Moon Raven Rising (The Moon Raven Trilogy #3)

41. Dax

Chapter forty-one

My ears pop with the fury that builds behind them. Just the sight of the man who walks through the door has the warmth of my fire magic radiating from my skin. Now, embracing my shadows, I let them creep through the castle to guide me to the man who stands before me now. If only I could step out of their cover.

I could end this all, here and now.

Raelle asked me to trust her. She wanted me to go back to Maki, but while I trust her completely… My thoughts of vengeance have led me back to the man who caused every moment of my anguish.

“I told you, King Phyrrohs, you have nothing to concern yourself with. It was nothing but a disturbance from some townsfolk.” He lies through his teeth, his back to the King of Valeska, as he brushes off our presence as a nuisance. Narrowing my eyes on him, I think about all the ways I wish to harm him. Repay him for everything he has taken from me. The shadows vibrate around me, and Soren’s eyes flick up—I don’t so much as breathe as he searches the shadows, almost as though he saw me standing here.

“My dragons sense that something else is going on, and I trust their intuition more than I do your words, Lord Soren.” Soren’s gaze darkens as he turns to face King Phyrrohs. It’s clear that their allegiance is thin.

“The intuition of overgrown lizards are not more than that of a King. I do hope this is not the way you conduct business with your allies, Phyrrohs . It is very unbecoming of you to accuse such a new allegiance of thwarting that friendship before you even leave my land.” Soren responds boldly. The King of Valeska keeps his stoic composure, but I take notice of the way he clenches his fists before releasing them and nods.

“The winter moon is right around the corner, Soren… You would be wise to remember that the deal is not done just yet. My word of allegiance is nothing without your follow-through. Until my boats set sail and my dragons take flight— with our prize tucked safely away —only then can you consider yourself safe from my wrath, Soren Croix. Make no mistake.” Phyrrohs stands tall as he makes the threat, keeping his eyes trained on Soren, who is teeming with hostile energy. The tension is so thick in the room that even my shadows breathe a sigh of relief when someone opens the door, interrupting the near altercation.

My mind spins as I think of everything that just transpired. His prize?

“I was told that you were looking for me.” The man from Ambriel’s vision says as he steps into the room, casually addressing King Phyrrohs and pointedly ignoring Soren. Though I don't know him, even I can admit that this alone makes me want to trust him, outside of the fact that Raelle said we could.

“Consider what I’ve said, Soren. This conversation is over for now. I need to discuss matters with my son.” He says clipped. Prince Osiris… My jaw ticks as I watch him leave with his father. The vision of him being too friendly with my wife flashing across my mind, but Soren’s movements draw my attention away from the feeling.

“Thames!” He stomps across the now-empty room. “THAMES!” He screams while proceeding to pour a measure of bourbon, tossing it back, and throwing it at the fire in the hearth. The flames surge as the bourbon burns up and glass showers the coals at the bottom, causing them to glitter like stars.

“My king?” My head whips to the side with the whimpering sound of her voice, and my face falls as I see her pushing into the room on tentative feet. Never have I seen Violet not sure of herself. She has always lived and breathed confidence.

“He’s here,” Soren says, and I stop breathing. He can't possibly know I’m here, not unless…

“Who?” Violet asks, slowly approaching him like he is an animal who may attack at any moment. My breath has yet to come from my lungs as I wait for the answer to her question.

“My son.” He sneers, saying it like it causes his pain to claim Cano. His lip curls as a show of disgust. “I locked him in the dungeons with that riddling fool. Cano will not ruin this for me. He will remain locked up until I have secured the kingdom, and even then I don’t know that he will deserve to be let out.”

“I will give you more sons. We will build your legacy.” Violet says, keeping her head down in submission—another attribute I’ve not seen from the fiery redhead before. None of this makes sense. Soren lights the dried leaves in his pipe and begins smoking and pacing while Violet stays silent, watching.

As much as I want to go string him up with my shadows, I have to trust Raelle. She knows something that I clearly don’t. I’m not willing to risk whatever plan she has for revenge. Even with how badly I want it.

Letting my shadows keep me concealed, I make my way back the way I came, but this time, I find another exit coming out into a stone-lined hall. Arches frame one wall that looks out over the trees, and the cool, salty air flows freely through the open walkway.

Keeping myself concealed, I make my way further into the castle. I know I need to get back to Maki, but my curiosity is winning out. I want to find the King and his son to see if I can get any information from them as well. If Osiris is not as trustworthy as Raelle seems to believe, I will find out, and if I do, I will end him here and now.

“The Moon Raven?” I hear the King’s deep, rumbling voice question. “Did you know?” My eyes narrow with talk of my mate. Well, what is it, motherfucker? Did you know?

“I had my suspicions.” I hear Osiris respond as I approach the door furthest down the hall.

“Do you know what this means!?” He exclaims with excitement. A laugh follows directly behind the question. “This changes everything! You will marry her, and you will give me so many grandchildren, each one more powerful than the last. Valeska will become what it once was, and we will have control of the stones.” My body trembles with the rage that fills it. Each word he speaks causes a spike in my body temperature, and the eyes of my raven surface before I can take a deep breath and tamp it down. I can’t even focus on what he’s talking about. What stones?

“I don’t want this.” I hear Osiris speak through the war going on in my body, and I still. “You know I don’t! But still, you suggest the idea? You know how I feel about—”

“Don’t say her name.” King Phyrrohs growls, slamming something down on a hard surface. “Don’t you fucking say it, Osiris.”

“I don’t have to. Clearly , you remember.” Osiris’ fists clench at his sides, and my eyes snag on that, accompanied by the twitch in his jaw. My brows cinch, the turn in the conversation piquing my curiosity.

“There isn’t much time between now and the journey back home. I suggest you forget the notion of that girl, Osiris. Raelle is your future now. She is our future. You will come to be grateful for what I have given you.” The king’s footsteps become louder as he approaches the door I stand on the other side of. When I see the lever press down, I grimace, pulling the shadows around me and stepping back into the wall behind me.

“This is not up for discussion. It would be best if you prepared yourself for the journey. The winter moon is fast approaching, son.” The king says without looking back at his son or closing the door between them, he walks back the way I had come and fades into the distance.

Osiris stands statue still watching as his father disappears, his rage mirroring my own. When he turns away from the door, I take my chance and let my shadows crawl through the door and follow them into the room. Watching Osiris closely, he paces in front of the roaring hearth. The flames barely let any shadows live in the room, but there I stand in the ones cast by me in the corner.

“You can show yourself.” Osiris stops, turning his gaze to the corner I stand in. And I wait, wondering who else is going to show their hand tonight. “I can sense you there. Your magic—I can feel it through my bond with Raelle,” he continues bluntly. With her name, I step from the darkness, using my shadow magic to shut the door. I guess it is time I have a diplomatic discussion, king to future king.

“Osiris Drach,” I say through clenched teeth as his eyes roam up my form with speculative interest. He watches the darkness that slithers along my limbs menacingly as I eye him back. For a long moment, only silence stands between us.

“King.” He tucks his chin in a slight bow, taking me by surprise. “Dax Fornax-Ravendene, I presume?” He says as he folds his arms over his chest. “I thought you’d be taller.” The asshole smirks, as though we are old friends.

“I am a man of many talents, Prince Osiris; patience for perversity is not one of them.” I keep my arms at my sides as I step out of the shadows.

“No sense of humor; understood. Easy enough.” He huffs, turning and sitting on the settee in the center of the room. The room appears to be a library. The walls are lined with so many books that it makes the library in Ravendene look like a personal collection. The sight of it makes me angry because I know many of these books don’t belong here. They belong in the palace. The palace that is now just a wasteland.

“Sit.” Osiris gestures to the chair in front of him, but instead, I cross my arms as he did moments ago.

“I’ll stand. We don’t have time for a long decision, so I’m going to keep this short. What are your plans with my wife?” The stare I keep pinned on him could sever heads, but I couldn’t care less right now. I need to know what is going on.

“We are helping each other. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, but your other half is quite formidable. A badass you could say. She has more power than she knows what to do with, and her mind is unlike any other leader this realm has seen.” I note that he says realm and not kingdom.

“What does that have to do with you?” I ask pointedly.

“Nothing, but she needs to learn to channel or harness her magic, let alone understand it, and I can help with all of that. I already have.”

“You have kept her prisoner,” I growl.

“I have done what I’ve had to, but believe me when I say, I have not harmed the moon raven, and I have done things in her protection that I cannot say I have done for many.” He says, keeping his gaze locked with mine. I don’t see any falter in his claim. Raelle herself clearly trusts the prince; otherwise, I know she would not have a bond mark on her skin.

“Fine,” I say as I step closer to him. My shadows grow darker with the threat of my temper. “Raelle seems to believe in whatever plan you have with her, so I will attempt to put up with you. Help me find and free Cano Croix from the dungeons.”

“That was not what I expected to hear.” His brows rise, looking me in the eyes.

“I’m full of surprises. Will you do it?” I say sarcastically, my straight face showing nothing but seriousness.

“Of course I will. I’ve already got your other friends away from the castle; what is one more?” My eyes must show my shock at his statement, and mirth plays on his face. “I guess we are both full of surprises.”

“So it seems.”

A knock at the door pulls our attention, and Osiris breaks away from me as he answers it. The voice on the other side is hushed, but there is no mistaking the name I heard. My mates. I’m crossing the distance before I even know what I’m doing, and Osiris snaps the door shut just as I reach for it.

“You cannot be seen here, Dax. It will complicate everything.” He says harshly.

“He said Raelle’s name. Why? Is everything ok?” I shouldn’t have left her. I should have taken her from this place the moment I laid eyes on her. My breathing is coming stronger with each influx of breath, and my anger boils my blood.

“Dax!” Osiris places his hand on my chest in an attempt to calm me, and I lose it. Shadows explode from me in all directions. The darkness eats away all the light. The fire that was burning seconds ago snuffed out completely as I forcefully bring the inky dark towards the prince’s direction.

“Fucking hot-tempered shadow fuck!” Osiris grunts from under my hold, and in the distance I hear a screeching wail from a dragon.

“Call the dragon off, or I will rip your fucking head from your shoulders.” I growl through gritted teeth, pressing my forearm into his neck.

“Dax,” he pleads now, pushing me back and causing us to roll. One of the tall back chairs flies backward when we hit it, crashing to the floor and causing the wood to splinter and break. “Fucking. Listen .” He growls again, throwing his weight against me; my head slams the hard ground, and my vision ripples along with my magic.

“Let me go to her!” I beg through my rage and annoyance that this man is the only one who has truly given me a fair match in a fight. If there ever was a time I needed to dominate my opponent, it should have been now, but that would be a kindness fate rarely likes to give.

“She doesn’t need you to get to her. She needs you to calm the fuck down and not ruin this. It was Raelle who called my dragon to her. The man at the door? He was here to tell me a message— It’s time.” Controlled anger sharpens the intensity in his eyes as he stares down at me, pinning my shoulders in place. “Raelle is ready to leave, Dax, are you?”

“Fine. Fill me in on what the plan is.”