Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

40. Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Savine

G uards had alerted Savine to the presence of a black-winged Nepheli woman seen landing near Hyacinth’s tower. When he heard the words his whole body seemed to react at once. He was running toward Hyacinth’s rooms, his heart hammering in his throat as he feared the worst, before the guards could utter another word.

She couldn’t take Avery from him again. He’d tear her limb from limb before he let her leave with his mate. As he ran up the spiral, wooden staircase to Hyacinth’s rooms, his essence began writhing under his skin. Savine drew his sword at the top of the stairs, kicking the door open. The door splintered at its hinges from the impact and fell to the ground with a thud.

Avery screamed, and he was finally able to take a deeper breath. She was here, she hadn’t been taken from him again.

But Selene was there. The woman who’d tortured him, who’d convinced him that he could never experience the love between soulmates. She was standing close to Avery. Too close.

Savine unleashed a stream of vines, twisting and wrapping around Selene with speed that caught even her off guard. Her wings were bound tightly to her body, immobilizing her.

“What are you doing here?” Savine growled. His essence was whirring and he felt as though he couldn’t think straight, seeing Avery so close to the woman that he hated more than anyone else.

Selene gave him a searing look with her violet eyes, but she didn’t fight against her restraints. “I’ll admit my presence is unexpected here and you’re angry to see an old friend. It’s best to let Avery explain.”

Avery walked to Savine and pressed her hand against his chest, giving him a comforting smile that reminded him that she was safe and he was hers. “It’s okay, Savine. Selene is here to see Rue.”

For the first time since entering the room, Savine noticed the other women in the room. Hyacinth had been busy brewing a cup of tea, presumably, for Selene. Kyla sat on the couch, hand resting on her abdomen. On the table, Rue slept in her fox form.

“I still don’t understand why the Sage of Nephel is in my healer’s tower.”

Kyla shook her head. “She is here for Rue. She sensed Rue’s injuries and flew swiftly to her side.”

Savine frowned, puzzled by what Kyla was suggesting. “Rue is your mate, Selene?”

The bound woman gave a curt nod. “If she knows, she hasn’t acknowledged it.”

Avery spoke up, “Rue hasn’t said anything to me, but Selene was just sharing that she’s known since we were held captive in the cave.”

“Ah, holding a folk captive is not an opportune moment to share that you are their mate,” Savine said dryly. “Did you realize it while you infiltrated her soul?”

Selene scowled at him, but didn’t reply.

“You did, didn’t you?” He shook his head with disgust at the woman before him.

“Savine, don’t,” Avery protested. “She was scared that Rue was going to die. She’s been flying since before the attack because Rue inadvertently sent her images somehow of the paper she found in her room. Selene feared it was a trap. By the way, did you know she can fly that quickly? She must be like a jet plane!”

Savine’s eyes grew wider. “Your bond shares images?” He shook his head in disbelief, ignoring Avery’s other question. Of course Selene could travel at high speeds. All the Nepheli fae could if they were traveling light and not burdened with cargo. Selene was known to be one of the fastest flying Nepheli alive today. Of course she could travel to Orofine in a day if she was determined to reach her mate. “My soulmate’s hand chosen guard could be sending images of secret Latian information to the Nepheli Sage without even realizing it?”

Selene looked down at the wooden floor. Did she realize the danger she was in, admitting to having that sort of access to private Latian information? To be in Latiah and knowingly share that information was nothing less than allowing Savine to take her life. If the roles were reversed, Rylo wouldn’t hesitate to kill Raikin for being a spy.

“It hasn’t happened before, I swear to the Goddess,” Selene said. She could tell no lie, Savine knew, but his heart still hammered in his chest at the threat that this bond could cause to his nation, to his love. Selene had captured Avery, stole her from him when he left her vulnerable in battle. He hadn’t forgiven himself for leaving her, and he would never forgive Rylo or Selene for stealing her away just to use both of them as pawns.

Selene’s body became preternaturally still against the binds that cut into her exposed flesh. “When it did happen, I knew that whatever Rue showed me was making her worried. I couldn’t rest, knowing that she could be in danger. I was already on my way when she sent the image of the attack. What could do that sort of damage?”

Avery spoke up, “It was dy—“

Savine interrupted her before she could spill any incriminating information about the Hunters. “It doesn’t matter what it was. Rue has been well cared for, as you can see. You, however, are a known enemy of myself, my queen, and this nation.”

“I deserve to know what happened to my soulmate. It’s my right to take revenge on her attacker!” Selene hissed. She struggled against the vines holding her fast. Savine placed his hand on the pommel of his sword.

With a burst of strength that she shouldn’t be able to possess, Selene broke through her bindings, raven black wings spread across the room, nearly knocking down Avery and Hyacinth in their path. Savine growled at Selene, drawing his sword. He could feel her dark starlight essence building. That power that had once nearly destroyed him. He’d once expected to die from it, and he wouldn’t tolerate it anywhere near his mate or threatening his own nation.

He moved quickly, ready to strike Selene’s exposed neck when he was hit by a sharp pain on his calf, cutting straight through his leather pants.

Avery screamed and Savine looked down to see the small fox sinking her sharp teeth into his leg. Rue was awake, and attacking her own king. She let go swiftly, snarling and growling as she limped backwards to Selene’s side.

Avery rushed to Savine, wrapping her arm around his side and helping him to a seat. The small shifter’s teeth were sharp, but it was the toxin that some shifters contained in their bite that worried Savine more than anything. Hyacinth cursed under her breath as she rolled his pants up and began examining the bite mark.

“There’s no evidence of venom, My King, but I’ll make you a poultice just to be sure.” Hyacinth busied herself opening drawers and pulling out varying fragrant herbs.

Savine looked to the two women, one still in her shifted form, the other with her dark wings tucked tightly around her. Selene held Rue in her arms, a look of tenderness that was so foreign to the woman’s face, it made Savine turn his head.

“Savine, before you came in we were just talking to Selene, trying to get her story straight. I think she’s here only for the reasons she said. Her emotions are difficult to read,” Kyla said in a quiet voice at his side.

“Of course her emotions are difficult to read. She has no emotions.”

Avery sat on his other side, sliding her hand into her lap. Her expression was tense. He could see her working her jaw, the tension visible. “Little Flower, look at me.” She turned, those soft brown eyes meeting his as he said, “I’m alright. I’m not happy about this revelation, or Selene’s presence, but don’t do something you’ll regret.”

Avery gave him a curt nod. “I just never saw it, and it was right in front of me. All the excuses Selene made to be around us, to be close to Rue.” She shook her head.

Selene brought Rue back to the table, setting her down with such care it made Savine recoil. His mind just couldn’t accept what he was seeing, this woman who’d treated him so cruelly to be displaying emotions he’d thought her incapable of having.

Hyacinth knelt at Savine’s side and began her healing ministrations. The sharp pain from Rue’s teeth faded to a dull ache.

Selene looked down at the fox as she said, “Rue still needs rest. I think she’s not ready to shift back to her fae form. I’d like to stay with her, but could we have our privacy?”

“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Avery exploded. “You came here, uninvited, and now expect us to leave you alone with one of my best friends? Hell no!”

“I recall Rylo showed you the same level of dignity when Savine arrived in Nephel.”

Savine tried to hide a smile as Avery’s eyes went wide with rage. “No way are you comparing this to our experience! You kidnapped me! You invaded my soul and forced truths from my mouth. We don’t even know what Rue has to say about this!”

Rue let out a hiss in Avery’s direction.

Avery let out a harsh laugh and said to the fox, “Don’t even start with me. If you knew and kept this a secret from me, I’ll never forgive you!”

Hyacinth nodded and spoke for the first time since Savine entered the room. “Enough! All of you out! Rue won’t be getting any rest with you bickering!”

Savine wasn’t taking any chances on Selene escaping. He let his essence rise, binding Selene in thorny vines. “Kyla,” Savine said with a nod toward his sister.

Kyla pressed her hand to the winged fae, and Selene relaxed against her grip. Kyla began leading Selene toward the door. From the other side of the room, Rue became increasingly agitated. Her yips filled the room and Savine watched tentatively as Avery turned back to Rue. Tension coiled in his stomach at the possible threat to his mate, and he heard Selene give a low growl in warning.

Rue stopped yipping and sat still, gazing at Avery as she approached.

“I might be mad at Selene, but I won’t let anything happen to her. I promise. Feel better soon, Rue.”

The fox bowed her head gracefully before she curled herself in a tight ball, trusting Avery completely at her word that Selene would be protected.

Savine fisted his hands, feeling the pent up energy coursing through his veins. Abyss damn him, he wanted to exact years of revenge on Selene, wanted to hear her cry out in agony for all she’d done to him. But, he’d never do something to jeopardize Avery’s relationship with Rue. Never intentionally hurt one of Avery’s closest friends, and a loyal guard.

Savine followed his sister as she led Selene down the staircase and toward the main buildings of the King’s Residence.

“Where would you like her?” Kyla asked. Avery caught up to them, her small hand slipping into his.

“Bring her to the City View Room. I’d like to have Raikin and Garnel there, but I sent them to investigate the explosion with some of our warriors. I’ll have Darby get Jay. He can stand in for Raikin.”

Selene turned in Kyla’s grip. “Savine, you disappoint me. I expected to be visiting that fetid hole you call a prison.”

Avery spoke up before he had a chance. “I made a promise to Rue to not let anything happen to you, Selene. Savine understands that and will respect my word.”

His heart warmed and he smiled down at her. She wasn’t even looking at him, instead, had her gaze fixed on Selene, her typically soft features hardened. Just a few hours ago they’d faced an attack on both of them. She’d killed one of the Hunters for him, and now she wasn’t accepting any nonsense Selene may be putting on him. Day by day, he was learning to accept that her love for him, her support, was real and was forged in iron that would eviscerate their enemies.

Selene’s face went back to a serene blank stare. He knew that look, and knew Kyla must have manipulated Selene’s emotions again. They walked the rest of the way to the City View Room in silence.

Selene’s exposed skin showed tiny rivulets of blood where the thorns of her bindings cut into her skin. Savine let the bindings fall as he shut the door to the room behind him. Avery and Kyla moved to the couch, but Selene continued to stand in the entrance to the room, docile as a lamb.

“What did you do to her?” Savine asked Kyla.

“I may have gone a bit too hard on manipulating her emotions. I wanted her subdued, but she’s a powerful fae. I could feel her essence wanting to escape as we walked. She was fighting my essence so hard, I didn’t know how much more I should apply to her. After she said that comment to you, I pressed more of my essence into her, and it was the tipping point. I should have stopped then, but I was angry, knowing how she goaded you.”

Selene stared blankly at them, lacking recognition. “How long should this last?” Avery asked.

“Selene is one of the strongest fae I’ve met. She should be back to herself in no more than a few hours.”

It was like Savine finally had a chance to breathe after the day he’d had. He let himself sink into the couch, leaning against Avery and taking in her sweet honeysuckle and mint scent. Avery reached up and gently stroked his cheek, playing with his cropped beard.

Kyla stood and took Selene by the hand, guiding her to a chair. She helped her sit, making her wings as comfortable as she could.

He’d never change them, but both his sister and soulmate had too much kindness in them for their own good.

Suddenly, Selene’s eyes widened. The deep purple of her iris seemed to expand and her wings flared, knocking Kyla to the ground. Avery let out a gasp, but whispered something under her breath, knocking Selene to the ground in a plume of brilliant green light.

She continued to hold Selene back and Savine released his essence, once again wrapping Selene in a crushing tangle of vines.

“I told Rue I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, but I’ll be damned if I let you hurt Savine or Kyla,” Avery gritted out.

Savine let out a bitter laugh. “Perhaps we should arrange to bring you to our fetid prison after all.”

Selene bared her teeth at them, but her eyes were focused solely on Savine. “Now that you have me, what do you plan to do to me, Savine? All these years you’ve waited for your revenge. I could see it in your face this summer when you saw me near your little human.”

Savine felt the rage building inside of him. He thought back to the day Selene dragged him to the Tower of Teeth. How she ripped into his soul, blaming him for Lilith’s death. The dread, the terror cut through him like a fresh wound.

Avery laid a hand on Savine’s arm and he took in a gasping breath.

“You harmed me once, and you tried to do it again by taking Avery from me. There are many, many things I’ve dreamed of doing to you over the years. But I don’t need to now. I have a soulmate. You were wrong about me and I won’t waste another moment of my life on you. But what I will do, what I have the right to do as king, is ensure you will not be united with your mate until I say.”

Selene’s eyes seemed to glow in luminous violet. “You have no right. Soulmate bonds transcend nations. No king or queen can stop what the Goddess ordained.”

Savine twisted his mouth into a smile. “And yet, that is just what you did to me when you took Avery from me. You knew she was my soulmate, and yet you took her.”

Selene hissed, “You never deserved to have love again, not after what you did to Lilith.”

Savine drew his hands into a fist. This woman was trying to get him to lose his temper, trying to force Avery into breaking her promise to Rue. His breathing was coming in harsh spurts.

Avery’s touch once again brought him back to himself. He let his heart rate settle, let himself come back to reality. He never caused Lilith’s death. He was a victim as much as she was, and Avery wasn’t harmed at Selene’s hand. She was alive as well.

“We’re not talking about you and Savine anymore,” Avery said. She spoke in a tone that commanded attention, like the queen she was. “If you try to say anything to him again, I’ll personally break that promise I gave to Rue. Understand?”

Selene nodded, her face hiding how she felt about Avery’s command. “Understood. Can you let me out of these bindings?”

“Absolutely not. You’ve already proven you can’t be trusted, so get comfy. You’re staying in those vines until we decide what we’re going to do with you. Now I have some questions for you, and you’re going to answer them.”

“Why would I do a thing like that?”

“If you actually want to be united with Rue, you’ll start talking. Look, Savine is capable of keeping you two apart. But, if you do want to see her again you’ll be working extra hard to get on my good side. I control that old man over there.” Avery said the last sentence in a whisper, like she was letting Selene in on a secret. As always, her whispers were hardly quiet, and Savine heard every last word.

He wouldn’t deny there was truth in what she said.

“Very well. What is it you’d like to know?”

“What’s going on with my sister? Is she safe?”

Selene let out a bitter laugh. “She is the darling of our king.”

“What do you mean?”

“He made quite a demonstration of his devotion at the Night of Feasts. And now they travel together to Goldoth.”

Savine watched as Avery’s lip twitched. “Is he forcing her to do these things?”

“She seems happy to serve the King of Nephel, and appears to enjoy his attention.”

Bitter disgust masked Avery’s face. Savine knew she hated Rylo as much as he did. Knew how much it hurt Avery for Morgan to choose to live in Nephel over Latiah.

“What about Susan?” Avery asked.

“She is well cared for and has found romance of her own in Elio. She remained behind in Nephel as King Rylo traveled to Goldoth.”

Savine couldn’t resist asking, “If you are here, and Rylo is in Goldoth, then who is currently watching over Nephel?”

Selene’s brow furrowed and she pursed her lips. “I did not plan on traveling to Orofine, and now that I know Rue is safe, I should return. It was impulsive of me to come here. I see now that I shouldn’t have done it.”

Savine folded his hands as he said, “No leadership is in the Towers at the moment? Interesting.”

“I’ll not return here. Rue knows about the bond now. Once she is well she can come to me. Give me my leave so I can return to the Towers.”

Savine sneered at Selene.

“No, I don’t think I will.”