CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
G ETTING BACK TO MY CHAMBERS after lunch, I notice a small roll of parchment resting on my pillow. The ominous tanned scroll, wrapped in a black ribbon, taunts me as I move towards it. Could this be what I’ve been waiting for? I haven’t heard a peep from the infamous pirate crew since we met with Jesper’s brother almost a month ago, and there’s about a week left until The Choosing deadline. I’ve been worried I would have to follow through on my threat, which would be easy enough but would mean I failed Cyn.
My lungs freeze in my chest as I pick it up, loosening the ribbon, and it falls lightly to the floor as I unfurl the scroll.
The cinders burn brightly beneath the flames.
~E
Breath whooshes from my lungs and I laugh in relief. The crazy bastard actually did it. There’s a reason why Evander was recruited by The Safir Raiders, and whether Jesp wants to admit it or not, his brother is one talented pixie. Never have I met a fae that was so good at sneaking around and thieving. My brother-in-arms may have never seen it coming, but the rest of us did.
My eyes run over the parchment again and again. My father has held her over my head for years, since I was old enough to understand a threat. Now he doesn’t have anything to hold against me, not even the lordship title. Maybe in a different lifetime I would have wanted that, but there are more important things than a role that seems more like a curse these days.
Perhaps his threat was a blessing in disguise, because now, I have more freedom to do what I need to without worry. I should have done this years ago. Maybe I was naive to think she was safe from him. He always seemed to dote on her, but then again, maybe it was all part of his games.
A knock sounds at my door and it could only be one of four people, only two of them I care to see. The other two in my wing I couldn’t care less about. Sure they’re great warriors, but I trust no one outside my inner circle.
“What?” I grunt as I open the door to Killian’s burly frame.
His eyes narrow slightly as he thrusts a letter towards me that’s etched with the Lord of Allonde’s official seal. He jerks his head in a quick nod before heading back to his chamber on the other side of the common room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Kill has been even more waspish then usual since Jesp dropped the bomb about what he thinks about Cadet Solace. I have to admit, the crazy Szellemi male usually doesn’t make a lick of sense when it comes to his suspicions. He’s typically paranoid about others because of his past, but this… maybe it’s because I’m hopeful. That twenty years ago—almost twenty-one now—our group felt like we lost a piece of us. We may have only been fledglings, but some bonds live through the sands of time.
The death of the Gallalaus fae was catastrophic, but losing Maeven was realm-shattering.
But I’ve been watching Solace in her lessons, and I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. The stubborn jut to her chin, the narrowing of her sapphire-blue eyes that seem to be as fiery as a red dragon’s breath… It all screams Maeve. But there’s no recognition in her gaze, just suspicion, anger and pain. She doesn’t trust, and I’m more inclined to believe that maybe Jesper is right, that her memory has been tampered with. But there’s only three people I can think of who would benefit from that, and none of those options are good. If she’s been compromised, then we need to figure out how to get her back. Having the Princess back would solve so many of our problems when the time is right. We would just need to keep her safe.
Yet, there’s still this lingering thought that it’s another cruel joke, that hoping that the dead are still here will bring nothing but bad luck raining down on us. That perhaps the realm should end in smoke and embers.
The sharp corner of the stone windowsill digs into my shoulder as I lean against it, staring out at the mountains, watching dragons and gryphons run training exercises. The letter in my hands feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. It’s obvious he sent it in a rush and I know it’s regarding my sister, but a part of me wants to throw it on the fire and never have to look at his writing again.
I break the wax seal and open it, needing to get this over with.
Talyn Craven,
If you’re not already aware, which I’m sure you are, your sister has been stolen from me. Anyone who is complicit in the theft of my property will perish painfully, and I will find out who did it. If you have her returned, I will select a new mate for you to breed and dote on you along with Lady Gannon. The original deal with her father still stands. Even if I have to tie you down myself and lock the two of you in a room, you will give me what I want, Son. You have until The Choosing, when I and the other Lords will be coming for observation. Need I remind you that your sister will be back in my clutches by then, and I will keep true to my word on my promise for her if you don’t fix this mess.
Lord Craven of Allonde.
I crumple the letter and let it turn to ashes in my hand. It’s nothing but empty threats. He doesn’t have the resources right now to retrieve her, and by the time she’s far enough away for him to, she will be in Zorn’s land which he wouldn’t dare invade. She’s safe, and that’s all that matters. The only thing in that letter that’s concerning is his threat for the Lords to come and make an appearance at Phixmery. They’ve never done that before, not even for inspections of the military they created to take revenge on the late Queen and Gallalaus Fae.
There are answers I haven’t been able to gather, like why he’s pushing so hard for the union with Evera. But I will die before I stick my dick anywhere near her. I’ve never met such a vile female in my life, other than her newly found friend of the female from Maeve’s—Cadet Solace’s village, one of the most northern villages in our most northern province.
Something isn’t right, and I need to warn Kill, Jesp, and even Ashbluff that we are all going to need to keep an eye out during The Choosing.
Striding out of my room, I bang on Kill’s door, knowing Jesper is probably sulking outside of Solace’s lesson. He opens it and waits, silent as ever.
“We need to find Jesp and Ashbluff. I’ll meet you at the usual spot. Ashbluff is probably on the training field with Rune. I’ll grab our resident stalker,” I state, heading towards the stairs that leave the top floor of the northern tower.
He moves behind me, oddly silent for such a massive male, and as we reach the bottom we split off. I worry for Killian. He was always the closest to Maeven when we stayed in Maleen, and he took her death the hardest. If it is her, I can’t even imagine how he feels after everything he’s gone through. But if Jesper’s right, I will get her on our side, and maybe just having her around—no. If it is her, I’ll have to send her away to keep her safe. She’s too important to the realm.
It doesn’t take me long to find Jesper. He’s not even trying to hide from her any longer. He’s just blatantly standing in the open doorway, listening to a first year lecture in Wilderness Survival. Well, pretending to listen as he watches her every move.
I move up beside him, and take a moment to look her over. I know she hasn’t been injured in training class since we realized the possibility of her past, none of us daring to leave a mark on her. But as I stare, the similarities to Maeven are glaringly obvious. Only her eyes are her mother’s, while the rest of her are pieces of her fathers. How did we never notice?
“Careful Tal, you’re starting to look a bit stalkery,” Jesp whispers in my ear, making me curse.
I nearly jump, snapping my head towards him. “Let’s go. We’re having a meeting. Kill is grabbing Ashbluff.”
After the meeting with Ashbluff, we determined—by him opening his mind fully to Jesp—that he’s fully on our side, and when we brought him up to date with what’s actually been going on behind the realms back, it solidified his decision. We’ve been working together since, and he’s been a great help with getting through things we hadn’t been able to beforehand.
Jesper nods, giving the female one last look before following me down the hall.
We only get about halfway before I hear, “Talyn, wait.”
I keep walking, ignoring the cursed female who is now chasing after us.
Evera falls in step beside me, reaching for my arm, which I shove away, but it doesn’t deter her. “My father contacted me about your sister. You must be so worried about the bandits that abducted her. Hopefully you hear about a ransom soon and she’s returned to your father’s estate safely.”
I nearly scoff. Is that what he’s telling others? My lips stay locked as I continue to ignore the pestering female.
She steps in front of me, forcing me to stop. “You know, if you want someone to lean on during this time of grief, I’m here for you. My father has been wanting updates on our relationship. And I’m more than happy to help you any way you need.” She smiles coyly, batting her red eyes up at me as she goes to grab my crotch to make a point.
My hand snaps out as I grab her by the throat, squeezing hard enough to make her gasp in fear. “I will never be yours. Stay the fuck away from me, or I will let my dragon eat you. Even if it gives him indigestion from what a vile female you are,” I hiss with so much venom she begins trembling. With a show of strength, I throw her aside and watch with great satisfaction as she lands in a heap on the floor.
Without sparing her another look, Jesp and I continue on our path, so we can update the others on the letter and come up with a plan for The Choosing.
“That was the second best thing I’ve seen all day,” Jesper laughs, slapping me on the back.
Out of curiosity, I ask. “What was the first?”
He only smirks and doesn’t deign to answer.