Crown of Flames and Ash (Courts of Aetheria #2)

Chapter 37

Chapter Thirty-Seven

R eign

“That’s impossible.” With Aelia curled against me, I was forced to remain seated, otherwise, I would have been on my feet by now, pacing in mad circles around this gods’ damned cauldron. Injecting a calmness I did not feel into my tone, I attempted to tame the mad fluttering of my pulse. “The Two Hundred Years’ War ended well before Aelia was born. King Helroth, along with all Demon Fae of the Court of Infernal Night, were long dead. No one alive could have woven zar into that spell.”

“And yet…” Melisara slowly shook her head.

“You’ve made a mistake.”

“The cauldron does not lie, Reign, nor does her blood. Has it ever occurred to you arrogant Fae that the destruction you wreaked was not as complete as you’d imagined?” The Spellbinder’s unnaturally bright eyes latched onto Aelia’s fragile form pressed against me. A whirlwind of questions zipped through my mind, one less plausible than the last. None of this made any sense.

I thought for certain Aelia could have been born of Shadow Fae blood, but extinct Night Fae? Or were they…? So little was known of zar and the banished god, Zaroth.

What I was certain of was that no one must ever know; her very existence was treasonous.

Gently lifting Aelia from my lap and resting her against the cushioned settee, I rose, towering over the enchantress. “You must never speak of what you’ve discovered here today.”

“How can I, when you forced me into a blood vow last night?”

“Only the gods know what you Spellbinders are capable of. I swear to you, Melisara, if you ever breathe a word of this to anyone, I will personally return and drag you back to Shadow Fae soil, where I will allow my shadows to have their way with you. And trust me when I say they’ve become unnaturally protective over Aelia. Once they’ve reduced your mind to pulp, I’ll allow my dragon to feast upon you, starting with your fingers and toes. Do you understand me?”

The female’s nostrils flared, her powerful lys surging to the surface. “If you weren’t Gideon’s friend, I would eject you from my home for such empty threats.”

“Trust me, Melisara, there is nothing empty about them. I mean every single word. And if you weren’t Gideon’s friend, you would no longer be drawing breath in this world.”

Her eyes flickered once again between Aelia and me. “I mean no harm to your mate.”

I nearly choked on her final word. “She’s not?—”

She lifted a hand, a serene smile stretching across her pale features. “It makes no difference to me. As I’ve stated, I will take her secret to the grave or suffer the consequences.”

“I am pleased to have reached an understanding.” I turned to Aelia, stretched across the small settee, her eyes closed. Asleep like that, she suddenly seemed so vulnerable, too vulnerable. I crept closer, careful to avoid the squeaky floorboards, and pulled her into my arms. “Come, princess, I’m taking you home.”

Standing on the top step of the Hall of Luce, I shielded my eyes from the mid-day glare and traced Aelia’s quick footsteps across the lawn as she dueled against her friend. The obstinate little female never listened to me, always preferring to train against her roommate instead of a more challenging opponent. Not that the young Light Fae female wasn’t formidable, but neither would push each other as hard as necessary.

And now with a handful of Shadow Fae first-years who’d failed the first trial loitering around the campus, finding a suitable sparring partner would be simple. With the next upcoming trial only a week away, now was not the time for coddling. If Aelia were to lose, she’d be forced to spend the remainder of the trials at Arcanum. I could not allow that to happen under any circumstances.

Stop staring at her . Phantom’s familiar, rough voice skirted through my thoughts.

I’m not staring. As her mentor, I’m watching and taking notes to further her development . Not ogling her elegant, nimble form with heated memories of my mouth devouring the hollow between her thighs surging to the surface.

Liar.

I banished the sinful thoughts to the dark recesses where they belonged. Despite that incredible moment of reprieve, Aelia made it clear she still hadn’t forgiven me . What’s got you in such a foul mood today, old girl?

Perhaps, it was being forced to shuttle you and your little Kin across the Mysthallian border yesterday.

Or maybe it was seeing Solanthus again .

She snorted, and I could practically see the trails of smoke drifting from her nostrils. What we had was in the past. It’s long dead and buried, why unearth it now?

You could apologize, you know. As I’d done with Aelia time and again, and still, she couldn’t seem to get past my grave errors, but we weren’t discussing me.

It would only open wounds that have long since festered.

Then the dragon mate bond hasn’t transferred to your new bodies?

Silence.

Phantom …

You’re in no place to criticize, my prince. Have you discussed the cuorem bond with Aelia?

Now it was my turn to bite my tongue—or my thoughts, in this case.

I didn’t think so . Her smug chuckle vibrated through my mind.

It appeared we were both stubborn fools when it came to matters of the heart.

“Oh, there you are, professor.” A light, airy voice spun my head over my shoulder, pulling my attention away from the internal conversation. My newest acquisition sauntered through the doors of the hall, a rucksack hanging from her slim shoulder. “The headmaster sent me to find you. I have exciting news.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve done so well since my arrival, he’s decided to transfer me to Flare Squad. Instead of taking part in the Ethereal Trials with my classmates, I’m to join in for the remainder of the Umbral Trials.”

My brows slammed together as I regarded the first-year. While it was extremely rare for students to advance beyond their term, it did occasionally happen. Had I been so preoccupied with Aelia, I’d completely ignored Liora’s potential?

She cocked her head, short blonde wisps fluttering across bright lavender irises. “Aren’t you pleased?”

“Of course, I am.” I offered a tight smile.

“Will you introduce me to the team?” She motioned across the field to where Heaton had the squad in formation, delivering what I was certain was a rousing speech.

“Yes, and it seems as though now would be the appropriate time.”

Liora laced her arm through mine, and an odd undercurrent of energy zipped across my skin. My eyes snapped to hers, but her gaze remained fixed straight ahead, on a head of dark hair. “Won’t it just be perfect having both of your acquisitions on the same team?”

After witnessing Aelia’s last outburst when she and Liora were within proximity of each other, I wasn’t quite sure. Still, I nodded as I led her across the grassy field.

Aelia’s gaze lifted over Heaton’s shoulder as we approached, eyes meeting mine before narrowing when they landed on the female at my side.

Heaton followed her line of sight, spinning around. “Ah, Professor Reign…”

“I hope I haven’t interrupted your moving preparatory speech.”

“No, of course not, I was simply informing my team that next week’s trials will take place on Light Fae territory, granting them a slight reprieve.”

“I have more good news to add, then.”

Aelia’s dark brows knitted as she regarded me, her eyes tapered at the corners as they darted between me and my new acquisition. I pulled my arm free of Liora’s hold and faced the rest of the team. On either side of Aelia stood Rue and the Lightspire male. His curious, hungry gaze danced across the newest member of the squad. “Liora is to join Flare team, effective immediately.”

A chorus of questions rang out, shrouded by a wave of murmurs and an occasional gasp. Even Heaton seemed surprised.

“Per Headmaster Draven,” I added to the Flare team leader.

“Very well.” The Liteschild male dipped his head, then turned to Liora. “Welcome to the team. We are pleased to have you.”

Belmore’s hand shot up, his wide jaw set in a hard line. “How is it fair that she is allowed to bypass the Ethereal Trials and everything else we were forced to endure in the first term?”

Liora bristled beside me, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of Aelia’s first day at the academy, and of the dagger she sent sailing through the ridiculous hoop at the top of Belmore’s ear. But my new acquisition made no such move. Instead, she simply stood beside me, simmering.

“You can take that query up with the headmaster, Dawnbrook. It is not your place to question his motives, but by all means, please try.” Heaton signaled down the path toward the Hall of Luminescence. “I’m sure he’d love a visit from you.”

The arrogant Light Fae muttered a curse before slapping his arms across his chest. “Welcome to the team, Liora,” he gritted out. “Just what we need, another outcast.”

“Belmore,” Heaton shouted, “need I remind you of the code of conduct amongst teammates?”

“No.”

“Good.” The team leader signaled to the line of first-years. “Liora, please join your squad. On Monday, you’ll face the second Umbral Trial, the Mirror of Illusions, and I am here to tell you exactly what you must do to survive.”