A Dream of Fate & Flesh (Courts of Malice #2)

39. To Seek Vengeance

thirty-nine

To Seek Vengeance

Alessia

T he world spins around me as we land in the trees on a hill. From the view, we're on the city’s outskirts. My stomach lurches, and I lose my footing. Rainer grips my arm to steady me.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

Ezamae wears a grim expression as he points toward the city. On the horizon, smoke plumes rise, staining the dawn sky. Multiple fires burn, all within the same proximity of one another. They’re far enough apart to determine they’re each individual fires but close enough to imply a targeted attack.

“What the hell?” Rainer mutters. He strokes his jaw, glancing at Ezamae.

“I need to go help. Wait for me.” The air bursts into a shimmery outline as Ezamae disappears.

“What do you think is happening?” I ask Rainer, panic bubbling up in my throat. “Someone attacked the city?”

“I don’t know.” He stares into the distance. A storm churns in his glacial gaze as the corners of his mouth plummet. “Could be an accident.”

We both know that’s not true. It doesn’t feel like an accident.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I open Ezamae’s bag. “We should get dressed. ”

I tug out the various garments. Rainer helps me with the utility corset’s hooks. I pull on the fresh tunic and leggings. There are two lightweight cloaks with oversized hoods woven from black material—one for each of us. I finger the silky-soft material.

“Here,” I hand Rainer the larger cloak, taking the time to admire the black fitted trousers and leather jerkin he's dressed in. Gold embellishments adorn the attire, which, combined with the quality, tells me Ezamae paid a high price for the clothing. It shows off Rainer’s muscular frame in a way that I greatly appreciate.

I straighten Rainer’s collar, biting back a small smile.

“What?” He tilts his head, brow furrowing. “You’re smirking.”

“Ezamae likes you, and you went and broke his nose.”

Rainer scoffs.

I think of Eoin’s cloak, the one riddled with holes made of scratchy material. Ezamae has a very subtle way of showing how he feels about others, but if you look closely, you can see it.

“He brought you very nice clothes, and he didn’t fight back when you attacked him,” I point out.

Rainer lifts a brow. “It wouldn’t matter if he did fight back. He deserves a lot more than a broken bone.” He grips my hand, pulling it to his lips. “Make no mistake, Alessia, anyone who causes you even a fraction of inconvenience is subject to my fury. Making them cower in fear would be a mercy.”

I blush, enjoying the mixture of his tender and violent sides.

Glancing back at the city, my brief joy is extinguished. “Should we go down there and help?”

He shakes his head. “There’s nothing we can do. Ezamae has air on his side. He can handle it. ”

We watch silently. The smoke in the distance grows thinner until, finally, the fires smolder out. Ezamae reappears, soot and ash marring his face and clothes.

He stares grimly at me. “I have reason to believe the fires were intentional.”

“Arson?”

He nods sharply. “Seraphina.”

My heart slams against my rib cage. “Are you sure?”

“A few witnesses described a female of her appearance throwing fire starters—elixirs of some sort in glass vials.”

“She wants me dead,” I mutter.

Rainer pulls me to his side. “Where is she? What does she want?”

Ezamae’s silver eyes sparkle with sorrow. “It appears I misjudged our friendship. I have theories about her motivation, but I'm not certain yet.”

“I thought you said she hated the queen—Ethyria? That she wouldn’t come here!”

“The queen is the bane of her existence… both of ours, really,” he mutters. “It was our initial bonding connection.”

I replay my time at her cottage, dissecting my memory for clues. “Did she know you were bringing me to the queen?”

“It's likely. She knew I was doing the queen a favor.”

“Does she know the queen is sick?”

“I might’ve shared something with her, yes.” Guilt flashes across Ezamae’s face. “You think this is my fault?”

I bite my lip. “What if she’s trying to prevent me from helping the queen?”

Ezamae nods slowly. “It could make sense, but she isn’t one to betray me. Except… ”

“What is it?” Rainer growls, charging toward Ezamae.

“She might not realize she’s betraying me.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, then winces at the injury there and quickly releases it. “She knows the truth about… other things.”

“Spill before I spill your blood, Mellían.” Rainer snarls, his ice-blue eyes colder than ever. He doesn’t need the flicker of bloodlust to appear frightening. His rage is terrifying enough on its own. “Why is Hamraaz running court while you are serving Yvanthia?”

Ezamae grips the back of his neck. “I got caught up in a bargain of my own.” He gazes at me, eyes softening. “I never expected to make a friend, to betray a friend, and for that…” He places a hand over his heart. “I am quite fond of you, spiritcaller.”

“You knew,” I mumble, thinking of words he once said: As the wind calls to me, the spirits call to you . “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I tried. Not all words can be spoken aloud,” he says cryptically.

“I don’t suppose you can tell us what that deal was then,” Rainer mutters.

He shakes his head. “Not even if I wanted to. But Seraphina loathes Yvanthia.”

“If you and the sorceress are so close, why is she working behind your back?”

Ez opens his mouth as if he wants to say something, but then he shuts it and turns away. “Because I’m required to warn the queen if I hear of any threats to her.”

“So if Seraphina told you her plans or discussed them with you, you’d be forced to turn her in?” I ask.

“Precisely. ”

“What the feck have you gotten yourself into?” Rainer runs a hand through his hair. “You chose to step down from ruling? Why switch with your brother?”

Ezamae glances at our bare feet. “Ah.” He snaps his fingers. “I forgot boots!” The air gasps as he disappears into nothing.

Rainer and I look at each other in disbelief. There are so many holes, so many missing pieces. Trusting the Aer Prince is becoming a big ask.

“If he wanted me dead, I think I’d be dead,” I say. Despite the betrayal, he’s been an ally. “Right?”

Rainer paces, prowling around me like a predator—a beast caged within the confines of his mind. “I don’t like this, Alessia.” He turns to me, remorse flashing in his eyes. “But even so, I can’t judge him…” He sighs, shaking his head. “I can understand why one might withhold information… it’s not always as simple as it seems. I have things I need to te—”

Ezamae appears, windwalking into sight right between us.

He drops boots before each of us. “I think I got the size right.”

Rainer curses under his breath. We tug on the boots and prepare to leave.

Something roots me in place, and I face the city, a frown forming. “We can’t leave.”

“What?” Both males say at the same time.

“We can’t leave the girl,” I say to Rainer.

Ez glances between us. “What girl?”

“A Tradeling—Yvanthia was using her as a pawn,” Rainer says.

“Who is she to you, Alessia?” Ez asks.

“I don’t know her, but—”

“Then leave her.” Ezamae shrugs .

“Ezamae!” I huff. “Absolutely not.”

“No… no, you misunderstand me. Leave her for now. No harm will likely come her way if she means nothing to you.” He gathers up his bag and swings it over a shoulder. “Yvanthia won’t have any use for her. During my time in her circle, I’ve learned she avoids inconveniences. She will likely send the girl back as a pretend show of goodwill with the humans. I imagine she will use it to paint herself favorably.”

“That’s terrible, Ezamae!” I hiss. “Do you know what that means for the girl?”

A slow smile forms. “It means we intercept the journey and steal her away without dealing with Yvanthia again.”

I shift my weight, my gaze flickering from Ez to Rainer. “I don’t like this. She doesn’t deserve any of this.”

Rainer gives me a look of sympathy. He steps close. “She doesn’t, but if she’s here for now, at least she isn’t there … being hurt by men like Edvin.”

“I will hear any chatter regarding her,” Ez says softly. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to her.”

My throat wells up, and I blink a few times to keep my expression neutral.

“Okay,” I say hoarsely. I hate that this is what it comes to for girls like us—Tradelings. “I’m not abandoning her.”

“I know you won’t, my rose.” Rainer rubs my arm tenderly. “ Neither will I.”

We windwalk in a few unnerving bursts, not making it as far as we would’ve liked. Dense trees sprout up around us, feeling both familiar and unfamiliar. A river rushes beside us, the water racing desperately toward its destination. Fistfuls of wildflowers punch through the terrain in chaotic bursts of color.

As the sun ascends, the day grows hotter. At this point, we’ll never make it to Shyga—Spiritus Court—before the rotten queen perishes. The thought of Rainer dying along with her sends me into a spiral. My pulse soars, and I wipe my sweaty hands on my pants.

We need to pick up our pace. I’m eager to get there, to get all of this nonsense over with so I can return to Umbra with Rainer. The queen said I needed to embrace my magic and accept my land, but she never said I had to stay there.

“We could’ve gone further on foot by now,” Rainer mutters.

Ez glances away. “Perhaps I don’t want to exert myself.”

“Strange, considering how often you recharge yourself,” I say.

His eyes snap to mine, the blood draining from his face.

Rainer crosses his arms and stares down Ezamae with a lethal calm. “That is odd , indeed.”

Ez mumbles something I can’t make out.

“What?” I ask.

He does it again, speaking too low and fast for me to comprehend the garble.

“I can’t hear you. ”

He throws his hands up and faces us fully. “I can’t come!”

“To Shyga? Why not?” I squint, confused.

“No…” He glances at the sky and mutters something under his breath. “I can’t… come .”

“You already said that.” Rainer frowns. “No one is forcing you to.”

“For feck’s sake. I can’t orgasm .”

I stop breathing. Even Rainer goes still, his posture softening.

The silence between us roars louder than any vocal beast. “What does that have to do with windwalking?” I ask lamely.

“I recharge through pleasure—giving and receiving.” Ezamae lowers his voice. “However, it’s quite hard to recharge without finding joy or pleasure in the acts. So, yes, I am growing weaker, if that’s what you’re implying, Rainer. I am finding it quite difficult to… power myself up.”

“I had no idea,” I say softly, not wanting him to feel embarrassed about his struggles.

“Yeah, well, what would the fae think of me—a demoted prince, the queen’s thrall, the whore who thrives off lust and desire.” He laughs self-deprecatingly. “The irony that the Prince of Pleasure can bring others to climax with a mere gust of wind” —my face heats at the thought—“yet he must care for someone to find his release.”

“Ezamae...” My frown deepens as he turns his back to me.

“I am not one worthy of being cared for. I am used—by the queen and her royals, by those who know my name far and wide across the land and seek a night of pleasure.” His voice cracks, and he adjusts the collar of his shirt, still facing away. “They only care about what I can do for them, not who I am or who I aspire to be. ”

“Oh, Ez,” I whisper.

He stomps deeper into the woods, his body as stiff as a tree trunk. My gut squeezes at his departure. It’s my first time seeing him lose his cool.

Rainer slowly turns to face me. I shrug, at a loss for what to say or do. “I didn’t know.”

“Neither did I,” he mutters. He cups the back of his neck. “I feel like an arse for the comments I made.”

“He could use a little grace.” I gesture in the direction he went. “Maybe you could…”

“I’ll talk to him,” he says quietly. “I understand what it’s like to need a connection emotionally to enjoy one physically.” His gaze swings to me. “Although I was lucky in two ways in which he has ill fortune.”

“Oh?”

“The first being that my power does not require the same circumstances to recharge.” He gives me a soft smile and grips my hand tenderly. “The second being that I found my connection.”

He pulls my hand to his lips, kissing my skin softly. A smile bursts onto my face, and I cannot hide my reaction to him.

He wraps his hand around the back of my neck, pulling my forehead to his lips. He plants a lingering kiss there, murmuring, “I’ll be back,” against my skin.

The smile stays on my face as I watch Rainer’s strong legs carry him away from me. I misjudged the Umbra Prince severely when I met him. He’s a broody bastard with a scowl that could wither an entire forest—but he’s constantly looking out for everyone else.

Even with his life on the line, his title stripped, and his freedom recently stolen, the woes of others are at the forefront of his mind .

I kick at the leaves beneath me, pacing while I wait for the males to return.

“ Alesssssiaaaaa ,” a soft call carries on the wind.

I groan, squeezing my eyes shut.

The call comes again, and my head swivels, scanning the forest for the source.

“ Meet me where I rest, ” the voice says. My voice. “ Embrace me. ”

“Go away,” I mutter, plugging my ears.

Darkness enters my peripheral vision, and my eyes swing up. That eerie shadow stands feet away, the foggy blob wavering into something that resembles my face. Its eyes are sharper than the dagger I stabbed it with, its lips curving up in a mean smirk.

“What are you?” I ask, stepping forward. With a confident curiosity, I move close enough to reach out. My fingers brush the dark fog, and I swear I feel something caress the back of my neck. Gasping, I whirl around.

Behind me, the shadow chuckles, its humor a familiar echo of my laughter.

“ Come find me ,” it whispers.

It’s gone before I can process the words.

The males return a moment later. They walk together, heads bowed. Their mouths move, but they speak too quietly to make out the words. Rainer’s chilly eyes meet mine, softening from ice into refreshing pools of serenity, as he stiffly pats Ez on the back.

I rush to him. “Did you hear that?”

Rainer studies me, and I can tell by his confusion he hasn’t heard the shadow-spirit.

“Ez, what about you?” I turn to the Aer Prince. “Did you happen to… hear anything strange just now?”

He pauses to listen, then shakes his head. I deflate.

Rainer growls, his features sharpening as he scans the proximity. His fingers reach for something at his waistband, then stop short as if realizing it’s not there.

“I have no weapons,” he says, annoyance pinching his brow.

“You are a weapon,” Ez says, frowning at Rainer. “You realize that, right?”

“What was it?” Rainer asks, attention locked onto me.

“The shadow that’s been following me,” I admit. “It said to meet it where it rests.”

“Shyga,” Rainer murmurs. He swipes a hand over his face. “The resting grounds.”

“Better get going then, eh?” Ez says, glancing at the sky.

Good thing it's where we're already headed. Whatever that thing wants from me, we'll soon find out.

As we continue to travel, alternating in bursts of regular walking and windwalking, Eoin’s face flits to the forefront of my mind. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ignore how responsible I feel for his death.

"Wait," I say at one of the many stops. “We need to go to Terra Court first,” I tell Ez. “I need to talk to Sennah.”

Ezamae’s face falls. “I’m not sure how receptive she’ll be to helping, considering we got her brother killed.”

Rainer rubs his forehead. “No delivery will ever soften the blow of her brother’s death.”

“She deserves to hear it from me,” I whisper, voice wavering.

The memory of Eoin settles in my chest, wringing my heart out like a sponge. I’m reluctant to face the Terra Princess, but it’s my fault her brother is dead, and the least I can do is tell her what he told me on his last day: about how much she means to him.

I hope she isn’t the type to seek vengeance.