I snarled and rapped the table with my claws. “It had to stop. The unnecessary death. Our people needed to move on and I couldno longer throw the lives of good fae…the only fae left in our world right into Deirdre’s heartless clutches.”
My father flinched but said nothing.
I took a deep breath and I dug my claws into the table, just like my next words would do to my fathers heart. “So I drew up a peace treaty and sent Falcon with a large contingent of shifters with an offer that would appease her.”
I looked away, no longer able to meet his strong gaze. I knew how it sounded but I also knew my mother. She would have done the same.
He glanced down at the table and stared at the deep gouges. “You gave her the gateway to the Sanguine.”
I ripped my claws off the table and hissed at him. “Not at first, but I implied it. When Falcon sent word that she would only agree to peace if I came to the City of Light myself, I knew Falcon had betrayed us and the queen would make a play for the Sanguine. What I didn’t know was the extent to which Deirdre had imprisoned her own people, Remnant included, and where they had disappeared to. Which was a problem because I had made a vow to a very persuasive swordmaster when he heard that I was traveling to Faerie.”
“You got captured on purpose.” He growled.
“I did.” Picking up my drink, the glass shook in my hand. I swallowed, using the fiery burn to calm the rolling turmoil inside.
“Fuck Daemon.”
My hand tightened on the glass. “One day my guard made an unfortunate mistake.” I licked my fangs in satisfaction at the memory of slaughtering the bastard. “Even in my rage, I was pulled by an undeniable force straight towards her room instead of escaping. Her torture had driven me mad with the need to protect her and I thought perhaps I could save one soul in that goddess forsaken place, end her misery.” My vision swam and I shut my eyes, the screams echoing from the past. The same ones that woke me up in cold sweat most nights. “Our bond snapped into place the moment I touched her…but I wasn’t successful in getting her free.”
I growled, shaking my head violently against the images, then my eyes snapped open, my power clashing thunderously inside of me and I realized I was shaking, the glass had shattered in my hand and its contents were spilling over the side of the table.
“We are not there anymore, she is not there anymore. You are safe, fairy boy.”The panther attempted to quiet my turmoil.
I stared at the liquid as it dripped over the edge like the blood in my nightmares. My body trembled, the power burned inside of me, attempting to burst forth. Where was this fucking power when I needed it? Why had it failed me then?
“Open our bond, Daemon, We need to filter it before it destroys this place!”The panther growled at me, recognizing the dangerous levels spilling inside.
I stared. Drip, drip.
“Open the bond now!” The beast roared.
“Fuck you.”I snarled but it was enough. I tore my gaze away from the spilling liquid and opened our connection, allowing the beast’s presence to absorb the overwhelming surge of power.
My shoulders sagged and I slumped in my chair, my breathing erratic.
Quietly, my father swept the glass aside and wiped up the liquid staining the table, then set another glass down in front of me. I watched the liquid pour in a daze.
Silence again. I hated the fucking silence.
So I continued. “I begged you know.” I confessed. “I begged that fucking bitch to make me a deal. One I knew she couldn’t resist. The location of the Sanguine.” My head snapped up and I snarled at my father. “And now I have doomed us all and I would do it again too. I’d do anything to keep her safe. I’d barter this very world if I had to. Morta has nothing on the destruction I will bring down on Faerie if anything ever happens to her again. I have been telling myself all this time it was for her, to allow herself the choice to choose me but if I am being truthful with myself. I am fucking terrified to lose her…just like mother.”
My father’s eyes flashed and then he reached for me, gripping my bloodied hands that had been cut open from the shattered glass.
“What you say is true, Daemon. You are capable and powerful enough to bring this world to its knees. Your mother and I knew that the day you were born.” I flinched and he squeezed my bloody hands. “But if you are in search of a truth from me then here it is. Choosing to live a life denying your soulmate the bond is the same as your fear of losing her.”
I grunted.
He shook his shaggy blonde head. “As for the Sanguine. You didn’t doom us Daemon. Even after the Blood Wars…we all knew that it would be a matter of time. Power like that does not die.”
I gripped his hands harder and snarled at him.
“She’s alive. Deirdre…Falcon too. They are all alive and they have been using the Sanguine. It is the cause of the deadlands, the wraiths, everything. Yesterday, she attempted to attack Finlandia. Wraiths and spy crows flooded the valley.”
My father rocked back in his chair, utter devastation on his face. “Fuck.” His eyes narrowed on me and he growled low. “You’re going hunting.”
A low snarl emitted from my clenched teeth. “Yes.”
Chapter 61
