Page 65 of Heir of Broken Souls

Knox slides his palms into his tailored pants pockets, appearing aloof despite the stress pounding through his mind. “Before we venture into the open seas, I must ask something of you.”

The grin that slides into place on Amelia’s face is the definition of nightmares. “Wish to make a bargain with us, princeling?”

“King,” he barks, stunning the second.

Amelia’s shock only lasts so long before she narrows her eyes. “We don’t owe you anything,King,” she spits.

Without a care for the venom in her words, Knox’s gaze remains on Naia’s. “On the contrary, I believe you do.”

Naia holds up her hand to silence her second as she relents, “I’ll hear your demand, yet make no promises.”

“The witches,” he rushes out, his stony expression remaining on the mermaids and not Harlow, who stiffens behind him.

Naia’s brow arches. “What of them?”

“Black magic is now within these lands, right along their borders. I find it hard to believe that wasn’t a purposeful choice from Peter. Do you see if they wish to join his cause?”

The question, while I should have been asking, slipped my mind. By the looks around his court theirs did too. Except for Harlow. She doesn’t seem shocked in the slightest.

“My sisters and I see nothing.”

Knox lets out a heavy breath, only to freeze as Naia goes on. “That is only because a decision has yet to be made. When one has been chosen, we will see. Whether we will be too late to stop them or not, we won’t know until the time arises.”

Without another word Knox turns and strides toward Nolan, whispering something in his ear that even my Fae hearing can’t pick up. Whatever he says has Nolan frowning, a dark look crossing his features. “Are you certain?” he whispers.

“Absolutely.”

“Care to share with the rest of us?” Amelia sings. Her sultry sarcastic attitude shows us all a glimpse of the next three weeks. I just hope we can at least get some peace and quiet within the ship’s rooms.

Knox turns such a menacing look in her direction my back stiffens. “Share your secrets and I’ll share mine.”

Her mouth snaps shut at that.

Clapping my hands, I call, “Well, as lovely as this is, I believe it’s time to go. Any other cryptic messages you have for us?”

Something akin to sorrow fills Naia’s eyes before it vanishes entirely. “Trust is needed on this journey, Delilah. Without it, we will all perish.”

I give her the most sickening sweet smile. “Trust isearned.”

I spin on my heel, ignoring the looks and no doubt glares searing into my back, and step onto my first ship, praying it won’t be my last.

* * *

With a flourish, Knox opens the door to the room we’ll be staying in for the foreseeable future. Relief is swift and fast at the lavish room he reveals. I’m not quite sure, perhaps it’s all the books I’ve read, but I was prepared to be stuffed into a small single bunk room that wouldn’t be large enough for even our wings. But this is fargreater than my imagination.

To the left sits a large king-size bed, topped with cream pillows and throws. Adjacent to it, a fire in the fireplace already roars, and is surrounded by enough leather chairs to fit Knox’s entire court comfortably. Two doors on either side of the bed lead to the bathing room, which, by a quick glance, is just as large as the bedroom with a claw-foot tub, marble flooring, and large mirrors along the walls.

I kick the door shut and, with a groan, drop the bag in my hand. The sound of steel knocking around inside of it is not lost on our ears.

Knox’s brow quirks. “Bring the entire armory with you?”

I shrug. “Can never have enough in my opinion.”

By the quizzical look in his gaze, something tells me he knows I have a new fear of never having a weapon on me after our little incident in the Deyanira Mountains. I can never allow my magic to become a crutch. I can kill with my hands and a sword just as well.

Tracing the welts on my palm from the weight of it, I sigh. “You would think with Fae strength I wouldn’t find such a tedious task draining, yet here I am complaining about carrying luggage.”

A dry laugh floats from Knox’s lips. “There are some things in life that, no matter how extraordinary you are, remain mundane.”