Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
The list that Khristian provided us contained the names of each female fairy employed by the mines who had a metalwork affinity. In total, there were twenty, and it was very possible one of them had crafted Bastian’s anklet.
The parchment fluttered in my hands as we studied the names. We were still on the huge floating meadow, yet Khristian had retreated momentarily to the mine’s entrance, leaving the eight of us alone.
The archon was currently sending word to the Solis royal family that he’d done as asked and supplied Jax with the information requested. But since we were now demanding admittance to the location where the fae with metalwork affinities labored so that we could question them, he needed to have that request cleared.
According to Khristian, the fae employed by the mines all lived in the surrounding cities and all worked at a nearby secured facility, which was where they also stored the gems brought down by the ligersails.
Supposedly, according to Archon Severell, the gems never left that facility unless they’d been approved for sale, in which case, they were carefully transported to fine jewelry or weapon markets throughout the continent. Yet each purchase was still tracked. Every single Solis fairy who owned a gem harvested in this mine had their name, address, and other identifying documentation recorded.
One thing was for certain—the Solis fae didn’t allow folly with the unique magical stones created by the floating meadows, so for so many to have appeared on the Silten continent, unbeknownst to them, was entirely concerning.
“If Bastian’s anklet, and even my collar, were both crafted here, then someone snuck them out of that facility and effectively stole them.” I mulled that over, nibbling on my lower lip. “It’s the only way to explain it. There’s no way the Solis fae would have legally relinquished these gems to our land.”
Jax nodded. “I agree.”
“As do I.” Alec also dipped his head. The others quickly did the same.
“It would appear they have a traitor in their midst whether that archon wants to believe it or not.” Trivan sneered. “Sounds like someone needs a visit from a certain someone from our land.”
He kept his words vague on the off chance anyone could overhear us, but we all knew who Trivan referred to. Whoever had crafted my choker and the anklets being used to control the half-breeds did indeed deserve a visit from the Dark Raider. Because our jewelry had only been created with malicious intent and malicious intent only.
“Do you suppose that every single anklet that is being worn by a half-breed on our continent came from that facility?” Lander scratched his chin, his expression thoughtful, yet his voice was its usual monotone. “Or do you think it’s possible someone stole the jewels directly from the mineshaft shortly after this floating meadow produced them? Perhaps before any of the Solis fae were even aware of their creation? Maybe it produced more than two buckets, and that archon doesn’t realize it.”
“What about the ligersails?” I asked. “The guards said they also help detect theft. Wouldn’t that animal have noticed if someone left the shaft with gems stuffed in their pockets?”
Lander nodded. “Good point.”
Trivan shrugged. “Maybe that flying behemoth missed it.”
“You all raise good questions,” Jax said, his brow furrowing. “We’ll have to ask Khristian more about the mine’s security.”
My frown deepened as I thought more too. “But even if someone stole them directly from the mineshaft without Khristian’s awareness, someone with a metalwork affinity still crafted them into jewelry. Who else on this continent would know how to do that apart from the fae who work for these mines?”
Phillen scratched his chin. “Another fairy with a metalwork affinity who isn’t employed by the mines?”
“I suppose that’s possible,” I replied, “but Archon Severell said it takes specific training to learn how to create the magical jewelry.” I ran my finger along my collar, and a slight tingle of magic pulsed against my skin. “In all likelihood, one of their employees forged these, or someone who used to work for them did. And even if they stole the gems directly from the mine shaft, logic deems that they were indeed crafted here and then transported to our land. A Silten fairy would have no idea how to forge this kind of jewelry. And remember what Guardian Alleron admitted in the Ustilly Mountains? He hired a forger to create my collar in a land far away. He didn’t even know where it’d been crafted exactly, but I would bet rulibs it was somewhere near here.”
Bowan clapped me on the back, a jovial laugh erupting from him. “Look at you, Elowen. You’ve turned into quite the investigator.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help my smile.
Lars cleared his throat. “I agree with Elowen. It seems most likely it was a Solis fairy who’s either still employed by these mines, or used to be, who’s behind it all.”
Pride shone from Jax’s expression, and he shifted closer to me and slipped an arm around my waist. He pressed a kiss to my neck and whispered, “Beautiful and intelligent...how did I get so lucky?”
The bond hummed inside me. I turned my head, and his lips found mine. His kiss was searing, possessive, and my body instantly responded.
Breathless, I finally pulled away from Jax, only to find everyone looking respectfully away. Cheeks heating, I sagged into my mate’s side, embarrassed at how easily he elicited reactions in me.
His only response was to nip my neck again before saying to his friends, “I’ll still inquire about security in the mineshaft, just to be sure it’s not possible more gems were created unbeknownst to the archon, but I think you’re right. We should focus our efforts on the Hartivul staff who could have created Bastian’s anklet, and possibly Elowen’s collar, which means we have many fae to question.”
“What’s the plan now?” Alec pulled his cloak tighter around him. A fierce wind had picked up, bringing with it blowing snow that hit one’s skin like icy needles. He leaned down and straightened Bastian’s clothing as well, covering the half-breed’s exposed hands.
“Now, we wait for admittance to that facility,” I replied, relieved that my voice sounded even, following Jax’s kiss. “Then we have our crown prince begin questioning the fae with metalwork affinities. If he uses his Mistvale commanding voice, they’ll be forced to reveal the truth of what they know. Because even if none of them match the description the semelees showed me, it’s still possible one of them will know something about the anklets, or if a past employee created the anklets, they may be able to direct us on where to find them.”
Phillen’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you really just speak that casually about Jax using his Mistvale magic?”
Bowan laughed. “Oh, Elowen, I really am growing to enjoy you. You didn’t even blink when you suggested that.”
A blush warmed my cheeks, and Jax chuckled and nuzzled my neck. “For you, my love, I’ll command anyone .”
We waited for Archon Severell to return with word from the Solis royals on whether we could visit their facility.
Wintry weather continued to blow around us, and I cupped my hands, breathing into them, but despite trying to warm myself, my fingertips grew numb, and I could no longer feel my toes.
Jax stepped closer to me, his booted feet crunching quietly in the snow, and he pulled me into his embrace.
Warmth from his chest penetrated my cloak, and his arms felt like hot steel bands around me. He ran his hands up and down my back, then dipped his mouth to my ear. “Are you cold, my love?”
My only response was a shiver and chattering of teeth.
A low, discontented growl came from his throat, and a puff of magic emitted from him. The air around us abruptly warmed. Heat enveloped my frozen limbs, and it felt as though a warm ray of sunshine burned down upon us.
I sighed in bliss. “Have I ever told you that I’ll never get sick of how many elements you control?”
He chuckled. “I’m glad my abilities please you. And have I ever told you that every time my magic aids you, I get a strange jolt of pleasure?”
I murmured something halfway intelligible. I was too distracted to do more as I soaked up his heat, but when my mind actually processed his words, my lips curved into a smile. “Is that our mating bond talking?”
“It is.” He wrapped me tighter in his embrace, then rested his chin on the top of my head. I nearly moaned in pleasure since he kicked his heat up another notch. “Every time I meet your needs, I feel wildly satisfied.”
Sighing, I managed to reply, “Well, in that case, don’t let me stop you. I would hate to interfere with that wildly satisfying feeling of yours.”
Another laugh rumbled in his chest, and he pressed his lips to my ear. His voice dipped to a husky whisper. “Do you know what else I find wildly satisfying ? Those little sounds you make when I?—”
But before he could finish his sultry remark, a flash of magic billowed in the air around us.
I squeaked.
A huge Solis male stood before us, having appeared as though from thin air. And considering he wasn’t holding a portal key that fizzled out of existence, I knew that he’d mistphased.
The new male was as tall as Jax and just as broad. Tangled silvery hair flew around his head, and eyes as crashing as the Adriastic Sea regarded us. Large black leathery wings—taller wings than I’d ever seen on another fairy and tipped with talons—folded together at his back.
I felt the urge to step away. Whoever this male was, he was powerful, given the energy in his aura, and wealthy too. Finely woven clothing, which reeked of hundreds of rulibs, adorned his frame. The woolen material was mostly black but also had silver and blue embellishments.
Somehow, I managed to hold my ground, but it was hard. The only other male I’d ever felt that kind of strength from was my mate.
But as soon as I finished taking in his appearance, another flash of magic zinged through the air, and four more Solis males appeared right behind the first one.
I started from their abrupt arrival.
All of them had two swords in a crisscross pattern peeking out from beneath their wings, and my brow furrowed as I took in their clothing. They wore what guards did.
One of them had hair shorn close to his head, was tall and lean, and had a grumpy expression on his face. Another had a thick white beard, a strong stance, and large hands. The third had round cheeks and smiled readily, and the last had a long braid down his back that settled between his shoulder blades. And all of them had large leathery black wings folded at their backs.
Despite five huge new males appearing from thin air, Jax just laughed.
“Norivun.” My mate grinned and stepped toward the first male, bringing his fist to his chest and bowing.
Ah, so this is Norivun.
“Adarian, nice to see you again.” Norivun returned the traditional greeting, then inclined his head to the four males behind him. “My guards decided to join me. You remember Nish, Sandus, Haxil, and Ryder?”
“How could I forget?” Jax nodded behind him. “And you remember my friends and guards?”
All of the males brought fists to their chests simultaneously and bowed.
Norivun’s guard with the braid cocked his head. “Where’s Quinn?”
“Who knows.” Trivan shrugged, and a lock of blond hair fell across his forehead as he straightened.
With our pleasantries finished, I realized all of them knew each other.
“And who’s this?” Norivun asked, turning his attention on me.
“My mate, Elowen.” A smile filled Jax’s words.
I brought my fist to my chest and bowed. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Norivun replied. His icy blue eyes assessed me, and his face reminded me of chiseled stone.
My mate slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to his side. “I’m glad you could join us, Nori. I hope we didn’t interfere with the meetings you had to attend this morning?”
A small smile curved Norivun’s lips, cutting through some of the harsh planes and angles of his face. “Trust me, I welcomed the excuse to leave.”
Alec laughed, and the pattering in my heart slowed, yet my lorafin magic wanted to rattle inside me. It seemed my magic also recognized the lethal power in this male despite his non-threatening demeanor.
“I do apologize, however, for not getting here sooner.” A strand of Norivun’s silvery hair, which sat around shoulder length, caught on the wind and brushed against his chin. He pushed it back with a thick finger and curled it behind his tipped ear. Crystalline blue eyes that were nearly as bright as my mate’s regarded Jax. “How has Archon Severell been treating you?”
Trivan scoffed. “Well, in my opinion, he’s a real?—”
“He’s been fine,” Jax interrupted. “Archon Severell is prideful, as Trivan was about to hint at, but he answered our questions. In fact, we’re waiting for him right now. He was trying to contact your family to see if we could venture to the facility where the staff work and the mine’s stones are stored.”
Norivun nodded. “I know. That’s why I’m here. I thought I could kill two birds with one stone—come and see you while also letting him know that I approve your admittance.”
As soon as the fae working at Hartivul Mine realized their sovereign was in their midst, they became a flurry of bows and slackened jaws. More than one fairy kept their distance, their expression telling me they both feared and revered this royal male, while others rushed forward to get a look at him and his guards.
I didn’t know how to interpret that since I didn’t know much about this continent’s royal family. But since Jax didn’t seem concerned about Norivun and instead acted genuinely happy to see him, I decided that I didn’t need to share their fear.
Archon Severell’s haughty arrogance also vanished entirely. He became a tongue-tied mess around Norivun, only managing to bow profusely after every sentence he stuttered.
It was both painful and amusing to watch.
Yet Norivun took it all in stride, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was used to this kind of reaction from his fellow fae.
“I’ll accompany you to the facility.” Norivun glanced down at Bastian’s sleeping form, his brow furrowing. “Why does this male appear unconscious?”
“Because he is.” I glanced at Jax, wondering how much we should reveal about his brother.
Jax seemed to understand my questioning stare because he added, “We had to use my mate’s magic to subdue him. What’s locked around his ankle is nefarious. We can’t remove it, but it’s allowing another to control him.”
Norivun’s head cocked. “Control him how?”
Jax quickly summed up Bastian’s puppet-like behavior this morning and the destruction that had occurred at his residence. “Not even my Mistvale magic could stop him.”
Norivun arched an eyebrow. “Yet your mate’s magic could?” He turned his attention to me. “And may I ask what your magic is?”
“I’m a lorafin.”
His eyebrows shot up, and all of his guards’ mouths dropped.
Haxil, the jovial one, grinned. “I’ve read about your kind in the history books, but I’ve never met a lorafin before.”
I shrugged. “Now you can say that you’ve met one in the actual flesh.”
Haxil’s grin stretched, and Norivun chuckled. Even the grumpy-looking guard standing at Norivun’s back—I thought his name was Nish—cracked a smile.
But my mate’s expression quickly sobered. “I can’t guarantee how long Bastian will remain asleep.” Jax inclined his head toward his brother again. “If he awakens, it won’t be good for anybody. Whoever’s controlling him demands obedience. It’s like his body can’t deny them. We need to get that anklet off of him and the choker off my mate too, if we’re able. She’s worn hers for far too long.”
Norivun’s gaze flashed to my throat and to the collar locked upon it. “Is anyone controlling you?” His expression turned grave.
“In a way, yes, but my collar is only used to suppress my magic. Thankfully, my mind remains clear.”
Norivun cocked his head. “Why would anyone suppress your magic?”
I raised my shoulders sadly. “Apparently, they fear it.”
The royal’s eyes narrowed. “There’s nothing I hate more than suppressing a female simply because she’s powerful...” His jaw locked, and a pulse of magic, like blackness and death, wafted in his aura. It felt as though Lucifer had come from the underworld to claim my soul. His magic felt so strong, and the sheer power of this male made me once again realize he was just as strong as my mate.
Sucking his power back inside him, Norivun straightened. “It seems swift answers are in order. Follow me.”