Chapter 38
38
EVANGELINE
T he aftermath of the failed coup wrapped Darkmore Castle in a heavy, oppressive silence, the once-celebratory halls empty, the ballroom strewn with glass and blood, Knightguard hauling the revenant carcasses out back to be burned.
Gone was last night’s triumphant rage, in its place was dread.
Moments after the crowd left, the ravens began arriving.
Every royal house withdrawing their support for Riordan. House Hawksmere, House Valarian, House Ebonshade. Gone.
I rubbed my still-aching shoulder as I made my way toward the ruined ballroom, where hours earlier that tenuous alliance between the houses had been enough to crown Riordan king, to give me hope that Angel and I might build a life here.
I paused in the doorway, taking in the broken glass, the pools of dried blood, the reek of spent magic still hanging in the air. Last night, the entire clan had bowed before their king, cowed by his magic, his might, his utter ruthlessness.
I was still struggling with what I’d seen. By now, I was accustomed to Riordan’s moods. I even understood why he needed to show the world one face, and me another in private, but now…
Riordan strode toward me, boots crunching through glass and debris, the exhausted staff hurrying to scrub up the mess, averting their eyes as he passed by. Even the Knightsguard were nervous and off balance. Nash paced the far end of the hall, muttering to himself, sending a scathing look at Riordan’s retreating back.
Who was still in last night’s clothes, his shirt unbuttoned to show his tattoos, specks of dried blood on his fine waistcoat and long jacket, along the length of his neck.
“You shouldn’t be here, Silver.” Not a shred of softness in his expression, eyes glittering like chips of glass. “Go back to your rooms before you get yourself into trouble. Again .”
“We made a deal, remember?’ I countered coldly. “Complete freedom. Unless you intend to break your word, like you’ve broken it so many times before?”
“Goddamn it, Evie. Can’t you see everything is different now?” A ripple of concern passed over his face, bled into his voice. “This isn’t a game anymore. Do you even understand what these,” he brandished the raven’s messages clutched in his hand, “mean for us?”
“Oh, I understand our situation perfectly, I just choose not to hide away in my room and wait for the inevitable.”
We all knew what this meant.
Last night had gone to plan, and still…
Even after Riordan’s show of power, our allies had pulled their support. Riordan had shown them his might. His ruthlessness. They’d watched him incinerate a host of assassins with those terrifyingly effective crimson shadows.
But his display wasn’t enough.
I didn’t understand the shift. He’d given them everything they wanted, everything they’d asked for, and still…they’d abandoned him in his moment of triumph. And no matter ho w many times I sorted through the possible reasons, I came up empty.
Riordan studied me for a moment, lips clenched tightly together, as if there were a hundred things he wanted to say. Then his eyes drifted to my shoulder, to the faint pink, still-healing scar. His shoulders dropped, the coldness sliding from his face, leaving him looking vulnerable.
“I’m making arrangements for you and Angel.” I opened my mouth and he laid his fingers on my mouth. That simple touch sent a streak of warmth racing through me, even here, amongst all this ruination. “ No . For once, Evangeline, no arguments. You and your sister will go somewhere safe, I’ll have Blake take you there himself, and when this is over, I…we will come and find you.”
You can’t send me away. You need me here.
Can’t stay quiet for a single minute, can you? But his eyes softened, a rueful smile curving his lips. Blake and I need to stay focused. Once you’re somewhere safe, we can take care of this, the way we need to.
I shivered, wondering what, exactly, the way we need to meant.
You know exactly what that means. This will get violent and bloody, in ways you cannot comprehend. I don’t want you to see that, and we’re sending all the staff home this afternoon, so we’re not risking innocent lives.
That little beam of warmth filled up my chest as I grasped him by the wrist and pulled his fingers away from my mouth, trying to ignore his pulse racing beneath my fingers.
“You sent everyone away because you’re planning to fight at Darkmore?” I asked softly and he paused.
That small, imperceptible hesitation gave away the lie. “Yes, we’re going to fight. Once the castle is cleared, once everyone is protected, we’ll set another trap, like last night. Except this time, I won’t have to worry about hurting innocents.”
“That’s a good story, but what are you really planning?” I asked, squeezing his wrist hard.
“I told you, Evangeline, we’re taking care of business. Once and for all.”
That sounded ominous, spoken with the kind of finality that sent a chill straight through me. Riordan slipped out of my grip and grasped my arms, something like desperation burning in his eyes, “I need you away from here. I need…” His eyes flew up over my head, to something behind me, every muscle in his body tensing.
I followed his gaze to find Malachi in the corner of the room, arms folded over his chest, a faint look of concern painted on his handsome face. He noticed us watching and drifted over, his expression the perfect mask of sympathetic empathy.
“My condolences,” he murmured, his tone appropriately sorrowful. “It’s unfortunate last night turned out so poorly, after all Blake’s hard work securing allies to the cause. After Riordan gave him the show they were looking for.”
There was something about his smooth tone that made my skin prickle. Condolences . Like he was already dancing on our graves. He had won this round, and now he was here to rub it in.
“Why thank you, Malachi,” I replied, forcing my voice to remain calm as I pictured him with a knife sticking out of his chest. “I’m sure Riordan appreciates your undying support.” Go fuck yourself, asshole .
The corner of his mouth twitched as he dipped his head mockingly to Riordan. “I am, as always, at the king’s service.” That fucking smile . Only the slightest hint of satisfaction, but it was there—like he couldn’t keep his victory entirely to himself.
“Our word eternal, our honor binding, our strength unbroken.” Malachi repeated softly. “It was a good motto. Too bad it will never be carved into stone.”
“Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” I snapped, even though Riordan squeezed my arm warningly. “This isn’t over, asshole. In fact, we’re just getting started.”
“Keep telling yourself that, little slayer.” He paused, eyes drilling into me. “Pick a winning side, Vicious. If you and your sister wish to survive, I urge you to pick a winning side now, before it’s too late.”
“Your time in this castle has come to an end.” Riordan’s grip on my wrist tightened. “If our paths cross again, Malachi, my face will be the last thing you see on this earth.”
“Well, it’s been fun.” Malachi’s grin only widened. “Remember what I said, Evangeline.” His eyes skimmed over me, before he nodded, as if to himself. “Impressive, by the way, how you and your mate killed that revenant, without a drop of actual magic between you. Too bad you missed the show Riordan, she was truly magnificent.”
I despised the tiny spark of pleasure that ignited from his praise, and when I turned to look up at Riordan, all I saw was rage.
With that, Malachi drifted off, leaving me to linger in the suffocating weight of Riordan’s condemning gaze. “Last night was nothing.” I muttered, twisting out of his grasp. “A group effort. My only regret was, the thing didn’t eat Valaine and take care of one of our problems.”
Riordan’s lips twitched, but he ended up shaking his head. “When you leave, be sure to take everything you need, you might not be coming back.” That sounded so, so final, and my heart lurched. Something strange brewed in his expression, regret, or guilt, I wasn’t sure, and I waited.
Waited for him to tell me he couldn’t live without me.
Waited for him to ask me to stay.
Waited for anything, except that dark, brooding look of certitude etched on his face. But without another word, he turned and headed back toward Nash, dropped the messages in the commander’s waiting hand, then disappeared. All around me the staff began whispering, the sour smell of fear leaching through the air like rotten eggs.
I headed straight for the commander, who glanced to the right, then the left, and finally decided he had nowhere to hide when I stopped in front of him. He, like everyone else, looked exhausted, still in last night’s uniform, still splattered with blood.
He looked down at the messages, a flicker of sadness passing across his features. “We’re in trouble, deep trouble.” He murmured softly. “We have no allies, our wards have been broken. He told you he plans to send you and Angel away?”
“That’s what he said, surely…” I reached out and brushed his sleeve, avoiding the still-drying blood. Revenant, from the reek. “We have you. The Knightsguard. We can call for reinforcements.”
“Noone will come, Evangeline.” His loud voice rang through the ballroom, the staff pausing to listen. “There are perhaps ninety of my men left, after last night. We can only hold this castle for so long. The king is right, when he tells you to leave, you need to go. I’m going now to tell Bex she should get her coat and go home. Blake ordered the rest of the staff to leave, for their own safety.”
Indeed, everyone was heading for the doors. I hugged my arms around myself, my entire body sagging with exhaustion. I hadn’t slept, hadn’t eaten, and was running on fumes.
I had no idea where Riordan was planning to send me and Angel. Some other clan, someone he trusted, hopefully. But we wouldn’t know them. Would we even be safe, with Collum and my father hunting us? I didn’t think so.
Once the castle was empty, Blake, Riordan and Nash…they’d be sitting ducks.
The hair on the back of my neck prickled, my skin crawling as if I was being watched.
Somewhere above me, to my right, if I wasn’t mistaken, and I peeked out of the corner of my eye, finding nothing but shadowy corners. The exact direction Malachi had slipped away after watching his plan succeed?—
Our newborn court falling apart from the inside out.