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

Chapter 62

Chapter Sixty-Two

A elia

The moment Reign disappeared into the shadows, Ruhl stalked closer. I found myself once again pressed against the smooth, chilled obsidian walls of the ballroom.

“Why did you save me?”

The question caught me so off guard, I balked and bumped the back of my head against the unforgiving wall.

“Stars,” I hissed, rubbing my skull. “This sounds remarkably much like a conversation I just had with another prince.”

“And what answer did you have for my brother?”

My stomach twisted into knots as Ruhl’s presence bored into me. I understood why the cuorem was confused. The shadow siblings were more alike than not. Besides their resounding good looks, their minds worked similarly. Perhaps, that was one of the greatest reasons for their shared animosity.

“I’m just a lowly Kin, right? Ruled by my emotions. I’m not like you ruthless Fae. The idea of allowing you to die simply didn’t sit well.”

The shadow of a smile crept across his mouth. “Well, I know you didn’t save me for my brother. In the last few seconds, he’s threatened my life twice.” He paused, flicking his tongue out across his bottom lip. “I don’t blame him really. If you were mine, I’d likely feel the same.”

A river of heat seeped up my neck, coursing across my cheeks.

“You’re not what I expected, duskling.” He inched closer, erasing the minute distance between us. “For years, I’d listened in as Father instructed Reign about the child of twilight?—”

My heart stopped mid-beat, lungs flailing.

“You know, I was jealous of him. The king spent countless hours in his instruction, while I was only a boy, ignored and left with the royal nannies. As soon as I came of age, I vowed I would be the one to find the child of the prophecy and prove to my father that I deserved the role of heir.”

“I have no idea what you speak of,” I sputtered, cursing Reign for not allowing me to keep my favorite blades sheathed beneath my skirts.

“Of course you do.” He lifted his hand, thumb caressing my cheek. “And more importantly, so does Reign. I wonder how long he’s known…”

“You’re wrong,” I gritted out.

“I wish I were.” His eyes chased to mine, and I almost believed him. “You see, I’d been curious as to why a Kin had my brother in such a state, so I bided my time, attempting to learn all that I could. Then the other night, when you disappeared from Arcanum, I caught a glimpse of Gideon lingering in the halls. It occurred to me that if anyone knew more about you, it would be my brother’s best friend. So I waited until he was asleep, then infiltrated his study. And guess what I found?”

I swallowed hard, my desperate heartbeat roaring across my eardrums.

“A slew of ancient tomes about the cuorem bond.” He wagged a finger, a sly smile spreading his lips. “I spent a few hours scanning the text and then it all made sense. Why my brother would shirk his duty, why he was so clearly obsessed with you and, more importantly, why every time I attempted to fill my father in on my suppositions about you, my lungs failed to function, and my heart felt as if steel bands held it prisoner.”

Oh gods, this wasn’t happening.

“Not only has my brother found himself tethered to you, but I, too, seem to have been caught up in the mystical web.”

“Ruhl…”

He lifted a hand, pressing his finger to my lips. “Do not worry, duskling. I have no intention of divulging the truth to my father. I only ask one small favor in return.”

“What is that?” I breathed.

“Simple, you refuse to complete the cuorem bond with Reign.”

My mind spun, palms sweating as I emerged from the hidden nook, desperate to find Reign. Ruhl knew the truth, and the moment we had feared had finally come. Only I never expected this .

I scanned every corner of the elegant space, gaze drifting from clusters of Light and Shadow Fae dancing, drinking, and reveling in the night of peace. But no such peace existed for me. Damn it, where are you Reign ?

He never would have gone far, leaving me at the hands of his brother. Unless… I searched the endless chamber for King Tenebris. His throne atop the dais was empty, leaving only the queen in her chair beside his with King Elian on the opposite end.

What if King Tenebris had already discovered the truth? If Ruhl had, there was no telling what resources the royal had at his disposal.

“There you are!” Symon raced by cradling an unconscious Rue in his chest.

“Oh gods, what’s wrong with her?”

“Nothing life threatening, hopefully. She merely enjoyed too much of whatever concoction the Shadow Fae were handing out.” He shifted Rue in his arms, throwing her limp body over his shoulder. “In any case, I’m going to bring her home. Are you coming?”

I hesitated, my heart torn between my roommate and the disaster possibly unfolding at this very moment. I couldn’t simply leave Reign. Then again, if Tenebris had discovered the truth, perhaps a quick escape was the best option at this point. Reign would find me, he always did.

My head bobbed up and down. “Yes, let’s go.”

The dark halls of the Citadel passed in a blur as I followed Symon down the winding corridors. Before long, we emerged along the river where a luminous bridge which had been erected for the evening awaited us at the crossing. A few Light Fae students meandered across the glowing structure, all unsteady on their feet.

At least I hadn’t indulged in too much of the foreign liqueurs. The last thing I needed was to be caught off guard tonight.

“Is that Rue?” A familiar voice echoed from behind, and I paused, swinging my head over my shoulder. Devin raced up, light brows puckered in concern. “What happened to her?”

“She just had too much to drink.” I couldn’t contain the sharp edge to my tone. This male had broken my friend’s heart. And now he was worried?

“And she’s heavier than she looks,” Symon grumbled. “So if you don’t mind, I’d like to keep moving.”

“Here, let me help.” Devin held out his arms, and I eyed him warily.

“What about Mariana?” I snapped.

He scrubbed his hand down his nape, wincing. “She met someone while she was at Arcanum. Some Shadow Fae male; it’ll never work out, clearly. But…” He shrugged. “It was never about her, honestly. It was always Rue. I only gave in to Mariana’s advances because your friend refused to commit. It was stupid and petty, but I was jealous, so I’d hoped to get her attention by pretending to be interested in another.”

“Well, it worked,” I hissed. A little too well. Rue had been heartbroken for weeks over this idiot.

“Fine, you can have her.” Sy rolled her into Devin’s awaiting arms.

“Symon!” I squealed.

“She’s heavy…” he whined.

“She’s half your size!”

“And must be pure muscle by the feel of her.” He stepped into stride beside Devin as we crossed over the bridge, finally reaching Light soil.

The remainder of the hike back to our chamber passed in a rush of chatter. Devin admitted how taken he was by Rue, and by the end of the conversation, I had almost forgiven his stupidity. Almost . But more than that, he had succeeded in distracting me from my own troubles.

As I swept my palm across the rune at the door to our chamber, all the fear and turmoil came rushing back. A part of me had hoped to find Reign waiting, but the room was empty.

“Ugh…” A groan slid through Rue’s lips as Devin carried her across the threshold.

“It’s okay, Rue, I’m here.” His muttered reassurances were surprisingly sweet. Maybe these two would be able to work it out.

Her lids slowly opened, focusing on Devin before darting to me.

“It’s okay, Rue, we’re back in our dormitory.” I pressed a hand to her feverish brow. “Devin helped carry you because, apparently, Symon is a sad little weakling.”

“Hey!” Sy grumbled as he folded onto the settee by the flickering hearth. “We all had a long, trying day today.”

Wasn’t that the truth?

Devin carried Rue to her bed, gently laying her onto the mattress as he recounted the same story he had told us about his true feelings for her. I watched every move, waiting for my best friend’s reaction to her ex. She must have still been feeling the effects of the potent draughts, though, because she only stared up at him dreamily.

“What’s this?” The high pitch of Devin’s inflection sent my erratic pulse skittering.

Even Rue snapped up from the pillow, her eyes wide and suddenly clear as they took in the luminous scroll which had appeared on her nightstand. I darted across the room and snatched the parchment from Devin’s grasp.

I scanned the familiar dark scrawls, my heart pitching with every word.

Dear Rue,

I hate to write this, but I am afraid I have no other choice. The situation is desperate. My squad has been decimated, and I am the only one left standing. Nigel is dead. If I abandon my post, I will be banished, marked a traitor, but no other option remains. Please, save me. I’ll wait for you by the western border of the Wilds for as long as it takes.

In Raysa’s blessed light,

Your brother, Heaton

“What is it?” Rue cried, the fear in her expression likely mirroring what was now my own.

“It’s from Heaton,” I whispered.

She ripped the letter from my grasp, any hint of the potent fog lifted. Her eyes scanned the note, and I could practically see the resolve in her clear gaze once she dropped the parchment. “I have to go.”

“No, Rue, you can’t!” I caught her arm and yanked her toward me.

“What is happening, now?” Sy scrambled off the settee and read the letter from over Devin’s shoulder.

“I must, Aelia, it’s Heaton.”

“Then let’s wait for help. Surely, someone at the academy knows what is happening along the borders. Both kings are just across the river as we speak. Let’s go to them and seek their assistance.”

Rue slowly shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes, but sheer determination was set into the hard line of her jaw. A part of me knew there would be no waiting or changing her mind. “Aelia, you of all people should know how insignificant we are in the eyes of the royals. King Elian won’t raise a finger to help my brother. He’s nothing more than fodder for his battles.” She slipped from my grasp, marched to the closet and began shedding her gown.

“Then I’m going with you,” I announced. “And Sol, we’ll definitely need him.”

Rue spun at me, half-undressed, and laced her slender arms around my neck. “Thank you, A.”

“Well, it’s not as if I could let my best friend go off on a rescue mission without me.”

“And, I certainly cannot let the two of you go alone.” Symon slid between us, pulling us into a tight embrace. “Plus, Griff would feel so left out.”

“I’ll go, too,” said Devin. “It’s the least I can do after how I acted.” He glanced at Rue, a sheepish grin curling his lips.

Unraveling herself from Symon’s long arms and my embrace, she swept the remaining tear from her cheek and gritted her teeth. “I appreciate all of you, I truly do. Now, let’s get Heaton back.”