A PROPHECY
21
- ALANIS -
T he last leg of the trip to Percius is torture. I refuse to talk to Kailu or Malakai, completely done with the half-truths and avoidance. It’s not as though Kailu even presents the opportunity, given he stays in his snow leopard form the entire time.
A freaking snow leopard!
Malakai walks up to me as we traverse the rugged terrain at the base of the Sinwood Mountains, deciding to lead our horses on foot until we reach the town of Selianthe. “Alanis…I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. I’ve been on my own for quite some time, and I haven’t had to share information or function in a team in a while. I should have told you when I first realized.” He pauses, taking a breath, like he is preparing himself for something. “But there’s something else I need to tell you.”
I throw my hand up, not wanting to discuss anything further.
He trails off, running his hands through his hair in exasperation. I’m not sure why, but I want to fall into his arms. I don’t want to be strong anymore. I rub at the pinch in my chest as he moves away from me.
Just as we enter Selianthe, a group of ghouls comes rushing from the wilds. The horses scramble, running erratically to avoid the oncoming danger.
There are only three ghouls, but they do not shy away from us. One comes barreling at Kailu, knocking him to the ground. Malakai takes on another, slashing at its throat. Kailu throws the thing off his back, but the ghoul doesn’t relent, even as it and Kailu circle each other. Kailu pounces, pinning the thing to the ground, Malakai coming in with his sword to decapitate it.
Taking down the ghouls takes only minutes, the bodies littering the ground around us. I help a handful of soldiers gather the frightened horses, grabbing a towel and an extra pair of trousers from the satchel on Zephyr’s back. I walk towards Kailu, who has shifted back into his Fae form.
“Thanks,” he says softly, hesitation in his gaze as he wipes the sludge from his face. He stands naked, and I have to fight like hell to avert my gaze.
“What the hell did they want?” Siveral snaps.
Hendrix collects the bodies, flicking a match and lighting them on fire. Their burning bodies send black smoke into the sky, the smell of rot and death burning my nose.
“I have no idea,” Malakai says. “But we need to get to the city. That will be the safest place to figure out what the hell is going on.”
Watching the scene unfold, I wonder if Malakai is stationed above Kailu since he seems to have taken over giving orders.
We enter the city of Percius just after noon. The cobblestone streets are damp from a recent rain shower, the air humid and making my hair stick to my neck. I am very aware of how long it has been since I washed with anything more than a soapy cloth under my arms. Malakai walks us directly to the castle, the wrought iron gates looming only a handful of feet in front of us. Soldiers stand at attention and my palms turn clammy. Malakai thinks we can just waltz in unannounced? Surely there’s a protocol for meeting with the king and queen. A quick glance at Kailu has me worried, now that he’s finally in his Fae form. He doesn’t look well. Shadows mar his face, and it looks as if he hasn’t cleaned up since leaving me.
The guards at the gate don’t even blink as we approach, they simply push them open and allow us to pass through. A few stable hands wait just inside the gates, prepared to take the horses for some much-needed rest. I am left gaping after everyone, because Malakai really just strolled right in like he owned the place. Hannah side-eyes me, so at least I’m not alone in my confusion. Honeysuckle twines up the brick front of the castle, the smell of flowers hanging in the air. Apple trees line the walkway as we approach the large oaken front doors. Malakai, Siveral, Hendrix, and Kailu continue towards the front door while the rest of the soldiers branch off to other locations.
I quickly catch up to the rest of the group following behind Hannah. Stepping into the castle, I become self-conscious, my boots clomping on the pristine marble floor, dropping clumps of mud. I turn the corner to find Malakai entering what can only be the throne room due to the number of nobles filtering in and out. Stepping inside, I balk at the opulence: white marble floors, a gold chandelier, and two golden thrones, their tops engraved with the royal crest. And there stands Malakai in the center of everything.
With the king and queen staring with wide eyes from their seated positions just a few feet from Malakai’s reach.
King Castair and Queen Lucilia are directly in front of me.
Malakai offers a slight bow and I drop to my knees, following the rest of the group’s lead. Nobody moves, nobody talks. Hell, I don’t even think I breathe.
The queen stands, stepping down off the dais, her shoes making a dainty clicking noise on the marble as she struts towards Malakai. My first thought is she is going to send us all to the dungeons for barging in here with no notice. Panic courses through me, and I notice Malakai stiffen, as if he can feel the tension crawling up my skin.
Shit. He probably can. He’s my mate. Or at least there is a strong chance that he is.
The queen stops in front of him. I wait with bated breath, my body prepared to fight to the death. She shocks the hell out of me when she pulls him in for a hug instead.
Only Hannah and I seem surprised.
The queen looks over Malakai’s shoulder, smirking. “It looks as if some in your group are dismayed. Are they unaware that you are the heir to the throne?”
If my jaw could drop any lower, it would.
Malakai peeks over at me, and I swear he might be blushing. He also looks guilty as hell. Shock is quickly replaced by anger at the realization he lied to me again. Well, not lied, because I never thought to ask if he was the damn prince —but he hid the truth.
I grit my teeth, holding back the words that want to break free. The king never once rises from his throne or greets anyone. He just stares. I fidget beneath his gaze because it seems to be solely focused on me.
“It seems as if you all have had quite the journey,” the queen continues. “Why don’t you freshen up in the guest quarters, and then we can sit down to dinner? Maybe you can explain to us what is going on then.”
Malakai gives a nod, leading us out. As we leave the room, I hear the queen speak again: “Good to see you again, Kailu.”
Malakai shows everyone to a room in the east wing of the castle, saving me for last. The paintings that line the hall portray the realm’s history. The Gods and Goddess of both Hell and the Vale. The past and present kings and queens. I step inside the room he shows me to, but right as I’m about to shut the door in his face, he gently grabs my forearm.
“Alanis, I can explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain,” I say, as sweetly as I possibly can, and shamelessly meet his gaze. “You don’t owe me shit.”
His fingers clench around my arm. “I tried to tell you before we got here, but then you wouldn’t look at me or speak to me.”
“Ah, so it’s my fault.”
“No, that’s not—”
I pull out of his grasp, knowing full well it’s only because he let me. “Don’t worry about it. I get it. I may be your mate, who knows? Maybe it’s just some curse that ties us together. I’ve read about things like that. Either way, I’m sure having a mate wasn’t top on your priority list. I appreciate your help, but I expect nothing from you.”
He looks as if I punched him. “We are friends at the very least, are we not?”
A part of me feels guilty for my harsh words. I look down, his words tearing into my already broken heart. “I thought so, but it seems I was wrong.” With that, I shut the door.
The room is absolutely decadent. An enormous, white four-poster bed sits in the middle of the room with a flowing canopy. The floors are white and gold marble. The windows stretch from the floor to the ceiling, the afternoon sunlight pouring in with the black velvet curtains pulled back to showcase the massive garden and patio outside, just a floor below.
I head to the bathing room. Of course it’s just as beautiful and keeps with the black, white, and gold theme. I turn on the faucet for the tub, gladly stripping off my dirty clothes. I add some citrus-scented salts and slide into the water, letting out a sigh as the heat eases my sore muscles.
When I step back out, brushing my hair with a delicate comb I found in a basket on the counter, I notice a dress laying on the bed. It wasn’t here before my bath. I run my finger down the gauzy, sage green material. Butterflies line the straps and top of the corset. Slipping it on, I admire myself in the mirror. The torso is pulled tight, but the skirt flares out right above my hips, falling gently to the floor. Butterflies decorate the skirt and bodice. The shoes are just as gorgeous; gold, open-toed heels with a butterfly adorning the back, right on the heel.
I’ve never worn anything so beautiful.
I bristle at all the hoops we need to jump through just to get more information, all while my brother is Gods knows where. Unfortunately, I need to learn what the king and queen know, so it wouldn’t help if I insulted them by showing up smelling like I spent weeks on horseback.
On the vanity I find beautiful gold butterfly clips, so I pull my hair back and let my natural waves cascade over my shoulders. I spot some rouge and quickly add some color to my cheeks.
I hardly recognize myself when I look in the mirror.
Peeking outside I see the majority of our group gathered around a large table set for dinner on the patio. The trees are all twinkling with lights and the sun is just starting to set, so I hurry down the hallway, trying to remember the exact way Malakai brought us. I take a few wrong turns trying to find the main staircase, but once I do, I practically run down the stairs to avoid being late, making it to the foyer before I bump into someone.
“Oh my goodness, I apologize. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” I step back and meet the deep gray eyes of the king. Oh fuck. I curtsy, awkward though it is since I’ve never done it before. “Your Majesty.”
His eyes crinkle in amusement. “It is no wonder my son is so taken with you. You are quite beautiful. It was hard to tell beneath all the grime.”
I rear back at his words, slightly offended. That doesn’t stop the blush rising to my cheeks at the implication that his son is attracted to me. Sun shining through the window glints off the ring on his pinky finger.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Your Majesty,” I say, while tilting my head to better see the intricate design on the piece of jewelry.
He gives me a knowing smile and turns his hand towards me. “The family crest. It is passed down from king to king within our bloodline.” He pauses. “What’s your name?”
“Alanis.”
He nods. “Well Alanis, I look forward to getting to know my son’s mate a little better. Come, dinner is prepared.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Your Majesty…” I trail off, not sure what to say.
He laughs, a deep chuckle that echoes throughout the room. “I could scent the bond the second you both were in the room together. Not many are able to smell a mating bond that hasn’t fully formed yet. Only those of us who are lucky enough to find our mates can sense it.”
My cheeks burn as I follow him, ducking my nose into my armpit to see if I can smell the bond, too.
The garden is something out of a fairytale: twinkling lights, candles, lush green willow trees, and colorful peonies. I turn to those at the large glass table, the smell of meat and potatoes wafting from the center. My mind comes to an abrupt halt at the sight before me.
Malakai is dressed in all black. A black shirt unbuttoned at the top, showing off his tattoos. His hair is slicked back from his face. He oozes confidence and power. Standing before me, I can clearly see a leader. The future heir to this realm.
It’s not his clothes that make me freeze, though. It’s his eyes, devouring me with each step closer he takes. When he stops in front of me, I tilt my head back to look at him. His scent washes over me, instantly making my core clench. His jaw tenses and I know he can smell my arousal.
That alone should embarrass me.
I know I’m pissed as hell at him, but this feeling is one I can’t control. I break his stare for my own sanity and peer past him. Hannah, Hendrix, and Siveral sit chatting quietly amongst themselves. The king and queen sit at the head of the table, looking on with assessing stares.
Kailu is noticeably absent.
I take the seat next to Malakai.
“So, son, what brings you home?” The king looks between us with a soft smile.
He clears his throat. “I would like to take a look at the castle records. We’re searching for the missing soldiers and have come across portals through which ghouls are travelling. Alanis met a Banshee who said something intriguing, and I believe that if we can unravel her clue, we will find the culprit to all our problems.”
The queen looks between us with a pinched brow. “Alanis, was it? What exactly did this Banshee say to you?”
I swallow hard and tangle my fingers together in my lap to hide their shaking. “She said I could find what I need at the throne. I’m not sure whose throne that is, though.”
The queen looks absolutely appalled, but it is the king’s carefully vacant expression that draws my interest.
“I can assure you that we don’t know who is behind this,” the queen says. “If we did, we would have stopped it.”
Malakai snorts. “I’m well aware of that, Mother, but I was wondering if the records could tell us where another throne may be in this realm. Or could it be in one of the other four realms?”
The king says nothing as he quietly digs into the bowl of apples and berries placed before him. I continue to stare at him, and Malakai clearly takes notice.
“Father, do you have information that could help us?”
After a moment, he swallows his bite and sets his fork down. “Millennia ago, the continent was split in two. The northern half was ruled by the Gods and Goddesses themselves, and the southern portion by a Fae King and Queen they deemed worthy. As the years passed, the Gods and Goddesses grew tired of their mortal skin and left for the Eternal Vale, leaving the king and queen to rule the entire realm in their stead. They ruled it well for centuries, passing it on to their heirs before they too left for the Vale. Their great, great granddaughter, Paliri, my sister, decided upon her marriage to move the royal family’s holdings to Percius. It was better protected. And now here we are a century after Queen Paliri ruled, sitting where our ancestors did before us, and the Gods before them.”
I glance at Malakai, practically hearing the wheels turn in his mind. “Where were the family holdings before they moved here?” I ask.
The king’s face is grim. “The Isle of Rimoldi.”
Siveral gasps at the far end of the table. Malakai has gone pale. As if on instinct, I reach out and squeeze his hand in comfort.
“There is a throne on the Isle,” the king continues. “The only other throne that could possibly be in this realm. It is one steeped in blood.”
My palms turn sweaty. I go to pull my hand free, but Malakai tightens his grip, unwilling to let me go.
“Siveral and Kailu explained some of the history, but could you tell me more?” My stare is on the king, but it’s the queen who answers my question.
“A few years before Paliri moved the throne,” the queen begins, “a wealthy family began to take over the Isle. They cared for the inhabitants for a time, even after the royals left. That is, until their eldest son Iclas took over. This was a few months after Paliri left. Once Iclas began his sacrifices, the Gods and Goddesses damned him and the Isle. Some managed to escape during the bloodshed, but not everyone. The Gods only cursed the guilty, though neighbor turned against neighbor and a battle began. No one knows what happened to Iclas, as he and his family disappeared during this time. Most assumed they died due to the curse, like all the others. We also believed that to be true.”
Her wording gives me pause. “You don’t believe that now, though?”
The king shakes his head. “When we got word about missing soldiers, we thought nothing of it at first, until Kailu’s letter. Malakai was already investigating the increase in ghoul attacks, so we had him start looking into the missing soldiers, too. Although he was supposed to take people with him for protection, not go alone.” The king gives his son a scolding stare before continuing. “Each piece of information we received became more and more worrisome. Then we got word from the Shadow Vale Coven.”
My heart skyrockets at the name of my potential relatives. It’s Malakai’s turn to give my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“One of their witches specializes in tracking power surges throughout the realm. It’s how they keep their coven safe from other Witches who may look to overthrow them,” the king explains. “The matriarch pinpointed them to locations already steeped in magic. She guessed that someone was opening portals—not just one, but multiple. All across the realm.”
“Why would someone need multiple portals?”
“To give them multiple locations to drop their soldiers,” Malakai says. “Strategic locations that would quite possibly help them win a war.”
My blood runs cold when the king gives a solemn nod. “We believe that the person behind this is planning an all-out war to take over the realm.”
“Who?” Siveral demands, holding a butter knife like it’s something far deadlier. “Do you have any idea?”
“Iclas,” the queen says, as if commenting on the weather.
My head jerks back. “How is that possible?”
“Iclas was clever,” she says. “He knew he could outsmart almost everyone. He also knew that his sacrifices would anger the Gods. When this all started, I went to the castle records, just as you plan to do. Siah, our archivist, found the last record of the Gods in this realm from when they cursed the Isle.” She takes a breath, as if to brace herself. “However, I noticed a discrepancy in one of the reports. After further digging, he helped me find a complete and accurate record from that time in our realm’s history. Right before the curse was placed, there is a record of the Hell Gods being spotted in Bone Valley. A hunter spotted Ames and Ryta.”
Ames, God of Hell and Shadow, and Ryta, Goddess of Death and Vengeance. I shudder. That damned place would be where Hell Gods had their council meetings. Their names are now burned into my memory from a history book on Hell I had been reading before Elion went missing.
“And you think this hooded figure was Iclas?” Malakai asks in a cautious voice, as if scared to hear the answer.
The queen nods, fiddling with a tiny spoon beside her plate. “I believe he sold his soul to the Hell Gods in exchange for power. I don’t believe he ever truly left. I think he used the cursed Isle to his advantage and has been biding his time there, gaining power.”
“Biding his time for what?” I whisper, for fear the Hell Gods themselves can hear me.
The queen locks eyes with me. “There are rumors of a prophecy—one that could damn the world, or save it.”
The blood drains from my face. Malakai’s face is so tense his right eye twitches as he speaks up. “What exactly does this prophecy say?”
The queen sips her wine, as if to fortify herself. “I’ve never seen it, nor do I know it in its entirety. The written prophecy went missing long ago. Some say the Fates hid it, and that it would only show itself to the ones who could help fulfill it. A Shadow Vale Witch who works closely with us brought it up to me about a year ago.”
“Do you remember any of the prophecy?” Malakai asks, his patience running thin.
The queen narrows her eyes at her son, and he ducks his chin, chastised. But she continues: “Not much. Just that a sacrifice of some kind was needed. And there is a child with hidden magic.”
A glass shatters, and I whip my head around. Kailu stands behind Siveral, blood dripping off his hand. Malakai’s grip has loosened around mine. I meet Kailu’s gaze. His eyes roam over me, as if I could disappear at any second.
My mind flits to Novus’s warning not so long ago about the Fates. What if what he said was right? What if my fate is not a happy one, but one of sacrifice?
I fear that I might be the key to this prophecy. I was raised as human but have some type of magic hidden in my veins. There are too many things tying back to me.
The Elves tried to warn me.
I can’t breathe. The corset isn’t that tight, but it still feels as if it pinches my ribs, cinching my lungs. I politely excuse myself and race to my room, trying to curb the panic clawing up my throat. The blackness starts to seep into my vision right as I crash through the door. I collapse to my knees, desperately tugging at the ties of the dress.
A warm body embraces mine, holding me close. I can’t see who it is through the tears clouding my vision, but the scent I recognize.
Kailu holds me even as I claw at his arms.
He doesn’t let me go, even when I scream into the stagnant air of this too-perfect room.
When my body has no energy left to fight or rage, I collapse back into him and weep.
And still, he does not let me go.