Page 76 of Omen of ice
I catch the tiniest spark of rage before I careen into the adjacent wall. The air rushes from my lungs, and when my vision clears, Delkin’s face is inches from mine, that tiny spark of annoyance now a raging inferno.
His unwillingness to fight me moments ago was a mercy. Had he wanted, he clearly could have taken me apart with little more than a flick of his fingers. “If you remember nothing else in this world, let this small bit of information stick in that thick skull of yours, boy. Amoriel Icekeeper was—and will be until my last moment in this place—mineas much as I washers.”
Fae can’t claim a partner astheirsunless it’s mutual. A claim is forever, and theirs was real—and judging by the ferocity of Delkin’s reaction, it’s something I’m glad to be spared, thanks to the Heartbreaker.
I let go of him and step away. “You’re my father.”
He straightens his shirt. “I’m many things, but yes. That’s one of them.”
“And you didn’t keep her here against her will?”
Delkin laughs. “There isn’t a creature in this world that could make Mori do something against her will.”
He hasn’t met Tania yet.
“So, you didn’t kidnap her?”
Something akin to regret flickers in his eyes. “Not personally, no. But a few of my Fae did.”
“I don’t understand.” It’s impossible to wrap my head around it all. I’m standing here with myfather. The Fae I’ve hated since I learned what hate was. Now I find that hate was misplaced? That helovedmy mother? Everything I’ve grown up believing has been a lie. My entire world turned on its ass in a single moment.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Everything I knew about Servis and Aphelian was false. Why not this, too?
“Why would your Fae steal her?”
“You have many questions. I understand. I have them, too. But your druid friend—”
“If they’ve hurt her…” No. She has to be all right. If she wasn’t, I would know. Then again, when she faltered earlier in the woods, I felt nothing. What if—
I inhale and focus on her. The link between us surges to life. Her pulse is calm, and she’s uninjured. A bit concerned—understandable, considering my outburst moments ago, which I’m sure she felt—but otherwise fine.
Delkin shakes his head. “I guarantee she’s perfectly all right.”
“Daroose thinks there’s something wrong with her. He said you could help.” But his Fae kidnapped my mother, right? Now I’m supposed to trust them?
I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.
“Where is she?” I ask. I’ll feel better when Tania is back at my side. Being separated from her makes me twitchy.
“I’m sure she’s being looked after.” He smiles. “Benj probably took her to meet the others.”
“What others?” Just how many Fae does Delkin have in his treetop village?
“The other humans, of course.”
25
Keltania
A wave of rage hits me through the link, followed by sadness—then more anger. Where have they taken Valen? Or Daroose? Why split us? I keep myself braced for any indication that Valen has been hurt, but despite his shifting emotions, he seems fine. After a few minutes, he seems to settle. A good sign, but the separation makes me uneasy. I have no control this way. No way to protect him.
Granted, he isn’t helpless, but we don’t want to expose his magic. If it comes down to life or death, however, he’ll have no choice.
“Hello.” A figure pokes his head into the room. “Might I come in?”
“You’re asking the prisoner for permission?” I snort and shake off a chill. Valen’s mood has calmed, but I’m still cold. The chill that normally comes when he’s on the verge of losing his temper seems to be lasting longer and longer. “That’s a new take on captivity.”
“You’re no prisoner.” He steps into the room and smiles. He’s short for a Fae. Probably just a hair or so taller than I am, with sand-colored hair and mud-brown eyes. His ears… His ears!
