Chapter Eighty-Seven Bahira
I have checked almost everywhere in this godsdamn palace for my brother. The moment I realized he hadn’t been accounted for in hours, I began my search, left uneasy by the fact that he’s been so reclusive and withdrawn.
His stubbornness is only matched by own, and it’s that same obstinacy that has brought me to the lowest levels of the palace, the entrance to the dungeons currently blocked by an annoyingly familiar face.
“Well, well, well. It’s about time you finally came to me.
” Max’s deep voice skates along my skin, but where it once caused desire to simmer low and deep, now it simply makes me arch an eyebrow in question.
He folds his arms, the leather armor covering him stretched to the absolute limit. He really is massive for a mage.
“And what is it you think I’ve come to you for, Max?”
He mimics my brow lift, uncrossing an arm to gesture over his body. I can’t help but snort, rolling my eyes as I shake my head. “Listen, I’m not above being objectified. Especially by a beautiful woman such as yourself.”
“I’m afraid I’m only here on business. I need to get into the dungeons.”
The playful attitude shifts into something more serious, Max dropping his hands to his sides. “And why is that?”
Chewing my lip, I grimace. “I can’t tell you why.
Only that I need a few uninterrupted minutes to look around.
” Nox is more likely to be at a tavern in Galdr getting absolutely drunk off his ass than in the dungeons, but it is the only place in the palace I haven’t checked yet.
The part of my brain interested in solving the where is Nox puzzle is insisting that I make sure no rock goes unturned—or dungeon goes unexplored, as it were.
“Listen, I know, given our history, I should you give you special treatment—”
“We have no history, and certainly none that would equate to you treating me differently.”
“—but I can’t let you down there without a reason, Bahira.”
I sigh, my hands coming to my hips as I tip my head back in frustration.
“I appreciate your dedication to the job, Max. Especially given how tumultuous things have been around here lately.” I watch his expression, gauging his reaction to my words.
When he merely gives me a curious look, I continue, hoping that trusting him with a little of the truth won’t backfire in the end. “I’m looking for my brother.”
A line forms between his brows. “The king is missing?” he barks.
I shush him, turning to look over my shoulder before shooting him a frustrated glance. “No, but I can’t find him.”
“I’m not a smart man, but I’m fairly confident that is the definition of missing.”
“Stars above,” I groan. Stepping in closer, I ignore the way his breath stutters in response to my proximity.
“He’s just not where I expected him to be, so I’m searching in unexpected places.
” When it looks like another retort about the definition of the word “missing” might make its way past his lips, I hold a finger up to them.
“Max, please,” I say softly. “I’m only asking for a few minutes. In and out.”
His dark eyes bounce between mine, and when his shoulders eventually round in defeat, I smile as I exhale roughly.
“Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he retorts, reaching for his keyring. “Just be quick. And maybe if you do find your brother down there, ask him why the earlier shift got treats from the kitchens but I have yet to have one delivered to me in his name.”
What? “Okay… I will do that.”
Max unlocks the gate that leads into the dungeon, the metal blocking the threshold lifting out of the way.
“Just a few minutes,” he warns, and I nod, stepping past him.
“Also, any time you want to revisit that rule of yours, just know I’m ready.
Any time.” He drops his voice even deeper, the timbre making the hair rise on the back of my neck.
Not because it’s his, but because it reminds me of another.
Clearing my throat, I toss him a smile over my shoulder.
“Should I ever decide to break the rule, I will find you.” Only a little bit of guilt flickers.
It’s not like he will ever cross paths with Kai.
Shaking my head, I force all thoughts regarding the shifter king out of my mind as the gate closes behind me and I begin my descent into the dungeons below.
My fingernails press into my palms as I stare at the open gate, wishing instead that I was holding my spear.
I might take joy in being right on the hunch to come down to the dungeons if it weren’t for the fact that it’s ominously unguarded.
Reaching for the dagger I have hidden in my boot, I clutch it tightly before continuing forward, passing under the gate and into the darker section holding the cells.
I move slowly down the first aisle, nearly misstepping when I spot two guards slumped over in one of the cells.
I lean in closer as I scan the surrounding area, battling the rapid beating of my heart into submission as I listen for a sign of life.
But when I hear their heavy breathing, I relax a fraction and decide to continue deeper into the bowels of the dungeon.
I have only ever explored this area once, years ago after my father all but forbade me from coming here without a guard.
I was morbidly curious, so I snuck in, charming one of the guards to give me a tour.
But the cells had been empty and the air so thick with stagnant water that it made it hard to breathe.
I never returned until now, and as I force myself deeper into the heavy darkness, its shadowy depths only broken up by the occasional spelled flame, anxiousness coils itself around my spine with every step.
Rounding a corner cell, I squint into the darkness and peer down another row, my back pressed to the cold metal bars.
I make it past another handful of rows, the maze of the cells making me dizzy with worry that I won’t be able to find my way out again when a noise forces me to stop.
Goosebumps roll over my body at the squelching sound, and I hold my breath in my chest when it’s followed by a deep growl.
Fucking gods, I better not get attacked by some creature down here.
Gripping my dagger tightly, I hold it out in front of me and resume my careful steps.
There is a rhythmic pattern to the odd sound that spills out into the space and as I reach another corner cell, I prepare for something to leap out and snap at me.
But instead, there is only the movement of shadow.
I press further, my breaths coming so quickly I’m sure whoever or whatever is down the corridor will hear me.
Wetness splatters out onto the ground in front of me, catching just enough of the sparse light to reveal its color.
Red. My stomach hollows as I swallow down my fear, sweat beading at my neck.
My boots are silent against the stone while sweat beads at my neck, the edges of the cell where the noises are coming from nearing.
Spelled flames highlight more blood pooling inside, originating from where a male is kneeling, his upper body heaving with labored breaths.
I watch silently as he raises his hands, a blade glinting in his grasp before he plunges it back down, a sickening wet sound skating over me.
His back expands with a deep breath, and though I shouldn’t announce myself yet, I suspect I already know whose eyes I meet when he turns around. “Hey!”
My fears are confirmed when he startles and twists his body to look at me, his gaze overtaken by whatever rage has propelled him to this moment.
I take in his blood-splattered face, the way I can’t see the color of it on his clothes but can tell he is painted in it by the way it glistens beneath the firelight.
And it guts me when recognition flashes in his gaze, clearing the bitter darkness that clouds them.
I take a step closer, avoiding looking at the mess that’s heaped in front of him as I instead hold his gaze. “Nox?”
“Stop.”
His command is given roughly, his voice a shred of itself. But I ignore it and chance another step towards him. “Nox, what happened?”
He shakes his head, working his jaw as he drops his gaze from mine.
“I failed her,” he grits out, his shoulders tensing as he drags in a quick breath.
“He’s torturing her, touching her, and I can’t do a godsdamn thing about it.
” I get close enough to see the faint tears now gathering on his lower lashes, and gods, he’s never looked so broken.
So completely shattered. “She’s suffering, and I’ll never be able to forgive myself for that. ”
“It’s okay.” I force the tears that threaten to spill from my own eyes away, stuffing my rising sadness down with them as I close the remaining distance between us, sliding my blade back into its hidden spot in my boot. “Nox, give me the dagger.”
“I’ve failed her,” he says again, this time not softly or with anger.
But with utter devastation. “And he was the only one who had information and I—” The dagger shakes in his trembling hands, and though I can’t sense magic, though I know his is currently too weak to be felt regardless, I swear the air thickens with something as it causes the hair at the back of my neck to rise.
“There is nothing we can do about that now.” I keep my tone light and my words gentle as I hold my hand out. “But we can figure out what to do next together, Nox.”
“You shouldn’t be here, Bahira. I never wanted you to be dragged into this mess. To suffer from my own failures.”
I blink back my surprise at his words, even though they break my heart. I know my brother has been suffering, but taking in the scene around me—the way Nox can’t quite seem to let the rage that led to this go—I’m ashamed to admit that it’s worse than I imagined.
I kneel at his side, watching as utter turmoil lays claim to every inch of his face.
“The dagger, Brother,” I say again, still reaching a hand out.
Hoping he knows it symbolizes more than just relieving him of the weapon.
But Nox is lost, his gaze distant. He doesn’t fight me when I reach out and pry it from his hand, tossing it out of reach before helping him up to stand.
Uncertainty fills the space between us and I do the only thing I can think of to try and pull my brother from the darkness threatening to drown him: I wrap my arms around his torso.
His body is stiff at first in my hold, but then he embraces me back, his fingers digging into my sides.
“It’s going to be alright.” It’s the only reassurance I can offer, even if it doesn’t quite feel like the truth.
I wish there was anything else I could do to unburden him of his anguish, but instead, I hold him, letting him grip me like he might descend back into the chaos I found him in if he lets go.
“We’ll get her back,” I whisper, swallowing when he stays silent.
“She’s strong, Nox, you told me yourself. ”
“Bahira! You promised only a few minutes, and it’s been a lot more than that!”
Fuck. My brother pulls away and looks for his discarded dagger, but I shake my head as I release him fully.
“Don’t worry. He won’t be a problem.” At least, I hope that’s the fucking truth.
Nox looks as unconvinced as I probably sound but doesn’t protest when I order him to stay put.
Stepping back out into the aisle, I walk forward as I call Max’s name out.
“Bahira…” Max nearly gasps when he sees me, lowering his sword.
“What are you doing down here? I thought you said—” He abruptly stops when he takes me in, not even the darkness of the dungeons can hide what stains my body from hugging Nox.
“Is that blood?” He lifts his sword again, eyes darting side to side. “Did someone hurt you?”
“No.” My hands come out in front of me, pressing at his chest when he tries to walk past me. “I’m completely uninjured.”
“But…” He looks down at me again, brows furrowed deeply. “Then whose blood is that?”
I sigh as I drop my hands. “I need to ask for your help again. But I can’t tell you why—not because I don’t want you to know, but because it could be dangerous for you.” Pressing my lips together, I weigh my next words carefully. “There’s been an incident, and I need you to help me cover it up.”
Trusting someone has never come easily to me, and with Haylee’s betrayal fresh on my mind, the last thing I want to do is make the wrong choice here.
But Nox… I will not be another person that lets him down.
And if Max doesn’t want to help him, then I will do whatever I must to ensure my brother remains safe.
Tense moments pass between Max and I as we stare at each other.
I certainly would not blame him if he told me to fuck off and attempted to strike me down.
But the behemoth of a man just groans, as if I’ve asked him for the hundredth time to pick his shirt up from the floor.
Resheathing his sword, he pins me with a look that I’m fairly certain is meant to be menacing but just comes off as petulant. “What do you need me to do?”