Chapter 17
We all shift into Silas's bedroom in the castle. Once everyone arrives, we stand together in silence for a moment. Fenmore still hasn’t returned, so I can only hope she has been with Hux, preparing Malachi for my arrival.
My shoulder continues to throb, which Larkin assured me is normal and will persist for a few days until it truly heals.
The looming dark walls of Silas’s room feel suffocating.
“You will meet him in his study. It’s near the Great Hall, down a small, hidden hallway.” Silas goes over our plans. “I will enter the room with you, but take my leave shortly after. Larkin and I will be outside the doors. Warrick, I would like you to stay back with Oak and Maines.”
Warrick nods, accepting his orders. “Say the word, and I’m here to help.”
“What?” Oak chimes in.
“I thought you might be upset,” Silas says, treading lightly.
“Neither of you has the Rigil's protection, so it’s not safe. With what’s coming in a few days, I believe we should get Rose off the ship and settled at my house.
She can stay there. It’s the safest option for what’s ahead, since it’s warded. ”
Oak steps forward to protest, but Maines grabs his arm. “He’s right. We need to help where we can, Oak. Briar can do this, and we aren’t protected. As a healer, I know messing with this sort of stuff is serious. This isn’t something I’ll argue with.”
“Take care of Rose,” I say, as I quickly hug Maines. “We will be back at the house as soon as we can.”
Oak huffs as we exit the room, but we push forward on a strict schedule as we enter the spacious hallway. The flickering candlelight illuminates our presence, causing shadows to dance all around us.
I lead the way.
My black dress flows behind me, like a dark river of madness. The snakes coil around my neck, and my steps echo against the smooth floor. Silas and Larkin walk closely behind me, their large bodies towering over mine.
Silas’s shadows compete with those in the hallway, growing larger as he focuses and channels all the magic he can. Larkin falls silent, and a steady stream of bright energy radiates from his body.
Together, we are a storm—a surge of darkness and light—working in perfect harmony.
Nearing the Great Hall, Silas points to a barely noticeable entrance leading to a dark hallway.
Old paintings of past rulers of Andorwood line the hallways.
The men are all graced with black hair and the same piercing green eyes that Silas harbors, clearly from his mother’s side.
A dense fog rolls over the floors, sending a chill up my spine.
I look at Silas, his face hard as stone, but he gives me a reassuring nod.
The hallway ends with a single door on the back wall. A tall glass window extends high up to the ceiling, and intricate metal is implanted in the glass, twisting chaotically, causing the bright moonlight to shine like madness on the floor.
My senses perk up even more, expecting to see a serpent embedded in the door.
Instead, before us is a door with detailed wood carvings and a single painted crow with eyes as soulless as the man behind the door.
Silas leans over me to bring his fist down against it, but just before he can, we hear, “Come in.”
The door opens on its own, revealing only darkness.
Silas gives Larkin a look to back off. I glance at Larkin and try to smile, but my nerves take over, a worried expression overtaking my face.
“Be smart, Briar. You can do this,” he whispers, squeezing my arm.
Silas enters the room first. He disappears into the darkness before I have time to cross the threshold. The dense black fog begins to fade as I make my way deeper into the study. Silas’s silhouette comes into view, and the room opens up.
He stands before a large black desk encrusted in gold that is clear of clutter.
In fact, the entire room is pristine. Thick drapes hang from each tall window, and a chandelier of a thousand candles sways gently in the breeze.
The room is hauntingly beautiful, and I can’t stop myself from looking around.
I join Silas at the desk and notice the empty leather chair. Malachi isn’t here. Silas grabs my hand and holds tight. My heart pounds so intensely that I can hear it throbbing in my head. Even my eyes seem to pulse from the anticipation building in my system.
“Glad you could make it,” Malachi’s devilish voice calls from behind us. “You were nearly late.”
Silas whips around, never releasing my hand, and my breath hitches in my chest as I catch sight of him.
“We aren’t here to play your fucking games, Malachi,” Silas fumes.
“Oh, did I startle you? You scare so easily.” His eyes shine in the light of the roaring fire. “I thought we could have a bit of fun before diving into the serious topics.” He laughs and moves around the large desk, sitting down with an unruly grace.
“I’m serious,” Silas snarls. “Cut the shit.”
Malachi slams his hands against the table, rising to eye level.
“You cut the shit, Silas. I know why you are here. I know what you seek.” His outburst fades as quickly as it sparked, and a sinister calmness runs over him once more.
“And don’t think for a second that I’m not aware of what sails toward Andorwood, or what you are about to dangle over my head.
I’m the King of Andorwood. Your fucking king.
” He settles back in his chair, adjusting his fitted shirt.
Silas huffs a sarcastic laugh.
“But,” Malachi interjects. “I will give Briar her time to speak. Once you are gone from the castle grounds.” Malachi points to the door. “Tell your guard dog, Larkin, he can leave as well. I know he’s here.”
Silas’s eyes darken, and his jaw clenches so tight I fear his teeth will shatter.
“You are a fucking fool if you think I’m leaving her in this castle alone.”
“Haven’t you once already?” Malachi laughs. “Last night?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Silas getting ready to lunge. I quickly grab his arm and dig my nails in deep to pull him out of the blind rage. He calms down—barely—but takes a deep, shuddering breath.
"Looks like Briar is your guard dog, not Larkin,” Malachi observes, keeping an eye on the rapid exchange. “Mind if I borrow her?”
“I will fucking kill you,” Silas barely whispers.
“Hurry up,” Malachi says to Silas. “I have other things to do after this.”
Silas turns to me, pulling me slightly away from the desk and behind his body. “Briar, this is your call. I told you, no fear, but this is up to you.” His eyes burn with intense focus. “I will not leave you if you tell me not to. We can come up with another plan.”
“It’s just a conversation,” I assure him. “Go.”
Silas stares at me for a long moment, and I can only imagine the internal struggle he’s facing about this plan. He closes his eyes and rests his forehead against mine. “Alright.”
He turns to his father, and nothing but hatred shows on his face.
“Tick-tock,” Malachi says, sarcastically.
“Briar will walk out of this castle unscathed,” Silas fumes. “Understood?”
Malachi nods, smiling.
“And while we are at it, tell your fucking invisible guard dogs to back down. If they continue to stalk her, we will have bigger problems than we already do.”
“Ugh, you are so dramatic, Silas.” Malachi snaps his fingers, and the room instantly feels lighter. “Done.”
As the curtains and windows fly open and the invisible creatures leave the room, I feel a chill run down my spine. I shudder thinking of the unseen guards who lurked in this room, watching us and protecting Malachi without me even realizing it.
Silas turns his back on his father and exits the room, the door slamming behind him. I feel Silas shift, and our connection dims as he and Larkin leave the castle. I slowly turn my focus back to Malachi, and a wicked smile graces his face.
“Alone at last, with a worthy opponent.” He looks me up and down. “You look stunning, by the way. Good enough to eat.”
“Of course I’m worthy.” I steady my stance and calm my racing heart. “But, I don’t think we need to become rivals right away, Malachi.”
He studies me like a hunter finding his prey, but what he doesn’t know is that I love a challenge.
I return his prying gaze and size him up, asking, “How old are you?”
For a second, he’s surprised by my question. “Ouch, Briar. Do I look that bad?”
“Who said I was basing that question on looks? Not everything is physical, Your Majesty. I’m basing my question on the advanced abilities I’ve heard of, and now seen.” I smile, and place my hands behind my back. “However, if we are talking about your looks, my question still stands.”
He laughs. “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask someone their age?”
“That doesn’t offend you, though,” I bite back. “Does it?”
“No, it doesn’t, but I’m glad you can recognize my wisdom. Many people don’t understand my level of…knowledge.”
I angle my head. “Is that what we are going to call it?”
“I’m not sure why I’m surprised that the daughter of Lornx Blackbyrne has a mouth that wicked.” He stands, ensuring that we are on an even playing field. “Is that mouth how you won Silas over, or was it something else?”
Malachi stares directly at my lips, his eyes darkening, and a wave of repulsion hits my stomach.
“You are truly nauseating.”
“Oh, take a joke.” He points to the sitting area near a roaring fire. “Shall we?”
I let him take the lead, and I curl my fists at my side.
I won’t let him get under my skin. Silas warned me about his father countless times.
I refuse to let fear take over my mind. Malachi gestures to an empty chair, and I follow his instruction to sit.
He crosses his legs and studies me for a moment, his brows wrinkled.
The crackling fire pops, and I can’t help but flinch. He smiles, aware that I’m on edge.
“You are fascinating.” Malachi chews his lip.
“Is that a compliment?” I spit back. “Or another insult?”
“However, you’d like to take it.”
I huff a sarcastic laugh.