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Atlas clears his throat, and I finally pull my eyes from where Kano disappeared and look at my mate. “You two seem… closer?” The question is hesitant, and I can’t quite work out why. He almost seems like he’s worried about the answer, although as I examine his expression, I think it’s more than that. He looks like he’s worried his question is going to scare me off.
I mull over what he’s really asking, as well as both his and Kano’s reactions to my earlier question. Are Kano and I closer? I suppose after everything that we’ve been through today, an understanding has grown between us, and I can’t deny that I feel concern for him. The whole situation between him and the queen fills me with anger, and I wish there was something I could do to stop it, something I wouldn’t feel if I didn’t care about him at least in some respect.
I look away and watch the remaining witches in the hall. Despite court officially being disbanded for the rest of the day, many of the lords and ladies are still gathered in small groups, talking in hushed voices about what they just witnessed. Several of them throw me looks over their shoulders, so I know I’m at least part of the topic of conversation. The fact that the crone of the present stared at me and seemed to speak to me is a fairly big clue that some of their prophecy involves me, so I don’t blame everyone for gossiping and trying to work out what it all means.
The low murmur of conversation falls into the background as I get sucked into my own thoughts, the words of the prophecy playing over in my mind and unsettling me more each time.
“Many will die, innocent blood will be shed unless the one promised takes her rightful place. A new star will rise, and old sins will be unveiled. Peril will fall upon any who tries to fight this destiny.”
Innocent blood will be shed unless the one promised takes her rightful place. Is this related to the previous prophecy that some of the witches think I’m a part of? That I’ll bring the werewolves and witches together? My gut tells me that the two propheciesarerelated, which means if they are right, and I am going to bring the witches and werewolves together, then that would also make me “the one promised” of this new prophecy. Deep in my soul, I know that I’m somehow linked to all of this, and I didn’t need the crones’ performance to confirm it.A new star will rise. With my star magic, that line can’t be a coincidence, especially when this magic is seen as goddess blessed.
Atlas rests his hand on my back, and all sound returns to me as I focus on what’s happening around me. “We should go. I assume you want to go back to see your werewolf?”
Nodding eagerly, I keep one hand on Star and gesture with my free hand for Atlas to lead the way. I’m glad I’ve not had to spend too much time away from Syn, and I want to get back to him as soon as possible.
Lady Eloise steps into my path, causing me to come up short. Honestly, I’d forgotten she was standing with us, and my magic flares inside me in shock. Star reacts with a quiet warning snarl as she senses the change in my emotions. Eloise doesn’t seem bothered though, simply giving me a smile and shifting her attention to Star, her eyes wide. Atlas makes an annoyed noise at the back of his throat, and she looks up, startled. Seeming to remember why she stopped us, she nods to herself and takes a deep breath. “You heard the crones, the time is coming, and when it does, come and find me. I’ll help you.”
Unsure what to make of the offer, but touched by her show of loyalty, I dip my head to show I understand, my lips twitching as Atlas leads me away.
Considering I was abducted when I was brought here and most of Haven wanted me dead because of my werewolf blood, I’m gathering a surprising number of allies. From the sound of it, if war really is coming, then I might need them.
ChapterTen
Entering the underground prison, I’m filled with a complicated mix of emotions. Eagerness to see Syn is my main driving force, although my concern about how he’s going to be is almost as fierce. If the madness has taken over him because I had to leave him behind, then I’m not sure I could live with the guilt of it. My heart is being pulled in multiple directions, and I don’t know how much longer I can survive under these levels of stress.
Passing the guarded entrance and entering the long corridor, I notice a few key differences to the first time I walked in here. Luna isn’t here as she was before, probably resting in her room after keeping him in a magically induced sleep for so long. It’s empty outside the cells, and although I’m sure the witches have some way of monitoring him, he’s got no one watching him. I can’t decide if that’s something I should be pleased about or not. While I want him to have some semblance of privacy, it would make me feel better if I knew there was someone watching out for him.
However, the biggest change I notice quickly consumes my attention, and I forget about everything else as my eyes lock on Syn. He’s awake and pacing the length of his cell, back in human form, which is a good sign, but even from here, I can see the manic look in his eyes. I left him too soon. My heart sinks, thinking that the progress we made with bringing him back from the brink of madness has been destroyed, all because the queen forced me to attend court as a power move.
The anger I’m starting to associate with the queen makes a reappearance. If I wasn’t so afraid of what she’d do to me as a repercussion, then I’d give her a piece of my mind. All the suffering that’s happening here is because of her, and not only to my mates, but Kano and Luna too. I don’t want to be here. I just want to leave with my mates and have nothing to do with the witches again, but her meddling triggered the start of the prophecy.
Taking a deep breath to release some of my frustrated tension, I pause at the end of the corridor, placing a hand on Atlas’s arm to signal to him to stop. I don’t want Syn to know I’m here yet, as he’ll require my full attention, and there are some questions I need answers to first.
Keeping my voice low, I glance around the empty corridor. “Where’s Nicolai?”
Nicolai was still down here when I left, and I know he was going to keep an eye on Syn for me. I find it strange and out of character that he’s not here now. Did something happen? Is everything okay?
Atlas frowns as if just noticing my mate’s absence. “I’m not sure, he must have gone back to his room.” I can tell he’s just as surprised by Nicolai’s absence. “His movements are still restricted, so perhaps the guards ordered him back once they saw he was alone?”
That makes sense, at least, more than him just abandoning Syn in the cell. Although the tight knot of worry in my stomach doesn’t release, I nod and try to accept that this must be what happened, ignoring the feeling that something important is happening.
Before I can delve further into my intrusive thoughts, a low growl rumbles along the length of the room, causing my head to snap up, and I immediately lock eyes with Syn. “Mate,” he calls, the honorific both filled with relief and a possessive order.
The emotion, even in that one word, is enough to tell me that Syn is still in there, fighting the madness. As soon as our eyes met, I had to fight the urge to start running towards him, but hearing his voice breaks that resolve. As I hurry down to the bottom of the prison corridor, I’m vaguely aware of Atlas at my back, following close behind me, but I’m not paying enough attention to pick up on his mood through our half-formed bond.
“Syn,” I murmur, out of breath despite the short distance. “How are you feeling?” I scan my mate frantically, looking for any sign of illness or injury. I don’t give Syn a chance to respond before I glance over at Atlas. “I’m going into the cell.” It’s not a question, I’m certainly not asking for permission, but I let him know what I’m about to do, a courtesy I might not have offered just weeks ago. Atlas’s jaw clenches, but he nods his head to show he understands. My heart softens for a moment as I see how hard he’s trying, and I reach out to place a hand on his arm, my small smile conveying my appreciation.
Taking a deep breath, I turn to the cell and step through the invisible barrier. Now that I know what to expect with the magical shield, I’m not so surprised by the strange sensation even though it still makes me uncomfortable. I’m quickly pulled into Syn’s arms, his face lowered into my hair as he inhales deeply.
“Laelia,” he murmurs, his voice so low it’s almost a rumbling growl. “You came back.”
I’m not sure how long I was away for, probably only a matter of hours, but I’m sure it felt like a lifetime to him while locked away in this small cell with no one to talk to or anything to entertain him. That familiar sense of guilt raises its ugly head once more, but I push it down so I can focus on this moment and give him all my attention.
“Always, I’ll always come back,” I promise, pressing my forehead against his chest, so relieved that our separation hasn’t broken him completely. Somehow, Star is still at my side, and she makes a whining noise to get our attention. Last time I was in the cell I couldn’t reach her at all, so I don’t know how it’s possible that she’s here. Something must have changed. We both look down at my needy wolf, Syn reaching out to run his fingers through her fur. Seeing him do something so normal makes my chest tighten, and I have to clear my throat several times before I’m able to speak. “And you came back to me,” I start, my voice croaky and high. “I thought I’d lost you.”
He seems to understand that I’m not talking about him physically finding me, but breaking past the madness that gripped him.
“Always,” he says, cupping my face between his palms. “I will always find you,” he promises, the emotion lining his voice causing my eyes to sting with tears. His words echo what he told me in one of the strange waking dreams where the goddess brought us together.
