Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Prince Dragor had tightened his grip on me since the announcement of Vesper’s marriage to his brother.
And truthfully, I’d done nothing to resist his demands.
He wanted me close and only permitted me to leave his side when he was resting for the night or taking meetings he didn’t want me listening in on.
Tension was mounting in Wrathbane Palace. Every single Fae within its walls was on edge.
The king had chosen his heir. And though he still might change his mind before death stole him into its clutches, the word had gone out that he had made his choice.
Of course he hadn’t announced it though.
He’d written his decision onto a scroll which he kept in a sealed box that was with him at all times.
The box would only open after his death and in the presence of all four of his children.
The suspense had everyone full of anxiety. Everyone but me. I was simply hoping the oncoming revelation would provide something stimulating enough to tear me from my spiralling hollowness.
This place wasn’t meant for me. It was too cold. Too barren. I missed the sight of the rolling hills, blue skies spreading endlessly above them. I missed the scents of the forests and the richness of the greenery that filled my homeland.
I didn’t allow myself to dwell too long on what else I missed. The company of my family and friends, the familiarity of my own name on the lips of someone who cared for me.
They were all lost to me long ago.
And my legacy was to become the puppet of my enemy.
Dragor was in a foul mood, his wrath spilling out at any Fae unfortunate enough to cross his path. He’d called on Vesper twice since the news of her marriage to his brother had been announced and he’d been refused twice too.
His plans for her were falling apart and his rage at her grew just as my torment over her built too.
“Go,” Dragor snarled at me. “Have a few hours to yourself. But I expect you to be present for the morning meal.”
I needed to expel some magic and he knew it. Dragor might have permitted me the full use of my power now but it was hard to wield it when we were constantly surrounded by courtiers and guards who were not allowed to know that I wasn’t air-born.
I turned and stalked away from him as he headed into his chambers, no words leaving my lips, my hands aching with the desire to release my power from them. ideally in a way that resulted in his death. Though we both knew my vow to him ensured I did no such thing.
I rolled my shoulders back, resisting the call of the skies.
As much as I would have liked to take flight in the darkness I knew I needed to make use of my magic first. But my power was still lower than I’d have liked.
Dragor was careful not to let me have access to treasure, ensuring I wasn’t able to replenish my magic at any real rate.
The collar I wore at all times was valuable of course, but whatever foul power clung to the green gemstones imbedded in it seemed to nullify my ability to recharge from it.
I climbed the stairs of the eastern tower, taking them two at a time and ignoring any Fae I came across. They were mindful to keep out of my way, their apprehensive eyes clinging to me as I passed them. I had no desire to speak with any of them regardless.
There had only been one person in this cursed place whose company I sought out and now I had no desire for hers either.
But fate liked to kick me whenever I thought to make a decision for myself. So, as I opened the door to my chambers, I found her there waiting for me, sitting on my bed, her pale pink hair loose around her shoulders, a cream and gold gown fitting her perfectly and suiting her not at all.
“Get out,” I snarled, gripping the door as I held it wide, fire licking up the back of my throat, my Dragon roused in anger.
“And if I refuse?” she asked, not moving an inch. She should have been born to Avanis because she was as cold and immovable as stone.
“I can force you.” I didn’t move towards her. Holding my place at the door was the best form of restraint she was going to get from me.
Vesper looked me over, her eyes roaming across my body in a slow assessment which ended with the hint of a smirk on her pretty lips.
“Perhaps,” she agreed. But still, she didn’t move.
I growled at her, baring my teeth like the beast I was, my restraint close to snapping.
“We should talk.” She flicked her fingers and a sharp gust of wind snatched the door from my grip, slamming it shut. A silencing shield followed, engulfing us both.
Rage burned in my gut but I held it in check, my hand moving to the lock and turning it with a sharp click.
Her smirk grew.
“Stop that,” I sneered.
“Stop what?”
“That fucking death grin. The witch’s mask you so enjoy donning. I’ve seen beneath it and I don’t care for its return.”
Her smile faded, her lips pursing in place of it.
“You’re angry,” she stated as if that were some revelation.
“And you’re a fucking hypocrite. Did you only come here so we could toss obvious facts at one another?”
Her brow furrowed, her lips parting, and for a moment I thought she might be going to offer me something real. But then her gaze shuttered and she stood, smoothing down the skirt of her dress.
“This was a mistake. I’m leaving.”
She strode towards me, chin high, cold, grey eyes meeting mine and challenging me to stop her.
But I didn’t want to stop her. I wanted her to walk out of that door and keep fucking walking. I wanted to forget everything about her from her traitorous lips to her devious soul.
I stepped aside as she reached the door, moving my gaze to the wall while she turned the lock and pulled it open. The solid stone of the wall looked back at me. Empty. Vacant. So void of colour and life, like everything else in this place. Everything but her.
She would keep walking. I knew her well enough to understand that much.
If I let her go now, she wouldn’t return.
Her pride was too fragile to allow it. The fact that she’d come here at all was more than I would have expected in the first place.
My dismissal would be a bruise to her ego which she wouldn’t risk a second time.
This was it for us. I could listen to the sound of her steps retreating and close this door between us for good. Or I could take one last chance on the only bit of hope I’d managed to find in this fucking hell of a land and time.
Vines snapped from my fingers before I’d fully made my choice, the length of them banding around her waist and hauling her back into the room, all the way into my arms.
A soft gasp escaped her as I shoved her against the door to close it again, one hand pinning it shut above her head, the other turning the lock once more.
“Tell me,” I growled, bearing down on her, my height so much greater than hers that she was forced to tip her chin right up to meet my gaze.
Strands of pink hair kissed her cheeks where I’d dishevelled them, and bolts of lightning sparked in her pupils where she wore her anger at me without any attempt to conceal it.
“Tell you what?” she breathed and I exhaled another growl, warning her how close I was to losing myself to the beast within me.
“I’ve seen your demons, spectre. I know what this place has taken from you.
” I took my hand from the lock and moved it between her and the door, running my fingertips up her spine where the dress left it bare and tracing the place where her wings should have been able to burst free of her flesh.
“So don’t bullshit me. Tell me why you sold your soul to this place all over again and accepted that monster’s hand in marriage? ”
“We’re all monsters here, Bastian. Did you forget that just because I have a pretty face? I’m the same as the rest of them and you know it.”
“You’re worse,” I spat and she stiffened before pushing up onto her tiptoes to close the distance between us further.
“Oh, I know. I’ve carved up every piece of myself on the path to claim that title. And now here I am, wearing a crown to prove I earned it.”
“You didn’t earn shit. You just let them pull your strings and then you thank them for the scraps they feed you in payment for being a good little witch whenever they need to trot you out and make use of you. Do you think you escaped Dragor by trading him in for his brother?”
“I’m not a fool.”
“Are you sure? Because you look like a damn fool from where I’m standing. Dragor will kill you for this.”
“Dragor will simply try to use me the way he’s always done. He’ll want me feeding him secrets about his brother and staying in place for whatever other plans he has. Besides, from where I’m standing you’re the one who looks the fool. Who do you think told me to go along with the marriage?”
Her hand slapped against my chest as she tried to force me back a step but I only bore down on her further, my chest pressing against her as I boxed her in against the door.
“Dragor wanted this too?” I demanded, my mind racing with the knots she’d tied herself in.
“Of course he did. I’m beholden to him, aren’t I? Just like you are – in case you forgot. Though I made use of his demand on me and managed to sever my ties to him.”
“How?” I snarled.
“He wanted me wedded, and I wanted off my leash. So now I’m free. I can hunt down the man who killed my sisters and–”
“Then why are you wasting your time hanging around here? Don’t tell me you came to say goodbye?
” I scoffed at her, shoving off of the door and stalking away, unable to bear how fucking stupid she’d been.
Why would she entangle herself further with these people?
Hadn’t she admitted that they used her for her entire life?
That she’d done nothing but suffer under their rule?
Why bind herself to one of them in marriage?
“I’m not leaving yet. Evard is using his connections to find Cayde for me–”