29. Rae
RAE
We landed on the scarred earth more gracefully than I ever would’ve thought possible, but Kian didn’t release me. I shifted slightly. “Um, you can put me down.”
He grinned deviously at me. “What if I don’t want to, Butterfly?”
It wasn’t just my cheeks that heated this time. The rest of my body did, too. I couldn’t help it as my gaze dropped to his lips. They were the color of peaches, and I wondered if they tasted like them.
“Stop fucking around and put her down,” Rhys clipped.
“Such a grumpy fucker,” Kian grumbled, but he did put my feet firmly on the earth.
The ash from the no-man’s-land patch of ground flew up around my boots, likely ruining the leather. I frowned down at them. “This whole outfit is ridiculous.”
One corner of Kian’s mouth kicked up. “We can get you something else if you’d prefer.”
“Who can do anything in this sort of thing?” I gripped the layered skirt of the dress, lifting it and then letting it fall.
“I take it you’re more for pants?” he asked.
I nodded. “Give me jeans and T-shirts any day. Even better if it’s sweats. No hard pants at all.”
His brow quirked. “Hard pants?”
“You know, binding.”
“Aaaaah. So noted.” Kian let out a whistle that almost sounded like a birdcall.
A second later, that magnificent black horse came trotting out of the trees on Luminary land. I watched in awe as it made its way over to us. “It’s beautiful,” I breathed.
“Shadow is very particular, but—” Kian’s words cut off as the horse sniffed my open palm and then moved his head into my touch as though asking for a stroke. “I was going to say that he knew you from before. I wondered if he’d remember you.”
I grazed his cheek with my hand, a faint memory of racing through a field on Shadow’s back with Kian behind me flitting through my mind. “Hi, Shadow.” The horse pressed into my touch again. “I missed you, too.”
It was the first time I could express the sentiment and truly mean it. Because there was something in the contact that felt like coming home.
Kian chuckled. “He always was more partial to you. The bastard.”
I smiled, leaning into the creature with the starlight coat.
“Ready for a ride?” Kian inquired.
“I, uh, it’s been a really long time since I’ve ridden.”
“Perfect time for a refresher.” Kian leapt from the ground, settling himself on Shadow’s bare back and holding out a hand to me.
“Um…”
A second later, a different pair of hands was on my waist, lifting me. I recognized the owner by the buzz that lit beneath my skin. My body never hummed when Pax touched me, so I knew it had to be Rhys.
Kian took me from Rhys’s grasp and settled me in front of him, my skirts billowing around us.
It was like I was a doll they were merely passing between them, and I didn’t love the feeling.
But it seemed silly to argue now. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to reach the castle Rhys had spoken of, but I had a feeling I’d be grateful to be on horseback.
Someone else landed with a thud. Ayden’s wings were a mix of green and gold that matched his eyes—eyes that were currently glaring daggers at his brother. “Thought you could leave me in the dust, Brother?”
Rhys sighed. “I’m merely going on about my business.”
Two Nocturnae guards landed behind Ayden as he prowled toward Rhys. “I’ve been ruling this House. They listen to me.”
“You rule because I’ve let you. Don’t think there’s any other reason,” Rhys snarled. “I could take your borrowed crown with one hand tied behind my back.”
Ayden called a sword out of nothing. “Want to try right now?”
Pax let out a loud whistle. “How about you two leave the dick-measuring contest for later? I’d rather not have you both injured and weakened when the Luminaries return.”
The brothers eyed each other for a moment, and then Ayden threw his blade into the air, making it dissipate into smoke. Pax knew how to reach them, could unite them against a common enemy. Unfortunately, it just so happened that I was that enemy.
“Let’s go,” Rhys clipped, then let out his own unique whistle, the other Nocturnae doing the same.
I watched in fascination as more horses emerged from the ember forest. My eyes burned as a dappled gray raced to Rhys. It skidded to a stop in front of him, and Rhys pressed his forehead to the horse’s, stroking its neck. “I’m sorry, Ash. I know it’s been far too long.”
The horse let out a whinny, and Rhys mounted in one fluid movement. It was captivating to watch his proficiency in it all. His ringed fingers trailed down the horse’s neck in long, fluid strokes. For the first time, I felt jealous of an animal.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Shadow moved into a trot, following behind Ash as Rhys and Pax led the way. I goggled at everything we passed: unique ember plants, fire-filled streams, burning forests. Something that looked like a butterfly made of sparks flitted through the air.
“Have I been here before?” I whispered to Kian, whose arms were around my middle, likely making sure I didn’t fall.
“Only once,” Rhys clipped.
Right. My nightmare. Racing through the burning woods. Rhys flying me through the air. The monster.
I swallowed hard. “Who was the monster that tried to kill us? Is he still here?”
Even in that horrifying skull mask, I knew it was a he. The jawline. The build. All of it was distinctly male. But definitely not human.
Rhys turned to look over his shoulder. “You remember?”
“Bits and pieces.” My fingers slipped beneath the collar of my dress, feeling my rippled flesh. “I remember that he scarred me. And you.”
Rhys’s jaw hardened. “He won’t be returning.”
“Who was he?” I asked, pressing my luck.
“Wraith.” He spoke the name with finality as if I should know exactly who that was.
I felt Kian stiffen behind me, heat blazing off him in waves.
Ayden sent me a wink as he passed on a golden chestnut horse covered in embers. “He’s the Demon King and, apparently, he wants to get his hands on you. Maybe we should help him along.”
The next movements happened so fast, I barely registered them before it was all over. Rhys called a bow from the air and fired a shot, the arrow whizzing so close to Ayden’s head that it was a miracle it didn’t hit him.
“What the fuck?” Ayden held a hand to the side of his head, and when he pulled it back, dark blood smeared his palm. “You got my godsdamned ear.”
“A reminder that it could be your eye next time,” Rhys clipped, turning around to face forward.
Even I could recognize that turning his back on his brother now was an insult.
He was saying that Ayden was no threat to him at all.
And if Ayden took advantage of his brother having his back turned, he’d be the coward Rhys clearly thought him to be.
Kian’s arm tightened around me as if on instinct.
The contact felt far too good. Way too enticing.
But it was at war with so many other things—like parents who didn’t care about me as more than a political pawn.
And my choice of who I’d spend my life with being stolen from me.
Not to mention one mate who hated me and another who was so kind it almost made it all worse.
“He won’t hurt you,” Kian promised.
“I’m not worried about him.” Not in the ways I likely should’ve been. All I could think about was how at odds everyone in this world seemed to be. The motives and manipulations. Pressure and power plays. Everything was a game.
And I needed to learn to play it.
Up ahead, the trees parted, and a castle that should’ve been in some storybook about dragons and princesses emerged from the darkness. The massive stone structure came complete with towers and turrets.
“Holy hollyhocks,” I muttered.
Kian’s chest shook at my back. “I’m not sure I know that term.”
“It’s beautiful.”
The castle was lit by countless torches and surrounded by those ember trees. There was even a moat of fire.
Voices rang out from what looked like watchtowers. Rhys raised his fist, calling out something in that language I didn’t understand, and they shouted back.
I couldn’t help stealing a glance at Ayden. He wasn’t particularly good at hiding his emotions. And the sour look on his face said he wasn’t happy about his brother’s greeting.
As if Kian recognized my unspoken question, he leaned forward, his lips brushing my ear. “They’re welcoming him home after his time away. One of them basically said the Nocturnae equivalent of long live the King.”
“No wonder Ayden looks like such a sourpuss,” I muttered.
That only made Kian chuckle, but as a drawbridge lowered, the amusement left him. “I want you to stick close. This clan, in particular, won’t be happy about your presence.”
“Because my father killed their King?” I asked quietly.
“Yes. And their Princess.”
My stomach twisted. How could I blame them for that?
I swallowed hard. “How old was she?”
Kian was quiet for a long moment. “Around ten, I believe. It was a very sad and tense time. I wouldn’t bring it up if I were you.”
Every breath I took felt like it burned. Ten years old. There couldn’t be any excuse. And that was the man whose blood ran through my veins.
I watched as Rhys guided his horse over the bridge and into a massive courtyard. It was like its own town square, complete with shops and what looked like cafés. People spilled out of doors and hallways, filling the courtyard.
The whispers began almost immediately. Angry glares and what sounded like curses were sent in my direction.
Rhys let out a loud whistle. “I know you have questions. Ones I was not able to answer until today. Why did I leave? Why do I bring two enemies into our midst now? Believe me, I had questions, too.”
“Great start,” Kian muttered under his breath.
“The Fates convened yesterday,” Rhys went on. “Soraya of the Luminaries was revealed to have four mates. Kian of Starlight and I are two of them. We now go on a hunt for the others. If you or anyone you know received a mark in the past twenty-four hours, please step forward.”
Stunned silence greeted us.
But it didn’t last for long. A second later, the sound of righteous fury exploded.