Chapter Eighteen #3
“Yes. Over the years, Elias tried to end that conflict, but his brother refused every one of his proposals.” Thickness filled his voice. “The king didn’t wish to waste valuable resources on demons when Bremloc was at war with Haran.”
Something heavy weighed on my chest. “I hate war.”
“Elias did as well,” Onyx said, expression clouding again. “Which is why he tried so hard to bring about a peaceful resolution between our kinds.”
“It’s also why he agreed to the marriage alliance.” Varys placed one hand behind his back and rested the other on the nearest pillar. “A decision that set all of this into motion.”
“The treaty,” I said.
He nodded. “Elias knew his dark magic was undesirable among other kingdoms, which is why when King Eidolon proposed the marriage alliance with Haran, he accepted.”
“Hang on a sec.” Uneasiness prickled at my ribs. “The marriage was King Eidolon’s idea?”
“Yes,” Varys answered. “When he and Elias sailed to Haran to campaign for peace, King Eidolon saw the opportunity for a potential alliance and seized it. He proposed the idea, claiming marriage was the best way to unite the kingdoms. Thus, the treaty was put into place.”
It made sense, especially if my dad was determined to make peace.
Fate had other plans though, bringing him and my mom together.
“You say the mercenaries framed you for poisoning the king?” Varys then asked. His tone changed, turned rough. “You’re innocent?”
“Yeah. Murder isn’t my style. I prefer to feed people, not hurt them.”
“I see.” He rubbed at his face. “I wondered if you’d learned that same truth and took matters into your own hands.”
My confusion grew. “What do you mean? What truth?”
A dangerous gleam surged in the demi-wolf’s eyes. “That King Eidolon was involved in your father’s death.”
“What?” A sharp ache pierced my gut. “Involved how?”
“Think, boy. Have you ever wondered why Elias and Cynthia didn’t stay in Bremloc once the treaty was broken? Why they secluded themselves instead of sheltering in the castle where they would’ve been protected by guards and knights?”
My confusion spread. So did my apprehension. Throat tight, I could only shake my head.
Varys bared his teeth. “It’s because Elias didn’t trust his own brother.”
“But why?” His words tangled in my chest, tugging and twisting. “King Eidolon loved my dad. He always gets sad when talking about him.”
“That’s more than likely guilt you see, boy.”
“Guilt?” I asked. “What are you saying? That the king…”
“Is the reason Elias is dead,” Onyx softly interjected. “It’s why Varys rebelled. He learned what really happened.”
“How could I continue serving a king who killed someone so important to me?” Varys turned away from us, shoulders quaking. All these years later, and the anger over it hadn’t faded. Or the grief. “I knew Lord Onyx would share my rage. Elias was his friend.”
Lake whined low, ears falling. That’s when I felt the wetness on my cheeks. The damn flood gates had opened up.
“I… I don’t understand,” I rasped, eyes burning with more tears. “I heard King Silas searched for us for months and then hired Nocturne to do the job for him. So how was King Eidolon involved?”
Varys lost some of his ire. “Remember what I said about your father’s talents? He excelled in barrier magic, much like the one around the Shadow Realm. He and Cynthia found a cottage and shielded themselves from the outside world. Even once Nocturne found them, they couldn’t breach it.”
I recalled my conversation with Xavier in Exalos. He’d said he had used a spell once to see my mom and mentioned her being in a cozy little cottage surrounded by flowers. My dad had cuddled with her on the couch in front of a crackling fire, both of them holding me.
Onyx looked at me. “There are only two ways to enter: either permission from the one who created it… or breaking through with a blood spell.”
“What’s that?”
“Something only those with dark magic can perform,” Varys explained. “A relation to the target can give their blood to force the barrier open. The barrier mistakes the spell for the creator and obeys. The one flaw in that sort of magic.”
“You’re saying King Eidolon agreed to this?” I asked, hoping I’d misunderstood.
Varys confirmed it with a small nod. “Months after Elias’ death, I overheard the king speaking to an unknown man.
They spoke in hushed whispers in the king’s chamber.
The man was angry, accusing the king of not upholding his end of the bargain.
I then heard King Eidolon say, ‘I gave you my blood to break the barrier. My brother died as a result. It’s no fault of mine that you let the treasure slip away. ’”
“But why would King Eidolon do it?” I asked, throat squeezing. “What did he gain from betraying his own brother?”
Varys shook his head. “I was too angry to ask him. The reason wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Nothing justifies his actions. The moment I learned the truth, I turned my back on him.”
Something in his words then struck me, causing a knock in my chest. “He mentioned treasure?”
“It confused me as well.” Varys studied me. “But after what you told us, I believe you’re the treasure they spoke of.”
“The lost treasure of Haran,” Lake said, ears perking up. “Duke spoke of it, remember?”
Shocked, I couldn’t say a damn word. Rumors claimed my dad had stolen something from Haran, and that was the real reason King Silas killed him. It wasn’t a rumor after all.
I was the lost treasure.
Something King Silas wanted badly enough to kill for.
Mind reeling, I leaned against Lake and focused on the window and the rainy world beyond it. Thunder rolled in the distance, lightning streaked across the sky, and there was a low howl of wind.
It didn’t feel real. Being this sought-after treasure. King Eidolon playing a role in my dad’s death. The same king who’d stared at me with teary eyes and told me of the brother he’d lost.
Why had he done it? Money? Power?
After a deep, steadying breath, I turned to Onyx. “There you have it. I told you who I really am. Now it’s your turn to make good on our deal.”
“Your lovers,” he said, stoic once again. “I’ll send a unit to retrieve them from the cottage.”
“Allow me to go with them,” Lake requested. “Maddox is an attack first, ask questions later type of male. Having a force of demons approach would trigger his defenses.”
“Good point,” I said with a shudder. Our captain could be quite lethal when in protective mode. “But I don’t like the thought of you leaving.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” My sweet wolf smiled. His eyes remained a bit tense. “My worry is more for you. After all you’ve learned…”
“I’m okay. I promise.” I grabbed his hand and pressed it to my cheek. A boom of thunder exploded like a cannon, making me wince. “Maybe you should wait until the storm’s over though.”
“Storms don’t scare me.” He slid his hand to the side of my throat and pulled me in closer, ghosting his lips over mine. “The only thing I fear in this life is losing you.”
“Guess it’s a good thing you’re stuck with me then.”
He pulled me in for a warm hug. “Forever.”
“Forever,” I agreed. The scent of peaches tickled my nose.
But so did a trace of cedar and woodsmoke. My heart skipped a beat. No doubt about it. The demon lord was fated for me. And me for him.
Onyx spoke to Seraphina and Borus several feet away. Discussing strategy, probably. His attention then shifted to me, as if stopping midsentence. Questions swam in his eyes.
Did he feel the same connection as I did? If so, would that connection result in a deep, soul-bound love like I had with my other men… or would it lead to my death?
“Wolf.” Seraphina tipped her head toward the door. “We’re heading out.”
Lake nodded to her.
“Be careful,” I said before pressing a kiss to his lips.
“As our captain says, I always am.” He lightly nipped at my jaw. “I suspect he’ll be ravenous for muffins when he arrives.”
I smiled and brushed aside his silver bangs, my heart close to bursting—with love for him and with the anticipation of where life would lead us next. “Go get our men.”
THE END