Chapter 6

Six

~ Princess Blake ~

My eyes feel like they’re full of sand the next time I crack them open. Blinking slowly, I try to get rid of the gritty feeling and groan at the stiffness in my limbs. My head throbs, and I massage my temples as I stare blearily into the sunlight around me. Find your mates and survive. Dad’s last words are like a warning as they repeat in my mind. I think about killing him the next time I see him, then feel guilty because the male is already dying. What the fuck is he thinking? Now more than ever, he needs me, but of course, Dad wants to use this as an opportunity to put me through one last ordeal to see whether I’m worthy of the throne. Except this time, I’m not the only one being tested.

At that thought, my heart skips a beat, and my eyes snap wider as I search around me. My fingers run over the flat stones of the courtyard, but my feathered friend isn’t here. “Shade?”

Panic squeezes my chest, but then a black blur swoops from above. “I’m here,” Shade replies, landing on the stones before me.

Relief makes my shoulders sag. “Are you all right?”

She tilts her head to the side, observing me. “Are you?”

I stretch out my arms and peer down at my body. I’m still wearing the black dress I had on at the ball, but I appear to be unharmed, and thankfully, my dagger is still strapped to my thigh. My crown isn’t on my head, but I’m guessing Dad was smart enough to keep that at the palace. “I think so.”

“I’m fine, too,” she replies. “I woke an hour ago and took some time to scout over the city. The alphas have been transported in groups, but many of them are awake now, and some of them are trying to make their way to you. I guess they think you’re the only one who can get them out of here, and their best chance of surviving is if you’re mates.”

Lifting to my feet, I wobble as I take in the thick gray clouds now above me instead of the vaulted ceiling of the ballroom. “And where exactly are we?” I stumble back a step as I take in the crumbling buildings surrounding us. The ancient structures reach high, many without a roof, and their uneven walls are like broken fingers trying to reach for the sky.

“Perstalia,” I whisper, answering my own question. “The ninth realm.” I tick off the realms in my head. There are the five allied realms, Seral, Rostof, Toralyn, Kanzepes, and Norso. Then there’s the realm of the witches, Larazeen, which we’d thought was uninhabited until recently, the human realm, Earth, and the shadow realm, Kiru, where our souls reside after death. Perstalia is the ninth realm, otherwise known as the lost realm. There are tomes in the palace library that speak of the winged creatures who used to live here and a civilization that rivalled even that of the angels.

The courtyard is empty except for Shade and me, and I turn to the stone wall on my right which is decorated with a long mural. Roughly cut pieces of colored tiles have been artfully arranged, and I walk beside the picture running my fingers lightly over the dusty depiction of a beautiful landscape with a great river and trees dotting the sides of a riverbank. White crystals are embedded between the tiles, and they sparkle in the watery sunlight as I brush away the layer of dirt. Whoa.

“What is this place?” Shade asks, perching on my shoulder.

“The beings of Perstalia were said to be made of magic,” I reply. “But while they were powerful, they were defenceless when the witches invaded. They hadn’t encountered beings from other realms, and the witches fed off the magic of the land and the creatures for decades, depleting every resource until there was nothing left. Not even plants will grow here now. It was after Perstalia was left in ruin that the witches turned their sights on Seral. Our land isn’t as magical as Perstalia, but we’re similar because the magic of our horns was fed back into the land when we died.” I wonder then, if Perstalia would still be a thriving civilization if we’d known about their realm sooner. My heart squeezes as I reach the end of the mural, and I pause to study the ancient stone buildings around us.

“That’s so sad,” Shade comments, tucking her wings in tighter even though the air is warm.

“For the last two centuries, these ruins have become neutral ground for the allied realms,” I explain. “Any major council or negotiations that involves all of the leaders of the five realms are held here in the ancient castle. But that still doesn’t explain why Dad sent us here. There’s nothing here besides the destroyed buildings, and remnants of their lost civilization.Not to mention it’s well known that the witches poisoned this land. If we’re here for too long, we’ll lose our minds.”

“I’m sorry, but lose our minds? You didn’t want to lead with that last part,” Shade complains.

I shrug a shoulder. “I’ve never been here long enough that I’ve had to worry about it. The last time I was here was for negotiations years ago, before we met, and we only stayed for a couple of hours. We’d have to be here for quite a while to be affected.”

“Well, considering all the king said was “find your mates and survive”, I think it’s safe to say that we could be here for some time.”

I frown, knowing she’s right. “Which is why he instructed us to find the provisions left at the major landmarks around the city if we hope to keep our wits about us. He planned for it. There’s a drug you can consume that staves off the illness. He must have left some of it with the provisions. It’s all part of the challenge. We just have to make our way to the closest landmark.”

“Hold on, even if we do find this drug, there are hundreds of alphas in the city. What if there’s not enough to go around?”

I grimace. “I guess that’s where the ‘survive’ part comes in.”

She swallows. “Okay, easy peasy. So, we survive until you find your mates, and wait until dear old daddy comes to get us. Then what? Bam! Back in Seral?”

I sigh. “Knowing the king, we’re completely on our own until he comes to check in. So your guess is as good as mine.”

Taking a moment, I try to mentally visualize a map of the ancient city in my head. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve visited Perstalia. Usually, I never leave the royal castle, but the last time I was here, I was able to take to the sky and fly high enough to glimpse a main square with a huge fountain that no longer flows, and a series of bathhouses that are clumped together in the south. I think of the other alphas then. My mates might be in the city, but there’s also a whole bunch of alphas who aren’t my mates, and I’m willing to bet there are a few who will happily keep any provisions for themselves.

“You said you saw some of the alphas?” I ask Shade. I’m aware that the sooner I find my mates, the easier this will be, especially when I unlock my power. It”s said that fated mates have a deep connection, and that if they’re close, Lady Fate will draw them together. I’m not sure how close they need to be, but Dad obviously thinks that if we’re all together in this city they’ll be able to find me. But getting our hands on provisions is a priority.

Shade preens her feathers. “Yes, some of them are closer than the others. In fact, one of them should be almost here.”

Wait, what? I’m about to question her more when a flash of green catches my eye, and an alpha from Norso comes into view, striding between two stone buildings on my left.

“Thanks for the heads up,” I grumble to Shade in disbelief.

“You’re welcome!” she chirps, not caring that I’m entirely unprepared for this encounter. “He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

I stand taller and observe the male walking toward me. Like the other alphas from Norso he has sleek features, a lean muscular body, and a green vest made of tiny seashells. His thick green hair reaches his shoulders, the strands swaying as he walks, and the moment he sees me, his lips curve into a smile.

“Ah, demon princess. I’m glad to have found you.” He speaks in the common tongue as he approaches, walking with a confident gait.

I peer around, half expecting more alphas to be behind him, but he shakes his head. “Just us,” he says with a thick accent. “All the better for me.” His cheeky smile widens, and he stares at me like he thinks we’re already mated.

“Attractive and confident,” Shade observes. “I like him.”

“You like everyone,” I counter, then quickly block her from my mind because I’m not going to be able to have a conversation with this guy while she’s in my head.

“You look happy for someone who was just gassed and left in Perstalia,” I comment, honestly amazed that this guy looks so calm. With Dad, nothing surprises me anymore, but this has to be a shock for the alphas.

He shrugs. “It does not matter to me as long as I still get you.”

My brows lift. It’s obvious this guy has forgotten that we don’t get to choose our mates, but I’m happy to indulge him for now. Who knows, maybe he is my mate.

As he reaches where I stand, he stops and dips his head. “Because you, my dear, are as beautiful as the brightest pearl in the ocean.”

I smile politely. I’m not sure if ‘bright’ is a word I’d use to describe myself, butI have to say, I’m feeling pretty good about him right now. And Dad thought this was going to be hard.

“Thanks,” I reply. “So how should we?—”

The air squeezes from me as he grabs my hand unexpectedly and spins me until I hit his hard chest. Oof! Shade flaps into the air, dislodged from her perch, and the male’s strong arms slide across my body. Maybe it’s because of his pearl metaphor, but I have the distinct thought that his arms are like the sides of a clam shell closing me in. Instinctively, I want to elbow him in the ribs, but I restrain myself. He’s obviously convinced we’re mates, and they do say fated mates can have odd responses to one another when they first meet. Still, I’m about to tell him to take a step back when I smell him, and I freeze. Merciful. Lady. Fate.

He smells terrible, and not just in a musty kind of way. As I inhale, I choke on the scent of sweaty socks, sea salt, and rotting fish. It’s like I’m smelling something that’s been left at the bottom of a sea barrel for months, and it takes all my effort not to gag.

Wincing, I push lightly against his hold, but instead of taking the hint, he only grips me tighter and drops his nose to my hair as he sniffs me. I scrunch my face and wait for him to realize we’re not fated, because surely, I must smell bad to him too if we’re not mates, but he only murmurs something appreciative under his breath. What the fuck?

Shade paces at the top of the mural wall, watching me intently, but I shake my head at her, not wanting her to get involved.

“Look, I get that you wanted this, but it’s not meant to be,” I say quickly, still trying not to breathe in.

The alpha stills, and I think he’s going to let me go, but then he says, “No, we are fated. You will see. I have waited for this.” His head lowers like he’s going to kiss the side of my face, and…that’s the extent of my patience. Fucker.

My elbow slams into his ribs with enough force that I hear a satisfying crack, and he stumbles backward. Spinning, I turn as he curses and his expression changes, fury reddening his pale-green features. “We are fated. I will make you seeeee?—”

His last word rings in the air as Prince Callan steps up behind him and tosses him into the air, using wind power to send him sailing above the tops of the nearby buildings and out of sight.

I’m so bewildered, that for a moment I simply continue to stare at the empty sky, but then I snap my gaze to the archangel prince who’s now standing in the alpha’s place. Anger flashes on Prince Callan’s face but it’s gone quickly, and his expression smooths.

Shade lands on my shoulder, and I’m sure she must be internally ranting about the fact I didn’t let her help, but I can’t worry about that now.

“I was about to handle that,” I point out matter-of-factly as I watch the prince.

He dusts off his hands, and his lips curve into a devastating smile. “Yes, but why should you have to?”

I blink, stunned. In Seral, I often have guards close by, but they never act unless I ask them to. As a demon royal, punishing the demons who disrespect me is a show of strength and is expected.

“Because it was my fight,” I say when I manage to get my mouth to work.

He only shrugs like he did the obvious thing, but then his brows lower, his forehead wrinkling as confusion floods his features. “Oh, you’re serious. Would you like me to retrieve him so you can punish him yourself?” He spreads his wings as if to launch after the alpha who’s probably splattered on a sidewalk on the other side of the ancient city.

“What? No,” I splutter, but I don’t think he’s heard me. “Stop,” I say, shooting forward and resting my hand on his broad shoulder to prevent him from flying away. Before I can think about what I’m doing, his scent envelops me, and my heart begins to race. He smells like sunshine after it has rained. Like warmth, and the cool crisp sky as I soar through the clouds. He smells like the sweet tangy scent of green apples with hints of bergamot. “Oh, shit,” I whisper.It’s so at odds with the dark, musky smell I’m accustomed to back in the palace, but my body responds, need rushing through me as suddenly all I can think about is this male spreading my thighs. His muscular body moving… Whoa, hold on. What the fuck?

I go to step back, but his head jerks my way, and I stand frozen as his throat bobs, his body stiffening under my hand. “My Ahalian Touizda,” he whispers low with a thick angelic accent that makes my knees weak. Tingles rush over me, and it’s not because of what he’s said, because I have no idea what that means, but it’s the way he’s said it. Like I’m his…everything.

His hooded eyes drop to my lips, and my breath hitches, but just as I expect his lips to slam against mine, he takes a large step away from me. My hand falls from his shoulder, and a coldness that I’ve never felt before spreads through me.

His expression changes, his arrogant but charming demeanor replaced with something much harder. “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” he mutters, and I reel back. They say when you find your fated mates the bond is irresistible. I guess not.

“I’m sorry, but isn’t this the whole reason you’re here?” I say, the coldness inside me turning into anger. “To find out if you’re my mate?”

His jaw tightens. “You’re a princess, you know what it’s like. We all have our obligations.”

Obligations? I scowl. “So what, you thought you just had to attend the ball, prove that we’re not bonded, and go on your merry way?”

He runs a hand through his golden locks. “Something like that. And King Dalton better have my crown tucked up somewhere safe in Seral palace, or there’s going to be a world of trouble if I return to Toralyn without it.”

I force myself to let out a long breath.

Shade ruffles her feathers and squawks, and I activate the magic that allows me to speak with her, pulling down the mental barrier.

“Finally!” she says in my mind. “Do you want me to peck his eyes out or go for his balls?”

Her voice is exactly what I need to hear, and it takes the edge off my anger, if only a little bit.

“I’ve got this,” I reply, though for once I’m not sure if that’s true. Traitorous demons I can handle, but a mate who doesn’t want me… I struggle to keep it together and try not to think about his scent of green apples and bergamot that’s still lingering in the air even though he’s moved away.

“Look, whatever is going on here, I need all my mates to seal the fated mates bond so I can unlock my power,” I say, trying to remind myself that in the end, that’s all that matters. “After we’re bonded, you can go back to Toralyn and forget I even exist.” My stomach twists at the thought, but he’s right about one thing. We all have our obligations, and making sure Seral doesn’t fall is mine.

He glares at me like I’ve just insulted his existence. “No.”

My mouth pops open. “What? But we’re mates. If we don’t bond, it’s not only me who won’t be able to unlock the rest of my power. You won’t be able to, either, and if I have other mates out there, neither will they.”

“Like I said, girl, eyes or balls?” Shade comments, and I’m half tempted to take her up on her offer.

“I’ll stay with you until this ordeal is over, but then I’ll be on my way,” he says.

“But—”

“You’re not mine!” he snaps harshly, his words burying as deep as any blade could.

For a moment, I can’t breathe. Pain lances my chest, and it’s so unusual, so unexpected, that it takes all my effort not to double over. Not mine. The words ring in my head, cutting deep, even though I hardly know the prince. I know it’s because he’s my mate, but that knowledge doesn’t make it hurt any less. Grinding my teeth, I fight against the urge to sink my dagger into one of his perfect eyes. Because this isn’t just about me…

Never show weakness. Seems the rule also applies to fated mates. “Fine,” I say, feigning indifference.

“Blake?” Shade questions. “But if he doesn’t bond with you, you won’t get your power, and neither will your other mates.”

“I figure at least if the prince is with me, I can make sure he doesn’t die,”I explain.

“Oh, good point. Plus, he’ll change his mind when he realizes how awesome you are.”

I’m not sure about him changing his mind because of me, but I’m hopeful I’ll be able to convince him to bond eventually. I have to. I pin Prince Callan with a stare. “Tag along, but don’t expect me to come crawling when you realize you fucked up.”

The corners of his lips twitch up ever so slightly, and he rasps, “I’d never expect you to crawl.” The words are quiet, and there’s something sensual about them that makes my heart pound faster, but then as if he realizes what he’s said, his lips flatten.

Desire rushes through me, but I push it back down. I’ve lived my life having to deal with the king’s games. I’m not about to let Prince Callan toy with me.

Giving the archangel my back, I speak to Shade. “We should find some provisions.”

“You mean, you need a distraction so you can stop thinking about this ass?”

I blow out a breath. “Something like that.”

She twists her head to the right. “There’s a theater a few streets to the south. Do you think the king has planted something there?”

My feet are moving before I answer. “Let’s find out.”