Chapter 33: thirty-three

Cole

Stepping out of the dungeon, my clothes were drenched in blood. If I closed my eyes and focused, I could still hear the echo of her screams, her pleas for mercy.

Marcus’ shout still rang in my ears, his voice thunderous. I could only imagine what my father had planned for him. Until then, he could remain paralyzed, his daughter’s mutilated head resting at his feet.

I hadn’t even noticed that my feet had carried me to her room—our room—until I heard her voice, laced with venom.

“Fuck, Cole, go wash,” Raven spat. “She can’t see you like this when she wakes up.”

“Is she awake yet?” I asked, and Raven simply shook her head.

“It’ll be soon, very soon.”

I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I sprinted to the nearest room, ready to scrub the blood and sweat from my body. I was ready to hold her, to kiss her, to let my secrets spill from my lips.

She was safe. She was mine. Nothing else mattered.

***

Olivia

I slowly opened my eyes, squinting against the harsh light. The fog in my mind was gradually lifting, the memories of what had happened coming back to me.

I shot up in panic. Where was I?

“You’re awake,” I heard his deep voice before I finally spotted him. Cole.

He had saved me from them—all of them.

My hands instinctively went to my stomach, lifting the gown to reveal that I was completely healed; my face was no longer marred, and my back felt much better.

“Impossible,” I whispered to myself. “How long was I asleep?”

“About three days. Raven said you were in a healing cycle. I’m not sure about the specifics, but she can answer any questions you have,” Cole replied.

“Brayden mentioned something about fae healing quickly. Do you know where he is so I can ask him?” I asked. My mind was swimming with questions. I needed answers. Nothing was making sense.

“He said that because,” Cole began, letting out a sigh and running his hand through his hair, “you are fae, Olivia. Well, you’re half-fae and half-human.”

“That can’t be possible. I was born in a breeder camp. My parents must have been human,” I said.

“No. You were born in Rosewood Forest. Your parents were Queen Adelina of the fae and Captain Aldrich, your father.

“Your parents were murdered when you were just a baby, and I brought you to Martin,” Cole said quietly.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I wanted to be angry, I tried desperately to be angry. My entire life had been a lie. Would my life have been different if the vampires hadn’t taken over?

“You are still fated to me, and that never would have changed, Olivia.”

I forgot he could read my thoughts.

“Did you murder my parents?” I asked him, unsure if I wanted to know the answer.

“No, little dove. I was drawn to the forest that night. Now I’m sure it was the bond, but when I arrived, it was too late.

“No one really knew who attacked. It’s possible—”

Before he could finish, the doors slammed open, and Raven came rushing in.

“Finished stuffing your face?” he asked her, a hint of humor in his voice.

“Shut it, leech!” she growled, and I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips.

He stood up and glanced between us, “You two probably have a lot to talk about. I’ll be back later.”

***

Cole had the servants send up food, mostly vegetables and sweets.

“So, what did the leech say?” She sighed, picking up a piece of cake.

“He says I’m not completely human, that my mother was the fae queen,” I told her.

“Well, that’s the gist of it, I suppose.” She pushed back her red hair to reveal her pointy ears.

I gasped and touched my own ears, but they were normal, human ears.

“You’re fae?”

She nodded and plopped down next to me.

“I’m a dryad. I was born in a giant oak tree and spent most of my days in the forest. I have a connection with them, but my light isn’t as strong anymore, not since she left,” Raven said, tears welling up in her eyes.

“My mother?”

“Yes, she used all of her power to open a portal to a fae plain. I’m not sure how many got through. There were so many vampires that night, blood was everywhere, and then they burned it down.

“She made me promise to protect you, but then that bloodsucker got his claws in you. It took me years to find you!”

“Tell me about her, my mother,” I said. I felt like a sponge, ready to soak up as much information as possible.

“She was gentle, beautiful, and fair. She loved the humans and wanted to stay here. She protected us with her powers, her light. We were hidden and never left the forest,” she began.

“She didn’t want to get involved when the vampires tried—well, when they took over. She fell in love with your father, though, and started healing them. I guess that’s why they attacked us.”

“You said she opened a portal. Do you think we could find it and open it?” I asked.

Her eyes snapped to mine, “I don’t know how we would find it, but if you have any of your mother’s light, maybe we could find it and open it. I can go home; we can go home!”

I smiled, but I was home. Raven didn’t belong here, and I would do anything to help her get home.