17. Shade
Aflora appeared in our meadow,her cloak billowing in the smoke around her. Ella collapsed beside her on a scream that had Kols running right for her.
I grabbed Aflora, checking her for signs of injury beneath the dark fabric surrounding her smaller frame. “Where did you find this?” I asked, stroking my palm down the cloak along her arm. The foreign material contained an electric current, the magic running through it unlike any I’d ever felt.
“I don’t know,” she whispered, her blue eyes peering up at me from beneath the hood. “He killed Anrika, Shade. And Emelyn.”
I flinched, having heard those details from her mind.
“There were others, too,” she continued. “And they were cheering. Happy. Reveling in the deaths of fellow fae.” Her anger lashed at my senses, but her expression radiated pain. “How can they be so cruel and disrespectful with life?”
“Because they’ve been led to believe it’s the only way,” my grandmother replied from the tree line, her voice soft and carrying through the meadow on a subtle breeze. She stepped into view beneath the rising sun, her dark hair glittering with the light.
No cookies.
A good sign.
But my grandfathers were behind her, which meant they felt the need to protect her.
Not a good sign.
But as Zeph and Zakkai burst into the meadow, I realized why. While my grandmother admired and respected Zakkai, my grandfathers interpreted his abilities as a potential threat.
An apt reaction. Zakkai was fucking powerful. However, I trusted him with Aflora because I felt her faith in him through the bonds.
“Aflora,” he said, his palm finding her face beneath the hood and pulling her to him.
Zeph studied her expression for a beat beside him, pacifying himself with her safety, before switching focus to the shrieking female on the ground.
Ella hadn’t stopped crying.
She was telling Kols everything that had happened to Tray, how the Council had taken him and changed him into a dark figure of who he should be. She told him about his father as well, saying Malik was acting just like Tray. And she no idea what had happened to Kols’s mother, either. She hadn’t seen her in weeks.
“But they’re not themselves, Kols. It’s not Tray. And your dad isn’t your dad,” she was repeating again now. “I… I don’t know what the Elders or the Council did… but he… Tray told them to kill me. He gave them permission to… to…” She trailed off on a broken sound, and Zeph knelt beside her, his protective energy pouring over her.
“He was surrounded by dark magic.” Aflora swallowed. “I could see it, the ropes binding him, but I didn’t know how to free him. There wasn’t time. And I wasn’t sure if… if the Hell Fae realm would accept him like that.”
“It would have triggered the wards,” my grandmother confirmed.
“With Ella, I somehow knew the wards would accept her. It was instinctual,” Aflora continued as though she hadn’t heard anyone else. “But Tray… we need to go back?—”
“Constantine will be waiting,” Zakkai interjected, his thumb hooking beneath her chin to pull her attention to him. “He won’t hurt Tray. He already has him on a leash. And if anything, he’ll use him as bait. Which means he needs him alive.”
Kols growled, not liking the sound of that at all.
He’s right, I whispered to his mind. Constantine won’t hurt him any more than he already has. And we need time to formulate a plan. Reacting rashly is what your grandfather wants.
You think I don’t know that? the Elite Blood snapped back at me.
I met his burning irises.
He glared back.
I’m making sure you don’t run off and do something that will hurt us all,I told him softly. He’s your twin, Kolstov. We don’t always think rationally when it comes to those we love.
My words and concern came from a tender place inside me that had only ever existed for Aflora. But my relationship with Kols had evolved over the last two months, becoming something I could never have anticipated.
I cared about him.
And last night, we’d shared something… different.
We’d also solidified our mating, having bitten each other several times during our sexual moments with Aflora. He was firmly inside me, just as much as I was inside him.
Which meant he could feel all my emotions, hear my concern, and understood the reasoning behind my words.
While the statements irritated him—his mind quickly telling me that he would never react without thinking through his actions first—he also appreciated my concern.
We’ll work together to bring him back, I promised him. We’ll help your dad, too. And I’m sure your mom is okay, just locked up somewhere.
He grimaced.
We’re going to save them, I reiterated, ensuring he heard me.
I know, he replied after a beat, his glare softening to display a measure of understanding before his focus shifted to Aflora. His mind fought for a change of subject, his need for a distraction clear as he whispered, That cloak is radiating dark energy.
Yes.I could feel it beneath my fingertips.
Zakkai seemed equally enthralled by it, his palms roaming over the fabric in a similar way to mine moments ago. “This is a gift from the source,” he marveled.
“Yes,” my grandmother agreed, reminding us all of her presence. “And I have the matching staff.”
We all looked at her. “Matching staff?” I repeated.
She merely smiled, then cocked her head. “Come. Breakfast is almost ready.”
“Cookies?” I asked warily.
“Eggs,” she replied. “And blood shakes. Aflora will need one soon. As will Ella.”
“Will Lucifer be okay with her presence here?” Zakkai wondered out loud, voicing a concern I hadn’t considered.
My grandmother’s blue eyes sparkled knowingly as she glanced at him. “Yes, Kai. I cleared it with him already.”
“Have you cleared anything else with him?” he pressed.
She blinked. “Why? Do you sense something?”
He didn’t reply, just stared at her.
She studied him for a long moment, then turned toward the trees without another word.
His jaw ticked in reply. “She’s not telling us something.”
“Welcome to my world,” I muttered.
“You mean other people keep secrets from you?” Zeph asked, feigning a note of shock. “How horrible for you. I have no idea how that feels.” The sarcasm in his tone made me snort.
“Where are we?” Ella’s soft tones drew our focus to her. She hadn’t moved away from the ground, her pale features marred by tears. But she seemed to have stopped crying for now, her attention distracted by the meadow around us and the rising sun.
“A paradigm within the Hell Fae realm,” Aflora replied. She pulled away from me and Zakkai to look at Ella. “And I’ll get Tray back for you. Soon.” She sounded so regal and confident, the dark source swarming around her with free abandon.
I glanced at Zakkai and then at Kols. Both of them were studying her cloak again.
Zakkai spoke first. “You accepted the dark source, passing your third trial.”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “But I’m still the Earth Fae Queen, too.”
“Because you taught the sources how to play nicely together,” Zakkai said, appreciation evident in his tone and features. “It’s beautiful, Aflora.” He stepped toward her again, his palm returning to her face as he tipped her head back for a kiss. “You’re stunning.”
She returned his embrace, her power flowing openly through all our bonds.
“Breakfast will get cold.” My grandmother’s voice carried to us on the breeze once more, her energy brushing my skin. “Aflora needs blood.”
“I do,” my mate confirmed, her voice suddenly tired. “The source… requires it.”
“Yes,” Kols agreed, his tone soft. “It’s taxing and will need to be fed daily.”
Aflora nodded, her hand reaching for mine. “Lead the way, Shade.” Energy sizzled along her palm, crawling up my arm as I laced our fingers together. She’d definitely grown in power, her acceptance of the source subtly altering her.
She no longer doubts herself, Kols said to me. That’s what you’re sensing. She finally sees herself as the rightful queen.
I think it’s more than that,I replied. It’s not that she sees herself as the rightful queen so much as she wants to help those who need her, to be the queen they deserve, and to remove the ones tainting the Midnight Fae realm.
When I’d crashed through her walls earlier, I’d felt her uncertainty and her displeasure over the pain lurking inside the dark source. She wanted to fix it, to become the entity that righted the wrongs of others, that set the Midnight Fae on the correct path.
It was what made her the perfect queen—she always put others before herself. She understood the value of leading by example. And she would never allow the power to consume her.
Her blue eyes slid to mine from beneath her cloak, her expression warm and welcoming. I love you, Shadow. I love that you see me.
We all see you, little rose,I told her. And we all love you.
Her lips curled.
I stopped walking to pull her in for a kiss, my lips whispering over hers as I said, “And I more than love you, Aflora. You’re my reason for everything.”
They were publicly said words meant for her ears alone. But all her mates heard them.
No one commented.
No one interrupted.
They just allowed the moment to prosper for one beautiful second, then I resumed our path toward my grandmother’s home. It came into view beyond the trees, the door open in invitation.
All six of us entered, the room expanding to accommodate us all as we stepped inside. “Clever,” Zakkai murmured, impressed by the magic.
The table elongated as well, then several chairs appeared out of thin air. I led Aflora to one and took a seat beside her. Zakkai settled on her opposite side. Zeph, Kols, and Ella all sat across from us. Then my grandfathers took the heads of the table, leaving the chair across from Aflora available for my grandmother.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Kols said, looking at my grandfather Vadim. “But I can see the resemblance.” He glanced at me and then back at my grandfather.
We both had dark hair, ice-blue eyes, and sharp cheekbones. He also somewhat resembled my mother, but Kols wouldn’t know that, as my mother was rarely seen in public.
Grandfather Kodiak resembled a Fortune Fae with his bulkier build and alpha fangs. Although, his blue eyes weren’t slitted like a true alpha, his transition having been paused in a unique way when he’d mated with my grandmother.
“King Vadim, yes?” Kols continued.
“I prefer Vadim, no ‘King,’?” my grandfather replied, his lips twitching as he glanced at his Fortune Fae Alpha mate.
“Not happening,” Grandfather Kodiak murmured.
“Pity,” Grandfather Vadim replied.
My grandmother snorted as she set a glass of blood in front of my grandfather Vadim, then she passed an orange juice to Grandfather Kodiak. “Behave.”
“Never,” they said at the same time.
“I feel like this is my future,” Aflora murmured, blinking at the two men. “Only multiplied by two.”
My grandmother smiled at her. “A beautiful path, yes?” She reached for the blender to pour Aflora a shake, then brought it over to the table. Her blue irises landed on the rest of us, her gaze calculating. Then she went back to the blender to create more.
I magicked a straw for Aflora, sliding it into her drink before she could take a sip. Thank you, she whispered into my mind.
You’re welcome.I kissed her temple and waited for my grandmother to finish serving everything. I would have offered to help, but I knew she’d scold me for trying. She liked to entertain. This house was her domain, something both my grandfathers knew and respected, so they didn’t try to assist either.
Omegas were particular about their space.
Especially with a nest nearby.
She adorned the table with a platter of eggs, a dish of bacon, a basket of breakfast pastries, and more red-tinted shakes. Then she placed a floral fruit salad adorned with leaves in front of Aflora.
“Oh, look, mustard berries,” Zeph said conversationally.
“I believe they’re called mouseberries,” my grandmother corrected.
“See?” Aflora arched a brow. “Mouseberries.”
“Hmm,” he hummed, reaching across the table to steal one from her plate. “Delicious.”
“Liar,” she replied, grinning. “Thank you, Zen.”
“Of course, dear. I didn’t think you would enjoy the bacon.” She sat down with a flourish as my grandfather Kodiak began to assemble her plate. She might have served us all, but he would ensure she had the first helping.
We all waited as the Fortune Fae Alpha worked. He assembled a dish for Grandfather Vadim as well, then started on his own before handing the serving utensils to Zakkai.
It was a symbolic gesture, one that said he felt Zakkai was the unequivocal alpha of our circle.
Kols met my gaze with a smirk, having heard my thoughts. Don’t tell Zeph.
Not today, anyway, I agreed, momentarily entertained. But when this is all said and done? No promises.
Deal,Kols agreed.
Zakkai, who was very well versed in Fortune Fae formalities, assembled a plate for me first, suggesting he saw me as the group Omega. I rolled my eyes at him. “Hilarious.”
He just grinned and went about creating a dish for Kols, who was equally unamused by his antics.
Then he started assembling a dish for Zeph, only for the Guardian to say, “I’ll get my own.”
Whether he understood the significance of that or not, I wasn’t sure.
Zakkai replied by finishing the plate and handing it to Ella.
“Thank you,” she whispered, clearly overwhelmed by the table politics.
Zakkai didn’t acknowledge her gratitude, instead looking at Aflora. “Do you want anything else, little star?”
She shook her head, already halfway through her fruit plate. “No, thank you.”
He kissed her temple, slowly fixed himself a plate, and eventually passed the utensils to a quietly simmering Zeph. “Here,” he said.
Kols bit his lip to keep from smiling.
I just shook my head at their dominance war. Apparently, the little fuck fest yesterday hadn’t solved their alpha duel problem.
But it was a little less tense, like the two of them knew how to see eye to eye and work together now. At least where Aflora was concerned.
She sipped her shake through the straw, then watched as I took a bite of eggs with bacon. Her nose crinkled as she leaned forward to sniff my plate. “Troll fat?” she asked, making me choke.
“What?”
“Cooked troll fat,” she replied, grimacing. “You call it bacon?”
My grandmother released a small laugh. “It’s from a pig in the Human Realm.”
Aflora blanched. “A pig?”
“You remember that brown crap on the bloody noodles?” Kols asked conversationally, causing Aflora’s eyes to round.
“Ugh, yes. Don’t remind me.”
He chuckled, then shoveled a forkful of egg and bacon into his mouth with an “Mmm” sound.
She gagged and focused on her fruit salad again—a fruit salad that magically grew as Zeph discreetly hummed a spell. Some of her disgust seemed to melt at the sight of her colorful berries, her gaze flicking up to him in clear gratitude.
He winked in response.
Then the rest of us ate in silence.
Ella was the only one who didn’t seem to share in any of our amusement, her expression melancholy as she forced herself to sip her shake.
My heart ached for her. “Have you seen or heard from Ajax?” I asked her softly.
Her blue eyes lifted to mine, the sadness in them making my stomach clench.
I swallowed. “What happened to Ajax?”
She shook her head, a tear falling down her cheek. “They… they separated all of us. He was in line behind me. In line to be…”
“Executed,” Aflora finished for her, magic seeming to swirl around her being. “I have to?—”
“He’s safe,” my grandmother said, reaching for her hand. “Trust me.”
“Safe like Aflora’s parents were safe?” Zakkai asked. “Or safe like Aflora is now, safe?”
“Careful,” Grandfather Kodiak warned in a low growl.
Zakkai looked at him without an ounce of fear. “It’s a fair question, Kodiak.”
“Your uncle has him,” my grandmother said. “With Kyros.”
My shoulders sagged in relief. If Tadmir and Kyros had Ajax, then he was fine. Unless… “Does he know about Emelyn?”
“Yes.” My grandmother’s expression was sad. “That’s why Tadmir has him. He’s trying to calm him down.”
“Does he know about his parents yet?” Zakkai asked.
“His parents?” I repeated.
Aflora gasped, dropping her fork. “The two bodies under Anrika…”
Zakkai cast her an apologetic look. “Yes, little star.”
“Oh, Fae…”
My appetite dissolved, the food in my stomach beginning to turn restlessly inside me. Fuck. “I need a minute,” I said, pushing away from the table to step outside. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
Ajax’s parents had already been attacked once. Now they were dead? And Emelyn, too?
I felt Kols join me, his warmth a presence at my back. Why would Ajax care about Emelyn? he asked softly, his mind searching mine. I didn’t reply, but he found the answer he wanted lurking inside my mind. Ah. I see.
He leaned against the house, blowing out a breath. “Shit.”
“An adequate summary,” I muttered, pacing and running my fingers through my hair. Ajax was strong. He could withstand a lot. But this… “I need to find him.”
“No,” he replied.
“What do you mean, no?” He had to know me well enough by now to realize that I didn’t adhere to authority. I managed my own life, made my own choices, and I wasn’t about to bend to his will in the process.
“I mean, no,” he reiterated, his tone all regal elegance. “You can’t go to him.”
“Fuck off,” I said, no longer interested in whatever he had to say. “Just because we’re bonded doesn’t mean you have a say in what I do and don’t do now.” Only Aflora had that right. No one else.
“Yet you felt the need to remind me of my purpose here when you felt my yearning to go to Tray, and that was all of, what, thirty minutes ago?” His bronze irises narrowed. “Is this truly so different, Shadow?”
His words hit me in the heart, the rightness of them drawing a curse from my lips. Because fucking Fae, he was right.
I gripped my hair by the roots and closed my eyes.
He pressed a palm to my lower back half a beat later.
Then he pulled me into his arms, offering me a hug that I hadn’t realized I needed. Part of me wanted to punch him for touching me, for correcting my path before I could even walk down it. And a weaker part of me just wanted to collapse.
I’d played with time, nearly costing Kols his life.
And now Emelyn, Anrika, and Ajax’s parents were gone.
Never to return.
Dead.
Because of me?I wondered. Because of my altering of fate?
Because of my grandfather, Kols corrected, his opposite arm wrapping around my shoulders to squeeze me tight. Not you, Shadow. Never you.
I released a shuddering breath, my heart in my throat.
Then I buried my face in his neck and inhaled his spicy aftershave. It was underlined with roses, reminding me of Aflora. You smell like our mate, I mused.
So do you,he murmured. But not roses. I smell power and mint.
That could just be me, I drawled.
He chuckled and let me go with a shake of his head. “You wish.” Then he clapped me on the shoulder. “You good?”
“No,” I admitted. “But I will be.”
He nodded. “When we kill my grandfather.”
“When we kill your grandfather,” I agreed.
“Sounds like the perfect date,” Zeph said from the doorway, his shoulder propped up against the door frame. “Will there be chocolates and flowers afterward?”
“Depends on our mate,” Kols replied, turning toward him with a grin. “Or maybe just some paste.”
“Mmm, now you’re speaking my language.” Zeph pulled Kols in for a searing kiss before meeting my gaze in challenge. Mine, he was saying.
I rolled my eyes. “He’s all yours, Headmaster.” Except for when Aflora wanted to play with us again. Then I’d indulge her desires because they were secretly becoming mine, too.
I heard that, Kols murmured.
I wasn’t exactly hiding it,I told him.
No.His auburn hair flickered like fire from the sunlight spilling in through the trees, the ash-tipped strands particularly bright. No, you’re no longer hiding at all. A hint of emotion touched his bronze irises. I can feel what you’ve sacrificed for us, Shadow.
My first instinct was to shove him out of my head, but I was too tired to try. If he wanted to play in my memories, I’d allow it.
They don’t understand what you’ve given up for us, but I do. As does Aflora.
I didn’t reply.
Because there really wasn’t much left to say.
We’re on the right path now,he whispered. Now come back inside.
He turned to lead the way with Zeph beside him.
Zakkai glanced up as I walked inside. He had his arm around Aflora’s chair, his thumb brushing her back through the cloak. She’d dropped her hood but remained otherwise wrapped up in it.
Which reminded me of why we’d come here in the first place. “Tell us about this staff,” I told my grandmother. “Please.”