A Crown of Cursed Hearts (Kingdom of Blighted Thorns #3)

32. Tempest

32

TEMPEST

“ L et’s get to work,” Brodine said grimly.

When we all rose to leave, he went around hugging each of us, though he only tapped Vexxion on the arm after Vexxion released a low growl.

Vexxion walked over to Vera, and they spoke in low voices I couldn’t overhear.

With a shake of his head, Brodine strode from the room, calling out over his shoulder. “I’ll be in the library. I saw some interesting books there last night that might be helpful. I’m going to make some lists and plans. I’ll meet with you tomorrow afternoon once I’ve come up with a few strategies, Tempest?”

“I’m going to the aerie to assess the situation there, and I’ll take the blue dragon out to locate the rest of the aeries.” Airia sounded as confident and happy as Brodine. “I’ll check back with you, Tempest, once I have an idea of what we’re dealing with. And I’ll make lists too. I’ll let you know what we need to house a large flying army.”

I snagged her arm before she could pass me, bringing her to a halt, and gave her a hug. “Thank you. I’m sorry we didn’t believe you immediately, that you had to prove your loyalty to us by removing the collar.”

Leaning back in my embrace, she sighed. “I get it. I would’ve thought the same thing. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who collared me right from the start, but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have cooperated if he’d told me to kill you.”

She wouldn’t have had a choice. Will and Prenton hadn’t.

She left, striding with purpose from the room.

“Riftflame,” Zayde said with a curt nod, taking Layla’s hand. “We’ll be back as soon as we have their agreement.”

“Then I hope we see you soon.” I stepped over to my sister. “I feel like we’ve barely had time to talk.” Would I be dead before I could get that chance?

“Soon,” she said softly, her gaze meeting Zayde’s. With a soft laugh, she barreled into me, hugging me. “Stay safe. Don’t do anything impulsive. Kill who you want if you think there’s a need, but . . . Alright, don’t share too many details about it with me when I return.”

“What makes you think I’m going to kill someone?” I asked, chuckling through my dismay.

Stepping back to Zayde’s side, she frowned. “I’m not sure why I said that.” With a shrug, she looked up at him. “Flit us to Riftflame, love. I don’t know the location.” Her smile fell my way again. “I have power! Last night, I flitted from the bedroom to the bathing area. I’m going to try to flit from the bedroom to the courtyard next, but I know I’ll soon be able to go wherever I want. Zayde’s teaching me so much, and magic is only a part of it.”

“You’re Lydel,” I said. “Of course you have power.” Incredible power, I sensed. Now that my sister had been awakened, nothing would hold her back. If the king didn’t watch out, she’d be the one killing him, not me.

Zayde and Vexxion shared a look I couldn’t define before he and Layla flitted from the room.

“I have a few things I need to do.” Vexxion did not meet my gaze.

“Like what?”

“Nothing you need to be concerned about.” The gruffness in his voice scalded my skin. Something had changed between us again. Why?

Each day without his love was an emotional test. I kept alternating between hope and utter dejection. Watching him interact with everyone else sent jolts of jealousy through me, stabbing deeper than a blade. I analyzed every word he said, dissecting even the smallest detail for signs I was beginning to think I’d never find.

My mind had turned into a dungeon of unanswered questions. How much more of this could I take?

Everything, if I had to. I couldn’t give up.

I walked over to stand in front of him, wanting to ask him to hold me, to tell me everything was going to be alright, that we’d see this through and come out of it even stronger. In the past, he would’ve offered me that comfort without my asking .

Now, I didn’t dare beg, because I worried he’d reject me. Not just in this but forever. I’d saved him from his father, but that wasn’t enough. Now I found myself mourning the death of us.

Before my fumbling hands could latch onto his tunic, a misty barrier fell between us. It wasn’t a tangible thing, but it might as well be. A mask fell down over his face like a harsh wind had shot through the room, stealing all the warmth in this world and the others beyond.

Vera watched us with sympathy shadowing her eyes.

“Let me know if you come up with anything,” I finally said, my hands flopping against my sides. I was coming into my power and building strength all the time, but nothing I’d learned so far could fix this.

Despair kept ripping through me, leaving only a raw ache gnawing through my core.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Vera asked him, coming over to stand at our side. “I could at least escort you to the entrance before flitting back here.”

“You explained what I have to do, and that’s enough.” His warm hand brushed against the skin on my neck, and he lifted the pendant he’d given me, coiling his fingers around it. “I need to borrow this.”

“Of course.” Though it hurt to remove it, I stepped away from him and unfastened the clasp, handing it to him. I let my hand linger on his longer than I should, foolish, desperate me sucking what little warmth I could from him before I wrenched my hand away.

His neutral expression met mine, and I worried my agony and despair was reflected on my face. Shadows flickered in his eyes, and for an instant, I was back at the fortress, challenging him. Laughing with him. Falling in love with him.

I’d linked my heart and soul to this man who was unlike any other.

“I’ll return this to you as soon as I can.” With a nod, he flitted from the parlor.

I dragged in a breath and staggered. I would’ve fallen if Vera hadn’t drawn me into her arms.

“Things will work out as they should,” she said.

Such a useless platitude.

“Have you seen anything?” My voice croaked, and I scrambled to drag up a bit more hope to cling to.

“Some things can be changed while others can’t,” she said softly. “But trust that the fates will not tear you two apart.”

I wasn’t sure I had enough hope left to trust in anything. The fates appeared determined to shred whatever was left of my heart.

“He left for Weldsbane?” I asked.

She stepped away from me, though she held onto my forearms. “Now that his collar is gone, he can seize his court’s core. I told him how it must be done. I’m no elder, but I’ve learned a few things during my lifetime that suit me well now.”

“Ivenrail will know the moment he claims it.” My shrill voice echoed in the room. “He’ll go after him.” He’d kill Vexxion this time.

She placed a fingertip on my lips. “Don’t speak his name.”

“It doesn’t work like that,” I snarled, my eyes stinging with tears I refused to spill. “I need to go with him, to support him. I can help him.” Stand close to him even if he wouldn’t let me touch him.

“He needs to do this alone, if not for himself, but for his mother.” Her grip tightened on my arms. “He’ll be able to hold off the king long enough to do what he must. You, my niece, have your own court’s core to swallow, and I believe you must claim it soon.”

“When?” I’d do it now while he went after his own.

Her gaze shot to the windows, peering out where darkness ruled. “Once the sun has risen. This may take longer than you think.”

“A day?”

“Time is different there.”

“I can’t be gone for long.”

If Vexxion didn’t return quickly, I’d flit to him. I’d follow that man no matter where he went, even into the ether. I’d brought him back to me, and even if he never loved me again, I’d do everything within my power to ensure he was happy.

Even if he could only be happy without me.