Chapter 11 – Aline
Chapter Eleven
Aline
A tlas runs his hands down my arms. “You don’t know what he meant?” He’s already asked the same question in several different ways over the last twenty minutes. We shared a quick shower before Atlas helped me into fresh clothes, but I’m at a loss.
“I don’t,” I assure him. “I barely know them. We were in each other’s company for a day. I met them a handful of times prior to our wedding, and it was clear they wanted nothing to do with being mates. They didn’t even try to get to know me.”
“I’d been in the human realm for several years when your sister was assassinated,” Atlas says, watching me carefully.
“Almost assassinated,” I correct.
“To be fair, they succeeded until you intervened,” Hex says from behind me.
“Get out of my nest!” I spin around to face him. The handsome, infuriating man goes rigid at my words.
“The quickening approaches,” Atlas says, nuzzling his cheek to mine, but it’s clear he’s directing the words at Hex.
“Come downstairs. We need to speak.” Hex abruptly departs.
“I don’t think I like his tone.” Atlas squats down, sliding two thin black blades into each side of his boot before doing the other.
“If you think he’s bad, just wait until you get an earful of Silence, with his haughty I was born a prince entitlement.
” Hex is a prince of his court too, but he generally doesn’t act like one from the little I’ve seen.
He’s also the second son, meaning he wasn’t raised to rule like his older brother.
“That was hurtful,” the soothsayer in question calls from somewhere downstairs.
I sigh, snuggling into Atlas’s warmth. His T-shirt is smooth against my cheek as he palms the back of my head.
“You never have to face anything without me by your side,” Atlas murmurs, dipping his lips to mine. “I meant what I said. I’ll kill anyone who tries to keep me from you. I don’t think I could stop myself if I tried.”
“I believe you, and I love you for it,” I say and freeze.
“Don’t look so terrified, sweet fae. I’ve loved you for a long time too.” His lips meet mine in a kiss that sends fire coursing through my system. “Up,” Atlas growls between consuming kisses. He lifts me and heads out of his room. We make it down the stairs, all while he devours my mouth.
He takes the corner into the living room and places me back on my feet.
“Why don’t you start the coffee?” Atlas smirks. His snake bite piercings catch in the light while I’m still trying to make sure I can take a step without my knees embarrassingly turning to jelly.
My hands tremble as I get myself together enough to aim for the kitchen. I’m barely out of the room when I hear the commotion.
“You son of a bitch,” Hex growls.
“That was real motherfucking close to my aorta,” Silence snarls.
“I know.” Atlas laughs darkly. It’s an ominous sound that promises pain. I love it. “What I don’t know is why the fuck you’re in my home.”
“That’s our wife,” Hex says.
“Not just our wife,” Silence adds. “Ali is our mate.”
“Right,” Atlas says condescendingly. “So, what the fuck did you do to her? That’s the better question.”
My shoulders pull back from their slumped state. Atlas is honorable, even after the years I spent trying to ignore him. I have no doubt that his words are true, and he’ll defend me to his dying breath.
We’d never allow him to escape us that easily , something dark and horrifying says from inside me.
Okay, psycho magic. Yeah, that’s not concerning at all.
I shake away those thoughts and aim for the coffee maker. Normally, I go for tea, but my exhaustion seems to be catching up with me all at once.
I click the button on the machine.
Atlas is always well prepared.
I don’t linger. Instead, I head for the living room to see what’s happening.
I walk in and freeze. The showdown is apparent. My husbands stand with their arms crossed, glaring at Atlas. He smirks, stretching out an arm for me.
“Why are you here, other than to drag me back to Faere?” I ask as Atlas plants a huge hand on my hip.
“We’re here for you,” Hex says, frowning so hard, wrinkles appear on his forehead. “To be with you.”
“You accepted our agreement,” Silence says, sitting down on the edge of the coffee table. “You promised us three months to prove?—”
“You blackmailed me,” I snap. “With the safety and well-being of one of my oldest friend’s mate and child.”
“That was unfortunate timing.” Silence bows his head. “If I felt confident you would have given us a chance to reconnect without it, then?—”
“You’ll not gaslight my flame,” Atlas says.
“Fucking stars,” Hex mutters, swiping a hand over his face.
“I don’t even know what that term means,” Silence huffs.
“Your flame?” I ask, twisting to see Atlas’s face.
“That’s not the one I don’t understand,” Silence mutters.
“My heart’s flame—my other half. It took a bit of work to get you to notice me. That’s because of whatever damage those two inflicted on you.” Atlas brushes his lips over my forehead in a tender kiss. “If I’d known you in Faere, I would have claimed you then.”
“Is that why I feel like my chest sizzles every time we’ve touched since last night?” I ask, frowning. “We’ve grown close over the years. Why am I just now feeling our connection?”
“Rip my heart out, why don’t you?” Silence says.
“I have opinions on that,” Hex says, but he doesn’t sound pleased about it.
“It could’ve been that your magic was still healing and not prepared for another mate connection,” Atlas suggests.
I spent most of the night explaining the details of my magic and the specifics of how I left Faere. I’m pretty sure Atlas knew most of the information before I ever told him. Well, aside from the specifics on exactly what my magic can do.
Hex glares in our direction. “What the bloody fuck do you mean her magic is still healing?”
My body goes completely still.
That’s none of his business.
Hex and Silence don’t deserve to know anything about me. They forfeited that right.
“Alinelle?” Silence asks in a soothing tone he has no right to use.
“Did you honestly think you’d appear, and I’d just...” I grimace, because my tone sounds a bit hysterical. “Let you lull me into some false sense of security?”
It’s the mate bond connection.
We’re meant to be fated to one another. I’ve ignored the pull to the point that it feels like magnets yank my soul in their direction.
The universe wants us to honor that connection.
The universe can blow me.
“What is it you’re convinced we did?” Hex growls. “How the fuck can we begin rectifying our mistakes if you won’t tell us what we’ve done?”
I’m not a violent person. Not outside of my magic, anyway, so even I am surprised when I spin around, slamming the heel of my foot into his cock. I haven’t forgotten the decades of training I received from my mother’s best assassins.
“You...total asshole!” I snarl as Atlas wraps his arm around my middle.
I kick like a three-year-old having a tantrum as he carries me over, taking a seat on the couch with me on his lap.
“You’re very lucky I like you,” I grumble. “I could’ve gotten in at least one or two more good hits.”
Atlas beams so wide that I can see it, despite the awkward angle. “You make me happy, sweet fae.”
“Sweet?” Hex chokes. “This is the second time she’s gone for my nuts. She’s just damaged my ballocks for life. That’s not very sweet . I hope someone else has workable balls after this, otherwise we’ll never have fledglings.”
I freeze.
Atlas growls. The sound is incredibly chilling. I’d be afraid, but I have zero fear where he’s concerned.
“Mind your words,” Atlas snarls, tilting his head. “ Otherwise , I might allow myself to be lost to the haze of battle, and we’ll see who comes out victorious.”
“Of all the things,” Silence says, pushing off the coffee table and coming to kneel in front of us. “Why would that set you off?”
I scoff, shaking my head and glancing at my lap. If it wasn’t painful to be reminded of the truth, then I’d consider getting him in the balls too.
“Alinelle,” Silence says in a gentle tone I’ve never heard pass his lips. “Why would fledglings be a sensitive subject?” His eyes glow with his magic, but it won’t work on me.
Soothsayers may be among the most powerful of our kind, but our bond won’t allow him to force me. I don’t know the full extent of his gifts, but I know his kind can relive memories through the eyes of whoever they’re touching. I’d never give him the satisfaction of watching me grieve firsthand.
Other soothsayers have powers that manifest differently. They get visions of the future instead of the past; it’s a complicated magic I don’t fully understand.
Silence’s eyes glow even brighter as the hum of his power fills the air. He repeats the question.
“Because of the price she paid to heal her sister.” Atlas squeezes me tight around my middle.
I pat his arm to let him know I don’t hold him responsible.
Silence’s magic was whispered about in Faere. I heard rumors of the reach and gravity of his power before ever meeting him. As it turns out, my magic doesn’t like Silence using his gifts on Atlas.
“Never again,” I hiss, but the sound isn’t my voice. “Never use your magic on my mate again!”
“Ali...” Hex steps forward with palms raised. “You haven’t healed from paying the price for Aryndia and her fledgling?”
“Let me go,” I snap, trying to push out of Atlas’s hold. It’s not like I have anything to be embarrassed about, but it’s still hard to let anyone know of those wounds. After all, I did this to myself.
Atlas pulls me more firmly into his chest. “Nothing good comes from keeping secrets,” he murmurs into my ear. “I’m always on your side, no matter what. I am forever in your corner.”
“Then let me go,” I whimper, desperate to flee from my supposed husbands. Not just that. It wasn’t only a political marriage. These men are supposed to be my soulmates.
Mates are fiercely loyal and protective, but Atlas has shown me more of that than these two ever did.
“During your statement to the Seelie Court, you said that you always healed after paying your magic’s price,” Hex says, suddenly rigid.
“And she spoke the truth,” Silence says, frowning.
“I had only used that particular gift a few times, and the price was always temporary.” I shrug, rolling my jaw from side to side.
“The backlash was that severe?” Hex curses under his breath, spinning in a circle. “We warned them assassins planned to attack, but your mother was too prideful to listen.”
“What?” I slap Silence’s hand that rests on my knee. “Stop trying to touch me.”
“You know I’m incapable of lying. Why do you think we were so tense the day of our union?” Silence probes.
My jaw falls open as I scan for any hint of dishonesty.
“We heard whispers that there would be an attack.” Silence stares directly into my eyes. “That it would come from inside your mother’s court. We tried to warn them that not all Unseelie wish for a joint rule.”
I tear my eyes away from his and glance at Atlas over my shoulder. I genuinely trust his opinion, and I’m so confused. From what I understand, Silence is unable to lie, but Seelie can twist things.
“I don’t know anything about that.” Atlas brushes his fingers over my cheek.
“We had no hand in what transpired. We planned to keep close to you during the ceremony and return to my castle immediately after to ensure you were kept safe.” Silence doesn’t blink as he continues to stare like he can will me to believe his truth.
My mother was always a bit out of touch with the people of Faere. It’s not impossible for me to imagine her thinking she knew best. I’m sure she believed no one would attack her daughters in her castle. My sister, at least back then, mirrored my mother perfectly.
“They didn’t want any assistance; they wouldn’t even accept the extra guards we offered. Why do you think we refused to leave your side? Why do you think we were so feral with the drive to protect you?” Hex rants, pacing back and forth. His head shakes violently.
My eyes dart away as I retreat into Atlas’s hold. I wrap my arms around my middle, trying to settle the churning in my stomach. No, my system doesn’t like seeing him so miserable. It’s confusing. I don’t want to be the source of pain for either of them, but also...
“Neither of you showed a bit of interest in having me as your mate,” I snap, my emotions getting the better of me. “You might be telling the truth, but that doesn’t mean you’re trustworthy in general.”
“Ali,” Silence says in a defeated tone that my magic hates.
“You think you’re the only one who’s suffered?” Hex lets out a low growl, pointing to his chest. “I haven’t been able to let my beast out in twenty-three fucking years.” He points at me. “ You left us, you infuriating woman. You never gave us a chance before abandoning your fated fucking mates .”
He’s right about that, but I didn’t have a lot of options. My magic managed to tear a portal through to the human realm, and I chucked myself through it. Portals aren’t a gift I previously mastered, and I’ve never been able to create one since.
I viewed it as a sign my magic was trying to keep me alive.
I won’t apologize for that.
I jab a finger at Hex. “I was barely conscious, and your court wanted you to consummate our marriage.”
“We never would have,” Silence says. “Did we ever give you the impression that we could be capable of such a thing?”
“We were trying to placate them into a false sense of security and give ourselves enough time to make a plan of escape. All of us together . We were going to try to reunite you with your sister in the human realm.” Hex’s gaze moves to the ceiling as his head shakes violently. “You never trusted us.”
“From the sounds of it, you never gave her a reason to,” Atlas says, cuddling his cheek to mine from behind. “Mates or not, she wasn’t capable of reading your intentions without a bite to solidify the link. Don’t pass the blame.”