Chapter 27 – Silence
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Silence
M y nerves are bloody shot. I don’t know how the others are managing it, but I’m not. Not at fucking all.
Having my mate out of my sight when our bond is still so fresh is painful. Fine, not physically. But emotionally, it’s pure turmoil.
I nod at the closing bartenders and aim for the storeroom. I found a nice little passageway that gets me from Venom over to The Den without having to see anyone.
I’m not sure if this is purely the fatherly instinct taking over, but I’m utterly fucking petrified to be away from my mate.
We’ve not had the opportunity to fertilize the clutch Hex implanted.
I’m not the only one who grumbled when Ali woke up this afternoon, insisting she get back to work.
After the old witch visited yesterday, Ali immediately fell back to sleep for another nearly fourteen hours. However, she woke this morning, starving and in good spirits. We were warned she would likely sleep for extreme periods over the first week.
“Hey,” Malice says, stepping out of the shadows as I’m about to take the curve back toward The Den.
I jolt, slamming my fist into his gut, and grimace. “Uh, sorry about that.”
“Motherfucker, I knew I should have manifested slower,” he groans. “The look on your face almost made that shot worth it. My kidney feels differently, but?—”
“Did you retrieve them?” I ask, suddenly on high alert.
“I did.” He manifests Ali’s bracelet and necklace, holding them out with a shadow. “There’s something fundamentally off about that bracelet.”
“I know,” I agree, sighing heavily.
“It never caught my attention in the dream realm.” He frowns. “Now that you’ve pointed it out, it’s clear as fuck . It’s toxic.”
“I need to examine it to see if I can pick up any memories associated with its creation or the intent related to giving it to her right before her sister was attacked.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Malice agrees, grabbing my arm. We spill through the shadows, ending up in the corner of Ali’s office. She’s resting with her head on Hex’s shoulder. He’s stretched across the small couch, studying her face like a total fucking creep.
I ignore the fact I spent several hours doing the same while she hibernated after Hex planted our clutch of eggs. I don’t care if I can’t produce eggs. Those babies will be as much mine as they are his. Sure, it’s a genetic impossibility at this point, but any child Ali carries will be mine.
“Hey.” She pops up, giving a soft smile when she spots me.
My feet propel me forward, and I don’t stop until I reach her. Bending down, I give her a tender kiss.
“So, are we doing this? I’m not going to lie—this piece of jewelry gives me the creeps,” Malice says, drawing my attention.
“Oh, you got it.” Ali perfectly echoes my earlier sentiments.
“Indeed.” Malice drops it on the coffee table. “The necklace is lovely, though. I’m quite fond of seeing you in it from your dreams. It’s also not a dangerous artifact.”
“Might as well try it now.” I kneel at the edge of the table, hovering my hands over the bracelet. Pastel green shimmery magic spills from my palms as my eyes close.
My eyes dart around as I attempt to determine where I’ve landed.
I’m in the Unseelie keep; it’s clear by the chill in the air and the table I look upon. It’s full of faces I recognize.
Ali’s mother sits at the head of the table, with her council seated around her. Aryndia sits at her mother’s left, but Ali is clearly not privy to this meeting.
“You’re sure it won’t hurt her?” Aryndia glances away from the bracelet Ali has worn for so many years.
“Not outside of tempering her magic,” Davick says. He’s the High Chancellor of the Unseelie.
I’ve been convinced for many years that he had a hand in the attack.
The years Aryndia was gone from Faere, Davick ruled in place of the royal family, but it’s clear that hasn’t happened yet. I’m sure this meeting is prior to our wedding day.
“She’s already promised that she won’t use her power,” Aryndia says, shoving out of her chair. “It’s unnecessary and borderline cruel. How would you feel being cut off from your magic?”
“My magic isn’t a curse,” Davick replies in a condescending-as-hell tone. “The only thing in the kingdom that even begins to temper her power is Iron Ice. There are trace amounts in the clasp. No more than the tiniest shavings diluted in the metal to prevent detection.”
“Are you really so sure she’ll never falter?” the queen asks her daughter. “You’ll be at the head of this table soon. You can’t show favoritism, not even for your twin.”
Aryndia paces the room, looking from her mother to the bracelet.
“What will you do if the Seelie learn what she can do?” the queen prompts. “Would you start a war to save one person?”
“She’s your daughter,” Aryndia hisses, clutching at her chest.
“I’m mother to an entire people.” The queen stands. “As you will be. Do you give her a gift to help ensure she won’t slip up? Or do you risk the chance?”
“I won’t be a part of this,” Aryndia says, storming out.
“That went well,” Davick says, frowning at the door. “Will she warn Alinelle?”
“No. Give her some time to come to her senses. They’ve always been close.” The queen’s eyes dart away from the bracelet. “How will we ensure it makes it into her possession?”
“Leave that part up to me,” Davick says, pulling on a set of thick leather gloves before lifting the bracelet and dropping it into an equally heavy sack.
“I’m going to have it treated by an apothecary I trust. He believes he can fashion it to only affect those with skin-to-skin contact.
Although, there’s every possibility it will need to be treated again in a few years. ”
“That’s better than nothing. There’s an equal chance someone will notice once we’re no longer able to control who enters her orbit.” The queen sighs, shaking her head. “We’ll face that bridge when we come to it.”
“All of this could have been prevented. I did recommend barring her from attending the matching ceremony, if you remember.” Davick grimaces, as if he knows he’s overstepped.
“Allow one daughter and not the other? Can you imagine the uproar from the people?” The queen crosses her hands in front of her middle. “At this point, all we can do is mitigate the damage.”
My vision returns to the present. I’m shocked to feel my wife’s hand cradling my own.
My jaw falls, but I grab her arm, and she allows me to pull her into my chest.
“Did you...” My lips blow together as I contemplate how to ask if she witnessed what I did.
“Yeah,” she agrees, snuggling into my side. “I can’t believe I was poisoning myself for years and had no idea.”
Hex growls, leaning forward, but I shake my head.
Now isn’t the time.
I’ll fill them in later.
“There’s no way you could’ve known.” I kiss her forehead. “Any other fae would’ve died from prolonged exposure to the Iron Ice. Thankfully, your magic is powerful enough that you barely even noticed.”
“Come on, sweet fae,” Atlas says, coming to scoop her up. I guess he joined us while I was in the memory of the past. “Let’s get you home.”
“Which house?” she asks, blinking up at him.
“Whichever you prefer,” Atlas says indulgently.
We end up at Atlas’s house. Ali is unsettled and unusually quiet. The mood is somber for all of us. Not in my wildest imagination did I consider her family might be involved with the bracelet.
I don’t believe for a second that the queen or Aryndia had a hand in the attack on our wedding day. Meaning, that mystery is still unsolved.
Ali allows Hex to help her shower, but she retires to the nest instead of Atlas’s room. I’m just climbing out of the guest shower when Malice appears in the doorway.
I jolt, grabbing my towel.
“I wouldn’t bother,” he says, chuckling. “Our sweet princess is requesting that all of us sleep with her in the nest tonight.”
“Really?”
“Indeed,” he agrees.
“I’ll be right along,” I assure him.
He swirls out in a cloud of shadows.
I make quick work of drying off and head for the nest in the guest bedroom. Ali’s begging moans radiate through the door. I shove inside completely nude. My cock sways, already thickening at the sound of her tantalizing begging.
She’s riding Hex, who’s fully in his human form.
Malice is poised at her side in a kneeling position, but his shadows have him raised in the air.
It’s quite an intriguing sight. He reminds me of a genie on their carpet, but it’s a swirl of dark shadows keeping him suspended as Ali swallows his length.
My hand slides down, palming my erection. I’ve always had a bit of a voyeuristic side. Although, I’ll definitely be participating in this group activity.
“Get in here,” Hex growls.
I stumble forward, taking in every inch of Ali’s glorious skin on full display.
“Ahh, yes,” Malice says, palming the back of her head. “I’ve got a shadow stretching her out for you.”
My jaw falls, but I scramble up the steps. My knees hit the mattress, and Ali’s pheromones flood my senses. The darling little fae is still experiencing erratic symptoms from her quickening.
“If you don’t get inside her, then you’re likely to miss your chance,” Hex growls.
Ali grinds her hips, bouncing on his length, and Hex groans.
“Fuck her pussy,” Malice suggests, giving me a look that indicates I should hurry.
I crawl over Hex’s legs as Ali begs around Malice’s shaft. A shadow extends, offering me a bottle of lube, and I apply a generous amount.
Malice retracts his shadow from her cunt, and I slide in two fingers to test the fit. My head shakes; I don’t think this is a good idea.
“She managed Atlas and me simultaneously,” Malice says, tenderly caressing her cheek. “And begged for more the entire time.”
“Are you—” I start.
Ali pops off Malice’s dick. “I’m so sure. I need your cum, please.” Her long eyelashes flutter.