63. Rhyland
Rhyland
63
T he necklace dangles from my hand, its dark gem pulsing with an eerie, subdued power that sets off alarm bells in my head—just a shard of the Soul Stone—Amara's tool for bending wills and shattering spirits. Dani figured out that puzzle. I swell with pride; her sharp eyes and even sharper mind put this shit together before the rest of us dumbasses.
"Looks like the witch only had a sliver of this thing," I growl, rolling the necklace between my fingers as its sinister weight rests in my palm.
Dani slides up to me, her eyes alive with mischievous triumph. "Which means Azrael is only getting a taste of this stone's full potential. If I had to guess, that's why he looked like he'd been thoroughly pegged when he spotted the Atherite Stone. Poor bastard probably felt like he was the one bent over, not the other way around."
I can't help my grin, wrapping an arm around her. "Baby, you have a way with words that could make a sailor blush." Her humor's a bright spark even as our situation grows dire.
She laughs, unfazed by the gloom. "Just channeling that rainbow energy I've picked up along the way."
King Alinar approaches, an enigma shrouded in darkness, his aura shifting—a silent admission of a game forever changed. "Thank the Gods you got that from her. Your achievement rings through the courts," he intones, a resonant sound in the silence. "Amara's days of manipulation are done. My allegiance and my blade are yours."
I brush off his statement about nabbing the stone and can't help wondering—why the hell didn't he snatch it himself if he knew its bullshit tricks?
Eyeing Alinar carefully, trust isn't granted—it's earned, hard-won through fire and fate. But his forces? They could tip the scales our way.
I acknowledge with a terse nod. "We can use all the help we can get."
Dani chimes in, embodying the voice of reason. "We need to regroup. Lucian and Erik are waiting—and heaven knows they need my supervision."
Her attempt at humor doesn't mask her worry. We're in unison there; I can't stomach the thought of leaving my brothers in the lurch.
Dani pivots to Alinar, asserting command. "You take charge here while we're gone. We need someone strong and someone we can trust on that throne."
He bows, a silent oath made manifest. "Consider it done. My forces stand at the ready."
With Alinar keeping order here, we can face the trials ahead. I yank Dani tight against me; her presence steadies the storm within. The path ahead's a murky, treacherous bitch, but with her as my anchor and Alinar ruling the roost here, it seems like we're set to tackle the hellfire coming our way.
"It's time," I whisper, urging her toward our next destination. "Stones to find, wrongs to right, and cravings for you that just won't quit," I admit, my desire for her making itself known.
Her cheeks pinken as my words land precisely where intended.
She's all business, opening a portal that pulls the Sun Court into view. The fresh scents of rain-drenched flowers and sunbeam-touched earth reach us, starkly contrasting the shadow's grip.
"Alinar," Dani's authority echoes in the space, her final command cutting through the stillness. "Keep Amara locked up—she won't evade my judgment for long."
Even though she's spitting out words laced with determination, I can tell she's wrestling with herself inside. She hates the thought of bloodshed but gets that sometimes you gotta serve up justice cold. This tug-of-war inside her cements her reputation as a true leader—she's got heart, but she's also steady as a rock.
Alinar lowers his head, assenting. "By your word, my lady."
She turns back to me, honey-gold eyes glinting with determination. "Let's go."
D anigave me the quick lowdown as we ascended the steps to the imposing palace. HowSeraphinastepped in, and someangeldude named Jophiel tossed her the stone that had changed everything. But before she could say any more, the grand doors ofthe Sun Courtfly open, and I am practically blinded by gold and crimson light streaming in, bouncing off marble like it is made of sunbeams. Alina, in her dress woven as delicately as cobwebs, is already making a beeline for us, relief etched on her pretty face.
"My Lady," she almost gasps, directing a mix of respect and urgent worry atDani. "After the incident, the Court was rife with whispers that you'd—"
Daniis quick to act, pulling her into one of those reassuring hugs that say, 'Everything's under control.' "I'm fine," she asserts with reassuring firmness. "And just so we're clear, it's going to take a hell of a lot more than some twiggy little booby traps to knock this chick down for the count."
Alina's laughter tells me she's relieved enough to ignore royal decorum.
I clear my throat, an itch of urgency nipping at me. "Alina, where are my brothers?"
She steps back, gesturing like she's presenting a grand prize toward the gilded study door. "Inside, My Lord. They've been longing for your return."
I toss her a quick nod, firming my grip onDani's hand as I steer us toward the study. The door glides open smoothly, revealing my brothers looking like someone had just canceled the apocalypse.
Curtains are drawn shut, plunging the room into darkness with only the weak glow from tallow candles and fae lights to cut through the gloom.
Alina snaps the door shut right on our heels.
Lucianpractically hurdles out of his chair to wrapDaniin his arms, hugging her like she's the damn life raft after a shipwreck. Even though my skin's crawling seeing him get that close, I swallow the snarl, itching to break free—Lucian's damn near losing his mind with relief.
Daniis clearly fighting to keep from laughing as air is squeezed out of her. "I can't breathe," she taps his shoulder.
Lucian's still got her in that death grip of a hug. I give him a nudge on the shoulder, a silent 'Enough already.' He takes the hint, easing off with a step back. His eyes are glossy, a stormy mix of relief and whatever else he's got churning inside.
"I'm so fucking sorry; it was my fault for what happened to you. I should've—"
She cuts him off cold, leveling him with a look that could stop any man in his tracks. "What happened to that cocky, wise-cracking vampire who could take life's sucker punches and still come out swinging? I miss that guy."Lucianmanages to crack a smile, but the guilt still hangs heavy in his eyes.Dani's expression melts into something softer, driving home her point. "Listen up, Luci. No more of this self-flagellation bullshit, you hear me?"
A low growl rumbles from deep in my chest, enough to getLucianto take a step back.Daniturns to me, her eyes clouded with confusion. She's clueless about whatLucian's blood has possibly done. That's a talk I'm dreading, one I sure as hell ain't ready for.
Danirolls her eyes as if annoyed. "I know, I know—Seraphinamentioned I could have... changed, or whatever it is, you vampires call it. But look, I'm fine; nothing's wrong," she tries to reassure us, brushing it off. But it ain't that simple, and that's not what's eating at me.
The room falls dead silent, the air thick with unease.
Erikmoves in, breaking the ice. EncirclingDaniwith his arms, he pulls her into a quick but hearty hug. "I'm glad to see the Little Huntress hasn't lost her touch. Your training shines through."
From a corner, cloaked in shades of violet that contrast the room's somber tones,Axilyarises. "I knew you'd find your way. I never gave up hope," she intones, her voice echoing like a prophecy fulfilled.
Leaning against a shelf heavy with leather-bound tomes,Faderynbreaks into a reassuring grin. "Few doubted the Savior would falter," he winks. "Welcome back, Danica."
Once greetings and back-patting taper off, I cut straight to the chase. "How'd you break out of that shadow-infested hell?"
Grateful as I am, the curiosity's gnawing at me. This whole situation was one massive clusterfuck.
Lucianmeets my gaze, his smug smile cutting through the tension. "Adrian—" The shock's gotta be written all over my face 'causeLuciankeeps going. "Yeah, that's right. He's the magical badass who blasted those damn shadows to oblivion and yanked our asses back to the land of the somewhat living."
I'm lost, and my gaze darts around like an idiot's, waiting forLucianto continue.
Lucian's expression shifts, a hint of seriousness creeping into his voice. "After that grim reaper wannabe Azrael got his shadowy mitts on you and pulled a vanishing act,Adriansuddenly grew a conscience. So, that's why we're in this delightful predicament now."
Silence descends, heavy as a shroud, uninvited and cold. I can feelDani's grip clamp down on mine, her head swiveling my way. Our eyes lock—hers swimming with shock, mine clouded over with a storm of rage.
"I ain't swallowing that shit. You think he pulled this stunt out of the goodness of his damn heart?" The words come out as a snarl from me, each syllable laced with a pissed-off vibration, rough around the edges with fury. The flavor of treachery, especially coming from my own kin, is one hell of a nasty pill jammed in my throat.
Lucian's shoulders lift and fall in a carefree shrug, but his eyes are sharp, betraying the serious intent behind his laid- back facade. "Well, you knowAdrian; dude's got a flair for the dramatic," he says casually, yet the firm set of his jaw reveals the iron will underlying his seemingly nonchalant comment.
Erik's silver gaze narrows, a silent threat all on its own, mirroring an unspoken understanding. Nobody's saying shit, but the room is practically crackling with the tension.
"What?" I ask. "What is it?"
Slipping back into his trademark persona,Lucianarches an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcastic amusement. "Oh, he's currently enjoying the luxurious accommodations of our five-star dungeon suite," he quips, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "Apparently, he's decided to audition for the role of the repentant prodigal brother, hoping for a callback on the whole redemption arc. Guess Azrael didn't deem him worthy of a guest spot on this particular adventure."
A deep growl churns up from my gut, my fangs itching to break free as betrayal burns in my veins. "He's still here? Figure's he would grovel. The bastard's got no one left now that Azrael's ditched his ass." I spit the words out like venom. "Or maybe this is some new level of hell—a damn trap."
Lucianleans back, crossing his arms with a bitter and satisfied smirk. "Hey, at least he's got plenty of time to perfect his groveling skills while he rots in that cell. Maybe if he's convincing enough, he can earn himself a participation trophy in the 'too little, too late' category."
ThenAxilya, cool as you please, slices through the bullshit with that regal bearing of hers. "We must address this matter carefully," she says, every word dropping like ice into a glass of whiskey, cool but sharp.
Faderynkeeps his mouth shut and gives a somber little nod. He seems to agree withAxilya's play-it-smart approach.
Dani's hold on my hand is like a vise, her eyes a mirror of my own fury, laced with a damn dose of disbelief at the crazy-ass twist our story's taken.
Erikmoves closer, his voice a blend of firmness and allure. "We must proceed cautiously;Adrianis privy to our vulnerabilities."
Lucianlets out a low, ominous chuckle, the sound carrying a hint of malicious glee. "I say we let the backstabbing prick marinate in his mess for a change," he suggests, a wicked glint in his dark eyes. "It's high time he gets a five-star serving of betrayal straight from the chef's special menu of karmic retribution."
Danicocks her head to the side, that fiery spark lighting up her eyes without so much as a peep. She's standing there, all fired up, defiance radiating off her like she's ready to take on the goddamn world.
My heart's pounding a rhythm of rage and resolve—Adrian's gonna pay. He's gonna answer for every last fucked-up thing he's done to us.