AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cristen shrugs. “Anyone can, but it’s easier for me because I’m a Fate. It’s easier for Caya because she’s bonded to me as an anchor, as is Talis. However, Caya is stronger, as she carries the same bloodline as a Fate.”
He sighs and drops his gaze to the forest floor. “I was 10 when my father really, truly figured it out. Fate’s are too rare to generally spot, and normally a Kingdom only ever gets one — usually a royal, because they breed the lines specifically to create a Fate.
“So he hid me. He became increasingly paranoid that if I was in public, someone from the Underground would kidnap me or murder me. I was already valuable being the King’s only male heir, but I became more than that as a Fate.
“The scars – they’re my father’s doing. I did a lot to resist him as I got older because I realized he was using my ability for nefarious reasons. Rather than proving guilt, he would kill every suspect, then find out through me who was actually guilty. There was so much innocent blood being spilt, and as you may have been able to tell, it’s not the most pleasant experience for me to read threads, especially from a corpse.”
I suck in a breath and lay a gentle hand on his knee. “I’m sorry your father forced you to do that.”
Cristen offers me a sad smile before he continues, “I was fifteen when he bonded me to Talis and Caya. Most go through the bond to enhance their natural abilities, but my father bonded us as punishment. He knew his wounds on my flesh weren’t enough. I’d gotten to a point where I didn’t care if he scarred me, because it meant I was saving innocent people.” He hesitates and drops a hand over mine on his knee. “So, he bonded me to my sister and my best friend, knowing that once he did, any wound inflicted upon my skin would place them in pain.”
I turn my hand over and lace my fingers through his. “That’s…awful.”
“I was left to choose between the people I would eventually one day rule over – people I’m meant toprotectwith everything I am – or the two people that were more family to me than my father or mother ever were.” Cristen squeezes my hand. “Something had to be done about my father. Everyone agreed, but only one person was allowed to get close enough to him.”
I straighten as realization settles over me. “You killed the King.”
He stares at the ground. “I killed the King.”
Being a non-Royalist and having too much of my own bullshit to deal with, I never kept up with the Royal family. My monarchy had always been the Bosses of the Underground. They kept a roof over my head, bread within my reach.
But the day the King died was heard by all. The Underground was shut down for an entire week, due to the fact that most of the BossesareRoyalists, just in masks. They mourned their King, debated over his mysterious death.
Me? Well, that week I went particularly hungry.
“When I killed him, I was bedridden for over a year. All of his threads not only sank into me, but theyattackedme. As Fate, I’m supposed to be a somewhat bi-partial party. I can’t just make a monumental decision that ultimately changes the entire course of history. I was punished severely by my own body when I killed him.” He rubs his brow with his free hand. “It was awful timing. My initial plan was to step up the moment my father was dead. I wanted to take control and get the Kingdom back on track. It devolved during my father’s reign, and I planned to right it, but being as sick as I was, I couldn’t do anything.”
“That’s why you had me kill Ferris, isn’t it?” I ask. I hadn’t thought much about the fact he brought me along to kill that sick bastard, but now it makes sense. He wanted Ferris dead, but he couldn’t do it himself.
“Yes, and because Caya and Talis are bonded to me, they can kill but not on my behalf. If I’d asked one of them to do it, then I would’ve been knocked out. I’m not sure for how long.” He heaves a breath. “Within the single year that I was unable to rule, enemies rose to the surface. Other kingdoms prepared entire legions to take us out. The Underground became infested. I needed to take control back into my hands, but I knew I’d need to work through the weeds first.”
“So, you became a Boss,” I surmise, but I frown. “How does that help with the other kingdoms, though?”
“It doesn’t. Not really.” Cristen gestures to the forest around us. “But this tournament does. By marrying, I will increase my strength. Any of these powerful female warriors also have incredibly powerful families. Many have entire armories – weapons I will need in the coming months.”
I slide my hand out of his. “I don’t.”
He chews on his bottom lip. “Yes.”
“But you brought me here,” I say, my words quivering with uncertainty.
Cristen nods. “Yes.”
I roll my eyes and huff. “Well, are you going to tell me why?”
His nostrils flare. “There’s something you should know about Fate, Zora. It doesn’t take much to change it.”
“So you brought me here to change it?” I guess.
He meets my gaze. “The opposite actually.”
My brow furrows. “I’msupposedto be here?”
“In some ways.”
“That’s incredibly vague, Cristen.” I fold my arms and kick at the ground.
“If I tell you too much about your own Fate, you could alter it. If there were a rule book for who I am and what I do, that would be first on the list of things that shouldnotbe done.” He tilts his head, studying my expression. “Please try to understand.”
