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CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

O n the mist-covered meadow behind Stoneridge, the wedding guests gathered in their finery.

And in his groom’s suite, Cael’s hands trembled as he buttoned his suit.

It was less a suit and more a military uniform. The charcoal jacket sported a row of silver buttons down the right breast and the sigil of Brachos over his left—Typhon mountain bracketed by a pair of membranous wings.

Cael studied himself in the mirror, the dark circles beneath his bloodshot eyes. A result of the hours he’d spent last night searching the estate for any trace of Xenia. She hadn’t been in her room. Neither Mistress Ostere nor any of the staff had seen her. He hadn’t even found any trace of her scent. He’d gone looking for Erik, too, but couldn’t find the little bastard anywhere.

As a desperate last resort, he’d visited Tomas’s room. He hadn’t found her there either, thank the High Gods. But when Tomas had licked his fangs and asked if Cael was sure he wanted to go through with the marriage, Cael had no doubt his brother knew exactly what Arran had threatened.

Cael had returned to his room tired and devastated. Had gotten a few fitful hours of sleep before Petra bustled in this morning, the picture of oblivious cheer on her baby’s wedding day.

Petra had hustled Cael down to this small room off the kitchen, shoved his suit into his hands and told him to get dressed. Said she’d come fetch him when it was time for the ceremony.

The door creaked open and his shoulders sagged. She’d come back earlier than expected.

But his heart lifted, ever so slightly, when he saw not his mother, but Erik standing in the doorway dressed in a similar Brachian uniform. His brother’s unruly hair was slicked back and he wore a weary frown.

“Fuck.” Erik aimed the curse at the floor. “I had hoped maybe you were gone again. Escaped with your pretty human.”

Cael rubbed at his temples. “That had been the plan until Father…” He couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“He’s been more smugly evil than usual today,” Erik ground out, stepping up behind Cael in the mirror. “Not to mention the servants have been working around the clock to set everything up for the wedding.”

“Where were you last night?” Cael ground out.

Erik shrugged, rubbing at what looked suspiciously like a bite mark on his neck. “Constance arrived.”

“Tomas’s fiancée?”

Erik had the good sense to look apologetic. Not about Constance, certainly. “I’m sorry, Cael. I was distracted. I had no idea you’d come back. What happened?”

“He’s got her,” Cael said, rage a thunderous echo in his chest. “He found us and he…he took her. Said if I didn’t marry Elodie, he’d give her to Tomas.”

Erik shuddered, his wings rustling. “Where is she?”

“I have no fucking idea!” Cael roared. Erik didn’t even flinch, just let his brother release his anger.

Erik perked up, his dark brown eyes widening. “I’ll help. I can help now.”

“It’s too late,” Cael whispered. “I made a blood vow. Promised I would marry Elodie and never interact with Xenia again. And he promised to send her safely back to the colonies after.”

“And you trust he’ll do it?”

“Even Arran Zephyrus can’t break a blood vow.” Cael’s nerves flared. “Can he?”

Erik’s brows furrowed. “He’s capable of many things that normal males aren’t.” He canted his head to the side. “But I have an idea of where he may be keeping her.”

Cael sagged with relief, then pried the cuff from his wrist and handed it to his brother. “Then I need you to get her out of here. Give her this and tell her to portal to Akti. A town called Lebaedia. Tell her to find the Teles Chrysos and Trophonios and give him this name—” Cael whispered the dragon’s name into Erik’s ear “—and they will protect her.”

“What is this?” Erik ran his fingers along the silver cuff.

“Something I got from the rebels. Don’t worry about it. Just…” He dipped his head. “Tell her I’m sorry. And that I love her.”

Erik grabbed Cael’s shoulder. “You can tell her yourself. Just get through this farce today, say your vows to Elodie and then leave her. Not like you’d be the first male in history to step out on his marriage.”

“And what? Spend the rest of my life running from him? If I leave Elodie, I break my part of the blood vow which will release Father from his. He’ll hunt Xenia for the rest of her life. Even if I’m there to protect her. I’m not going to do that to her. She deserves better than that. Better than me . I’ve known it since I met her.” Erik stared at him, concern twisting his features. “Please.”

“Okay,” Erik breathed out. “Do you want to come with me? See her one last time?”

Cael looked upward, tears blurring his vision, and whispered, “If I see her, I’ll never let her go. And I’ll end up getting her killed.” He steeled his gaze. “Go. Go . The ceremony begins in less than a half hour. You need to be back by then, or Father might suspect something.”

Erik kept his mouth shut, though he looked like he wanted to shout at Cael. Not that Cael could blame him. But his little brother merely nodded, slipped the cuff into his pocket, and left Cael alone in his suite.

Hoping against all odds that Erik would find Xenia and get her as far away from here as possible.

Xenia paced around the claustrophobic room, frantic.

She wracked her brain as she stalked from corner to corner, trying to piece Lizbeth’s motives together. Why marry Cael? Perhaps she was trying to acquire his last name? If she married Cael, became a Zephyrus, then murdered him and his family, that would give her dominion over Brachos.

Is that what she wanted? And once she had Brachos, what would she do next? High Gods , if Lizbeth got a hold of the dragon… Did she know its name? She didn’t have the flute, thankfully. That was still laying against Xenia’s sternum, tucked safely within her dress.

She needed to get out of here. Needed to warn everyone. How many hours, minutes, were left until the ceremony started?

She pulled at her curls, her anxiety a swirling tempest, when a door appeared in the wall to her left.

Erik stepped in, and Xenia collapsed with knee-shaking relief, catching herself on the desk. “Oh, thank fuck . How did you know I was in here?”

“This is where Father keeps all his secrets.”

Xenia glanced over Erik’s shoulder, hoping to see a one-winged male behind him. “Are you… Have you come alone?”

Erik frowned, sympathy glazing his dark chocolate eyes. “He’s determined to go through with the marriage.”

“Why?” Xenia wailed.

“He’s convinced it’s the only way to protect you,” Erik said, pulling the cuff from his pocket. “He told me to give you this. Said you need to get yourself to the Teles Chrysos in Akti. Give them the flute and the dragon’s name.”

Xenia’s head shot up. “How did he learn it? Did he hear from Tristan?”

Erik raised his palms. “I guess? Didn’t have time to talk through all that.”

“Tell me.”

Erik told her the name, and Xenia ran her hands through her hair. “I don’t even know where in Akti to go! How am I supposed to?—”

“They’re in a town called Lebaedia. He wants you to go there right away. He also told me to tell you he’s sorry.” His voice lowered. “And that he loves you.”

Xenia nearly snarled. The fucking idiot. Saying those words through his brother. Sending her away because he believed she was safer without him.

Had he learned nothing in Rhamnos?

She refused to let him leave her behind again. And when she saw him, she’d make him say those three little words to her face.

She turned to Erik. “Listen to me. Elodie Laskaris is not who she says she is.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I found a box of veiling potions in her room. She’s been masking her true identity this entire time.”

“If she’s not Elodie Laskaris, then who is she?”

Xenia frowned. “A female named Lizbeth Burkhardt. She’s the daughter of one of your father’s enemies from before the war. Arran killed her mother, brutalized her father and had him thrown in Tartarus.”

Erik blinked. “What’s her endgame?”

Xenia shook her head. “I don’t know. But I have a bad feeling you are all about to find out.”

Erik scrubbed a hand down his face. “The ceremony starts in ten minutes. What should we do?”

Xenia’s lips curved into a cold, cruel smile.

Cael had told her once that strength came in many forms. And a sharp mind could be even more dangerous than brute force.

She was ready to show everyone—Arran, Tomas, Phidion, Lizbeth— exactly how dangerous she could be.

“Go back out there and act like everything is normal,” she said to Erik.

“I’ve got a plan.”