Chapter 33
33
BLAKE
I leaned over the ancient oak table, the castle schematics blurring before my eyes.
This had been a formal meeting room, outfitted with expensive, spindly furniture and cut crystal vases. Nash and I had shoved everything against the walls to give ourselves room to work, and I’d spent the past twelve hours poring over plans that would either save us or doom us.
The complicated drawings were familiar, the rhythms of defense ingrained in me from a lifetime of serving Domonic, always maneuvering for more power, more influence, more dominance.
But now, my efforts felt… hollow.
A shadow of the might I was once capable of. Since Aria had stripped my magic, I’d felt the absence of my shadows like a missing limb, and here, in the eleventh hour, in the silence before the storm, doubts were creeping in.
“Sire?” Fenrus Nash’s voice cut through my thoughts. His spine was rigid, his gaze sharp, his temperament dependable. I’d known Nash for years; he’d seen some dark, bloody nights at my side. And though he’d never say it, he’d noticed the missing shadows, my utter lack of strength. “What’s your call on the eastern perimeter? The outer ward has a weak spot.”
I frowned, running a hand through my hair. “Double the guards there. And have backup posted inside the main gate house. If we’re attacked in multiple locations, they’ll need a way to converge quickly.”
“Yes, Sire.” Nash’s eyes shifted, something close to sympathy flashing in his gaze. “Do you want me to… handle that myself?” My pride withered beneath the pity in his eyes.
The offer tasted like broken glass, but Nash wasn’t wrong. Without my magic, I was vulnerable in ways I’d never been before. But I could handle organizing a defensive strategy, for fuck’s sake.
“No,” I masked my frustration, “I’ll take care of it.”
He nodded and left me to the maps. I forced myself to compartmentalize. The Knightsguard were good soldiers, Nash had recruited a mix of experienced males from other clans, some females who’d proven themselves capable, and new trainees eager to learn.
He’d been training them day and night, and they were ready.
But all that training…
Malachi was already a step ahead. He was here, in the castle, every day. Observing the daily training exercises, the increase in patrols, the extra warding around the secret passages, even Aria’s reinforcement of the perimeter.
He would have had time to circumvent every defensive measure we put into place, while we scrambled around plugging a broken dike with our fucking fingers.
Foolish, to believe we could outmaneuver Malachi with only two days preparation, when that bastard had spent months, years, decades, planning his grand coup.
Before today, males under my command trusted the brutal strength of my magic as much as my judgement. Now, I had to give orders knowing my only remaining strength relied on cold steel, bullets, and instincts.
Not the crushing advantage I’d once taken for granted.
Fucking Aria .
I kept replaying that knowing little smirk when she’d sucked out the last of my power. Couldn’t predict what the magic would do . Bull-fucking-shit. That entire ritual had been a set up.
Which led me to another startling thought.
The witch hadn’t been all that surprised when I’d asked her to strengthen the wards. Like she’d expected my visit. Like someone might have warned her I would be coming.
Now I was forced to rely on nothing but my skill and my blade and my wits.
Every time I thought of Evie, a dagger of worry slipped under my ribs. If anything happened to her… if my weakness jeopardized her safety…Fear like I’d never known swept over me, all the ways I could fail her crashing down and down and down until I could hardly breathe.
No.
Fear was a trap I couldn’t fall into.
I’d keep her safe, magic or not. I would cut down any who threatened my mate and then I’d piss on their fucking carcasses.
But doubts gnawed at me for the rest of the day, pulling at the edges of my concentration. The image of her with Malachi, or any enemy who tried to harm her flashed through my mind, and my stomach twisted. I had to keep her safe, and I couldn’t let myself get twisted up over the dangers closing in around us.
Footsteps rang behind me, and I stiffened as Nash returned, a new report in hand.
How long had I been lost in thought, staring at nothing ?
“Sire, I went ahead and positioned the Knightsguard as instructed,” he said, voice low. “We’ve also secured additional reinforcements from Lords Romaric and River. We’re as fortified as we can be.”
I exhaled, feeling a flicker of relief. “Good. Keep an eye on that perimeter, and station our most experienced fighters by the Hall of Mirrors.” I caught Nash’s eye. “No one gets close to Riordan tonight unless I approve them personally.”
Nash nodded, then hesitated. “Blake, it would be my honor to keep Lady Evangeline safe. I mean…in case…”
“Yeah,” I muttered, half to myself. “You do that.”
When he was gone, I pressed my hands flat against the cold wood, feeling the weight of my lost power crashing down on me. And I couldn’t get rid of this niggling suspicion that my not having my magic on the eve of such a momentous event was part of a bigger plan.
But my doubts would have to wait.
I had a princess to escort to a ball and I didn’t dare be late.
I paused outside Evangeline’s door. I’d come to collect her for the coronation ball, but I found myself pausing, nerves gripping me tight. I’d survived a hundred battles, a thousand confrontations, yet standing here, preparing to walk my mate into a room filled with enemies, I felt… so much fear.
Taking a breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
And froze.
Evie was facing the mirror, adjusting a tiara on her head, glowing candlelight illuminating her figure. She wore a pale silver gown that hugged her waist and flared around her hips, the fabric shimmering with every small movement. She was a vision, like something out of ancient legend, hair falling in soft waves around her bare shoulders, strands of finely spun gold catching the light.
Then her chin tipped up, her eyes hardened, and just like that she became breathtakingly fierce, the sight leaving me speechless.
She turned, her lips curving into a joyous smile that hit me like a punch to the gut. “Blake.”
Every time our eyes met was as powerful as that first time. Evangeline saw straight through me, all the way to my soul. My good, my bad, all my pain and darkness, and somehow, she loved every last piece.
I blew out a shaky breath.
“Evie… you look… incredible.” I cleared my throat, trying to pull myself together. “I mean, you always look… good, but tonight, you’re…” I trailed off, realizing I was babbling.
She grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
I glanced down at my black tuxedo, feeling oddly self-conscious. “Not quite a match for you, though.” I took a step closer, reaching out instinctively to touch her hand. “Evie, there’s something I need to say.”
She raised her eyebrows, tilting her head. “What is it?”
“I…” I hesitated, looking down, gathering my thoughts. “With everything going on, with Malachi and the coronation, I… I don’t have my magic anymore. And I’m supposed to protect you. I’m supposed to protect Riordan and Angel and everyone else, but I don’t know if I can do that without…” I brok e off, feeling foolish, but my fear was too real to hide, especially from her.
“I don’t know if I’m enough without my powers. I’m not sure I can keep you safe.”
She took my hand, pulling me closer until I was staring into her eyes. “Blake, you don’t need magic to protect me. You’re strong enough for the both of us.” Her gaze was steady, and I could feel the sincerity in her words, the confidence she had in me. “Besides,” she added, a mischievous smile flickering across her lips, “I’m not exactly going in unarmed.”
Before I could respond, she lifted the hem of her gown enough to reveal the slim leather sheath strapped to her thigh, glinting with silver blades. I couldn’t help but laugh, some of the tension draining out of me. Of course, she’d prepared for tonight.
“You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”
“You need to stop worrying, Blake,” she teased, painted nails tracing a gentle line along my jaw. “You’re so much more than your magic. You’re strong, you’re smart, and I trust you with my life. And I trust you’ll do everything you can to protect us tonight.”
Her lips brushed across mine, leaving a taste of desert breezes and spicy carnations.
But her words settled deeper, soothing the doubts gnawing at me. I’d always thought my shadows were what made me strong. But looking into Evie’s eyes, I realized power wasn’t everything.
“Still, when I’m not with you, stick close to Nash, if tonight goes wrong, he’ll get you out of the fighting and somewhere safe.” I pulled her close and rested my forehead against hers. “Now let’s watch Riordan get his crown. Fingers crossed this goes better than the last event we attended here.”
She nodded, lacing her fingers with mine. “Maybe we’ll get to eat this time.” She said wistfully. “I hope there’s a dessert table. I’m starving.”
“Wait.” I tugged her back to me, ran my fingers over her bare shoulder, feeling a certain sense of pride when goosebumps instantly rose over her skin. “Not to get all maudlin, but I love you, mate. I haven’t told you for two days, and I felt it needed saying.”
“Yeah, well, I love you, too, you big softie. And when tonight is over, I expect you to make up for not being around lately.” Evie wound her fingers into the lapel of my tux and pulled me down to her mouth, kissing me like I was the only thing in her world. Her mouth was exquisite, her taste like a roaring desert storm, and I had half a mind to forget the fucking party and tumble her into the bed waiting only a few feet away.
“We can’t.” She murmured with a tinge of regret, tilting her head. “But could you do that mind thing? Where you shield my thoughts? I doubt I’ll be on Malachi’s radar tonight, but…I don’t want to be the one who ruins your plans.”
I cupped her cheek and her eyes fluttered closed, her lips curving as I set a barrier around her mind. I might not have my shadows, but I could still protect my mate, still make her happy.
Still love her.
Her eyes opened, pinning me with their brilliance. “And that, Blake Marten, is all that matters.”