Chapter 36

Béke Day Nine

When the guards outside Izidora and Ruslan's apartment allowed me entrance, I immediately burst in, calling out for my best friend. I needed to see if she was okay after what I'd witnessed in the Night Realm's temporary accommodation.

I'd just emerged from a shower when my brother, Endre, Viktor, and Kaztar returned to our suite after another hunt. Before I'd finished dressing, Kazimir burst into the room, cursing Zuriel for stealing Izidora away from him. I crouched at the slit in the door to the room Endre and I were sharing, listening to Kazimir recount his version of what happened when they arrived back and he found Izidora waiting for him.

It took every ounce of my willpower not to slam the door open and tell him how fucking wrong he was. Kazimir's perspective was slipping by the day, and I no longer trusted him. Domi shared my views, and after Immonen's vision, the two of us had promised each other never to be in the suite alone with him. If only Kaztar, Endre, and Vadim had listened to us when we told them about the changes we saw in Kazimir.

Of course, my brother had every excuse in the book for him. Vadim had searched for Izidora longest, seconded only by Kazimir, and I was sick of hearing him say, ‘of course he's going crazy, we spent all that time looking for her, only for her to be his mate and get stolen away.' The next time those words fell out of his mouth was the time I was going to punch him in the face.

Even Endre, the sensitive, sympathetic male, could only find loyalty for Kazimir. His empathy only went in one direction, and that was to his best friend. Each day that passed, we fought more and this chasm opened between us that I wasn't sure how to cross.

Which was why I jogged through the halls of Ryza dressed in the most casual of clothes, my attire for the masquerade ball tucked safely under my arm, to my best friend.

"Liliana?" Izidora's voice was small and strained, floating toward me from the bedroom. I burst through the door a moment later, finding her and Ruslan curled up in matching robes, each with a book in hand. Izidora set hers aside as I approached.

"I came as soon as I could. Tell me what happened." Without regard for Ruslan, I jumped on the bed and snuggled in beside her. He smothered a laugh and returned to his book, though the twitching muscles in his jaw told me he was probably trying to drown himself in the words so he didn't rip Kazimir to shreds with his Dragon talons.

Izidora's aquamarine eyes hardened as she sucked in a breath, and I reached my hand to hers, grasping it in mine and stroking the back of it. "After our training, I went to find Ruslan, and after that I decided to visit Mistik and Twilight before returning inside. Only, Kazimir lingered after the other males had gone, and he cornered me. I tried to influence his emotions, but his magic tangled with mine, capturing it as I tried to retreat. And the things in his mind…" She shook, her hands fisting the sheets so hard her knuckles turned white. "He wants to impregnate me so I'll have no choice but to accept our bond."

I gagged on her words. "He is sick. I'm so sorry you had to experience all that."

"It gets worse." Her eyes flashed, and I realized I'd never seen her so angry.

I groaned, flopping back against the pillows. "Tell me."

"He threw his binding magic at me, then when I defended myself, he pinned me to the ground. I bit him, and he slapped me. So I used my empath magic to make him believe he was being tortured. Thankfully Zuriel was nearby and heard the commotion, helping me get away from him."

My mouth popped open in shock. "Okay, first, you are a fucking queen with your magic. He deserved everything you gave him and more. I can't believe he hit you. What the fuck! If the others knew, maybe they'd change their minds about him."

Hitting females was one of the most frowned-upon actions in the Night Realm, and most of the males I knew, especially the ones who went through Knight training, would never stand for actions like that.

Ruslan released a pained growl, then flipped his book over on the bed. "Liliana, I know that I am putting you in an awkward situation by asking you this, but what is the Night Realm planning? Did you bring an army with you, waiting in the Day Realm to attack?"

I bolted upright. "You know I can't tell you that. My brother… Endre…"

"What if we tell you what we want for the continent? The fact you rushed here for Izidora…" Ruslan blew out a long breath. "I believe I can trust you, Liliana. And I don't give this information, or my trust, away easily. I'd do anything to protect my mate – your best friend. Wouldn't you?"

Izidora reclined against the headboard, watching us volley back and forth.

I considered his proposal, and these topics we'd danced around since our arrival. I was caught between two realms, with my family in one and my best friend in another. While I normally loved being the center of attention, I hated that I was in the middle of it like a fucking flag on a tug-of-war rope. Though I wasn't the only one. Izidora was that flag between Ruslan and Kazimir, but Ruslan had already won – though Kazimir didn't exactly know that yet.

"I promise I won't repeat what you're about to tell me to anyone," I said. "But I can only offer you the barest details in return. Mostly because I don't know the big ones."

Ruslan cocked his head while he regarded me, mulling over his decision. "Alright. Once I hear what you have to say, we can work out other arrangements for what to do with it."

"Deal," I replied, holding out my arm. We clasped ours together, sealing our agreement before Izidora.

She uncrossed her arms and leveled a serious look in my direction. "You know Ruslan and I have mixed blood, along with thousands of others in the Iron Realm."

I nodded slowly, waiting for her to continue.

"The other realms have a blood purity mentality that makes people like us not so welcome. And with the purebloods from other continents also wanting to live here, we aren't sure how the other realms will react to that. You have been so accepting of me – of us, that I think, I hope, you would support our plan to unite the realms under one banner and welcome all peoples to our shores."

Before I had a chance to say anything, Ruslan added, "I think we've proven that power does not come from blood purity. All I want is for the Félvér and Telivér to be able to roam the continent without fear of being treated as pariahs or locked out of spaces for having mixed or different blood."

"Like the separate spaces for nobles and non-nobles in the Night Realm," I said, hoping I understood their goal.

"Exactly," Izidora replied. "We've been working all of Béke to show the monarchs of the Crystal and Day Realms that we're trustworthy and honorable so they side with us when this is all over. We don't want bloodshed to make the right thing happen."

I nodded, sympathizing with their points. "Honestly, I think you've won Queen Viktoria over. Queen Immonen too. Whether King Airre will follow her advice is a different story, but honestly, other than a handful of people I can think of back in the Night Realm, I don't think you'll have as much opposition to the free movement of people through északi. I can't speak for the other realms though. It's time for a change."

Izidora's shoulders dropped in time with a whoosh of air from her lungs, and she pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you understand and agree."

"Thank you, Liliana," Ruslan murmured, his gray eyes softening as I embraced his mate.

"I love you – both of you," I said. It was true; I did care deeply for both of them, having felt an immediate connection to each from the moment we first met. Last Béke I'd asked the Goddess for a friend, and I was not passing on the gift she'd offered. "I'm grateful that you let me be the third wheel in your relationship, Ruslan."

He rolled his eyes and slicked back his dark hair. "I would say you are a welcome addition, but…"

I threw a pillow at his face, and with lightning-fast reflexes, he caught it and tucked it into his lap, shooting me a smirk. Izidora snickered beside me, hiding her mouth with her hand.

"I believe it is your turn to impart information?" Ruslan said, lifting a brow.

"Only because I can't throw another pillow at you right now," I huffed. "Fine, here it goes. There is an army in the Day Realm, probably arriving on the border with the Iron Realm on the day of your wedding. They planned to march after the feast was over and take you by surprise. Not that you'd be surprised anyway, even before I told you that. I think it"s pretty obvious what's going to happen – to everyone." I sighed, brushing my damp hair over my shoulder and straightening my spine. "I can't tell you numbers or anything like that, but I can tell you that I don't think it would take much for the Day and Crystal Realms to send their warriors home instead of attacking. Like I said, I think you've won over Queen Viktoria, and without the Day Realm's soldiers, King Airre wouldn't risk his own. Especially because he has seen your power, Ruslan."

Izidora blew out a breath and tangled her fingers in her hair, combing out knots while she waited for Ruslan to speak. The male sat unnervingly still, and the hairs on the back of my neck rose as my body sensed a predator rising to the surface within him. "Thank you for telling me, Liliana. I promise no harm will come to Vadim or Endre while they are in the Iron Realm because of the information you gave me."

"And Domi," I added.

"And Domi," he confirmed. "You have a sharp mind. What would you do to push the other monarchs to break their alliance with Kazimir?"

The fact that Ruslan respected my insight made me feel valued in a way I'd never felt in the Night Realm. Females there were often seen as lesser than the males, and I'd always wanted to be recognized for my wit and intelligence that matched Viktor's, if not surpassed it. "Tell them what he did to Izidora earlier. Mention the stalking too, to drive home the point."

Ruslan nodded. "Anything else?"

"Kazimir's binding magic isn't well known since it was gifted to him when we were in the Crystal Realm. Maybe revealing that will sway them?" I offered.

"Noted," Ruslan said before stretching his neck to the side and releasing a series of cracks into the air around us. "Why don't the two of you spend the rest of the afternoon getting ready? I'll give you some space. I need to talk to Drazen anyway."

Izidora perked up, eyes sparkling with mischief as she shot me a conspiratorial look. "I think that's a great plan," I responded for us.

Ruslan yanked Izidora into his lap, tangling his fingers in her hair and kissing her deeply. "I'll miss you, sprite."

The way they looked at each other simultaneously melted and broke my heart. I wanted that so badly for myself, and yet Endre would always side with Kazimir, and I would side with Izidora.

Why couldn't he see the truth?

"I'll miss you," she whispered back, a soft smile spreading across her face. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the purity of the moment. He released her, crawling out of bed and striding to the dresser where he searched for clothes. Reaching for a pillow, I slammed it into my face moments before I heard the robe hit the floor, and Izidora roared with laughter.

"Shut up, you wouldn't want me to see him naked, Izidora." My voice was muffled by the pillow.

"Definitely not. You're already lusting after Zuriel. Can't have you salivating over anyone else in my family," she laughed. "It's safe for you to come out now."

I dropped the pillow from my face, revealing a dressed Ruslan standing at the end of the bed, watching us like the prey we were compared to him. "Zuriel is the only male in the Iron Realm who isn't interested in you, Liliana." The corner of his mouth twitched up as he teased.

My mouth popped open in mock protest. "Do I hear a challenge?"

He huffed and made to leave. "I've known Zuriel for forty-three years. He doesn't talk about his past much, but he's never looked twice at a female in all the time he's been in the Iron Realm. Or male for that matter. Anton and Slavian, on the other hand." He shrugged, and with that last jab, he disappeared into the living space beyond.

Izidora snickered before knocking my shoulder with hers. "Anton and Slavian would crawl on their hands and knees to you if you asked."

I rolled my eyes. "I know. Why can't I find a male who will actually make me submit? I want to be challenged, not the other way around."

"So that's why you're growing bored of Endre? Because you already have him?" she asked, weaving her way around me and rolling out of the bed and onto the floor.

I followed her into the bathroom, the large windows filled with the dying sunlight. "Not that. We've been fighting a lot. Mostly about you and Kazimir. He is siding with his best friend like I am siding with you. We're trying, it's just," I searched for the right words, "hard? Awkward? He knows there are things that I'm not telling him, just like I know there are things he isn't telling me. It's hard to have a relationship with so many walls between us."

Izidora had twisted locks of hair in her fingers and was using her magic to dry and shape them. "I get that. I couldn't have a relationship with Kazimir until I started tearing down the walls I built to protect myself while I was chained in the cave. Maybe when this is all over?"

I lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. "Maybe. Or maybe he's not the one for me and Zuriel is."

She smacked my shoulder playfully. "He's my cousin!"

"Yeah, but then we'd really be family," I laughed, turning my attention to my own damp hair. "So tell me, how'd you like the herbs?"

Izidora blushed a deep shade of crimson. "I want to do it again. Maybe in a few months when this crazy mating bond has had time to cool off." She chewed her lip as her eyes went glassy and a faraway expression crossed her face.

"Two dicks at the same time? Sign me up," I giggled, belly heating at the thought of fucking Endre and Slavian at the same time.

"Isn't it great to be utterly worshiped like that?" Izidora grinned into the mirror, examining a spot on her cheek.

"Fuck yeah." I paused for a moment, concentrating on the pieces at the back of my head. "Maybe that's my problem. I need two guys to handle me instead of just one."

We fell apart laughing, tears blurring my vision as I clutched my stomach.

"I think you might be right, Lil," she teased.

"What are you wearing tonight?" I asked her, and she shrugged.

"Ruslan got it for me. It's in that bag." She gestured over her shoulder to a black bag hanging on a hook on the wall. "I haven't looked at it yet."

"Let's see what the king has picked out for you this time," I grinned, unfastening it and reaching for the fabric.

The dress was all intricate black lace, with an off-shoulder design that immediately had my stomach clenching. The skirt was silky and flowing, and as I flipped it over, I saw what I feared. The back was low enough that Izidora's mate mark would be visible. The mask tumbled from the bag, and I barely caught it before it reached the ground. The lace matched the dress, while the feathers on either side of it were soft and shiny like the skirt.

"Oh, it's so pretty," Izidora said, lifting it from my hands and turning it over in hers. "What's the dress like?"

She stepped around me to examine it, and her breath immediately caught in her chest. "I can't wear this." Her voice sounded so pained that it nearly gutted me.

"I have an idea," I said, racing into the closet in the bathroom. Row after row of dresses hung there, most only worn once and only during the last few days. Finding the dress she had worn the previous night, I pulled it from the rack. "How attached are you to this?"

"Not particularly," she said, cocking her head to the side. "Why?"

"Good," was my response as I grasped the skirt in my hands and pulled.

Ripping fabric filled the air, and Izidora's eyebrows shot up her forehead. "What are you–"

"Hey, trust me I know what I'm doing. I wouldn't ruin a fine dress for no reason," I laughed, interrupting her.

"Fine, I'll let the master work," she joked, and I grinned as the last of the fabric fell away.

"Alright, let me show you," I said, redirecting us toward the mirror. Shaking out the fabric, I ripped it again, leaving one long strand instead of a loop. Positioning her arms, I draped the fabric over them, then pulled on the ends to bring it forward. "See? You can wear this and it will cover the mark on your back while not diminishing the impact of your dress."

"You are a genius, have I ever told you that?" Izidora chuckled with a small smile, her eyes filled with relief.

"I know," I grinned, stepping away. "Ruslan will return soon and we should be ready when he does. Can't have him any more annoyed with me than he already is or I'll never get to snuggle in bed with you two again."

That earned a laugh from Izidora, and we returned to the mirror, gossiping and readying ourselves for the masquerade that I hoped would be less tumultuous than every other event over the last nine days.