from what you’ve seen of me, what Kal and Axl have told you…am I the type to perform?”

The question leaves a bitter internal sting as it comes off my tongue. In the beginning, I knew I had a role to play, but even with my life on the line, I haven’t been able to control my reactions beyond keeping where I come from and the power I have a secret. Everything else? It’s been genuine, whether that helps me or not.

And after accepting Kal and Axl’s tokens…

I fear this game is playing me more than I’m playing it.

Pierce’s eyes widen. “You are a remarkable creature,” he says, gaze falling to my lips for a brief moment. “The things you say…”

I smile. “Jax said my mouth gets me into trouble.” My chest tightens at the memory. At how easy it was between us before he chose me.

“Never change,” he says, drawing me out of my thoughts. “Truth be told, I’m tempted to steal you a night early,” he continues, and I chuckle softly. “Damn the rules. You wearing that dress has become a new weakness I didn’t realize I had.”

“Oh?” I ask, sipping more of my sparkling wine. “What would we do?” I ask. “If you did break the rules?”

His eyes darken, a smirk playing across his full lips. He draws closer, pressing his cheek to mine, his lips at the shell of my ear. “I’d take you to my estate, not bothering to show you to your own rooms, and guide you to my bed. There, I’d rid you of the delicious silk covering your body, and then I’d make you come without even touching you just so I could study the curves of your face when pleasure consumes you.”

My breath quickens as I lean back enough to look at him. “You can do that?” I whisper.

“Indeed,” he answers, smoothing a knuckle over my temple, tucking some hair behind my ear. “The possibilities of what I can do to your mind are limitless, darling,” he continues. “It’s the door to all things, you know. Knowledge. Fear. Survival. Pleasure .”

Tingles dance down my spine when he says the last word, and I sigh from the sensation. His smile turns mischievous before he leans in close again. “I could make you come right here,” he says, scanning the crowd around us.

I follow his gaze, spotting Kal and Axl chatting not ten feet away with Jullian and Brooks now. Baydel and Lucas are on the other end of the ship, conspiring as their guards—One and Two—hover near them. And Jax. He’s alone, of course, at the bow of the ship. Plus, there are countless servers and nobility, a few extra enforcers, and Mirren wandering about as well.

“I could unravel you in front of all these people,” he continues. “You wouldn’t even realize you’re on the ship anymore.”

A throbbing ache pulses between my thighs, like Pierce’s fingers are lightly brushing over that sensitive bundle of nerves.

“I could take you anywhere in the universe without either of us moving an inch, and there would be nothing you could do to stop me.”

My pulse skitters as what he says plays out in my mind. Would I be able to keep quiet? Would I be able to stay still while he mentally shattered me? Do I want to find out?

From the ache and slickness between my thighs, I most certainly do. And this game is a little too fun to stop now.

“Such a humblebrag,” I say, grinning up at him. “But I could stop you.” My breath catches as the need inside me grows.

He arches a dark brow at me. “You think so?”

I nod, discarding my empty glass on a passing tray. I take his tie in both my hands, playing with it as I smile up at him.

“The kings themselves have to work extensively to keep me out of their minds,” he says. “What makes you so confident?”

“You do,” I answer. “All I’d have to do is say no ,” I continue, “and you’d release me from your hold. You told me so yourself. You’d never force your way in.”

“Perhaps I was lying.” A slow, easy smile. “Haven’t you heard? All the Legends are scoundrels. Your consent and comfort are the least important things to a prince of Lumathyst.”

I laugh then, full and bright enough that Pierce joins in. “You know that isn’t true,” I finally say once I’ve reeled it in. “You and the other Legends are nothing like the rumors report.”

“Ah,” he says. “So you think. But we could have you fooled, darling. All in the spirit of the Choosing.”

Cold dread slices through me, but it’s quickly whisked away by one warm look from Kal across the room, followed immediately by a scandalous wink from Axl. I focus back on Pierce and shake my head.

“Liar,” I accuse playfully.

His eyes fall to my lips, something more serious shifting within them. “Aren’t we all?”

The playfulness drains out of me in an instant.

Pierce may be my undoing—not only can he read minds, he can control them. Control the very reality around me if he wishes, and he can use that same power to manipulate things. He could flay me where I stand and make me believe I loved it. Even now, his tease against my skin, the ache I have between my thighs, is just a glimpse of his power.

Once again, the desire to come clean with him…with all of them…fills me so much, I can hardly breathe. They’ve turned out to be nothing like I’d expected. Maybe the fear of retaliation is wrong, too.

“Pierce…” I try to make the words come out.

I’m an Ashlander. I’m a demi.

It would be so easy to free myself of the weights around my ankles threatening to drown me in lies.

“I’m—”

Screams ring out from the shoreline, stopping my confession.

We both rush across the ship to where Axl has climbed up the railing, eyes like a hawk across his Sapphire Sea.

Another scream, and I can pinpoint the spot on the shore.

The fishing village.

People are rushing from the market square, scattering like ants from a freshly turned hill. And behind them, lit by soft glowing torches hanging from posts strategically placed along the public gathering area, are shadows of people in gray that I can barely make out.

“Faders.” Axl spares us a glance before he dives into the water.

“Axl!” I call, glancing over the rail. All I can see is his form beneath the water, spearing toward the shore like a shark locked on prey.

The ship shudders, turning too quickly as it adjusts its course for the shoreline.

“Secure the kings!” Number Three of the elite enforcers shouts, ushering Jullian below deck. One, Two, and Four follow with their respective kings.

I glare at Baydel, who seems unaffected as One pushes him toward the descending stairs. “You could help!” I call out. “You’re more powerful—”

He merely shakes his head, then disappears below deck.

Prick .

“They have to be kept safe,” Kal explains, tension in his tone. “Any physical harm to a king would be a declaration of war.”

“And attacking an innocent fishing village isn’t?” I roll my eyes. “Baydel could stop them, hold all the attackers at bay at once so we can question them, figure out how to come to terms or stop them for good.”

Jax’s laugh borders on chaotic, which makes Kal grimace. “That would entail him caring about anything other than his own safety.” Jax narrows his eyes.

“Stay here,” Kal says. “Go below deck with the kings. You’ll be safe there.”

I grab his arm, digging my nails in to keep him with me. I know he’s indulging me. If he wanted, he could already be in the skies, leaving me behind like a weight that would only slow him down.

“You did not just tell me to go below deck with the damned kings,” I snap.

Kal’s blue eyes widen, and this time it’s Pierce’s turn to laugh.

“That was feisty, darling,” Pierce says, hovering above us now, sparkling ribbons of emerald light swirling around his body from the palms of his hands, propelling him into the sky. He dips his head, flashing Kal a good luck look, and then disappears as he soars away.

“You’re our mate potential,” Kal says. “You can’t—”

“I can and I will. Don’t leave me behind again, Kal. You promised.”

He sighs. “If you’re harmed…”

“Then I’ll let you take extra special care of me,” I assure him, and he glances up like he’s searching for patience.

The ship is only feet from the dock, but Kal scoops me up and shoots us into the sky.

“See you in a few,” Kal calls down to Jax, who has climbed to the top rung of the railing on the ship, holding on to a cable to steady himself as the ship docks.

Jax waves us off, a manic sort of smile on his face that displays delight in this danger, in this chaos, and it slashes through my fear, my panic, filling my soul with adrenaline and need and a sense of unity as we all race to protect the innocent.

The wind swirls in my blood, the power flexing like the muscles in my body as Kal lands on the edge of the fishing village.

My heart lurches as he sets me on my feet, everything slowing down around me. There are a dozen Faders scattered about the market square, dressed in all gray, their entire bodies covered in the canvas-like fabric, including their heads. There’s a horizontal slash over their eyes so they can see, and the fabric over the rest of their faces is accentuated with an emblem over their left cheek—a red circle with a dagger speared through it.

Each of them is strapped with weapons—smaller blades and swords. A few of them even have the more expensive weapons of royalty: magical blasters with the power of the sun to sear through flesh.

They’re destroying every market booth they touch, upturning tables, smashing goods, and attacking anyone who gets in their way. There’s no reason to it—they’re not picking up the food or supplies and shoving it into bags to steal. It looks like they’re creating chaos for the sake of chaos.

“Go,” I urge Kal when he lingers at my side, his muscles tense as he looks from me to where Axl is facing down two Faders at once. “I can keep myself safe,” I assure him when he doesn’t move. “Go.”

He hesitates a moment longer, clearly battling his instinct to stay behind with me, but finally relents and is gone in a blink. He races to Axl’s defense, scooping up one of the Faders and flying with them out of sight. Axl draws water from the ocean, bringing it to the market and wielding it in waves to beat the Faders back. But they’re resisting, managing to hold their ground while using those weapons against the Legends.

A Fader blows something at Axl—a fine dust I can just barely make out from where I stand at the edge of the market square. Axl stumbles backward, the water dropping from his control and splashing in puddles at his feet. He falls to one knee, swiping at the substance clinging to his skin. He flexes his hand behind him, brow furrowed in concentration—

“No!” someone shouts right next to me, and my gaze darts toward the panicked sound. “No! Please, that’s all I have!”

A woman stands in front of a crate of fish packed in ice, guarding it like it’s a lifeline. I recognize the desperation in her voice, the plea written all over her face as her sole source of survival is threatened. Selling that fish probably supports her and a family, if she has one.

I don’t think or hesitate before rushing over to her.

The Fader backhands the woman so hard she hits the ground.

“Stop!” I snap as the Fader tosses the woman’s crate, the fish spreading all across the cobblestone road. They hover over the woman with a short sword aimed at her throat. “Don’t touch her!”

The Fader—I’m not sure if they’re a woman or a man; I can’t tell because of the full-body uniform—whips their head around.

Instinct has the wind roaring in my blood, but I don’t have time to look to see if anyone is watching, so I shove myself between the woman and the Fader, nothing but my body to use as a shield because I don’t carry any weapons.

“I said don’t touch her,” I snarl at the Fader, adrenaline crackling through my veins.

The Fader tilts their head, moving the tip of their sword to aim at me—

A blade hurtles through the air so quickly, I feel the wind from it kiss my cheek before it sinks into the Fader’s shoulder. A sharp whimper escapes the Fader, definitely feminine, as she grabs the knife from her shoulder and spikes it into the ground. She faces me for a second, the gray material of her uniform now stained red, before she runs in the opposite direction.

Jax stalks toward me like a predator, more blades glistening in his hands as he continues to hurl them through the air, the tips making their marks farther into the market, where there is more fighting.

I turn around, helping the panicked woman to her feet. “Are you hurt?”

She shakes her head, her eyes devastated at the sight of her market goods destroyed all over the ground. “Thank you,” she says. “For protecting me.”

I nod to her. “Run,” I say, motioning to the one path that isn’t blocked by Faders. “Get out of here. I’ll make sure you’re compensated.”

Her eyes are as wide as saucers, surprise and gratitude filling them. “Thank you, your highness,” she says, dipping low at the waist.

She takes off before I can tell her I’m not royalty. I watch her flee until she’s safely out of sight, then turn around to find the battle still raging on.

Pierce is farther across the market square, wielding those emerald bands of energy against five Faders. Some are getting tangled in his powers, others merely dropping to the ground from it.

Axl is fighting hand to hand now. He glances our way. “They have something,” he hollers. “It’s nullifying my power!”

The dust I saw. Is that possible?

Ice fills my veins as I look for Kal, but I can’t see him. I can only hope he’s taken to the skies and isn’t allowing any of that dust to touch him.

“Butterfly,” Jax says with a sense of urgency that has me standing at attention.

Four Faders stalk toward us, swords ready as they surround us.

Jax shifts me so my back is against his, him facing two of the Faders and me facing the others. He passes me a knife, and I wrap my fingers around the hilt.

“You lose that,” he says, voice low and razor-edged, “and we will have a very big problem.”

“What are you going to do? Fill my pillow with snakes when I sleep in the Obsidian City?” I already fully understand his disdain for me. Does he really have to pour it on?

“Already thinking about my bed?” He blocks an incoming blow from a Fader with his blade, the sword of the Fader clanking before Jax slams a booted foot into the Fader’s gut, sending him flying backward.

“I’ve grown quite fond of Legend beds,” I quip back, the breath rushing out of me as I shove against him, knocking us out of the path of a dagger thrown by another Fader. The move pushes us apart, but I don’t have time to get back to Jax as the two Faders come at me.

I swipe the borrowed knife at the Fader closest to me, and it cuts through the thick material of their uniform, drawing blood along their chest.

The Fader is twice my size, and a masculine grunt sounds at the small hurt I’ve caused. He backhands me so fast I don’t have time to defend myself. I wince at the sting on my lip, whirling around to block another blow with my arms. A metallic tang coats my mouth, and I curl my tongue along the split in my lip, tasting blood.

He goes for another hit, and I duck, slashing the knife across his shins, but he keeps coming, reaching for me—

Then he’s in the air, ribbons of green light lifting his body and sending him sailing in the opposite direction. Pierce is coming toward us, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, his suit jacket discarded who knows where. He looks like he could be ready to prepare dinner, not be in the midst of a battle as he slowly walks through the fray, curling his fingers this way and that, sending any Fader near him running.

A succession of whistles breaks through the noises of the fight, and the Faders immediately stop what they’re doing, scattering at the sound.

“Try to get one alive!” Jax calls out to the Legends as he points at the Fader closest to him. They tense up, going rigid right where they stand before unleashing a bloodcurdling scream. They grip their head, shaking it back and forth as if something has slipped beneath the mask and is cutting them up from the inside out.

Jax takes two steps toward them, but they race in the opposite direction, disappearing into the shadows, their screams muffled before going silent.

“They’re running,” Pierce says as he makes it to my side. “And whatever they’re using is making them oddly resistant to my power.”

Kal soars through the skies, landing softly near us. “I lost two,” he says, shaking his head. “My flight disappeared, and I almost crashed.”

I move instinctively to check on him—

“Don’t leave my side,” Jax commands, gripping my wrist and hauling me back against him as he hurls a blade at the last Fader doing their best to run.

Kal takes after them, his usually untraceable speed flickering in and out. Pierce and Axl follow him.

Jax sheathes his blades, turning to face me. He tips my chin up, those indigo eyes searing as he looks at the split in my lip. He gently examines it, shaking his head. “Still think you want any part of this?” His question is a whisper between us.

I reach up, gripping his wrist, the words on the tip of my tongue.

“They evaded.” Pierce’s voice is breathless for once as he makes his way back to us.

“What?” Jax snaps as he turns toward Pierce.

“They’re taking enhancements,” Pierce says, Axl and Kal coming up behind him. “Or they’re demis. I couldn’t sense either.”

Jax growls.

Confusion spins my mind, but I’m too distracted as I note a cut across Axl’s chest and one along Kal’s right arm. I race toward them, my heart in my throat. “You’re hurt,” I say as I look over their wounds. “What happened?” I ask Axl. “What made your powers weaker?”

Axl gently moves his hand over my cheek as he eyes my split lip. “I’m not sure,” he says. “It’s the same as last time, and it only lasts for small bursts before I get my power back.”

“That’s why they ran?” I ask. “Whoever whistled… It was a signal that they were outmatched?”

“Easily,” Kal says. “But they still got away. They always get away.”

“They’ve proven their intelligence when it comes to evading us,” Pierce says, frustration lining his features. “I do not believe it is skill alone.”

I survey the destruction they caused, a weight sinking in my stomach. “What was the point of this?” I look to Pierce. “This wasn’t a test by the kings, was it?”

“No,” Pierce answers, moving closer to us. “This has been happening since before the Choosing started.”

I tongue the small hurt on my lip, glancing back to Axl. “We have to help make up for the losses, Axl,” I say on a rushed breath. “Some of these wares…they’re people’s livelihoods.”

Axl smiles down at me. “We will,” he says, drawing me in closer. “I promise that those affected will be taken care of.”

I lean into his embrace, relief easing some of the tension in my shoulders.

“We’ll check on the people who fled,” Kal says.

“We’re right behind you,” Axl replies, still holding me close as Kal, Pierce, and Jax head toward where all the villagers escaped.

“You defended them.” Axl pushes me away just enough to look down at me. “You could’ve stayed back,” he says. “You could’ve protected yourself with the kings and elite enforcers, but you chose to defend my people.”

I meet his gaze, and the sincerity in his golden eyes has my heart clenching in my chest. It’s evident that no one other than the Legends has ever supported him in such a way. I can sense how much it means to him, can see it in the gratitude lining his features.

And he’s not wrong. I probably should’ve stayed behind. I’m not sure how much help I truly was, especially without using my power for fear of them discovering what I am. Pierce said it himself a moment ago—he thinks the Faders might be demis because of their ability to evade capture and to stand against them.

But these people were innocent .

Axl’s people didn’t deserve any of this, and there’s no denying I would do it again.

For any one of their people.

“I’ll never hide when something I love is in danger,” I finally say, knowing the full truth of that statement.

This is no longer a game.

No longer just about my survival.

I’m willing to put myself in harm’s way for the Legends and their people…

And I worry that instinct will get me killed in the end.