Heavy tree cover blocked many of the houses, but the main road was kept wide and clear. It led directly to the family compound. Modeled after English country houses of old, the manor was enormous and able to comfortably fit all those related to the direct ruling line; my aunt, Kai and his sister, Erynwith room for her parents, my father and siblings, and any staff who needed to remain close to better perform their duties.
There were also a plethora of over-decorated guest rooms.
Made entirely of stone, the manor was all peaked roofs and paned windows. Triangles and rectangles galore. With ivy covering every surface, it was beautiful, but the rot on the inside went a long way in tarnishing that beauty. Four witches already waited outside as I put the truck in park.
It was customary to meet with my aunt when I arrived, like a sickening play we had to act out every time I came home. It was better to get it over with.
“We have to greet my aunt and request official permission to stay within the faction’s land,” I warned Rani, voice low as the witches approached. “Say nothing unless spoken to directly. Please. I don’t trust myself to not commit treason if someone threatens you.”
A solemn, but pissed-off, nod was all she managed before a guard opened her door. I had to look away, already I was itching to break bones over their lack of manners. We were escorted inside, straight to the meeting hall my aunt had designed for visitors. The insult was old. I hadn’t been allowed further than here since I was old enough to live on my own.
When the doors opened and I saw Kai standing behind his mother, my relief was instantaneous. My aunt couldn’t deny us sanctuary, not when she knew her son would stand against her. My cousin’s shoulders were stiff, but I knew all his tells, and he was just as relieved to see us.
“I’m so glad my son’s self-indulgent second could finally return to perform his duties.”
Kai rolled his eyes, and I kept my mouth shut. I knew better than to react to her barbs. Grabbing Rani’s hand, I gave it a squeeze in a reminder for her to stay quiet, and by the way her entire arm shook, it must have taken all her control.
“Hello, Auntie Mira.” A large table, the kind that had enough seating for twenty, sat between us. My aunt held court at one end while Rani and I stood at the other. “I’m pleased to introduce for recognition, my bond, Rani Whitmore, and request permission for her to live with me as we navigate the courting period.”
The scowl on my aunt’s face would have made me laugh any other time. It would have gotten me punished as well; something I couldn’t risk now. Rani’s nails dug into my hand as she stood silent beside me, head held high, as my aunt took her time examining my bond like one did livestock you were interested in purchasing.
“A siren, I’ve been told?” I nodded, and she sneered. “Makes sense that your bond would come from human lineage as well.”
“Mother,” Kai growled.
Her sneer didn’t let up, but she did lean back in her seat. As passive a sign as we would get from her.
“She is under our protection, as is the law,” she declared, sounding anything but happy about it. “But if either of you stepsone inchout of line, I won’t hesitate to revoke your welcome. Have I made myself clear?”
I ground my teeth against the words I knew would get us immediately kicked out. Another sting from Rani’s nails brought me back from the brink, just barely. My aunt waited, her lips now twisted in a cruel smirk as she watched me get my temper under control. How else did she expect me to act after she insulted my bond and then threatened to feed her to the wolves?
Kai sent a pointed glare from over his mother’s shoulder. He, too, knew how swift I was to anger. Bastard. Would it be in bad taste for me to ask him to off his mom? It took concentrating on every muscle in my neck to get my head to nod, but I did. How my mouth formed the word ‘understood’ was a question for the gods themselves.
“Wonderful,” my aunt deadpanned. “You know where to go when your presence isn’t needed. Get out of my sight.”
My control was a thread away from snapping. Keeping a tight grip on Rani’s hand, I tugged her along as I sped from the room, leaving my cousin alone to deal with the scathing tantrum my aunt was soon to throw. Shame burned the back of my neck and nothing I said would shake it. I could only hope it didn’t grow once Rani saw where we’d been banished to. Her new home.
CHAPTER 24
Ezra
When I was fifteen, my aunt kicked me out of the family compound, so my father built me a cottage on the edge of our faction’s land. It bordered siren territory—which I was beyond grateful for now—and was so far out of the way that I could go days without seeing anyone.
There wasn’t a driveway or even a road to mark how to get here, only subtle grooves in the grass left over from years of parking. Eryn was out earlier, making the house presentable for our arrival. The window panes gleamed in the moonlight, even hidden behind the overgrown garden, and a warm glow from inside was an inviting change to the darkness I normally returned home to.
I kept my gaze averted and busy, grabbing bags from the bed of the truck to carry inside. Rani hadn’t said a word since we pulled up, and I watched her emotions carefully for any sign of disgust. It was just a simple one-bedroom cottage, nothing grand like she deserved, but it was well maintained.
“Eryn made sure to put clean sheets on the bed and start a small fire in the stove,” I said, easing open the front door with my shoulder. “There’s no central air and the Wifi is spotty, but I can make us something quick to eat and… Rani?”
She walked in behind me, eyes wide and staring ateverything; the small sofa across from an equally small television, how the living room we entered opened into the rustic kitchen. Large beams ran across the ceiling with vines so choked around them, they were embedded into the wood. In the summer, I frequently left the windows open to catch the slightest breeze, which resulted in the outside thinking it could movein.
I spun around to promise everything was clean despite the foliage, but she was gone; disappeared down the small hallway that led to the bedroom and ensuite. Her eyes hadn’t gone down in size when I caught up; they still took in every detail with an unnerving silence that made me want to scream. Even her emotions were locked down.
It was an effort to look at my home through an unbiased lens. I saw the open French doors as fresh air, not an unsecured entrance. The crowded ferns pushing their way inside meant I was behind on gardening, not unkempt. The bed took up a majority of the room, leaving little space for the oak dresser, but that meant it was cozy, right?
This cottage saved me at a time when my attitude and inability to control my temper would have gotten me exiled from my own faction. It was the one piece of support my father could offer besides what he’d already done: name me his heir. But out of sight, out of mind was the best policy when it came to my aunt.
The idea of anyone hating this place was more painful than being stabbed in the stomach, but I would raze it to the ground if Rani asked me to.
