A Surrender Of Hope (Umbra Hunters #3)

24. Meyer

TWENTY-FOUR

Meyer

I clutch at Creed’s arm and Valen’s hand as we approach their parents, my nerves making my hands sweat as my heart pounds in my chest. Nox is saying something to his dad, and the men are leaning toward each other in deep conversation while the Queen is crouched down. Her silk black gown pools on the cobblestones beneath her as she plucks a few weeds from a beautiful bed of lilac-looking flowers.

Something tugs in my chest as I watch Nox, the way he smiles a little and nods in agreement to whatever his dad is saying to him. He’s dressed in black pants and a gray loose-fitting tunic-style shirt. His hair is braided away from his face in a messy style, with more silver charms woven into it than normal. His thick arms are crossed over his chest, and the black ink of his tattoos that cover his body stands out more in the morning sunlight, making me wish he didn't have a shirt on so I could see more than the tattoos on his arms.

Lennox shifts on his feet, then turns away from his dad midconversation, his dark eyes finding mine instantly. My belly flutters at his smile as he listens to his dad, grunting at something the king says but keeping his attention solely on me as we step next to him. Valen lets go of my hand as Creed pushes me toward Nox, their mother smiling up at her boys as I walk willingly into Nox’s warm embrace.

“You alright?” he asks as he hugs me, pressing his lips to my hair as I nod. Their dad watches us closely, not a hint of emotion on his face, making it impossible to tell what he’s thinking. He’s dressed similarly to Nox, with black trousers and a tunic shirt, but his long black hair hangs around his shoulders. I notice that neither the King nor Queen have crowns on and relax into Nox’s arms, letting his close proximity calm me a little.

I almost snort at that thought. If you had told me last month that being in Lennox Regalis’ arms would help me calm down, I would have called you a liar. Even last week, we were arguing constantly and at each other's throats. That's still between us, and I’m sure it will never go away.

Nothing frustrates me more than when Lennox tries to control me or a situation involving me. I would one hundred percent kick him in the balls again if the situation called for it. And I know my attitude and defiance infuriates him more than anything else. But there is something new between us as well. It's something I think might have been there the entire time, but I was too stubborn to admit it. There’s a warm and almost gentle feeling that circles around us as Nox holds me, a sound almost like a purr rumbling from his chest that reminds me of Milo when I scratch behind his ears.

“Meyer,” the guys mother says, breaking my attention from their dad and I blush when I realize I have been staring rudely at him. “Did you sleep alright? I told Nox to bring you down for breakfast since dinner plans were canceled, but he said you were still asleep,” she says almost worriedly, hooking her arm into Creed’s as she stands and brushes the dirt from her dress.

“I did, thank you,” I manage to rasp out, trying not to think about why we canceled dinner plans or the fact that Nox had fucked me until I passed out, then woke me to do it all over again.

“Good. Maybe tonight will work for dinner as long as my son can stifle his inner barbarian,” she teases, making my cheeks flame as Nox scowls down at his mother.

“That’s enough teasing,” their father says, his blank expression softening as he looks lovingly down at his wife. Their mother scoffs and waves him off as she walks closer, holding a hand out toward me and then pausing.

“May I?” she asks, and I frown, looking from her hand to her beautiful face. The Queen is several inches taller than I am, at least six feet tall, and has long chestnut-colored hair that curls down her back, stopping just above her waist. She has happy eyes, full of life and joy, instantly reminding me of Creed’s.

“Umm, yes?” I say, not sure what I’m agreeing to, but feeling comfortable enough in Nox’s strong hold.

“My name is Vivian, by the way. This is the boys’ father, Orcus,” she says with a nod toward the big man, her fingers moving to touch my hair, eyes wide in excitement. “Oh, you have beautiful coloring. Is it naturally this pale? I know humans like to enhance their hair color on Earth.”

“It is,” Nox answers for me, and I send him a questioning look. How would he know that?

“Oh lovely!” she grins, looking over my shoulder at Valen. “Think of how beautiful the babies will be!” she gushes, making my somewhat relaxed mood screech to a halt as I stiffen in Lennox’s arms. Uh, what now? Babies? She’s already thinking about babies?

“Viv,” Orcus scolds, tugging her from Creed, who has rolled his lips together, his shoulders shaking in a stifled laugh as he stares at my face. “We discussed this already,” Orcus chides, then frowns when Viv sends him a withering look.

“Yes, we did. And I thought we already agreed to allow it,” she snaps, making Nox laugh as their parents start to bicker in front of us.

“They’ve been arguing like this all morning,” he whispers so only I can hear. I try not to shiver as his hot breath dances over the sensitive skin of my neck. “Dad is still worried and thinks it will cause too much of a stir in the court. Mom wants grandkids and thinks he’s being ridiculous.”

“He is being ridiculous,” Valen agrees, leaning close to hear Nox as we watch Viv lecture their dad. “And I’m not against Mom's plan. She has very valid points.” The wicked gleam in Valen’s eyes makes my thighs clench as warning bells sound in my mind.

“Who said you would father our first child? Technically, that should be me, seeing as I am head of our Legion and need an heir,” Nox argues, standing to his full height and glaring at Valen, who scoffs.

“Meyer and I are the last Dream Walkers. Of course, it should be our child who?—”

“Are you two seriously arguing over who gets to knock me up first?” I hiss between my teeth as Creed steps to our side, his eyes alight with mischief, letting me know he’s heard everything his brothers were saying.

“Why are you three fighting?” Razar’s voice sounds, making me jump out of my skin at his sudden appearance at my side. Where the hell did he come from?

“Valen wants babies, and now they’re trying to decide who will father Meyer's firstborn. You want to toss your hat in the ring, Raz?” Creed asks cheerfully. Razar stills, looking from me to Valen and then to Nox as he shakes his head and steps back, his cloak shifting around his feet as I close my eyes, trying to decide who I should kick first. How the hell did we get into this conversation?

“You don't even know me fully. We mated like two days ago,” I point out to Nox, who scowls.

“Five days. You were asleep for the first few. And I do, too, know you, and what I don't know, I’ll learn,” he adds, making me roll my eyes and look at Creed in exasperation.

“It's the mate bond. Logic isn't really at work right now. Pretty sure the only words he knows are mine, fuck, murder, and protect. Give him a moment, and hopefully, he’ll chill.”

“I am chill,” Nox growls.

“Shouldn't this be her choice?” Razar asks, surprising me with his comment and lack of answer on whether he wanted to father my child.

“Yep. But these idiots think it's theirs,” Creed tsks and shakes his head in disappointment.

“Enough!” I snap, glaring at all of them. “There will be no babies or talk of babies anytime soon. Hell, I’m still trying to cope with the reality of being mated to Nox! I think we can table this conversation for several decades,” I point out, making Creed laugh when Nox and Valen look at me with matching faces of horror.

“Decades?” Valen rasps, and I nod firmly.

“At least,” I stress, glaring at Nox, who tilts his head to the side, a clear sign he’s ready to do battle over this topic. “Nope! You said Demons live for centuries. I’m twenty-six, Lennox! Hell,” I glare at him and poke him in the chest. “You’re only thirty-six and are currently making every male who isn’t a part of your Legion hide from me so you won't kill them. You really think you’re ready to be a dad?” Lennox’s determination withers at the remark, and he twists his lips in a grimace as he side-eyes Valen.

“I think she’s right.”

“Aw, see. Logic kicked back in for that pea-sized brain of his. Of course, she’s right! You two are being buffoons,” Creed scolds, slugging Nox on the shoulder and earning a terrifying growl in response.

“I disagree,” Valen grumbles, shoving his hands in his pockets and pouting a little. “But it should be Mi Sol's choice. So let's discuss this at another time.” he begrudgingly says, shooting me an apologetic smile that I return.

“Told you.” Vivian’s voice cuts in, making the four of us jerk our attention back to her and their father, where they stand staring at us in amusement. Orcus sighs, looking at me with interest as he nods.

“Very well. I’ll bring this up at court next week,” he mutters, still looking as if he doesn’t like the idea but is willing to see it through.

“Really?” Nox rasps, a thread of hope lingering in his voice as his arms tighten around me. I feel his large body sag against mine at his father's nod. “Thank you.” Valen’s hand slips into mine as Creed beams at his parents.

“You will need to convince them this is going to work after everything is settled and you are back for good, Lennox,” Orcus murmurs, looking to Nox and then to the others. “You all will. This won’t be an easy sell to the Lords. We are already slighting the Brakatise Legion by pulling the engagement contract with their eldest daughter. We have to tread carefully.”

“We will,” Nox agrees confidently, Creed and Valen nodding at his side as Razar shifts to stand behind the guys protectively.

“Well, this looks fun,” a voice calls out, lighting Vivian's eyes with relief as Nox stiffens behind me.

“Hey, man!” Creed greets, slapping his hand into Jesthren’s as their eldest brother joins the group.

“Are you alright?” Viv fusses, moving to him and wrapping her much smaller arms around Jesthren’s enormous body and I can’t help but feel like I’m wrapped in that hug as well. I stare, confused by the feeling of comfort and familiarity that emanates from Jesthren.

“Of course. There were more than we anticipated. Along with four Wraiths,” Jesthren says, turning toward their father. Orcus frowns and shakes his head.

“Bryton said there were six Wraiths?” Jesthren arches a brow and shakes his head.

“I only counted four. I killed three of them myself, and the Haldurk Legion took out the other one. There were only four bodies on the battlefield. Maybe he miscounted?”

“Doubtful.” Ocrus shakes his head as Nox nods in agreement.

“Isn't Bryton one of the Lords you’ve been watching? Do you think he’s the mole?” Orcus nods, making Viv wring her hands nervously in front of her.

“Bryton is loyal,” she whispers, looking far more upset about this news than anyone else. Orcus eyes his wife and pulls her into his arms.

“I know you want to believe that, and for now, your brother is safe. But I need you to prepare for the reality that he’s the one betraying us. He has always voiced his opinions about the Veil being destroyed between the realms.”

“Yes, but he wouldn’t betray me!” she almost growls, and Nox sighs like he’s also frustrated.

“Mom,” he starts to say but stops when Viv shoots her son a narrow-eyed look.

“Let's move on,” Orcus suggests, and Jesthren nods, stepping closer to his mom with a concerned look. “Jesthren, report your findings to the general. Casualties?” Jesthren grimaces as he runs his hand through his snarled hair, and for the first time, I notice black blood dried on his fighting leathers. He must have come here immediately when he returned from wherever he was fighting.

“The entire village was wiped out. There were only two survivors, both little girls. Their mother hid them under the floorboards,” Jesthren grinds out, pain flickering in his eyes as he shakes his head. Vivian gasps, and my stomach drops at Jesthren's words.

“That… that’s hundreds of Demons killed,” Valen rasps and Jesthren nods.

“And in your ranks?” Orcus asks, looking more than a little upset. “Twenty-one. This was a well-organized attack. They had more waiting in the treelines on the village's west side.”

“It was a trap,” Orcus murmurs, voice so low I have difficulty hearing him. At Jesthren’s nod, Orucs growls and starts to pace. “This has to be someone trying to complete Inanis’ plan. We need to move the other half of his tomb to Versipellis. It's not safe in the human lands. There is too much at stake.” Nox, Creed, and Valen all wince at their father’s words, making him pause in his pacing, looking from the three of them with a flicker of fear growing in his eyes.

“Um, yeah, about that,” Creed whispers, looking down at the ground, unable to meet their dad's eyes.

“About what? What has happened?” he demands, stepping closer to them. The threat in his voice is setting my teeth on edge. When no one immediately answers, Orcus snarls and looks over our heads. “Yannos,” he clips out.

“The sarcophagus was stolen the night the castle was infiltrated. We don't have access to it,” Razar says almost robotically.

“By the Gods,” Viv whispers and closes her eyes as Orcus simply stares at Razar, Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. He nods once and turns away from us, looking lost. “This… this changes things. I don't want the boys to return to Earth. We need to prepare for war, Orcus.”

“They have to. We need that tomb back before they figure out how to open it.” Orcus looks back at Nox, then down to me in his arms.

“They won’t be able to,” Jesthren says confidently. “They do not have the magic to unseal the sarcophagus.”

“They do, but even if they didn't, they wouldn't need it now.” Orcus walks back toward us and holds a hand out to me, speaking to me directly for the first time. “Your hand, Meyer,” he asks, making Nox tense.

“Father?” he asks as I slowly hold his hand.

“Your other hand,” he clips out, and I nod, setting my other hand on his, my cool skin meeting his fiery hot one and making me gasp at the tingling sensation running over his skin. I hold my breath, trying not to freak out as the Demon King turns my wrist up and looks at the red mark.

“There is no other way, Father. They need one of equal magic to the life given that sealed the tomb,” Jesthren argues. “There are only four Demons alive with that type of magic, all of which are able to protect themselves.”

“Of equal magic or… a blood descendant of Inanis,” Orcus whispers, looking at me with pity. I feel my body freeze, my blood running cold as Orcus’ words sink in. Growls echo around us, but Orcus’ black eyes don’t leave mine as he sighs and closes his eyes like he’s in pain.

“Meyer is a Dream Walker and a Human,” Valen snarls at my side, and Orcus nods.

“She is. But she also holds Drakaisis magic. I felt it the moment Creed rode in with her. You asked if this was a death mark,” he says, making my eyes almost pop from my head as he looks up at Nox, who still hasn't said a word. I don't think he’s breathing right now. “It’s not. I've seen that mark. This one is different. Inanis touched her in her dreams?” Orcus looks back down at me when Nox remains frozen behind me. I nod.

“Y-Yes”

“What else? Did he say anything to you? Suggest that he wanted you to stay with him? Or maybe go somewhere to meet him?”

“He wanted me to stay. I couldn’t get away from him until Jesthren helped.” Orcus jerks back in alarm, looking at his eldest son.

“What?”

“I helped Nox restore her magic. Her heart had stopped, but she was being mentally held by the Devil. He had hold of her mind and magic and wouldn’t let go. I hit him with a shield on the ground, and it was enough to pull her mind from his grasp,” Jesthren explains, and I nod. Vivian steps over to Jesthren and holds his hand, looking at Orcus with so much fear I can almost taste it.

“Is that all?” he grills Jesthren for more answers, his hands trembling.

“Yes… right?” he asks, looking at me to ensure he’s not forgetting anything.

“Yes. That's all that happened with Jesthren. Inanis… he said I was the key to his freedom,” I admit, the memory of the dream slamming into me as I think back on how those black claws felt as they sank into my shoulders. “There was red magic everywhere.” My voice trembles as I try to force words from my mouth. Orcus growls, and nods as he drops my hand and steps back.

“That is not the death mark. It's the royal mark of Drakaisis.”

“What does that mean?” Creed rasps out, his hand falling to my shoulder as the world spins around me. Bile crawls up my throat as I think about that man… that monster. I can't be related to him… right? There’s no way!

Creed is ghostly white, and Valen looks like he’s about to pass out. I can't see Razar, who’s still standing behind me, but Nox's fingers are digging into my sides so hard I know I’ll have bruises. Orcus looks from me to Jesthren, who stares at me in shock.

“A life of equal magic or the blood of the one imprisoned. It's a more complex binding spell than the one put on Valen by the Seniorem. You needed Dream Walker's blood to free him, correct?” he asks, and Valen nods, eyes sparkling white as green magic sparks at his fingertips. “She can also be used to open the tomb. It doesn't matter how powerful she is as long as Inanis blood flows through her veins. However, she will also be the key to finding the tomb. It will call to her now that she’s marked. If we can get it before they figure out who she is…”

“She is not going back to Earth.” Razar’s deep, raspy voice makes me jump in Nox’s hold, startling him out of whatever is going on, and he growls in agreement.

“She has to. There is no other way to find it,” Orcus whispers, trying to reason with his sons as my head explodes with all this information. “No one knows about the mark, right?”

“Only Elaine,” Nox croaks out, and Orcus sighs in relief.

“Meyer will be safe. No one knows. You can find Inanis’ tomb, stop the Seniorem, and bring it back.” Orcus looks down at me and frowns, hunching over, his face softening a little as he stares at me. “You’ll be safe. They’ll keep you safe, but we need that tomb,” he stresses. I blink and nod, unsure what else to say.

“No,” Razar clips out again, making Orcus curse and stand back up, and my stomach rolls. I think I’m going to be sick.

“I know I have been against this mating, Razar. But she is still the Princess of Versipellis. I don't want any harm to come to her. I wouldn't allow it if I thought her life would truly be in danger. As long as no one knows, she will be okay!”

“It is my job to keep Nox and his mate safe!” Razar roars back, making me jerk from Nox’s arms. I stare at Razar in shock, watching him yell at his dad. I have never heard him lose it like this before. His shoulders shake, fingers curling in unnaturally as he shakes his head. “I can’t ensure her safety there! She stays!”

“She is in just as much danger here as she is there. More so even. If she stays in the Demon realm, others familiar with Drakaisis magic will figure it out. At least on Earth, you can keep her sheltered from the Court until the risk is eliminated.” I look from Razar to Nox, who is staring at me with fear and horror, his head shaking a little as he starts to growl. My heart beats so hard I hear it thumping in my ears as my breath comes in short, ragged pants.

“Lennox, she’ll be okay. We’ll make sure she stays safe,” Jesthren whispers, trying to place a hand on his brother's arm when he sees he’s about to lose his shit.

“Don't!” Nox roars, jerking away from Jesthren as wings unfurl from his back, his Demon form pushing to the surface. My stomach rolls, and sweat covers my brow.

“I.. I’ll be right back,” I rasp out, turning on my heel and sprinting for the castle door, hoping there’s a bathroom I can be sick in nearby.