THE MATRIARCH
37
- MALAKAI -
W aking up the following morning brings me a sense of rejuvenation. I know exactly what my plan is. I refuse to live my life the way it was before. We will find another way.
There is always another way.
I won’t go back. Before Alanis, I was empty. I got into so many bar fights that my mother and father started sending bodyguards after me to ensure I wasn’t mortally wounded. Alanis opened my eyes to a world of colors. From the second my eyes landed on hers in that cave, my soul knew that it needed her.
Kailu and I walk hand in hand with Alanis to the dining hall, everyone already seated around the table. A tension hangs over the room as we sit down. Neither my father nor Elion are here, and when I glance at Alanis, know she’s clocked it, too.
I drop a kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll be right back.”
She nods, leaning over the arm of her chair to converse with Hannah and Hendrix, who are scouring through books to figure out a way to break the Fates’ prophecy.
Kailu must sense my nervous energy. He quickly gets up to follow me. “What’s going on, Mal?”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure. Elion has been disappearing every day, and now my father.”
I’m not sure where I’m headed, I just let my feet guide me. Before long, I find myself in front of the healer’s quarters and spot the healer deep in conversation with not only Elion but also my father.
When we approach, the healer’s eyes go wide.
“What is going on?”
My father and Elion look at me, both with guarded expressions. The healer—Laylani, I believe her name is—looks between all of us.
“I was just asking our healer for some medical advice. Elion was already here.”
Elion clears his throat, leaving without a word. As he walks by, I catch the scent that lingers on him.
Death.
My father stands, motioning for me to follow.
Every step to my father’s study, my mind still reels from that very unique smell. Kailu and I take the chairs in front of my father’s desk, waiting for whatever he has to say.
“I am sick.”
My brain freezes. “All right. Did the healer give you something? How long did she say it would last?” His hesitant stare has my heartbeat kicking up a notch. “Dad…”
He lets out a sigh. “The healer is not sure what ails me. But whatever it is, we currently don’t have a cure for. Sickness of the blood, she called it. I weaken every day.”
Kailu clutches my hand, but I refuse to believe that my father, ruler of this realm, is anything but strong and healthy. “I’ll have a word with her. I’m sure it’s just an average seasonal illness. We will figure it out. I’ll call in other healers.”
My father gives me a sad smile. “Mal…”
My throat feels tight, my body too hot. “No. You are fine . This is nothing.”
My father opens his mouth but quickly closes it when Kailu gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
The room is silent for a moment before my father speaks again. “There’s another thing…War is coming.”
I scoff. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“No, you misunderstand me, son. War is imminent. Iclas is mobilizing his army. The Witches have reported multiple spikes in activity at each of the portal sights. I have sent a warning to residents. I also set a mandatory curfew; no one is to be out after dark. Ghouls are more likely to attack then.”
“Do we have any idea where he intends for this battle to take place?” Kailu asks.
My father shakes his head. “I’m unsure, but the matriarch will be here by noon. She requests to see Alanis.”
“If that is what Alanis wishes, then fine,” I say. “From what her father said, he wanted her nowhere near her grandmother.”
“You misunderstand me again. Alanis will be at the meeting. There is no other option. We need the psychic Witch to help us, and the matriarch will only allow it if Alanis is present.”
I clench my teeth, shocked that one doesn’t crack, and rip my hand out of Kailu’s to stand up so quickly that my chair falls backward. It’s too much. Alanis, the prophecy. Iclas, the matriarch, my father…I can’t breathe. Kailu calls my name as I stumble out the door, but I don’t stop. I storm up the stairs, unaware of anything and everything around me until a voice says, “Mal?”
It stops me in my tracks. The sight of her alone breathes air into my body.
“What is it?”
I shake my head. “Your grandmother is coming, and you are required at the meeting.”
She releases a breath. “From what my father had to say about her, I am not thrilled, but if I must.”
I kiss her hard.
She pulls back, studying me. “Mal…what is going on?”
A lone tear burns down my cheek, and I know I can’t do this without her. I can’t be the person this realm needs unless she is with me every step of the way. So I tell her.
About my father. My fears. My plans. I tell her everything, cutting myself open and letting the words and emotions bleed from my body.
When I’m done and feeling empty and hollow, she brings me back. Kissing me softly.
Always her.
I pull her to me, crushing my lips to hers, just needing to feel something.
Our tongues tangle as I push her back towards our room.
I lose myself in her for hours, only coming out when it’s time for the dreaded meeting with the matriarch.
- ALANIS -
My hands sweat as I reach for the doorknob. Just beyond sits my grandmother, someone my father made sound like a real bitch. Malakai and Kailu stand on either side of me, both offering gentle touches to calm my racing heart.
Squaring my shoulders, I open the door and four sets of eyes turn to me. The king and queen give me a reassuring smile. A black-haired female sits next to the queen, her eyes an odd shade of gray, almost opaque. Next to the king sits a severe-looking female. Her gray hair is pulled into a tight bun on top of her head, her black dress covering every inch of her save her face. She locks her gaze on me, making my heart stutter. Her ice-blue gaze is so similar to my own that it’s like looking in a mirror.
With more bravery than I feel, I walk to the end of the table and take a seat when Kailu pulls my chair back for me.
“So, this is the bastard child my daughter bore. The reason she ran away from home and abandoned her family.”
It’s like all the air was sucked from the room. You would think it wouldn’t hurt since I don’t know this person, but somehow it still does.
“I refuse to sit here and listen to you berate my mate,” Malakai growls. “What is it you want?”
My grandmother rolls her eyes. “Let’s stop with the dramatics. You wanted my help, and I want my granddaughter.”
I huff out a laugh. “You are not my grandmother. We might share blood, but I have no desire to be part of your family or your Godsforsaken coven.”
The matriarch sits speechless, clearly not happy with being talked down to. Too bad I don’t give two fucks.
“Now here I am, just as you wanted, so answer our damn questions.”
Malakai speaks to the old bitch. “Alanis has some type of shield over her mind. The Elves we consulted couldn’t determine what was causing it, but can you?”
The old Witch stands but pauses. “May I?” she asks, snark evident in her tone.
I nod and the matriarch clasps her hands on either side of my head. I grit my teeth in discomfort. Kailu looks about two seconds from flinging himself at her.
When the matriarch pulls away, she clicks her tongue. “A spell is blocking her mind. An intricate one at that. There are very few I know who could pull it off. I can’t pinpoint what exactly it is, though it could be a curse.”
I pale. “A curse? Like the prophecy?”
The matriarch shakes her head. “The prophecy is not a curse; it is what is written in the stars.”
I can’t help but scoff. “Is this curse blocking anything? Memories? Bonds?”
The old female studies me, Malakai, and Kailu. Her smirk grates on my nerves. She replaces her hands on my head and closes her eyes.
I’m holding my breath, while Kailu looks downright ill.
“It seems to be surrounding your very soul. Bonds are tied to the soul, so there could be one lurking in there.”
Kailu glances at me with so much hope that my heart clenches.
Dear Gods, let him be bonded with us.