Chapter 38
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
KADEN
Sneaking back to the Black Palace is harder now, more treacherous when the guards are actively trying to kill me.
The beast pulls at his chains, and I wince against the pressure. It’s high on the freedom it experienced. Years spent as a prisoner to me, and one small taste has it pushing for more.
Thank the Gods for the bond. With Max’s power thrumming through my veins, I feel invigorated. It’s a zap of chaotic energy, of life that boosts my control. But one misstep and he will take me under.
After feeling the demand, the surge of her magic, I admire my mate anew.
This power is strong and demanding. It seeks blood, not waiting in my mind like my shadow magic, but hunting.
It’s almost ravenous with no end in sight.
I feel only a fraction of what Max has her entire life—how she has not leveled the world with this gift is surprising. It’s a testament to her strength.
We stop at the edge of the forest, guards covering the gardens. My father is scared, paranoid now. Without his attack dog at the ready, he’s unsure, throwing his defenses higher. He doesn’t know when I’ll attack, what I’ll do and frankly, neither do I.
I had a carefully laid plan, dissected and plotted with my uncle for years. But everything changed with Max. Now, I’m floundering, going off what I know and the drive to save my uncle. The male who raised me, taught me, and loved me as only a father should.
I won’t see him die for my cause. My impatience.
We stay to the shadows, edging around the corners as we get to the stables. The servants there notice us, but I know they won’t turn us in.
I’ve spent enough time sneaking them food, luxuries to pay for their families that their loyalty is only to me.
Guards stomp by as we duck into the hay stalls. Max is to my side, Reid and Fee in the next row, Zeke with two guards further back. The others have taken the other route, our plan simple.
Find and save Oslo. Kill Zelos. Anything else, is up for interpretation. This is the most out of control I’ve been.
I need order, set plans so I can execute them to the best of my ability. I’m used to scrimmages and random attacks, but this? This takes more planning and I’m afraid I won’t succeed.
Hands shaking, I grip tight to my sword and gesture to the west. “We’ll take the servants’ entrance. Reid, you’re up.”
“Spend a few nights gambling with the maids and now you’re an expert,” he grumbles, smiling as he takes the lead. He always jokes when he’s nervous.
“Gambling implies you win,” Fee remarks, dusting hay from her hair. She knows as well as I do that, he’s unsure. Fighting with him is her way of keeping the charade going.
As a unit we move through the stables, halting as more Fae pass. We dart across the yard, Max in my arms to move quicker. The woman would fall over a rock and we’d be caught if allowed to roam in the open.
Slamming my back into the walls, I call on my magic, to pry the door open. Max’s brow furrows, biting her bottom lip. “You should save—”
“We need to get inside,” I reassure her. “I’ll be fine.”
It’s a lie. I won’t be if I keep pulling on my magic. I’m not fully recovered from allowing the beast out and my strength is low. If I keep using my magic, my resolve will fall and the beast will use it as an opening to take over again.
Max’s power helps, the bond propels me to keep the door locked, but it won’t be enough.
Reid takes the lead into the hall, the inside too dark for my mate to see. Holding her hand, I walk behind Reid, sword drawn. My brother can fight, but my first concern has always been to protect what I love.
The halls for the servants is winding, long, with uneven hall sizes, crafted as an afterthought. Some we can only walk single file. Others, three of us can pass shoulder to shoulder. But after rushing through the cool passageways, we find ourselves at a fork.
“Why’d we stop?”
“I don’t know where Uncle is.” He tilts his head, listening. “Mal and Fenrir didn’t know where he’s being held. I’m open to suggestions.”
“Can’t you smell him?” Max asks, glancing from me to my brother. “Aren’t Dark Fae senses better than Witches and Humans?”
“We’re not dogs.” Reid rolls his eyes. “Heightened sense of smell, sure. But only Kaden can hunt by smell. The rest of us have to be closer to pick it up.”
I shift my weight, anxiety gnawing at my gut. This is taking too long. “If he’s to be executed, then the king would keep him away from the public.”
“Torture room?” Max clears her throat as Fee winces with the memories of what Zelos did to them both. A growl leaves my lips as I think on the damage, the harm he’s caused, the pain they felt.
The urge to stalk the halls, rip my father’s head from his shoulders grows brighter the longer we’re here. I’ll make him suffer. I guarantee it.
Zeke shakes his head. “No, if he’s to be made into a display, he’d be near the stage.”
“Holding cell.” I gesture to the right. “It’s the place all criminals are kept before a hearing. In this case, Oslo has already been convicted, so he’ll be there to await his punishment.”
It’s beside the throne room, a small closet where the accused would wait for the king to call them forward.
Knowing Zelos, he’s probably kept him there, hoping to break him, before dragging him into the throne room to kill.
No one would know about it except for those who sat in on court proceedings.
Both my siblings were usually left out due to not being the next in line.
By Seti, I will kill him if Oslo has been locked away for days in that closet.
“It’s in full view of the throne, my heir,” Zeke reminds me. “If we go to the closet and your father is there, he’ll see you.”
I conjure my shadows, their coolness a welcoming hug as the bite of Max’s fiery magic winds deep alongside it. My brow sweats, the strain uncomfortable. Exhaustion pulls at my bones and my hands tremble. “Good thing he won’t see us.”
“Kaden,” Max draws, voice tight. “If you use too much, the beast—”
“Won’t be a problem, love.” I press a chaste kiss to her temple, lying to my wife again. We’ve been married for only two days and yet, I’ve told as many lies. “I promise.”
Together, we turn toward the right, following the hall. It wraps around the throne, various doors entering the room for servants to pass out drinks or food to the guests. We bypass them all until we get to the end.
Max tugs my hand, stopping short. Her fingers press to her forehead, stained red, her brows furrowed.
“Kitten, what’s wrong?”
She breathes through her nose, head tilting as if listening. “Behind this wall are a lot of heartbeats.”
There’s a gathering then, in the throne room. This is where my father will use my uncle to alleviate his cause, force the Lords and ladies to watch his demonstration. My uncle will be forced to allow lies be spewed and an unfitting punishment bestowed on him.
Rage ignites in my belly, my shadows growing darker, thicker in the hall.
We need to get to him first.
Reid opens the last door, facing the hall before the throne room. This is where I prepared Max for the Dark Court, where I warred with loving her and hating her for this situation.
Perfect symmetry, that this is where I take my throne back.
Under the cover of darkness, we glide across the floor, keeping our steps light so as not to attraction attention. The darkness of the halls is thick, but my shadows obscure us, allowing us to make it to the opposite side without interference.
There, among the shadows, almost undetected, is a slip of a door, the silver handle blending into the wood. No one would know it was there unless they were searching for it.
My shadows grab the handle, snapping it silently as I push the door aside. Cool relief floods me as the next step unfurls. Once I grab Oslo, we can find Zelos—
It’s empty. The small closet with a singular bench and no windows is empty. He’s not here.
“I know you’re there, my heir,” my father calls from deep within the room to my left. My shoulders hunch, caught in my weak attempt, thoughts spinning.
My thoughts spiral. I wasn’t quick enough. I didn’t plan for all contingencies. Oslo is probably being tortured and I couldn’t find him in time—
Max jostles my hand, pulling me back from the edge. “Kaden, focus.” Blinking, I stare into her blue eyes, lips parted.
Ferocious eyes that sweep me away, remind me of what we’re doing, of why I’m here. She is worth more than my worries, the anchor in a storm and I lean into her strength, feeling the bond between us like a heavy cloak of warmth and love.
It doesn’t cause discomfort now. It’s a reminder that I’m not alone in this.
That is enough to pull me out of my spiral, allowing my mind to clear. Glancing around, I notice how everyone waits for my command. They rely on me. They need me to lead. I cannot let my anxious mind get the better of me. Not when so much hangs in the balance.
Dropping the shadows, the coldness leaves as the harsh heat of my lands settles around us. Holding fast to Max, we walk to the open entrance, backs straight and stare into the faces of the various Lords, ladies and soldiers of the Dark Court.
None of them look particularly pleasant now, fangs gleaming, dark eyes full of caution. A few reek of fear.
They know what this is. An exchange, a showdown between Zelos and me. But which way will they lean? Who will they support?
We may have a few lords on our side, but it’s not enough to combat the might of the entire Dark army.
The crowd parts, a mockery of the first time we were here together.
Before it was to play pretend, to show deference, but now they see the monsters they’ve created before them.
In the center is Zelos, standing, in rich burgundy robes and his silver crown on his head. At his side, on his knees, is my uncle.