Heir of Broken Fate: Chapter 18

Walking through French doors, I’m greeted with the most beautiful dining room I have ever encountered. In the center of the room sits a twelve-seated dining set, and French doors to my right lead to a terrace overlooking the stunning sea below. The ocean breeze flutters through the room, filling my senses with salt water and fresh air. The house we’re in must be situated on top of the cliff face.

Knox takes a seat at the head of the table. I can’t take my eyes off the glowing sunset descending over the ocean as Hazel takes a seat, her back toward the water. Pulling out a chair, I take a seat across from Hazel. The arrogant bastard seated to my left doesn’t move as the doors behind him open. Two Fae women enter, their arms laden with dishes as they scurry into the room, gently placing them on the dining room table.

An assortment of spices fills the room, the aroma so delicious it makes my mouth water. I say a quiet thank you to the women, a small smile playing on their lips as they float out of the room, their long hair appearing to twinkle as they leave. As if the very stars of the night reside in their raven hair.

Knox’s deep sensuous voice fills the room. “How did you get past the entrapment spell?”

I slide my gaze to the door the women just vacated; can we talk about such things here?

Knox’s eyes narrow. “I trust my people with my life.”

I keep my mouth shut, clutching my hands in my lap so tightly my knuckles turn white. It’s all good and well that he trusts his people, yet I don’t trust him. All kings lie and deceive.

Pain blares through my shin as a boot connects with it under the table. Gritting my teeth, I glower at Hazel as she gives me a tight-lipped smile.

“Delilah,” she whispers.

I take a sip of my water, my throat suddenly dry. “A crystal pendant that had an unveiling spell cast to it centuries ago,” I relent.

Knox’s brow quirks. “How did you get a hold of such a thing?”

“My mother gave it to me,” I answer flatly.

“Ah, I see.”

How much did he see in my mind? My cheeks heat, embarrassment coating my tongue at the thought of someone so confident and powerful watching me get beaten.

“Fae have been getting kidnapped for decades, more so now than ever before. The ones you saw in your land were almost certainly the ones taken from here,” Knox explains, his powerful arms reaching forward to serve himself dinner, Hazel and I doing the same.

Knox slides his sapphire eyes to mine. “They’ve also been dying. Those who had little magic to begin with one hundred and forty-eight years ago die as their magic vanishes over time.”

Color leaches from Hazel’s face as her body freezes, her hand wrapped around a spoonful of steamed green vegetables halting midair.

Knox lowers his knife and fork, resting his arms on the table as he leans forward. “You didn’t know about magic vanishing? Have you not felt it yourself?”

“I thought it was the grief,” Hazel croaks.

Fae magic has been slowly dwindling? That explains Knox’s utter shock when I used the protection shield around Hazel. I have access to full powers while others are slowly dying. It feels eerily similar to how I felt at the palace, knowing I was alive while others died at the hands of my father.

“What exactly do we have to offer you that you think you need?” I ask, breaking the silent tension.

I cut a piece of pork. The second the food touches my tongue, my eyes widen. I thought Hazel’s food was delicious, but this is divine. My taste buds combust as the spices dance along my tongue, salivating over the richness of the food. I have never tasted anything so heavenly.

Knox’s husky voice captures my attention. “Our chances of breaking the entrapment spell have been diminishing each day that we lose our magic. I’d need you to break the spell once we find its origin. It appears you’re the only Fae with access to their full power.”

I steel my spine. “Why is magic vanishing?”

A muscle ticks in his jaw. “No one knows. It started when the entrapment spell was cast over the Fae lands.”

“Has the queen searched for answers?” Hazel asks warily.

Knox picks up his glass of wine, stirring the red liquid. “Supposedly.”

“Information for information, no holding back. That was the deal,” I say, pointing my fork at him. His dark rumble of a chuckle fills the room. I try to tamp down the tingle it sends down my spine. I fail miserably.

“Yes, I suppose it was,” Knox drawls, clearing his throat. “I believe the queen likes this current arrangement of power.”

Hazel picks up her glass of water, her brows pulling low as she glances to Knox. “Are you not in reign? I thought you were all of age now.”

Knox leans back in his seat, crossing a powerful thigh over his knee. “She’s an old stubborn Fae, claiming the current system works in everyone’s favor as she looks for the lost Fae and a resolution for the dying. Yet it’s been decades and it’s only getting worse.”

“Is she behind it?” I ask, making Hazel’s jaw drop open.

Knox, however, is unaffected by my blunt question. “No, I believe she doesn’t want to rule as a democracy again.”

That’s not surprising, someone in power wanting more power.

“What did you want with the soul eater?” I ask, trying not to moan as I place a piece of sautéed potato in my mouth.

Knox’s eyes dip to my mouth as I eat. “I was tracking it for weeks, hoping it would lead me to where the others came from.”

“There’s more than one soul eater?” I ask, horrified.

“No, but she turned up at the same time the others did. I’ve been trying to track them all, hoping it would lead to answers as to how they continue to get into this world and past the entrapment spell.” He clenches his jaw, flitting his gaze between Hazel and me. “No matter how many otherworldly beasts you kill, they keep coming back. No one understands how or why.” His eyes harden, pain flashing for a moment before vanishing entirely, his cool demeanor returning.

The room falls silent for a moment before Knox turns, placing all his attention on me. “What was your business with the soul eater?”

I lean forward, ignoring his question as I let my curiosity win. “Why was its blood black?”

Knox’s brow rises as he leans back. “The soul eater is a demonic creature. Those who are not from this world or possess magic that isn’t pure have the undesired effect of black blood. Their very essence rots their blood.” Before I can speak, Knox leans forward, his eyes never leaving mine as his voice lowers, deepening to the point of making my stomach take flight with butterflies. “Your business now.”

I flail my hand around my head. “I’m sure you’ve already seen.”

His face sobers. “I’d rather hear it from you,” he says sincerely.

My traitorous cheeks heat. Stupid, useless hormones. They must be heightened also.

My swallow is audible, making Hazel snicker. “The mermaids gave me two riddles, and the first led to the soul eater.” Leaning back in the chair, I pick up my water. I declined the wine offered, needing a clear mind being in another royal court. “However, the hideous thing tried to slash my throat before I could ask any real questions or barter with it.”

The corner of Knox’s mouth tips into a smirk. “Perhaps the mermaids gave you that riddle to lead you to me.”

Of course he would think it’s all about him. This man is nothing but a cocky bastard.

“That’s what I’m starting to believe,” Hazel chimes in, making me swivel unbelieving eyes to her.

Hazel’s words only make Knox’s grin widen, his dimples popping out. “The second riddle?”

I clamp my mouth shut, uncertainty coursing through me. Hazel recites the second riddle, answering for me. She seems to be doing that a lot. “I have no voice, but I have lots to teach. Your soul is my price, let me speak. Darkness enchanted is my tale.”

“A book of dark magic,” Knox says flatly.

Hazel and I look at each other as we burst into a fit of laughter. It’s comical how silly I feel that we didn’t put it together ourselves.

“Yes, I suppose it is,” I murmur.

Knox’s eyes dip to my mouth as I laugh, a dazzling smile spreading across his face. It only adds to his sinful beauty.

“Who are the small Fae in the glass bottles?” I ask.

The second the word leaves my mouth, memories of that day come back to me, flashing through my mind as Knox watches me descend into the room to find shelves full of tiny Fae trapped in glass bottles.

His eyes shutter closed as the memory leaves my mind.

“Those would be pixies. They’ve gone nearly extinct over the years, and the small handful that’s left are in hiding. The only magic they possess is protection from magic. They’re immune to it.”

I lower my eyes as sadness fills me once more. No one deserves to be held as a slave, let alone confined to a jar for experiments.

“Where’s your court?” Hazel asks, changing the topic.

Knox returns to his food. “They’re all out on their own scouting missions, trying to find where the beasts are getting in.”

I gaze at him sideways. “Have you found anything?”

Knox leans back in his chair. “Not where they come from. All we’ve gathered is that there’s an array of different creatures, some like the soul eater who prefer to be alone, while others travel in packs.”

“That’s unsettling.” Hazel frowns.

My heart stumbles at the reminder of Luna.

“Perhaps we should look for who’s taking the Fae. Someone must cross the threshold to place them in the human lands,” I offer.

“I agree,” Knox says, shocking me.

I’m so used to being told to stay quiet and never offer an opinion it takes me a moment to recover.

“Maybe they’re getting in through the same way the beasts are,” Hazel counters. “We would be killing two birds with one stone if we continue searching for both.”

“We’ll look for who’s transporting the Fae and search for the dark magic book. My court is currently tracking the beasts.” Knox swirls his wine. “Have you got any ideas as to which book the mermaids are hinting to?”

“We didn’t get too far on the second riddle,” I mumble.

“I didn’t even know there was such a thing,” Hazel says.

I frown. “Dark magic?”

Knox answers for Hazel. “The Fae lands practice divine magic, which is pure. Dark magic was banned a millennia ago.”

“Great, so the mermaids are sending us on a hunting mission for something that doesn’t exist,” I drawl sarcastically.

“Oh, it exists. Something has to exist for it to be banished.”

I roll my eyes. “Do you have to be so dramatic and cryptic?”

Knox’s dark chuckle rumbles around his wine glass. “It’s hidden, Delilah.”

My name falling from his lips makes my stomach feel warm… I kill that warmth.

After dinner finishes, an uncomfortable silence fills the dining room. My hands tap my thigh involuntarily, forcing me to sit on them to stop the fidgeting.

“How exactly do we get back to the cabin?” I ask.

Knox’s head snaps to mine. “You’re not going back there.”

I open my mouth to protest, but Knox cuts me off. “You killed the soul eater. Other beasts will be roaming the forest to know who did. They’re selfish creatures but they don’t like their own being murdered.”

“Hazel has wards around her house,” I protest, turning to face her.

Hazel’s skin has turned bone white, her eyes distant as fear fills them and in that moment, I know we’re not returning to the cabin.

Knox must sense the change in her too.

“I have the strongest wards in Azalea, Hazel. Nothing gets in or out without my approval,” he says softly.

Azalea—the city of Essence Court. My gaze roams around the room.

Hazel doesn’t respond, too far gone into her own mind as her memories assault her.

I gently take her hand. “Come on,” I whisper. Pulling her up to stand, I wrap an arm around her shoulder. “Can you please show us to our rooms?” I ask as nicely as I can, not wanting to fight when Hazel is so distraught at the thought of those beasts in her home. The very beasts she ran to the cabin to get away from.

“What about Luna’s things?” Hazel whispers, her chin wobbling. “I can’t lose those, Delilah.”

“I’ll go get them and bring them here,” I offer.

“You most certainly will not,” Knox declares.

I snap my head to him, narrowing my eyes.

Do not upset her further.

Knox’s gaze slides to Hazel, shuddering at her pale face and small figure trembling in my arms, making his resolve falter.

“The guest rooms are this way,” he announces as he strides out of the room.

Hazel and I follow Knox up three floors of staircases. Turning right, we walk down a long hallway as Knox points to the farthest door at the end. “That’s my personal bedroom. My court sleeps at the other end of the hall, a level below. Hazel, you can stay in this room,” he says, opening the door in front of him. He points to the door across the hall. “You can stay in the adjacent room, Delilah.”

Knox slides his hands into his pockets as Hazel and I enter her room. It’s nearly as large as my room back at the palace. A large bed that could fit at least four people comfortably sits in the center, chandeliers with flickering flames dangle from the ceiling, and sitting chairs frame the open window, overlooking what appears to be the back garden. To the right, an open archway leads to a bathing suite and dressing room.

I stroll behind Hazel as she takes a stiff seat on the bed. “I’ll be back with your things as soon as possible.”

Hazel dips her chin once, her eyes glazed as her mind takes her far away.

I frown as I leave her, worry making my chest squeeze tightly. Did I make the right decision in dragging her into this mess? Hazel has suffered enough; she chose to be alone for this very reason.

A warm hand suddenly encompasses mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my arm. I quickly yank my hand away. “What on the goddesses’ green earth are you doing?” I hiss at Knox.

He shrugs. “You can’t fly or teleport. I’m simply escorting you.”

Is that what that was earlier? Teleporting?

“You didn’t hold my hand last time,” I say, tilting my head back to peer at him.

“I had more power last time,” he drawls, a small smile curving his lips.

Bullshit. This man has been teasing and pushing my buttons since the moment those turquoise eyes landed on me.

Screw playing nice. “Bullshit.”

Knox’s deep laugh makes my toes curl. “You’re utterly adorable when you argue with yourself in your mind.”

I grit my teeth, about to snap profanities at him when his hand encompasses my own again. My jaw clenches as white light surrounds us, Knox’s warm hand never leaving mine as we teleport to the cabin.

When my feet connect with the floor once more, I stumble back, wrenching my hand away.

“I’ll just be a moment,” I mumble. Leaving him standing in Hazel’s living room, I search for Luna’s things. Returning moments later with Luna’s box and a bag full of Hazel’s clothing in my arms, I stop short, finding Knox seated on my cot, holding Easton’s clothing in his large hands.

Without a conscious thought, my gums tighten, pain searing throughout my mouth as my teeth grow involuntarily. My canines flare, the sharp point curving as they snap down. “Drop it,” I growl.

Knox drops the clothing, standing quickly as he holds his palms up. “I meant no disrespect.”

Energy falls over me, washing me with calm sincerity. A phantom hand strokes my arm as if to say sorry.

My canines retract. “Did—did you just send me your energy?” I stutter.

“You were two seconds away from ripping my head off. Of course I did.”

An apology is on the tip of my tongue before my pride makes me swallow it. I didn’t mean to snarl like a wild animal, yet seeing his hands on Easton’s clothes…

He smirks. “No apologies necessary, Angel.”

The guilt I was feeling moments ago evaporates entirely. “Stop doing that!”

“Put up a mental shield and I will,” he purrs.

I make a mental note to get Hazel to teach me how to—

“I’ll teach you.” Knox shrugs.

I roll my eyes. “You’re exasperating.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Some call me persistent.”

I refuse to acknowledge that I said those very words to Hazel. I also ignore the tingling feeling his teasing invokes in me. Moving forward, I set down all of Hazel and Luna’s belongings at his feet. Gently packing Easton’s belongings into the bag, I move my own items to the pile I’ve created.

Knox bites back a smile. “Are you sure you have everything?”

Clicking my tongue, I hold out my palm. “At your nearest convenience, Your Highness.”

He doesn’t take my hand, instead sliding his own in his pockets. “Do you have an issue with my title Delilah?” His voice is caged, protective.

I narrow my eyes. “If you go into my mind, I will slice your favorite part of yourself and shove it down your throat.”

Knox turns his head to the side, utterly unfazed by my threat. White light surrounds us as he places his hand on my arm. He doesn’t utter a single word as he teleports us back to his house.

In the hallway once more, Knox removes his hand from my arm. “Goodnight, Angel,” he whispers before retreating into his room.

Without letting myself think about Knox’s dramatic farewell, I pick up Hazel’s belongings and enter her room, only to find her curled in a ball on top of the sheets, sniffling. I gently place Luna’s belongings beside her. “I got everything, including clothes for yourself.”

“Thank you,” she whispers as she sits up.

I leave her to rifle through the box and enter my own temporary room.

The ocean’s breeze hits me first, the sea salt calming my tense muscles as it surrounds my senses. Directly across from me are black doors, the night sky twinkling above the ocean. Despite being atop a large cliff, I have my Fae hearing to thank for being able to hear the rolling waves and the crash as it hits the sandy shore.

A large king-sized bed sits in the center of the room to my right. I run my hand over the sheets to find its fitted with white silk, the smooth texture greeting my fingertips as I place my bags down on the futon at the end of the bed. To the left of the French doors is a vanity area, and beside that, the open archway leads to a walk-in closet and a glorious bathing room. I stroll through it, my boots squeaking on the marbled tiles as I survey the room.

A large porcelain sink area sits directly in front of me, a clawfoot bathtub resting in the center of the room, so large at least three Fae could sit in it comfortably. A large circular window on the far-right wall overlooks the ocean. I could have a bath while staring at the sea.

I sigh as I enter the bedroom again. I loved Hazel’s cabin, but it will be amazing to sleep in more than one position on a small cot. Lying flat on my back, I spread my arms and legs out wide like a starfish as the mattress sinks, my body melting into the buttery soft linens.

Turning my head to the left, I see I missed a wide bookcase near the door. I pray to any god that will hear me that I’ll be able to find a decent book somewhere. Something tells me I’ll need the escape at the end of my days.

Dragging myself from bed, I get dressed for sleep, pulling Easton’s white cotton shirt over my head, then crawl back into the silk sheets.

Lying in bed, I can’t help but think that I’ve left one palace only to end up in another.