Chapter 29 – Malice
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Malice
“ F uck,” Atlas growls.
“I’m going to spank her ass for that,” Silence mutters.
“Me too,” Hex agrees.
“Don’t fret,” I tell Charity and Emerson. “We’ll be back with them before you know it.”
“Everyone, grab a shadow,” I grumble, mentally preparing myself for the agony I know is coming my way. They won’t make it, even with supernatural speed. The two fae hold their arrows at the ready, and that’s another concern.
There’s only one option, and that’s siphoning. Hopefully those fae fucks understand what they’ve done. I’m going to be very hungry when we land, and their nightmares are permanently on my menu.
Fiery pain rips through my cells as we tumble through the portal. I carefully coil my shadows tighter around my packmates as we jostle and jolt.
Hard stone comes into view within an instant. I pull up with all my might, but I have some heavy-ass monsters in my grip.
They slam against the floor in various crumpled heaps. My shadows thankfully save me from that landing as I listen to Silence bitch and groan. Oh well. If he can speak, that means he’s fine.
I dart off, searching for a dark corner. It’s probably best that we not show all of our cards at once. Luckily, the room is lit by candlelight, and there are plenty of darker areas for me to pop in and out of.
Ali stands, looking every bit the regal and elegant queen she is. Her birth order ensures that, by fae law, she should be the one sitting on that throne where her sister perches. My tendrils dance out like baby snakes, coiling their way around the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” Aryndia asks, hitting her feet.
“Alinelle?” Her hand flies to her mouth, putting on quite the production.
She’s too far from my reach, but it’s only a matter of time.
For all the hell she’s put my mate through, I’m not above mentally torturing a woman.
Especially considering it would only be with replaying her own sins.
“You wanted me and I’m here.” Ali’s shoulders pull back. “Have your henchman release those children, now!” Her magic echoes in her words, sending the order through the room filled with royals and the High Fae Council. Their eyes widen almost comically.
Bane pushes himself off the floor, making a move toward the kids, and two arrows pierce his chest. He looks down at the minor inconvenience, growling, “You motherfuckers are really trying my last goddamn nerve.”
“Banyan Oxtari?” Aryndia asks, slowly taking the stairs down to the others. “Why is he here?”
“He’s a wanted criminal,” Davick declares. “And I believe he made off with one of the dragon heirs upon his defection.”
“You stupid son of a bitch,” Bane snarls, shaking his head as he breaks off the end of one of the arrows.
My interest is only partially on the show they’re putting on. I’m far more interested in learning who conspired against the royal family on the day Ali was married.
“I’m serious.” Ali points a finger at Davick.
“Release them now.” She looks at her sister.
“Did you know he was going to break the accords with the human realm? Are you so far removed from reality that you’ve lost all your humanity?
Children aren’t a fucking bargaining chip. ” Fury vibrates off her in waves.
I’m practically giddy. I can’t wait to see what she’s truly capable of when pushed too far.
Silence and Hex frame her sides as Atlas slides a hand around her middle. She leans back into his chest, giving him a grateful smile over her shoulder.
“I know nothing of this,” Aryndia claims. “All I’ve wanted for years was to know that you’re okay. Are you sure those two at your side didn’t have something to do with it?”
“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that was the wrong thing to say.” I manifest in front of the queen. She jolts, but quickly rights herself.
Interesting.
“She’s still wanted for her crimes. Why isn’t she being taken into custody?” one of the old fucks on the council calls out.
“Go for it,” Hex growls, spinning to face them. “I motherfucking dare you.”
“This is the last time I’ll ask.” Ali looks straight at Davick. “This is between us. I want the children handed to Bane and his immediate return to the human realm.”
“Who do they belong to?” Korso asks. He’s Aryndia’s mate with a gift for portals. He takes the steps until he’s standing in front of Davick.
Davick opens his mouth to speak, but Ali cuts him off. “They belong to my friends. They were taken to force my compliance.”
“Gods,” Aryndia mutters, like she truly has no control over her court.
“Take them.” Korso gestures to Bane, who has successfully removed both the arrows.
Ember holds on to Veryn’s neck for dear life, and the boy runs his hand over her back. He’ll most certainly grow into a strong alpha one day.
Korso steps back, speaking to Bane too low for me to hear and then prepares to open a portal.
“If anything happens to them on the return trip.” I chuckle. “I’ll be forced to devour your souls.” It would take quite a lot of effort and continual feeding on their fears and regrets, but I am quite starving at the moment.
“You won’t have to.” Ali’s eyes glow pink with her magic.
“Do you know that I’ve spent the last twenty-plus years unable to heal from the magical backlash I suffered while saving you?
” She looks her sister dead in the eyes.
“All because of the bracelet I was given. It slowly poisoned me with Iron Ice.”
Aryndia gasps.
Korso opens the portal and Bane collects the children.
Ali steps up, running a hand over Ember’s hair. “You’ll be with Mommy soon.”
“Okay,” the girl says, shuddering out a breath.
Bane nods, stepping through the portal. Korso begins the process of closing it.
“Everyone except my advisors, clear the room,” Aryndia commands.
The majority of the room stands. They aim for the giant double doors at the back of the hall without a backward glance.
I frown. There goes more than half my meal.
“Ali, I had no idea,” Aryndia says.
My tendrils have fewer bodies to distract them. I instantly get to work, checking the remaining men and women. There are two women and seven men, including Davick. His protectors fled upon Aryndia’s order.
“Do you know who planned the attack on your wedding day?” I ask, siphoning around the room to check the few remaining fae for any culpability.
“What?” Aryndia’s gaze darts around the room, chasing my voice. Unfortunately for her, I’ve already gotten everything I need. I siphon back to Ali’s side.
“Ask your High Chancellor how he knew where to find her after so many years,” I suggest, raising my eyebrows.
Davick chooses not to answer, and Aryndia repeats the question as her mates get closer to her sides.
“It’s always so tedious.” I chuckle, releasing my shadows. They latch on to Davick, and he hits his knees. “No one ever wants to admit their sins.”
“I did wonder about that myself.” Silence turns to face me. “Did they somehow track me and Hex? Or was it removing the bracelet?”
I beam. I’m not sure why it tickles me to see my packmates trusting me, but it sure as fuck does.
“It was the bracelet. The High Chancellor had it spelled to begin tracking once it was removed. The fact we kept it in her office at The Den left us wide open for him to make a move. Luckily, he seems a bit tied up at the moment.” I snort.
They likely don’t realize the severity of the hell I’m currently exposing him to. It makes it even sweeter that it’s all of his own design. That sick fuck is into some creepy shit, and not much fazes me. I let him stew in his misery as conversation breaks out.
I stay focused on evaluating the remaining council members’ darkest fears.
I can’t weigh sins like Knight, the sin eater, nor can I judge their souls like Wraith, but most beings’ deepest fears are intertwined with their shame.
It makes it easy enough to parcel out who is afraid of their treachery coming to light.
Aryndia stands close to Ali. Their heads lean close together as they speak in hushed tones. I’m not sure what’s said, but Ali goes rigid. She takes a step back into Atlas’s chest.
“Why isn’t she being apprehended?”
“She’s still wanted for the murders on your union day.”
Both questions come from the crowd.
“Enough,” Aryndia hisses. “This is my sister and one of the heirs to the throne.”
“Oh no.” Ali’s head shakes. “I want no part of anything to do with this realm. My only goal in coming here was to ensure the safety of those kids. I’m still here for the sole reason of guaranteeing I won’t be bothered again.
” She trails fingers over Atlas’s hand that’s caressing her stomach. “I don’t want to live in fear anymore.”
“Fear?” Aryndia whispers. “I’ve looked for you for years to bring you home.”
“This isn’t my home anymore,” Ali says. “It never offered me the safety it does for you.”
“You may not have ill intent, but your court does,” I inform Aryndia.
“I can control my people,” she says in a tone that makes it clear she’s completely disconnected from reality.
Silence glares at the queen and her mates. “You may be queen, but you don’t control your court.”
I get close to Ali, whispering the truth of what I’ve uncovered from my search. Two men, outside of Davick, and one of the women in the room currently conspire to off their queen. They fully intend to succeed this time.
“Did you know Reighton has proposed to the queen?” I ask Silence. His younger brother hasn’t found his mate and, as such, has offered a purely political marriage to help unify the courts.
“I did not,” Silence mutters. “We’ve only been gone for a little over a month.”
“A lot has transpired,” Aryndia says.
“Oh, you have no idea.” Ali laughs mirthlessly. Her magic rises from her skin; light, sparkly pink energy glows in her eyes and on her hands. “Let me make something very clear.” She steps around Hex, glaring at the audience.