Page 60 of Heir of Broken Souls

“Axel cried because he found out there was someone who could have saved his twin. But how you spilled that information could have been far gentler.”

Groaning, I mutter, “Gods, I’m awful.”

Knox wraps his arms around me before planting a kiss on top of my head. “You’re not awful, but I do think you need to talk to him.”

“What if I drove him to drink?”

“Everything drives him to drink these days.” Sighing deeply, he pulls back but doesn’t drop his hold on me. “We should go. We’re far too close to Cardania’s border.”

Knox swoops me into his arms, his beautiful black wings spreading as he takes off into the sky.

“What’s the chance Elysia kept him away from the alcohol without them arguing?”

Knox’s deep chuckle sends goosebumps up and down my arms. “I think there’s a higher chance of Harlow and Lenox getting along than those two not getting into an argument.”

Chapter23

Delilah

Walking through the doors to Knox’s study, we stumble upon his entire court, along with what I’m shocked to see is a sober Axel. Which no doubt is courtesy of Elysia, who takes his death glares in stride.

My heartpinches with guilt as I note that Axel won’t look my way.

“You summoned us?” Harlow drawls, the epitome of boredom.

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning, accompanied by the mermaids.”

If Knox wanted to create havoc, his words have the desired effect. Chaos erupts with shouts and cries and questions ringing throughout the room as he takes his seat, beckoning me to sit on the armrest of his chair.

With a flick of his wrists, everyone’s voices evaporates.

“One at a time,” he says lazily. “Harlow.”

With her arms crossed and her hip cocked, Harlow gives Knox every ounce of sass that we were expecting. “You’re telling me you plan on leaving your city, the very one that was attacked just over a day ago, and the lands that demons continue to bombard to…what? Galivant in the water with mermaids?”

Will you do the honors?Knox asks.

Tired already?

Exhausted.

Turning to face Harlow, she stares me down as if sensing the weariness in Knox’s energy herself. “The prophecy speaks of finding the answers we seek in a location out at sea. The mermaids were given the same part of the prophecy, and if you recall it says ‘guided by fins.’ The mermaids are destined to be a part of this.”

“It also mentions a battle at dawn. Did they bring that up?”

Knox looks to me with a furrow in his brow. “No, they did not.”

“What’s to say the battle isn’t with them?” Harlow suggests.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Pondering whether they’re an enemy or not will get us nowhere. All we know for certain is that we’re currently running out of options. We need Peter’s true identity in order to kill him, and I doubt that during the battle of the century Delilah, Elysia, and the mermaids are all sent a vision from the supposed archangels that pull them away only to kill us all.”

“What if this is all a ploy from Peter?” Axel interjects.

“Then we will be prepared,” Knox answers simply, also noticing how he refuses to look at me.

“How?” Harlow asks, doubt coating her words.

“With armor and weapons and hate. No one wants him dead more than us in this room. If he tries to come after us out there, we will destroy him,” I answer, vengeance spurring me on.