Page 46 of Heir of Broken Souls

“To an extent,” I cut Knox off, my tone hard as steel.

“When do you want to go?” Nolan asks, moving the conversation away from another minefield.

“If all goes well with the royals’ meeting, perhaps we should pay them a visit tomorrow.” Knox turns to me, still ignoring Lenox and Harlow squirming in his shadowed confines. “Do you have any other questions?”

Before I can speak, Elysia cuts me off. “Not to sound rude but what should I do in the meantime? Whoever killed my sisters and mother is no doubt searching for me.”

Knox gestures with his chin to her now pristine nightgown. “Did you not slay your captors?”

“Of course I did, but they were only messengers. Whoever sent them in the first place has likely sent more. Peter, as you call him, is out for blood. Yours”—she nods at me—“and mine. They want the prophecy translation.”

“And how do they know you have it?” Nolan asks, silencing everyone.

Elysia crosses her arms. “I’m not the only seer. Someone is watching everyone.”

“Great, you’ll lead them right to our door,” Axel mumbles under his breath.

“Axel,” Knox calls. I expect Knox to scold him, but instead he says, “You can look over Elysia until further notice.”

The pair sputter.

“I don’t need a bodyguard! If anything, I need a guard fromhim!”

“Don’t make me do this,” Axel pleads.

Knox holds up his hand. “I’m not arguing with you two. Axel, you’re officially assigned to watch over Elysia until I say so.”

Axel grinds his jaw, his eyes flaring with annoyance. I bite down on my cheek. The time for coddling is over, it seems.

Knox’s sapphire eyes land on Elysia’s wide, incredulous ones. “Despite his lack of sanity earlier, Axel is one of the finest warriors among my court.” He pointedly slides his gaze to Axel. “And a Fae with such loyalty would never disobey a direct order from his king.”

Before anyone can say anything further, Knox drops the shadows from Harlow and Lenox.

“How did the demons breach our wards?” Nolan asks, steering the conversation away from the four grumpy Fae.

“That is what I wish you to find out,” Knox declares, looking to Harlow. “Those wards were impenetrable until today. I want to know how they broke through my spells.”

Harlow dips her chin, for once not talking back.

Knox takes in a deep breath before rising and holding out his hand for me. He wraps an arm around my waist and faces his court.

“Do not bother washing up. There are still matters to attend to in the court. Since it’s evacuated, the city can wait. For now, help the soldiers outside with the demons.” Knox steers me in the direction of the door and yells over his shoulder, “If you need me, don’t.”

“Delilah,” Elysia calls, halting our movements. I crane my neck, finding her face gravely serious. “Today’s attack was just the first. There are far more to come.”

“I know,” I say softly, the vision of the world coming to an end springing to the forefront of my mind. Along with the feeling of falling through the universe without an end in sight.

Chapter19

Delilah

Iexpect Knox to steer me to our room, but instead, he leads me up the stairs and out onto a balcony, where he gently slides his arms beneath my legs and lifts me in one fluid motion into his hold. His wings flare out, but all he does is perch us on top of the roof, his gaze never wavering from his broken city below.

“You don’t want to fly to your spot?” I ask gently.

“I fear that if I will the army will return.”

And he will fail his peopleis what he doesn’t voice.