Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

25. Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Avery

A very’s head was still pounding as she and Savine made their way toward a side door of the treehouses. She couldn’t help but feel like the moment she and Savine had chosen to bond their souls together was forever overshadowed by the heavy crown on her head. This physical sign that she’d have to step up to the role of queen, whether she was willing or not.

Avery went to open the door, but Savine placed his hand on hers. She turned back and looked at him, a softness on his hard face. Her stomach sunk as she saw the pure love in his eyes. “Ave, let me go in first. I’ll distract anyone who might see us so you can make your way up to our rooms.”

There was nothing she wanted more than to escape to their rooms. But, the crown already weighed heavy on her brow. Everyone would know by the Night of Feasts that she was the True Queen of Latiah.

“No, Savine. I need to face this by your side.” Her mouth was dry and her heart hammered in her chest. “We’re a team now.”

“Together then.” He opened the heavy, carved door and held it open for Avery.

The room she entered was quiet, an open window letting in the crisp autumn breeze. But she could hear movement just outside the door. Folk were running along one of the many open halls connecting this tiny segment of the treehouse to the rest.

Avery turned back to see Savine silently latch the door behind them. He held out his arms, ready to embrace her. Before he could speak, she let her face sink into his hard chest, his arms wrapping around her and holding her tight.

“It feels like a lifetime ago that I was flinching from your touch,” Savine said, stroking Avery’s hair. “I was so lost in my own hurt that I physically couldn’t accept a hug. And somehow, you worked your way into my heart and soul to the point where I crave your touch. It brings me life. Ave, you helped me find myself again, and I’m not going to let you lose yourself now.”

He touched the cool metal of the crown jutting from her head. Just that brief contact made Avery wince. “This changes nothing about what I promised you. If you don’t want to be queen in practice, then I support that. If you change your mind, I’ll be ready to share the nation with you.”

Tears welled in Avery’s eyes. She wasn’t ready for this, and hearing Savine give her the choice to not be thrust into her role as queen was the only thing keeping her from splintering.

“Are you sure?”

Savine stroked her cheek, brushing his thumb across her lips. “It’s your decision. You just gave me the most precious gift you could give me, and I’m not about to pressure you into something you don’t want.”

Avery sucked in a breath, “Thank you, Savine.” Slowly, she pulled away from his strong, comforting embrace. “Alright. Let’s do this!”

Savine cocked his head and lifted his brow as he placed his hand on the doorknob.

Avery fidgeted with her hands as she waited for him to open the door. “Don’t make me second guess my decision to face everyone! Let’s just do it quickly, like ripping off a band aid.”

Savine smirked at her. “Band aid? Is this another strange human word?”

Avery nodded and put her hand on his, forcing him to turn the doorknob.

The fae lights of the hall were already glowing, and Avery realized just how long it had been since she and Savine sneaked out of the treehouse and into the forest. A guard running through the hall immediately caught sight of Avery as she strode down the long, wooden hall. He was a few floors above her, but as he saw her, he shouted, “I’ve found Avery!”

“Avery!” a loud call rang out through the halls. It was Rue. Of course she was searching with the others for her and Savine.

“Rue!” Avery shouted back, her head pounding from her own voice.

Savine laid a hand on Avery’s shoulder and whispered in her ear, “Let’s make our way down to the Throne Room. I have a feeling we’ll find many concerned folk.”

Avery turned to Savine as she tsked and teased, “You take one afternoon for yourself and the whole place goes to shit.”

“Such are the responsibilities of the crown.” Savine traced his own crown with his fingers. “How does your head feel?”

“Terrible,” she replied, lacing her fingers in his as they began descending the stairs to the lower level of the treehouse.

Savine was right; the throne room was full of busybodies milling about. No doubt wondering where their devoted king could have run off to on a late fall afternoon.

“My King!” Raikin said as he stepped forward with a deep bow. His eyes became nothing more than slits as he studied the crown on Avery’s head. Murmuring began behind him as the courtiers and servants assessed Avery. Raikin turned from Avery to Savine with a knowing gaze. “You are bonded?”

Avery’s cheeks began to burn, knowing the room of fae were about to know what she and Savine did this afternoon.

Savine opened his mouth to speak, but before the words were out, Jay swept in with a bow. “My Queen!” he shouted and brought his large frame into a low kneel that brought his head below Avery’s.

Avery couldn’t stop the smile that formed on her face as Jay looked up at her with a mischievous grin. “I know what you did this afternoon,” he muttered for only her ears.

Raikin followed Jay’s lead and bowed before Avery. Then Kyla and Garnel knelt down. Soon, the whole room knelt before her one by one, calling her “My Queen.”

Avery’s heart pounded. She didn’t know if she wanted to run from the room or accept the reverence from all these Latian Fae. As they slowly stood up, towering above Avery once again, Avery glanced at Savine.

He looked at her with an odd mix of possession and pride, his essence swirling and his features set, ready to take on anyone who doubted her role as his queen and mate.

“Avery is my bound soulmate and the Goddess herself has blessed her with the crown of Latiah. She is the True Queen of Latiah. We are not to be disturbed for the remainder of the evening,” Savine announced as he stepped closer to her side.

Kyla and Garnel began approaching, but he brushed them off in a way that commanded respect; a practiced, authoritative wave as he ushered her from the room and up the stairs.

Savine wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked side by side. She could feel his love pulsing through their connection. If being queen was part of having Savine, then maybe it was worth the trade off after all.

Morgan

Morgan and Susan walked quickly behind Selene as she led them into a private library Morgan hadn’t seen yet. She knew, from the night Rylo had put her in his bed, that this library was in the same area of the Towers as Rylo’s bedroom. How many libraries did this man have?

Selene stopped in front of a red stone wall, devoid of any markings to identify that there was actually a room here. She pressed her hand against the stone and it groaned in response before dissolving before their eyes.

“Quickly,” Selene muttered as she slipped into the room. Morgan and Susan didn’t hesitate to follow into the library. Morgan couldn’t contain her gasp as she looked at the room in front of her. A cozy den seemed to be carved directly into the stone with room enough for only the three of them. Soft pillows lined a bench and two leather chairs were squeezed into the corner. It was so tight that even with her wings tucked, Selene’s feathers brushed against the bench. The walls were chiseled into shelves, and on them were stacks and stacks of books up to a ceiling that had to be at least twelve feet high. Tiny fae lights twinkled, casting the room in a warm glow.

But the most remarkable thing was the floor to ceiling window with a direct view of Sapphire Falls. From this point, Morgan could see the mist drifting into the air from the plummeting water.

Jumping off the falls had been useless, and Morgan hadn’t given the falls much thought since she’d gone to the Tower of Teeth. But seeing it now sent a shock of yearning through her chest. Home was on the other side of that barrier, and yet she couldn’t get there, no matter how hard she tried. Morgan sighed and turned away from the window.

“King Rylo offered a few books that you may find interesting here,” Selene said, pointing to a pile of brittle old books on the table. “They are some of the oldest remaining manuscripts in Aeritis, so do be careful with them. Despite the aging spells some long-dead king placed on them, I wouldn’t doubt you two could ruin them. Why Rylo indulges you is beyond me.”

Morgan tried not to roll her eyes at Selene’s little speech. She had no plans of destroying a precious artifact.

“We’ll be careful not to mess them up,” Susan said, sliding her hand on the top book.

Selene gave a perfunctory nod and moved toward the invisible door. As she opened the door she turned back to them. “Oh, once I leave this room you will be stuck in here until King Rylo or I come to fetch you. We’re the only ones able to enter this room. Use your time here wisely. I won’t have time to usher you about tomorrow, with the feast preparations.”

The door dissolved and Selene was gone in a breath.

“She’s not very nice, is she?” Morgan asked Susan.

Susan shrugged. “I don’t know. She is the Sage of Nephel. It seems she’s plenty accommodating for how busy she must be.”

Maybe Susan was right. She couldn’t help but judge these folk based on one bad, very traumatic experience. But there still was something unnerving about them, even the Nepheli who didn’t have the under the skin tattoos and the jarring resemblance to her attacker.

She didn’t even know what horrors Goldoth could hold.

“You’re probably right. Anyway, why don’t you take the top book and I’ll take the next one,” Morgan said, settling into one of the leather chairs.

“Fine by me. Do you think Rylo knows the information we’re looking for but is making us find it ourselves? You said he knew about the Divine Five,” Susan asked, sliding into the chair beside Morgan. The sunlight from the large window shimmered on Susan’s red hair and freckled nose.

“Oh, I have no doubts he already knows the answers we’re looking for. He seems to take pleasure in withholding information and probably likes knowing that we’re having to work for the answers he could just tell us.”

“That’s what I thought too,” Susan mumbled, cracking open the old tome in her lap.

They both fell into a comfortable silence that had become so routine now. Both of them reading and searching for the information they needed.

“Oh, oh no, Morgan,” Susan groaned as she lifted her head from her book.

Morgan jumped in her seat, startled from Susan’s voice in the silence. “What?”

“The Divine Five are five relics from the witches that separated the two realms during the Cleaving, which is what we already knew. But this says that one artifact was given to the King of the Cavern. The King of Goldoth is known as the King of the Cavern. Do you think Rylo is bringing you there to steal Goldoth’s relic?”

Morgan’s stomach flipped. There was no way Rylo didn’t know that Goldoth had one of the Divine Five. “Obviously he knows. These are his books.”

“Oh of course,” Susan said in a quiet voice. Morgan didn’t mean to come across as harsh.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. But yeah, he knows. He was way too eager to go to Goldoth.”

Morgan heard a whooshing sound and Rylo stood in the doorway. His skin glowed in unnatural beauty and his mouth was curled into a devious smile. “Of course I know. Why else would I be so willing to bring you along, pet?”

Morgan snorted. “Pet? Stop calling me that. I am not some animal.”

Rylo’s tall, lithe body filled the space, his wings relaxed from their tight position when he stopped in front of Morgan’s chair.

“Oh yes, you’ll be playing the part of my pet in Goldoth, all the while looking for a lost relic that calls only to the witch bloodline.”

He was so close she could smell his spicy scent, his knee brushing hers. “You could have shared this with me the other day.”

“But where’s the fun in that?”

Morgan glanced over at Susan who looked very uncomfortable, either being in Rylo’s presence or with the conversation.

Rylo looked at Susan and smiled, making a dimple show on his left cheek. “Dear girl, you have worked so hard finding this information. Why don’t you retire for the afternoon?”

Susan’s eyes grew round as she looked at Morgan like she was seeking permission to flee the room.

“Go, I’ll be fine. Let’s practice that spell we found on revealing when someone is withholding information tonight,” Morgan said, shifting her eyes to Rylo and pointing her chin up in defiance.

“Yes, that should be… um… helpful,” Susan said in a high-pitched voice, seeped in discomfort as she fled the room. As soon as she walked out, the door disappeared and Morgan was left alone with the Nepheli King.

He continued to look at her, that mischievous smile still on his face making the dimple on his cheek pop just enough to drive Morgan wild. But, she had no reason to let on that his presence was affecting her.

“So what’s up?”

“What’s up? Is that how you greet a king?” Rylo asked, sliding into the leather seat next to her. The back slipped apart, making room for his wings to be draped through a hole and he leaned his head back, closing his eyes.

At that moment, he looked so normal. Like any tired man after a long day of work, just wanting to relax.

Not bothering to open his eyes and look at her, he said, “I’ll never cease to be amazed at the dishonor you and your sister show to your superiors.”

“Because we’re human?” Morgan asked. She knew he was talking about his title as king, but if he was going to constantly try riling her, she’d have to dish it out in return. And after the way she’d seen him react to her touching his wings, she knew he wasn’t referring to her species.

“For you to even say that tells me you know what I mean. You will be the most powerful being in this world, apart from Mother Althea and some of her daughters. It’s more about the principle of respecting a title.”

“Yeah, I’ve never cared too much for titles.” Morgan set the book in her lap down and leaned back into her own chair. “See, I’ve always given respect to people who earn it. Who worked for it. Not somebody who was given a title.”

Rylo moved so quickly, Morgan didn’t even have time to react before his arms were caged around her, his wings spread so wide that they bumped the book shelves on either side of the room.

“You know nothing of what I have worked for. I was never meant to be king. It was always supposed to be my sister, Lilith, who ruled. To be thrust into this role, believe me pet , I have scraped and fought for every bit of respect I have in this nation.”

Fear mingled with desire as Morgan took in Rylo’s perfect features, scowling in an anger she’d never seen on him before. Not even when she’d nearly killed them while plummeting down to the ground had he looked so enraged. So why was she kind of turned on by it?

She reached her hand out and traced the hard line of his jaw. “Okay, I believe you. You’re a big, tough king who earned his respect.”

Rylo grabbed her chin between his long fingers. He stroked the jagged scar tissue on her right cheek before he wordlessly let go and sat back down.

Shame slammed into her from that touch. She looked in the mirror so infrequently here that it was easy to forget she was so damaged. But she wasn’t going to admit that vulnerability to him. Not after she knew he’d touched her scar to put her in her place.

“Why should we collect the Divine Five? No more withholding information. What do you want to do with them?”

Rylo winked and waggled his finger at her. “No more withholding information? Now where’s the fun in that?”

“You’re insufferable,” Morgan said, picking up her book.

“Do you still wish to return home?” Rylo asked and Morgan’s eyes shot to him. What was he getting at here?

“Of course. If I had the choice I’d leave.”

“And give up that power you’re mastering? All that practice well into the night on that balcony of yours would be wasted in your realm. Do you really think you’d just go back to your dull, human life and not regret knowing what you could learn, what you could control?”

Morgan scowled, but didn’t give him an answer. Learning about magic and mastering her own skills had ignited something in her that her desk job never offered her. He was right. How could she just go back to normal life after this?

“If you find the Divine Five, if you control them, you would have the power to open portals, and close them permanently from any stray shifters who may wander into your realm.”

“What’s in it for you?”

Rylo’s skin took on that incandescent glow again. “What, indeed. Of course, you would need to use the Divine Five to help my nation first. Then you’d be free to go. I want all our former lands back. For far too long, Latiah and Goldoth stole what was once ours. Help me restore the Nephel nation utilizing the power in that deep magic and you can leave.”

“Didn’t Savine return your lands in exchange for Avery?”

“A fraction of what was once ours. I want it all back, but we do not have the military strength of our neighbors to defeat both nations and win back our land. You will be my weapon.”

Morgan pursed her lips. She didn’t want to be a weapon. “No. I don’t think so.”

“We have an agreement, pet,” Rylo sneered. “You have little choice in the matter. Especially after what I did for you in Latiah.” Rylo lifted his hands up, showing the black streaks across his faintly glowing skin.

“Me helping you in exchange for the three oaths. Yeah, I know. But if I get these five relics, what’s going to stop me from going home and sealing your realm off permanently?”

Rylo’s eyes sparked into a blazing fury. He moved once again, caging her against the chair with his wings and his arms.

“Because, kingslayer, I will stop at nothing to prevent you from betraying me. If you try to betray me, I will make you suffer.”

Morgan discreetly reached for her shoes. The same ones she’d worn over the waterfall. That one little piece of home that wouldn’t last long. She drew out a sheathed knife Avery had given her and pressed the blade to Rylo’s throat.

“Don’t fucking threaten me. You do not control me. I am not your possession to control, and I never will be.”

Shadows mingled with golden light as the darkness crept up, like a dark mist coating Rylo’s wings and body, holding him in place. His heart was beating so quickly, Morgan thought she could hear the drumming.

“My pretty little kingslayer. How wicked you can be,” Rylo murmured. She could feel him twist under the restraint her shadows placed on his immobilized arms.

She nicked his neck, enough for a tiny drop of blood to well up. Her finger swept through it while her shadows released their hold on him. Rylo pushed forward and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was hard and cruel, and she welcomed it. She opened her mouth to him and his tongue swept in. Morgan met his tongue with hers, tangling in a passionate battle that she’d never experienced before. Damn, this man had lit a flame in her that would never be quelled. The kiss didn’t ease up as she tugged on his shirt, pulling him closer to her. He sucked her lower lip into his mouth and nipped it, drawing blood as he pulled back from her.

He was glowing in the evening light. The light shining through him seemed to dance along his perfect skin. Shit. She was so out of her league here, but she wasn’t about to let him know that. Morgan panted as she pressed her hand to his chest, pushing him back, “I’m not yours. Learn that now because the next time you say I am yours will be your last.”

Rylo let out a cold, harsh laugh. “Oh, that will not be the game we play in Goldoth. Get used to it. You are mine.”