“So you stayed friends despite the conflict between demons and humans?” I asked Onyx.
“Yes. Over the years, Elias tried to end that conflict, but his brother refused every one of his proposals.” Thickness filled his voice. “The king didn’t wish to waste valuable resources on demons when Bremloc was at war with Haran.”
Something heavy weighed on my chest. “I hate war.”
“Elias did as well,” Onyx said, expression clouding again. “Which is why he tried so hard to bring about a peaceful resolution between our kinds.”
“It’s also why he agreed to the marriage alliance.” Varys placed one hand behind his back and rested the other on the nearest pillar. “A decision that set all of this into motion.”
“The treaty,” I said.
He nodded. “Elias knew his dark magic was undesirable among other kingdoms, which is why when King Eidolon proposed the marriage alliance with Haran, he accepted.”
“Hang on a sec.” Uneasiness prickled at my ribs. “The marriage was King Eidolon’s idea?”
“Yes,” Varys answered. “When he and Elias sailed to Haran to campaign for peace, King Eidolon saw the opportunity for a potential alliance and seized it. He proposed the idea, claiming marriage was the best way to unite the kingdoms. Thus, the treaty was put into place.”
It made sense, especially if my dad was determined to make peace.
Fate had other plans though, bringing him and my mom together.
“You say the mercenaries framed you for poisoning the king?” Varys then asked. His tone changed, turned rough. “You’re innocent?”
“Yeah. Murder isn’t my style. I prefer to feed people, not hurt them.”
“I see.” He rubbed at his face. “I wondered if you’d learned that same truth and took matters into your own hands.”
My confusion grew. “What do you mean? What truth?”
A dangerous gleam surged in the demi-wolf’s eyes. “That King Eidolon was involved in your father’s death.”
“What?” A sharp ache pierced my gut. “Involved how?”
“Think, boy. Have you ever wondered why Elias and Cynthia didn’t stay in Bremloc once the treaty was broken? Why they secluded themselves instead of sheltering in the castle where they would’ve been protected by guards and knights?”
My confusion spread. So did my apprehension. Throat tight, I could only shake my head.
Varys bared his teeth. “It’s because Elias didn’t trust his own brother.”
“But why?” His words tangled in my chest, tugging and twisting. “King Eidolon loved my dad. He always gets sad when talking about him.”
“That’s more than likely guilt you see, boy.”
“Guilt?” I asked. “What are you saying? That the king…”
“Is the reason Elias is dead,” Onyx softly interjected. “It’s why Varys rebelled. He learned what really happened.”
“How could I continue serving a king who killed someone so important to me?” Varys turned away from us, shoulders quaking. All these years later, and the anger over it hadn’t faded. Or the grief. “I knew Lord Onyx would share my rage. Elias was his friend.”
Lake whined low, ears falling. That’s when I felt the wetness on my cheeks. The damn flood gates had opened up.
“I… I don’t understand,” I rasped, eyes burning with more tears. “I heard King Silas searched for us for months and then hired Nocturne to do the job for him. So how was King Eidolon involved?”
Varys lost some of his ire. “Remember what I said about your father’s talents? He excelled in barrier magic, much like the one around the Shadow Realm. He and Cynthia found a cottage and shielded themselves from the outside world. Even once Nocturne found them, they couldn’t breach it.”
I recalled my conversation with Xavier in Exalos. He’d said he had used a spell once to see my mom and mentioned her being in a cozy little cottage surrounded by flowers. My dad had cuddled with her on the couch in front of a crackling fire, both of them holding me.
Onyx looked at me. “There are only two ways to enter: either permission from the one who created it… or breaking through with a blood spell.”
