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

50. Tempest

50

TEMPEST

W e made love for most of the night and bathed together the next day, dressing in simple tunics and pants and strapping on weapons after.

I would’ve happily spent the next week or even a month in bed with him, but the weight of the world hung over us.

Drask soared in through the open window and landed on my shoulder, pecking my face to show me he’d missed me while I was gone. I stroked his back, and he settled.

“Breakfast?” Vexxion asked, teasing his fingers across my face and tugging on my new braid still damp from my bath.

Fates, could I take him back to bed instead?

“I’m not even sure what day or time it is.” I lifted my timepiece, squinting at it. “Late. How about dinner instead?”

“I’m hungry for everything.” Leaning close, he kissed along my jaw to my ear, growling beside it. “Especially you. ”

My bones trilled, but I stepped away from him. “Stop it,” I said with a laugh. “Tonight is a promise.”

“Oh, it is, love. It is.” His smoldering gaze only made this harder.

“I feel like we’ve been gone a long time. We need to find out what happened while we were away and decide what we need to do next.” So many things left to arrange before I could finally confront Ivenrail and end this.

“Alright. Tonight.” He stroked his hand down my braid and latched onto the end, using it to dip my head back for a long kiss that made me melt all over again.

“Behave.” I shook my finger at him after, though a laugh came through in my voice.

“Never,” he vowed. “You prefer me this way.” Turning, he sauntered across the room.

I couldn’t help but watch the way he prowled with a grace that made my heart trip over itself and keep falling.

“We could flit to the kitchen,” I said. “Grab something quick and come back.”

“Or walk. We don’t do that very often.” Returning to me, he held out his hand.

I linked our fingers together, grateful all over again that he’d returned to me, that he loved me.

We started across the room, but something—or the lack of something—caught my eye, and I froze.

“Did you move the dragon you carved for me?” It no longer sat on the table in front of the sofa.

He shook his head .

Leaving him, I looked around the furniture, expecting to find it lying on the floor. “Did you do anything with it, Drask?”

He cawed by my ear and flapped his wings, but it was a silly question since it would be too heavy for him to carry.

A thorough scan of the suite showed it was nowhere to be found.

“I’m sure it’s here somewhere,” he said. “We’ll find it, or I’ll carve you another. An entire fleet of dragons.” He turned me in his embrace and kissed me, drinking from my mouth as if I was the only thing he needed.

I was going to turn into a moaning wreck soon, but my belly kept rumbling, so I pulled away with a laugh, shaking my finger at him again. “None of that now. Save it for later.”

Taking my hand, he kissed my fingertips one by one before placing his lips on my mating mark. Heat seared through me from his simple touch, and maybe I could wait to eat later.

“Dinner,” he said sternly. “You need your energy for tonight.”

With a laugh, we left the room and took the stairs to the kitchen, where we raided the cool box for this and that. We sat at the counter and ate it, me giggling while I fed him, and he did the same with me.

Despite what I’d soon face, a sense of peace stole over me. We’d find our way through this together, and then it would be over. I couldn’t wait to feel safe, to know that only good things awaited us in our future.

We tidied up and left the kitchen, strolling into the hallway beyond. When we heard voices, we joined everyone else sitting in the front parlor .

“It’s about time you two appeared,” Zayde said as we entered the room. His gaze fell to our clasped hands. “Please tell us you’re truly back, Vexxion.”

My love, my mate, grinned at his brother. “Completely.”

“Wonderful.” Rising, Zayde rushed over and lifted Vexxion. The two men laughed as Zayde staggered around before lowering Vexxion to his feet.

I took his hand, and my face ached from grinning.

Everyone else crowded us, tapping Vexxion’s arms and giving us both warm smiles.

“I’m happy for you,” Reyla whispered by my ear as she gave me a hug. “If he didn’t start remembering, I was going to kick him or practice my fledgling magic on him. I’ve got a mean finger, as you know, and he was going to taste it.” Leaning back in our embrace, she held it up. One scowl, and she made it glow.

What if he hadn’t come back to me? We’d made progress toward being together, but I felt like each step we took toward each other ended with a half a step backward.

Part of the draining and his time in the ether? We might never know.

“You two were gone for a week.” Brodine slugged Vexxion on the arm, and the grin he gave my love held only warmth. “I’m glad you’re back in many ways.” His gaze sought mine, and I saw only kindness, acceptance, and happiness there.

Warmth for my old friend flooded me, and I barreled into him, hugging him. Vexxion was back. Bro was back. Reyla was back. I couldn’t be any happier than I was right now.

“So glad you and Vexxion are together,” Brodine said. “Who would’ve thought things would turn out this way?” He kissed the top of my head. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” After easing away from him, I stepped back into Vexxion’s arms. He leaned over and kissed the side of my neck. Everything inside me melted.

“I assume you two found success,” Aunt Vera said, looking back and forth between us. “As if I need to ask? I can see the glow in each of your faces. Love is a wonderful thing, but you’ve claimed your courts! A court’s core shines in a way nothing else ever can. Finally. All those years of planning, hoping, and scheming, if I’m being honest, have paid off. I will point out that we schemed to save this world, not destroy it. That we did everything we could to ensure both of you would not only survive but make it through this rough part of your lives.”

“You had a vision that it would turn out like this?” I asked, kissing her cheek. I still wasn’t used to having an aunt in my life, let alone a sister, but the warmth I felt for both her and Layla was lasting. We’d only build on it from here.

“Only bits,” she said in a hollow voice, her eyes dropping from mine. “Never enough. If only I did.” She sucked in a breath and shot it out. “But perhaps some things are best left unknown.” Her smile rose. “I knew you two needed to be betrothed, that you’d one day fall in love. I didn’t see . . . the rest.”

I took Vexxion’s hand, tightened my fingers on his and leaned into his side. I couldn’t imagine what might’ve happened if we hadn’t met.

“I knew there would be dark times,” she said. “But both of you swallowing your courts’ cores has a chance of making a difference. I held hope in my heart that we’d finally reach this point. Can you imagine what power the two of you combined can now harness? You’re not only the high lord and lady of your own courts wielding your cores’ powers, but you’re fated mates. This is what that monster on the Bledmire throne has feared from the day you were born.”

Airia smiled and nodded, reaching out to tap each of our arms. “You both look good. Rested. Content.”

“They’ll need to be,” Brodine said, his expression tightening. “I think things are going to get messy soon.”

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“Have a seat, everyone,” my aunt said, waving to the furniture. “And we’ll share any updates.”

Reyla yawned. Still tired after a week?

When Airia stifled a yawn also, I wanted to tell them both to get more rest. We’d be worth nothing if we didn’t take time to sleep.

We settled on sofas and chairs with glasses of wine, and each person shared what had happened while Vexxion and I were gone.

“First, you were gone for a week, as you just learned,” Aunt Vera said. “While my visions have been sparse, I’ve seen that the beast on the throne is still gathering his army. He’ll march soon.”

“We need to meet him with an army of our own,” I said.

“My friend left for Evergorne Court, and I expect he’ll be back soon,” Zayde said. “Hopefully with good news.”

“He was convinced he’d come back with their support,” Layla said. She rose and grabbed the bottle of wine off the sideboard, freshening everyone’s drinks before placing the bottle back on the wooden surface. She settled next to Zayde on a sofa, and he put his arm around her shoulders, holding her close.

“Excellent,” I said. “Has anyone seen Madrood?” I reached out in my mind, but he didn’t reply.

“Not yet.” A frown rose on Brodine’s face. “I haven’t had much success putting together an army. It’s hard without dragons.” He sighed. “Or people. I thought . . . I’m sorry.” His shoulders sagged. “Once we have people and dragons, it’ll go fast. I know it will.”

“I’m ready for the dragons the moment they arrive,” Airia said. “The island has seven aeries, each with numerous stalls. They’re clean, plenty of feed is stocked, and I’m ready for staff to arrive to tend them.”

“Amazing,” I said. “How did you accomplish all that in such a short time?”

Her cheeks darkened and a smile fluttered across her face. “I’ve been practicing magic.” She lifted her finger and made it glow. “I found if I point at something and make a wish, what I want happens. Most of the time.” Her face scrunched. “ After locating all the aeries and cleaning out one of them on my own, unfortunately.” She chuckled. “If only I’d realized I could move dragon poop with a flick of my finger right away. But everything’s ready. All we need are those dragons and staff.”

Vexxion tugged his arm off my shoulders, and I glanced up at him, finding him frowning. Did he plan to get up?

“We’ve got all these people.” Brodine’s arm swept toward the city. “But they just stand there. I can’t figure out how to free them from your mother’s spell.”

Aunt Vera grunted. “Freeing them is Tempest’s task.”

“Ah, alright. It’s just . . . odd,” he said. “You’d think they’d need to eat or sleep. You know. Spells are weird things, I guess. Anyway. I tried to flit to the main continent. I wanted to travel through the villages on the southern part of Lydel and delicately see if I could find volunteers, but I can’t get flitting to work.” He shifted on his chair that sat to the right of where Vexxion remained on the sofa beside me. “I’ll keep trying, of course. I won’t stop until I’ve built an army big enough to defeat the king.” He pointed to a dagger lying on the table in front of me and Vexxion. “I’m getting good with this, however.” The blade dragged across the surface in a jerky way. “Moving things. It’s not much, but after each of your aunt’s lessons, I practice.”

“How’s magic training going for the rest of you?” I stroked Vexxion’s thigh, needing the contact. For too long, I worried I’d lose him forever. The realization that he was back hadn’t sunk in deeply enough yet.

He shifted his leg out from beneath my hand, but when I glanced up at him, he was looking toward my friends, not down at me.

Coldness settled in the pit of my stomach, spreading like poison. I shoved away the twinge. He was with me completely now. He’d loved me all night. That wasn’t going to change.

“I’m doing alright.” Reyla’s eyes closed, and she pinched them tight before opening them again. “Aunt Vera’s a wonderful teacher. I feel like . . .” She shook her head. “I can’t quite describe it. It’s like the magic is right there, I just can’t grab onto it. Sometimes, it comes in waves, and it works for me. The next time, I can barely generate my finger light.”

“Same with me.” Airia nodded Reyla’s way. “When I’m at the aerie, I can do almost anything. Here? It feels harder.”

“We’ve all been busy,” I said. “We’re worn out.” How were we going to survive the upcoming battle if we couldn’t build our magic, let alone our army?

I snuggled closer to Vexxion, but for some reason, his body felt cold. I peered up at him, and he frowned down at me in a way that reminded me of how he’d been when he didn’t remember who I was or what we’d found together.

I had to be mistaken.

A nauseating mixture of humiliation and despair churned through me, making it hard to breathe or think clearly, but I pushed aside the feeling. We were together now. Nothing was going to change that.

“I’ve been gathering supplies,” Aunt Vera said. “The armory was full of weapons. Your mother took care of that before . . .”

The king took her and killed her.

“Since they’ve been sitting for many years,” she said brightly. “I’ve used magic to get them in shape. I’ve also been gathering nonperishable food. I’m afraid the fields have laid fallow for a very long time, but fortunately, I can craft supplies with magic, though it’s quite tiring.” She sighed. “I’m old. Some might say too old to take on this challenge. Everything wears me out lately. I can still get a lot done, and I’m not finished.” She gave me a pert nod. “I’ll keep stockpiling things. Uniforms. Dried food. Flasks for water. And the weapons I already mentioned. Give me the army, and I’ll make sure they’re ready to fight for Lydel and the entire world.”

Vexxion rose from the sofa and crossed the room to lean his shoulder against the mantel. I tried to capture his gaze, but he kept it trained on the floor.

Is everything alright? I asked in his mind.

Didn’t I tell you never to speak to me in this way? he snarled.

My mind slapped back into my head as if he’d hit me, and my tenuous world crumbled. Pain slashed through my chest, tearing at the shaky part of me that had built hope during the night. My limbs felt leaden, unwilling to move or even function properly. Each of my heartbeats was excruciatingly loud in the silence that followed his words. He didn’t mean it.

No. Please, no.

What was happening? No. No! Would we spend the rest of our lives trying to find each other again, over and over until something snapped and he left me forever?

Fury slashed across my soul, a blade stabbing deep. I couldn’t stand it. The thought of longing for him while he stared at me with no feeling was so unbearable, I wasn’t sure I could survive. If I couldn’t—

While everyone chattered about the war effort and various ways we could get ready when we had no army or dragons, I paused, thinking.

Watching.

Airia had tipped her head back to rest it against her chair, and her eyelids kept sliding closed.

Reyla wasn’t much better off. She rested her chin on her palm. The other held her half-full glass of wine, and I almost got up to take it from her, because it looked like she was going to drift to sleep and drop it.

Even my aunt kept blinking fast and wiping her eyes.

Brodine’s gaze remained on Vexxion, and a smile curled his lips before he smoothed them.

It meant nothing. He was still showing happiness that Vexxion and I were back together.

Please, yes. We were back together!

Zayde stared at Vexxion for a long moment with a perplexed look on his face. Rising, he walked unsteadily over to speak to his brother in a low voice. Vexxion shook his head and sent me a look that matched the coldness in his voice.

Layla rose from her chair and dropped down with a thud onto the sofa next to me. She leaned into my side and took my hand, squeezing it. Her eyes slid closed before she shook her head and opened them, her sleepy attention focusing on me. “It’s going to be . . . alright,” she said softly. “Is there anything I can do for you?” Her words swam through my mind.

Something was . . . not right. “No, I—”

Reyla snorted and peered around with a bleary gaze. She lifted and drained her wine, staring down at the glass after.

Airia placed her own empty glass on the table between us and tipped her head back against the chair again, her eyelids sliding closed.

Zayde slumped in the open chair next to the fireplace and stared at the carpet, while Vexxion slouched against the enormous stone structure, his eyelids fluttering.

Even I was finding it hard to stay awake, though I’d barely slept the night before, a solid reason to feel exhausted .

Brodine stifled a yawn. “I wish I had better news for you, Tempest. But I’m not giving up. I’m ready and willing to command our army as soon as we can gather them.”

“Thank you.”

Why was everyone tired? Reyla had inadvertently gotten into the garden willwort, but Zayde said he’d get rid of it before anyone else accidentally touched it. He’d had a week to do that.

Yet she was still sleepy.

As was Brodine. Airia. Vexxion. Aunt Vera. Me. Even Zayde and Layla kept blinking, fighting off the urge to fall asleep.

I could barely make myself think.

Someone betrayed you. Madrood’s words slid into my mind, insidious things that they were.

Who?