Chapter 22: Charity

Chapter Twenty-Two

Charity

M alice’s shadows feel way more chaotic than siphoning with Athos.

“We’re going to stay silent when we land,” Malice says softly. “I think you’ll want to see this.”

My heart races as his shadows begin to clear.

It’s a spacious room with gray brick walls and ceilings that must be fifteen or twenty feet high. A four-poster bed takes up part of the wall next to a large fireplace. In front of the burning fire are four chairs.

Veryn sits on one with his legs dangling in the air, since he’s not tall enough for his feet to touch the floor. He’s got his arms crossed over his chest and a pretty impressive scowl on his face.

A woman who seems to be in her early twenties, with long, light blond hair and large green eyes sits on a chair across from Veryn. She’s in a nearly floor-length gown with long sleeves.

There’s a regal elegance about her that makes me feel frumpy in comparison, but I’d also really like to know who she is and why she’s alone with my child.

Veryn looks fine—at least, physically—but who knows how much trauma he’s had to endure.

“I’m blocking as much of our sound as I can,” Malice whispers close to my ear. “But, as I mentioned, we should still aim to stay as quiet as possible. The young alpha is fine. I’m sensing no emotional damage.”

My hand flies to cover my mouth.

I might burst into tears of pure relief at seeing my kid in one piece.

“You know,” the woman says conversationally, “a hunger strike might not be the right approach. You’ll need your strength if you plan to try to run again.”

“That is Norah,” Malice murmurs. “Cyril’s mate.”

My heart skips an actual beat.

Jesus Christ.

Cyril is an idiot.

She’s stunning, and I probably owe her an apology. Unless she’s awful to my kid, because he’s completely innocent in this entire situation.

Then again, so is she.

I don’t care.

If she’s rude to my child, I’ll have to kneecap her.

End of story.

I don’t care if she turns into a dragon.

Veryn continues to scowl.

I ache to shake out of Malice’s shadows and run over to hug him.

“Well, I can see stubbornness runs in the family.” Norah shrugs a lithe shoulder. “You’ll find there’s a distinct lack of things to do in Faere. Being trapped in this castle makes for even fewer options. Tell me about your life in the human realm.”

“I love it.” Veryn huffs. “And I really miss my mom.”

“I can understand that. What’s your favorite thing to do back home?”

“I like to play with Ember and practice shifting.” He lights up as a smile crosses his face. “We’ve got a djinn and a wyvern. They came one day and never left, but they’re pretty cool.”

Norah’s head tilts.

“Then, there’s our neighbor. He looks after me and my mom,” Veryn says. “I really want to go home.”

Her gaze moves to the fire. “I was once much like you. Nothing could have made me want to stay in this castle.”

“Why are you still here, then?” Veryn asks with deadpan delivery.

“To be young and so naive to the world.” Norah chuckles, shoving her hair back from her face. “As a member of dragon society, you should learn, there will always be someone bigger and more powerful than you are.”

“I’m an alpha.” Veryn stares straight at the side of Norah’s head.

“This is true, but you’ve got much growing to do before you could take on those who would tie you here for their own personal gain.” Norah glances at Veryn like she can feel him glaring.

“You don’t have to stay here, neither,” he says. Normally, I would correct him, but I’m supposed to be watching for some reason. So, I keep my mouth shut. “My dad is going to come for me. He told me before that if they got me, I just had to wait, and he’d be here in no time.”

My lips roll together as my eyes ache. I know that was Bane. There’s not a single doubt in my mind.

“Bane doesn’t understand how to communicate to save his life, but he keeps his word,” Malice whispers. “He missed out on socialization the rest of us got as children.” He bumps his shoulder to mine. “You should probably cut him a little slack.”

I nod, running my hand over my stomach.

“I hope it works out for you, but I’m afraid I’m trapped by a matebond,” Norah says with a sadness to her tone that only increases my discomfort. “Until you’re old enough to fend for yourself, you should be polite. Try not to draw any unwanted attention.”

“She means Cyril’s wrath,” Malice adds softly.

The door to the chamber slams open, and my entire body jolts with the force of how loudly the echo rattles. One of Malice’s shadows lands over my mouth, trapping the gasp that was about to escape.

Cyril’s head nearly touches the top of the doorframe as he stomps inside the room. He’s physically as handsome as he was before, but now, all I see is how ugly his insides are.

“I told you he was to be left to stew on his poor choices,” Cyril growls, stomping across the room. Once he’s close enough, he snatches Norah out of her seat by her hair.

“Hey, don’t touch her like that!” Veryn yells, shoving out of the chair he’s been sitting in.

“Shit,” Malice whispers.

Cyril shoves Veryn back into his chair with a hand on his sternum. I’ve seen Bane be rougher with him while they were play fighting, but my entire body fills with rage.

Norah’s neck tugs at an awkward angle as she dances around on her tiptoes.

Shit , I think, echoing Malice.

I thought I had it bad with Cyril for a few months, but it’s clear he was on his best behavior with me. Even if we kill him, Norah will suffer the effects of a broken matebond.

I wish ? —

I don’t even get to finish the thought. Athos appears in front of me as Eldritch and Bane materialize on either side of him.

Bane spins to face Cyril, his chest heaving. “You stupid son of a bitch,” he snarls, striding toward Cyril.

Eldritch follows.

Athos is directly in front of me, so I can’t see much, no matter how I try to peek around him.

“Let’s save that wish for sometime very soon,” my djinn says, brushing the hair back from my face. “My magic seems to view it as safe. Now, let me grab our son. I have a feeling it’s about to get dangerous in here.” He siphons over, grabbing Veryn and reappearing in front of me.

“Athos, you came too,” Veryn says, smiling over his shoulder. His head whips to face me, and his lower lip wobbles. “Mom!” He chucks himself at me as I bend down just a little.

Athos tosses an arm behind me, planting his hand on my lower back to keep me upright as Veryn climbs up my front.

Eldritch says, “It’s been many years, brother .”

“What the fuck is going on?” Cyril hisses. “You think you can pop back up after disappearing without a word?”

“You misunderstand which side of this fight I’m standing on,” Eldritch replies.

“Take this.” Bane shoves the falsified paper at Norah. At least Cyril released her at some point. “Read it.”

“What is it?” my ex growls as I cuddle my face against Veryn’s.

“It’s a decree from the human realm paranormal council,” Norah says. “It demands the boy’s return to his mother.”

“I’m willing to make a deal with you,” Bane says, rolling his shoulders back. “Waive your protection from being challenged in the pits. We head there now and fight it out in the old ways. You win, you can keep the kid. I win, well, you’ll be dead, so I’ll be taking him back to Haven with me.”

Cyril scowls at Bane.

“That was a nod,” Malice says, siphoning over. “I saw it.”

I didn’t, but Malice’s shadows wrap around Bane, Eldritch, and Veryn’s father.

They disappear in a blink.

Athos hugs Veryn from behind, running his fingers over the back of my head. “Do you feel better having your son in your arms?”

“I do.” Glancing down at Veryn, I ask, “Did they hurt you?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Norah helped make sure I wasn’t alone. Are Meena and Ember okay?”

“They are. You’ll be able to see them soon.” I place him back on his feet. “Stay with Athos.”

“I claimed your mom,” Athos says as I slide past them to aim for Norah.

My jaw falls, and I stumble forward, shooting Athos a what the heck? look.

“That’s so cool! You’re my dad now too.” Veryn jumps on Athos, who manifested his legs at some point.

“I am.” Athos smiles fondly. “So is Eldritch. You’ll have to get the full introduction now that he’s no longer stuck in wyvern form.”

“That was the blond guy?” Veryn asks as I focus on Norah.

“Thank you for treating my son with kindness.” I shove my hair behind my ear. “I feel like I owe you an apology. I truly am sorry for the pain?—”

“You weren’t the first and, unless Banyan puts an end to Cyril, you won’t be the last.” Norah shrugs, bringing a hand up to rub at her temple.

My stomach bubbles uncomfortably.

It would absolutely destroy me to lose Bane; I need a whole lot of years spoiling him rotten and showing him exactly how much he means to me.

If nothing else, I’m confident in Bane’s ability to protect himself.

“Athos is a djinn,” I say, trying to find the right words. “Since we bonded, only my wishes have to be granted, but I don’t want to force anything on you…”