“I’m really just surprised you’re alive right now.” Carver arches a brow at the interesting little soul. “I never knew what would happen if we laid a hand on the living before. You’re tied to Violence, but you’re still alive.” His eyes narrow as he considers Cameron before walking over to a small table topped with a golden trinket. “You should count yourself lucky.” He picks up the small item and rotates it in his hand.
“Don’t touch that,” I hiss, hurrying over to put it back and shoo him away.
“But what will the king do to me? Will he imprison me here in the castle?” Cameron’s tone isn’t as fearful as I thought it would be. It’s steady with a simple hint of curiosity.
“You’re about to go face the man you stole from. What do you think will happen to you?” Jeriko asks with a knowing grin.
More death...I think, chewing at my nails.
The heavy doors swing open, and silence drops down on us. I pull my hands away from my mouth, already hearing my mother’s stern voice telling me how unladylike it is to bite my nails. My shoulders square, a natural habit I’ve always had when in this castle, like a mask I can slip on as easily as a jacket. Confident steps carry me into the room. High, white ceilings glitter above while glossy, dark tiles reflect my movements below. I hear Cameron stumble after me like a dawdling pet on a leash.
A thin Fae with a serious expression steps forward. He’s new. I don’t recognize him.
“I present Princess Violence Starling, Jeriko Niles, Carver Skyforth, Nollix Forester, and Cameron Crows.”
Quiet steps follow me toward the center of the towering room. Several eyes are on me. Familiar gazes from a lifetime ago look over to the five of us. I swallow as I take in new faces.
The queens wait, their shoulders pressing into their dining chairs. My mother amongst them, though she is half standing from her seat. My gaze lingers on her before sweeping over the rest of my brothers whose features have twisted into different variations of curiosity and brooding annoyance.
Amongst them are new crowns that don’t belong to our darkness. That much is apparent, as their jewels look more like warm honey as it reflects the sun. That’s when I realize we’ve interrupted something.
Oh, shit.I clasp my hands behind me as I walk to hide the way they tremble.
My brother, Casimir, watches us with bland disinterest. His brown hair is tucked behind his ears, a shadow of a beard lining his jaw, and his hazel eyes stay trained on me. Across from him, Basilus watches me too. His sneer looks so much like our father, I have to do a double take to make sure it isn’t him. Basilus leans out of his seat, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
The chair at the head of the table is empty. The man who’d filled it moments ago now situated to the right of it, seething on his throne. The throne he’s sat upon for the last five hundred years. My father, King of the Court of Darkness, the Mad King, leader of the city of Fallen, Keeper of our Faith, Ruiner of my Existence.
Yes, dear old Dad holds a warm place in my heart. Just under a thin layer of hate.
Goddess, why am I so fucking bitter?A healer would be astounded by my daddy issues.
“Violence, why must you always be summoned because of trouble?” His long, graying beard sits lazily against his black dress shirt as his emerald eyes stare down on me. There’re more lines in his skin than I remember. His body is slimmer, his skin sagging like it could fall from his bones. Dark circles sit under his eyes. He’s tired looking, yes, but powerful nonetheless.The kind of power you can feel in your soul though there is no physical manifestation of it.
I imagine the conflict between our kingdom and the kingdom south of here is weighing on him, aging him into an early grave. That would explain why he’s asked another king to join his exclusive table.
“I sent you away to keep you out of trouble, not throw you into it.” Both fists are clenched, his mouth caught in such a sneer, it has to be hard to form words. “I didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”
Clearly, he must not realize that three years have passed since I’ve seen him or anyone else for that matter.
To the king’s right, my brother, Merrick, stands. I know he waits there, but I have yet to meet his gaze. Somehow the ache of missing him has faded, but I know it will come back with a vengeance when I am forced to leave again.
“My apologies, Your Highness.” My spine is straighter than I’ve held it in so long, and I don’t dare look away from my king. A dull ache reminds me that I spend too much of my time slouched around a campfire.
Quiet assessments are done of the people standing before him. His eyes trail over each of us. I don’t need to look to know the others of the Wild Hunt hold a stance just like my own. Total respect and unyielding strength are all we show our king.
As for the stray soul at my side, she keeps gazing around the room as if she might clip the chandeliers while no one’s looking.
“Stop fidgeting,” I say through clenched teeth like a breeze in the wind.
Cameron straightens and tips her head high to see the Fae king seated several steps above us.
“You did bring me the thief, though. I wish it had been her soul you brought rather than her life itself.” King Melic leans forward in his golden throne, the edges dipped in charcoal as if it’s rotting away beneath him. The light streaks across it, glittering against every onyx stone pressed into the chair.
I’ve never killed anyone. Connecting my life to Cameron’s is the worst I’ve ever done. She isn’t dead, so it’s not completely terrible. That’s the only positive excuse I have for what happened.
“Come forward, Cameron Crow.” My father points to a spot on the stairs only a few feet from him, spitting the name out like a sin from his lips.
Cameron holds his gaze as she strides toward the man who holds her life in his hands. But she only makes it a few feet before staggering back. Her hands flail, her balance teeters before she falls on her ass against my boots. A groan shakes from her mouth when she hits firmly against the tile floor. Then she’s glaring up at me, her eyes shooting daggers that scream “this is all your fault.” I mean, it kind of is, but she played her part too.
