“We are,” Sloane replied, tightening the straps on his backpack.
“Ready as we're gonna be,” Kai added with an air of determination.
Cam cracked his knuckles, rolling his neck in preparation. “Let's do this then.”
We'd said our goodbyes inside. Rick was going to stay with Gran and Miranda. He didn’t want to leave Gran unprotected, and we agreed it would be for the best. Plus, they’d just been reunited and I couldn’t handle knowing Gran would be without her love once again. Hunter was due to return any time, and he'd agreed to stay at the cottage while we were away. Hopefully when we returned, my sister would be here.
“Be smart. Let love and light guide you safely!” Gran shouted as we all linked hands.
Khol, Bram and I released our demonic power, creating a swirling portal right in the middle of our circle. Bolts of blue and white sparked from the sphere, and with one look back at Gran, I stepped into the opening. Seconds later, my feet landed on a stone walkway, and the sounds of more than one of my men groaning their displeasure at the sensation of portal jumping met my ears.
Looking up, my eyes trailed along the intricate stonework of the massive castle. We'd done it. We were here.
“Everyone good?” Fischer asked.
“Yeah, aside from my stomach feeling like it's gonna fall out, I'm great,” Faris replied, pressing a hand to his abdomen. I walked over and gave him a hug.
“My stomach hurts too,” Kai called out with a smirk, and I just stuck my tongue out at him.
“Anything seem off?” Bram asked Khol, the two of them scanning our surroundings. There were no other demons out here in what appeared to be a courtyard, so our arrival may not have been noticed. Yet.
“Can't tell yet. The sooner we find your father, the better. Let's get inside,” Khol said cautiously, clapping Bram on the shoulder. The two of them led us to an enormous curved archway covered in carvings of demons and intricate flowers. I wished I had more time to look at the finer details, but Cam's hand on my lower back urged me to continue on.
“Where is everyone?” I asked softly because that was the thing... It was quiet. It hadn’t been like this when I was here previously.
Bram’s shoulders were tense. “I'm not sure. Maybe there's an event going on and everyone's inside. Just... stay alert,” he replied.
We entered the castle without any problems, taking the winding walkways at a slightly quicker pace than my usual walking speed. After a few minutes of silence and not seeing a single soul, I started to get a bad feeling. Something wasn't right. I was about to voice my apprehension when finally, someone crossed our path.
“Excuse me?” Khol called out to the male demon, who startled at the sound of his voice.
“Yes?” the man replied, leaning a little to the left to see the rest of our group.
“Where is everyone?” Bram asked, walking up to him.
When the demon realized who he was speaking to, his eyes widened and he dropped to one knee immediately. “My Prince, forgive me. I did not recognize you at first,” he rushed out.
“Forgiven. Now, please, tell us where we can find my father. It's urgent.” Bram's tone carried the importance of the question, and the male demon stood and nodded almost comically fast.
“Of course, Your Majesty. He's in the throne room. There was a meeting; it may still be happening.” The male wrung his hands together anxiously. I understood. I mean, I'd met King Thane a few times, and there was something seriously wrong with him. How anyone felt safe in his presence was a mystery to me.
“Very well, thank you. As you were then,” Bram replied, releasing the male from his questioning. He turned to us, his face a bit more relaxed now that we'd gotten confirmation that his father was here. “Let's go.”
We followed Bram and Khol as they strode through the castle toward the throne room. I thought back to months ago, when I'd first met Bram and how I'd hid in a wardrobe. It felt like it was just yesterday and yet, at the same time, it felt so long ago.
The two huge wooden doors were closed, but Bram and Khol didn't stop, pushing them open as if they weren't six inches thick and twenty feet tall. They squeaked on the hinges, alerting everyone in the room of our arrival. My eyes immediately flew to the head of the room where the throne sat, and I took a deep breath, seeing the man I'd hoped to never see again sitting perched like the king he was.
His dark hair was styled, his crown sitting proudly atop his head. A luxurious robe of red velvet was draped over his shoulders, and brushed the floor. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as we approached the throne, and Cam slipped his hand into mine.
“Ah, the crown prince has returned. To what do I owe this joyous occasion?” King Thane boomed, rising to his feet and throwing his arms out wide.
“Father. I've come with serious news. Perhaps you could gather your generals and we could have this discussion in private?” Bram suggested, and the king tilted his head to the side, letting his eyes drift away from Bram so he could study the rest of us. His gaze trailed over Fischer and Faris with interest.What the fuck?When his eyes met mine, I would’ve sworn to the gods I saw his eyes flash with something, but it was gone so quickly that I might have imagined it. The man just creeped me out.
“Nonsense. You've brought guests, I see. Khol the Cold, long time no see,” he said to Khol as he descended the steps down to our level. Brushing past Khol, King Thane didn't even stop to greet him properly. His eyes were locked on me, and I could already hear hissing from Faris and deep growls coming from Sloane, Bram, and Kai.
“Father, stop. She's mine,” Bram snarled, grabbing Thane's arm and whirling him around. You could've heard a pin drop in the silence that fell over the room.
“You've mated then?” Thane sneered, and Bram let out a terrifying growl that shouldn't have made my blood heat the way it did, but I was half demon. Seeing my mate take a stand and flaunt his claim on me was fucking hot. Bram's wings snapped in irritation and his body stretched, his height growing easily another four inches, not including his corkscrewed horns.
