Chapter 43
Tests and Truths
T hings have been quiet for the last three days. No sign of Seraphina, and Bradan still hasn’t sensed his stone, which he says is odd. I’m just grateful for the peace.
Something has been going on with me, but I’m still not sure what. Bradan has been agitated so I’ve been steering clear of him. Today, I’m trying my best to be and act normal.
As normal as I can be with three of my she-wolf friends stalking around in wolf form, patrolling the parameter of the grassy area I’m sitting in as I watch Frost and two other little girls play. The giggles of the three little pups are going a long way to soothe my nerves.
“She’s going to be so excited to hear the news,” Bree whispers to me.
She’s been sitting on my right as Nori sits on my left. Nori has grown on me in the last two days. She’s very sweet and kind.
I haven’t been able to find it in my heart to be cruel to her. She’s the first fairy I’ve gotten to know. I’m doing my best not to judge them all according to Seraphina.
Bree, on the other hand, has become a friend like all the other she-wolves. Today, she’s been a bit odd though. I’ve noticed the two of them have been keeping close to me.
“I know,” I reply to Bree. “I’m excited for her.”
I’ve been bursting at the seams wanting to tell Frost we’ve adopted her. I’m her mother, Bradan is her father. We’re going to be a little family.
“When do you guys plan to tell her?” Bree asks.
I glance at Nori and wince. “After all this drama is over. We don’t want to bring her into the middle of all this.”
Nori shifts on the blanket. Uncrossing and crossing her legs before her. She’s probably growing tired of hearing how we all want her sister dead.
“It’s okay, I know what my sister has done. I can’t say I’m happy about what’s going to happen to her, but she knew the rules. We all live by a code in order to remain under their protection,” Nori says as she looks uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean?—”
“No, no. You have no need to apologize. No one has ever been promised more than a warm spot in any of their beds—not even Rock’s or Dagger’s. We all know this.”
“Where did she get off thinking Bradan belonged to her?” Bree bites out.
Nori shrugs as her expression grows sadder. “Seraphina knew things were coming to an end, although she tried to cling to him desperately. I watched the hinges begin to come off.
“What I nor she anticipated was the arrival of his bond mate. Once you arrived that was the end of the discussion. At least, it should have been.”
She pauses to take a deep breath. “I love my sister, but she’s wrong in this and she can’t use me as an excuse. Bradan has done what we could not. There’s no need for what she is doing. Revenge is not something I ever wanted.”
“You mean revenge against the king and prince you ran from?” I ask cautiously.
She nods and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “Yes, I was forced into a marriage and my husband was cruel, but once I got away, all I wanted was to feel safe and have a place to call home. The Immortal Iron Brothers have been good to me.
“I’m never forced to do anything I don’t want and I get to practice my healing. I’ve never wanted power or to rule over anyone. Seraphina and I are miles apart when it comes to that. She’s power hungry and revenge is all she ever seeks, even when it’s not hers to have.
“I wish I could give my sister my unwavering loyalty, but she’s never in the right. That goes against who I am,” Nori says.
My stomach growls loudly, interrupting the conversation. I laugh and magic a picnic basket before us. I had a big breakfast, but I could eat a horse right now.
“Dig in. I’m super hungry today,” I snicker.
Both Nori and Bree freeze. At the same time, their eyes begin to glow. I look between them, startled, not sure if I should jump up and prepare for battle.
As I get ready to, they each grab a hand. Bree is the first to speak. “The gods have shown favor upon you. They will burn hot like their father.”
“Yes, two. One of sugar and spice and the other of embers and flame. You will have the first blessed queen in centuries,” Nori adds.
“Fear not, they are safe. You will still be able to carry out your part. Remember Annaniah.”
“Remember Api Kecil.”
“Only then will you be complete,” Bree finishes.
They both release me and fall back. I sit with my mouth hanging open, trying to figure out what just happened. I don’t have time to as I’m ripped from my seat.
The next thing I know, I’m standing in Bradan’s arms feeling slightly daze from the magical transport. He looks down at me with a stern expression on his face. “She is here. I will give Nori the time she’s requested and then I will end this. Stay here. I can’t have you or the babies in danger,” he says tightly.
“Babies?” I gasp.
Bradan
I want to laugh at how cute she is as surprise colors her face. As a nurse, I thought she would have picked up on the pregnancy by now, but her mind has been preoccupied by so many other things. However, there is no humor in this current situation.
I need all my children and my mate safe. I hadn’t known Nori was out here with Taylor and Frost. No doubt my mate had been kind and invited the fairy out with her.
I’ve tried not to leave Nori around Taylor, knowing I’m using her as bait. I should have known that irresistible pull Taylor has would be hard for Nori to ignore.
“Quick, get Frost and the other pups to safety,” I mind-link Lola.
“Got them.”
I throw a tracking bracelet around Nori’s wrist just in time. It will lead me to wherever Seraphina takes her and allow me to follow. They vanish, but not before I’m able to connect with the bracelet and remain with them.
Once we are in an old clearing far away from the location Nori and the others had been in, I’m able to throw a force field around the two. This will keep Seraphina from escaping before Nori says her piece and then I can finish the job. The flames will also allow me to watch and listen in.
I’m not sure what Nori’s secret is, but I want to be ready the moment she’s done talking. Seraphina doesn’t get another day to breathe. This is my chance and I’m going to take it.
Seraphina looks around at the flames surrounding them and snarls. She then turns her glare to Nori.
“Why am I not surprised that you were with them?” Seraphina hisses at her sister.
“Why am I not surprised you’re doing this? You’ve crossed the line, Sera. How has it come to this?”
“How has it come to this? I did it all for you,” Seraphina says incredulously.
“You did not. Stop lying to yourself. This hasn’t been about me in a very long time. You wanted to be his queen, knowing that wasn’t possible. You were willing to sacrifice anything, including yourself.
“How many times did I have to heal you after you bedded him? He was tearing you apart, yet you continued with the relationship as if you could handle it.
“Whatever grace you were given in the beginning, it faded and you chose to ignore it. Even if I could create a love potion for you, it would have failed because you would have died in the process. And all for what?” Noir seethes.
My temper flares as I listen to her words. A love potion. Seraphina lost her mind long ago it seems. She is definitely a good liar. I had no idea I was harming her during sex.
“So I could retrieve your heart from that fucking psycho,” Seraphina spits.
“But who’s the psycho now? I told you we should have just asked Bradan to help. This all could have ended so much differently.”
“Ask him for his help? He knew the situation and the circumstances. Dagger has been covering you this entire time,” Seraphina says angrily.
“That was a choice Dagger and I made. Neither of us ever told Bradan about my heart. He didn’t know until recently, after retrieving the locket for me.
“It was that simple. I’m free now and no one had to die for it,” Nori says with so much hurt in her voice.
“Then you’re a fool. You truly think there will be no price? You think the prince will not come for you? Without power and control, you will become his captive again. Is that what you really want?”
“I am not a fool. I know the price I must pay, but I also know that I am free. The prince will not come for me,” Nori bites out.
“So what, am I your price?”
Nori sighs and looks down at her feet. “There is a reason why you and I are so different. I don’t have the full temperament of a fire fairy. You and I are not sisters by blood. My mother was not yours, nor was my father.
“I was told this out of my husband’s cruelty. To shame me for my dragon and light fairy blood. I didn’t want to believe him, but I later learned he was telling the truth.”
“What? How? From who?”
“From our own family. My mother was your aunt. Your mother is mine.
“You were born of the forbidden one. Your cold heart is that of hers. This is something I thought you should know. Azar is your mother.”
“ Argh , you half-breed bitch,” Seraphina screams out.
“ Fuck ,” I growl.
In the blink of an eye, I wall off Nori from Seraphina. It’s just in time as Seraphina tries to torch Nori. I don’t have time to be surprised or shocked.
This is Seraphina after all. She has no loyalty. She’s all for herself with that nasty temper.
“Taylor, no,” I roar as my mate teleports from my arms to go after Seraphina.
She moves faster than she ever has, but she’s disoriented when she appears before Seraphina. Nori is able to get away, allowing me to focus on what’s most important. However, Seraphina is locked in with Taylor who’s on her knees trying to regain her bearings.
I don’t have time to scold her now, but I’m going to spank Taylor’s ass. I get that she wants this over, so our children are safe, but I had this. That fucking temper of hers is proving to be as big a challenge as all the others around here.
I allow the flames to absorb me so I can step through the force field faster. Once within them, I step right out, then go to throw a fire spear, but Taylor stands to her feet and blocks the way. She and Seraphina are around the same height. I can’t hit one without hitting the other.
Not willing to risk it, I move swiftly to get between them. Wrapping Taylor in my arms, I go to take her to safety before I finish this. However, Seraphina pulls a shotgun. I knit my brows as this is way out of character.
Then it dawns on me, she knows my mate is part human. I flash to shift positions, placing Taylor behind me, using my body to shield hers. I’m stunned as I jerk with the impact and searing pain rakes through my chest, spreading throughout my body.
“ Bradan ,” Taylor screams as I begin to lose consciousness.
Panic seizes me as I realize if I lose consciousness, I’ll lose my hold on the force field. Seraphina will be able to break free. We’ve lost her again.
“Ace, Dom, Nik. I’ve been shot with Blessed Iron. Come quick.” I manage to get the message out before everything goes black.