Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
MAX
Holding my breath, I look into the open chamber of the throne room, the dome above us painted red from the haze outside.
Flickering torches line the walls but it does little to battle back the darkness.
Pale faces and glinting teeth all stare back at me, hungry and intrigued, as a delicacy is waved before them.
No one moves, but a wide path parts, allowing us to enter.
“And it begins,” Reid mutters behind us, Fee snorting in agreement. I’m not sure what they’re referring to, but it’s hard to pay them attention when my heart feels as if it’s going to jump through my chest. My fear is so high, my hands shake.
Grabbing one trembling palm, Kaden side eyes me. “You reek of fear. Stop it.”
“Easy for you to say.” No one is looking at the heir like they want to eat him.
Turning, he pulls me close, possessive and sure, blocking us from the crowd. “If I can smell it, they can. Turn it off, Max. I don’t need to remind you what fear does to a Dark Fae. Not everyone has my control.”
Angrily, I scoff and allow him to pull me into the room, short breaths puffing from my lips.
As we pass one Dark Fae Lord, his nose flares, his chest inhaling deeply. His fangs lower over his lip, my fear calling to his baser instincts like an aphrodisiac.
My mind flashes to those Dark Fae etchings in the doors, remembering that though they are civilized now, in the past, they were not. They will tear into anything—and anyone—if pushed the right way. I don’t want to tempt that.
Kaden growls, a low vibration under his throat that forces the Lord to look down and away.
“You’re terrible at this. Has no one taught you how to control your emotions?”
“Not without fear,” I retort. Fear was the only way to make me control my magic. Nessa drilled the notion into my head since I was a girl. Now, it’s running rampant and I don’t know how to stop it.
“Here.” His heavy hand pats my belly, long fingers curling just enough to feel his touch. “Take deep breathes from here. Short breathes and you’ll pass out.”
Slowly, I inhale, breaths silent. The fear, the tension in my stomach lessens, the tightness easing. Carefully, I follow his steps, passing more Fae, shutting my face down.
After a few steps, he murmurs, “Better. But you could look at least a little thrilled to be here.”
“Which do you want? Honesty or happiness?” A lord steps too close and I grab the heir, nails digging into his forearm that I feel appear on my own. “Because I can’t do both.”
He laughs, bowing his head to a few women, his smirk growing at my irritation. “One day, kitten, you’ll realize I’m not your enemy.”
I snort as the procession ends. “That isn’t today.”
Something snaps in the heir, him turning too quick to process as his hands wrench my face to meet his eyes. His fingers press into my cheeks, tiny bites of pain, and I know I’ll have a bruise come morning.
“Remember, Max. Only one person has the ability to kill you. And that being is me.” Pushing my face away, he drags me the rest of the way to Zelos’ throne, shadows billowing off his shoulders. He’s in a mood tonight. How fortunate for me.
The stage is a few steps taller than the floor, with a large, black throne made of granite in the center. It’s too large for the Fae who sits upon it, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
He’s pretty enough, with a strong resemblance to his son. But there’s a cunningness in Zelos eyes that Kaden lacks. Coldness seeps into my veins, triggering the need to escape as those eyes sweep over me. I need to flee from this place and get away from him.
Fear, unlike anything I’ve ever felt with Kaden, knots in my gut and I glance behind me.
“Don’t,” Kaden breathes into my ear, acting as if he’s stealing an intimate kiss. “If you run, I will chase. And you don’t want that, kitten. Not here. Not in front of this crowd.”
My body shivers and I’m embarrassed to admit, it’s not from fear this time.
“And why not?” I barely mouth the words. Dampness grows between my thighs. “Afraid I would outrun you?”
“No, Max.” He chuckles, nuzzling my head, but his touch bites into my waist. A warning.
“You won’t outrun me, because you can never be free of me.
But I will catch you. I will break this beautiful body, mark it with my claims so everyone knows exactly who you belong to.
And no matter how hard you fight me, I won’t stop.
You will bend for me.” He inhales. “Do want that?”
Clearing my throat, my heart pounds in my chest. “No.”
“Such a horrible liar.” He laughs. “You smell like sex, kitten. You want me, even now. Surrounded by death, by danger, claiming to hate me.” He inhales again. “Perfect for the future Queen of the Dark Fae.”
Before I can comment, Kaden drags me up onto the stage, coming face to face with his father.
I don’t know if I should bow or kneel, so I do neither, trying to control my heart, the thick fear and arousal coating my skin. Kaden’s words unlocked some dark desire in me, but I am terrified by the king sitting before me.
Everything is so conflicting, I don’t know how to behave here. In the Coven, I hid, afraid. Here, I’m tested and pushed. Forced to react.
Zelos brings a chalice to his full, pale lips. It’s not wine I smell, but the heavy metallic tang of blood. Just the aura of this Fae has me reaching for a dagger that doesn’t exist.
“There’s something to be said about the color red on you, my dear.”
Kaden pulls me to the side acting like a blockade between us. But Zelos’ eyes continue to stare, burrowing into my soul. It’s a terrible hook and I want to claw free of it.
“Wanting to start rumors of incest already, Father?” he drawls, holding my hand behind his back. It’s a warning to stay close. But it seems strange that he would be hiding me from the Fae who tasked him with kidnapping me.
Zelos smiles, sipping from his glass. Briefly, I notice how not a single scar lines his fingers. “Would it be incest if it is not my child?”
Kaden’s jaw clenches and I feel his siblings coming close, picking up on his irritation. I’m not sure if it’s to offer support or to prevent the heir from doing something rash.
“Considering you are to begin a campaign that will change the entire world, perhaps not starting with talks of sleeping with your future daughter-in-law would be prudent.” The heir shifts, a practiced bored expression on his face.
Yet, tension leaks from every pore as the hand holding mine crushes my bones together. This goes beyond simply protecting me; no, something deeper, darker. A possessiveness that feels primal in its intensity. He wants to keep me from his father and completely his.
I’m not the only one who sees the jealousy on his features, hidden by a prince’s casual dismissal. Zelos’ amber eyes shine with unspoken retribution.
Suddenly, he slaps the throne, laughing. “My heir, you are in a jovial mood. It must be this lovely creature who has brought out a new side of you. I approve.” Again, he stares at me, and I refuse to move from Kaden’s shadow.
“Kaden,” Fee interrupts, voice low, pulling both of us from the king. “The doors are opening.”
“And Uncle approaches,” Reid adds. Together, we turn toward the front of the room, the large doors opening once more. Behind a man in black armor stands a crowd of people, various clothing from different places and a mixture of appearance, but all ethereal and young.
Fae. Dozens of different kingdoms. How many are there?
I know the Fae have existed as long as Witches or Humans.
But when the Great War broke out over Neevea, the various Fae retreated to the upper northern parts of our land.
None have interacted with us in centuries, keeping to themselves, refusing to intercede in our affairs. It was as if they disappeared.
To see them now, alive, my mouth parts in surprise as the fear wavers.
Their uncle, large and intimidating, walks through the crowd with the finesse of water. The court moves, giving him the space and respect his deserves. I see the medals pinned on his black uniform, the aura of honor he wears like a cloak.
He’s important in this world. What he must have done to accomplish such a thing, I’m curious to know.
Bowing deeply to Zelos first, he greets him politely. Thankfully, this draws the king’s attention from me, giving me a slight reprieve and I sigh. Then, he bows deeper, more respectfully to Kaden.
When he stands, he grabs his shoulder in an uncompromising hold, fingers digging deep.
“Prepare, my nephew,” is all he whispers, taking a spot behind the throne like the royal siblings. Only Zelos, Kaden, and I remain at the front.
Taking this as a cue, Zelos stands, hands held high. He scans the crowd, enjoying their adoring glances. I know little about this ruler, but he likes the attention, preens under the lords’ admiration and the ladies’ smiles. He stands taller, his black robes long, and richly made.
“Friends, today begins the beginning of a fruitful future.” He waves his hands, the doors pulling open once more. “Today, we welcome those who would help us, and foster partnerships, but tomorrow? We plan. To take over the continent.”