Page 44 of Heir of Broken Souls

Axel’s shoulders tense. Before he says something he can’t take back, I step forward. “Why did you send the vision to me?”

“It wasn’t a conscious decision,” she says. “In fact, I didn’t even know until now that I did it.”

“Perhaps you didn’t,” Knox acknowledges.

“You think it was the archangels?”

Axel throws his hands in the air with a growl. “Why are we talking about this with her present? For all we know she’s going to run back to the king.”

“Peter,” I murmur under my breath, receiving an arched brow from Elysia before she turns back to her newfound mate.

“You just went through my mind and saw I am not your enemy.”

“I”—he emphasizes—“did no such thing.”

“Don’t trust the ability of your king?” she retorts.

While the two are focused on each other and their verbal pissing contest, they don’t notice the guilt suffocating Knox. My heart pinches at the shadows swirling around his mind’s entrance.

I’m beginning to believe Peter isn’t the only thing I can’t defeat. The belief Knox has, the pressure he puts upon himself to save his people, feels like I’m constantly fighting a losing battle. If only he could see himself through my eyes.

Before pulling back into my body, I send warmth down and through his mind, to remind him of all that he should be proud of. The lives he saved today, the fact that we won this battle. He has never given up on his people and not a lot of royals can say the same.

Knox’s spine straightens as he gives me a knowing, grateful look, his shadows trailing a gentle caress down my spine. He turns to Axel. “There was no indication of such an alliance, and despite your belief in me, Axel, I checked everything.” He adds softly, “I won’t miss anything again.”

My chest tightens at the raw emotion in his voice.

As if sensing the need for a change in topic, Elysia stands, making Axel take a step back as she splays her hands in surrender. “What will it take for you to believe me?”

“The archangels themselves.”

“For gods’ sake.” She throws her hands in the air. “I can’t justsummonthe archangels! And to be frank, I don’t care if you believe me or not. I don’t needyourtrust.”

Axel’s smirk is cocky as he drawls, “Really? Is that why you just asked me what it would take for me to believe you?”

Knox steps between the pair, just in time too. Elysia makes a move, no doubt to pummel the Fae. “Perhaps it’s time Harlow and Lenox join us.”

I snort. “Are they still trapped within the shield?”

A small grin curves his lips. “Why do you think we haven’t been interrupted?”

Elysia claps. “Loving the sparks between the two of you but perhaps we can move to a more comfortable location?” Sarcasm drips from her every word. “It’s not like I’ve been walking for over ten hours or anything.”

“Demanding brat,” Axel mumbles under his breath.

“What did you just say?” she snaps.

“Okay, time to go!” I sing. Latching my hand with Knox’s, he teleports us all to the sitting room. Along with Lenox and Harlow, who are no longer speaking or facing each other.

Great, seems we need to keep everyone separated tonight.

I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but perhaps you should summon Nolan?

Humor dances along his features.Oh, how far we have fallen that we need Nolan to bring the peace.He rolls his eyes.I’ll tell him to come through my mind. He might need the distraction. He lost a lot of men today…ones he’s fought beside since he was a teen in the warrior academy.

Sadness fills my heart but I can’t sit with it for too long. With everyone in the room, tension gathers far too quickly.

“She’s sitting in my chair.” Harlow stares down Elysia, but to my surprise, she returns the favor, assessing the half-witch as if she were an opponent.