Heir of Broken Fate: Chapter 32

I awake to darkness and starlight. Stretching my limbs in bed, excitement fills me. There were no festivities, celebrations, or traditions at the palace. To be here, witnessing and experiencing such a tradition is a gift in itself.

It feels different to be wide awake as darkness surrounds the lands.

Rushing to get dressed and start the festivities, I don’t notice the booming of laughter in the house until I descend the stairs. I follow the sounds of laughter and glasses clinking into the large sitting room.

A smile lights my face as I see Hazel smiling and giggling as she sits beside Ace. Perhaps I didn’t drag her to her doom after all.

It looks like mostly everyone is inebriated. Axel is the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him, Ace’s eyes are bleary and red, Harlow won’t stop grinning, and Lenox is outright drunk. Even Nolan is smiling and laughing. The only person that’s unaccounted for is Knox.

“Delilah!” Lenox jumps up, crashing into my side as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. “We’ve been waiting for you,” he slurs.

I turn my face away. “Your breath could stop a dragon. My gods, how much have you had?”

Lenox gives me a wobbly grin. “The right amount.”

I chuckle. Disentangling myself, I take a seat next to Axel, purely because he looks the most sober out of the bunch.

Looking around the room I can’t help but notice who’s missing.

“He disappears during the day before the ball starts. He’ll be back later,” Axel whispers.

“Oh, I wasn’t wondering where he was,” I lie.

Axel lifts his brows, amusement filling his green eyes. Note to self—you can’t lie to a Fae. They pick up on everything.

Axel leans in further, lowering his voice. “Today is the anniversary of his parents’ death.”

My heart sinks—of course.

With everyone’s excitement about the ball later tonight I completely forgot about what happened all those years ago to Knox. I don’t know the specifics; he’s never brought it up—or his parents, for that matter. I only know what Hazel told me those very first days we met.

Axel pulls back, focusing on his friends and their drunk mumblings.

“Shut your fat mouth!” Harlow yells.

Lenox raises his hands in protest. “All I’m saying is that your technique could use a little work.”

Harlow arches an incredulous brow. “My technique?”

Lenox sways as he sits on the couch. “You’re a little sloppy with—”

Harlow disappears. Perhaps Lenox pushed a nerve, and she didn’t—

I scream so hoarse my voice cracks. A giant black panther with glowing red eyes appears out of thin air, roaring at Lenox. He falls off the couch, clutching his stomach as he howls with laughter. Why is everyone laughing?

The panther disappears, only to be replaced by Harlow. She sits where Lenox just was, her smile ravenous.

“You should have seen your face!” Lenox sputters.

I sit there, unable to move. “What the fuck was that?” I snap. My outburst doesn’t get me answers. No, they all start laughing harder.

Hazel takes pity on me. “Harlow is a shapeshifter,” she says between giggles.

“I know that now,” I grumble.

Harlow offers me wine as a peace offering, but I decline. I don’t want to be drunk the whole time and forget my first Eclipse Ball; I want to at least experience a part of it sober. I try explaining that to Harlow yet she’s too drunk to make sense of anything, which only proves my point.

She waves her glass around, sloshing wine all over the floor. “The eclipse is meant to be spent drunk.”

“Not everyone wants to be as inebriated as you, Harlow,” Lenox slurs.

“Coming from the man that’s seeing two of everything.”

“Three,” he chirps proudly.

Nolan chuckles. “You two are insufferable.”

“I, my dear, am a pure delight,” Harlow teases. “Lenox just has a big head.”

Lenox’s mouth drops open. “My head is proportionate to my body!”

The room fills with howls of laughter, my own making my cheeks burn. My chest feels lighter, freer as I sit with everyone. My stomach begins to ache from laughing so much it burns, especially when Lenox demands for us to measure his head.

Later that evening, I stand in front of the mirror studying myself. I’ve applied small amounts of gray makeup around my eyes and a rosy tint to my lips. Nothing too drastic, as the dress speaks for itself, but the eye makeup does make my ice blue eyes sparkle.

My nerves are going haywire; not only has everyone praised this event for days but I’m about to see every Fae that lives in these lands—those that attend the ball, that is. What if they can tell I’m not truly Fae, that I was once human? Will they laugh at me? Spit on me with distaste?

I shake my clammy hands out at my sides, trying to dispel the nerves. It feels like a million pins are pricking my chest.

My bedroom door opens and I turn, the end of my gold dress swirling as I do.

Hazel doesn’t initially notice my distress, her eyes focused on the dress. She gasps, covering her mouth with a hand. “You look beautiful!” Her head slowly lifts to mine. “Where did you get—Delilah, what’s wrong?”

“Are they going to be able to tell?” I wheeze. “That I’m not truly Fae?”

Hazel’s eyes soften. “No, sweetie, you are Fae.”

“I don’t feel like one. I feel like this is all an elaborate dream.”

Hazel takes my hands in hers. “I know it feels odd, and it will take you time to come to terms with it. I don’t know how, and I wish I could give you those answers, but you are Fae,” she says softly.

I nod, not truly believing the words. “You’re right, I’m being silly.”

She tugs my hand. “No, you’re not being silly. It’s practically a new body.” Hazel takes a step back, a reassuring smile on her face. “Let’s just focus on having fun tonight. All our problems will still be there for us tomorrow.”

“You’re right,” I say sheepishly.

I’ve never been able to explain the anxiety that infiltrates my mind and chest. It feels as if it’s always there, but I’ve gotten so accustomed to it that I’ve learned to either ignore it or embrace it being with me.

I pick up my mask, placing it over my face. The intricate gold mask covers my face from my eyebrows to the bridge of my nose, making my blue eyes sparkle against the gold tone.

As I follow Hazel down the stairs, we turn the bend to see everyone waiting in the foyer, dressed immaculately, yet I only have eyes for one.

My breath leaves me entirely. I thought it would be impossible, yet he looks even more gorgeous than usual. Knox’s raven black hair is styled back, dressed in a tailored black suit tailored to fit his powerful body perfectly. A gold bow rests on his throat, an identical mask to mine in his hands.

My heart pounds for another reason entirely.

We’re matching.

The second my heel connects with the foyer tiles, Knox lifts his eyes to mine. His gaze slowly sweeps me from top to bottom, and when he reaches my face, his eyes are blazing with heat. My stomach clenches.

Whistles ring out around the room, pulling my attention away from Knox.

“Now that’s a dress.” Harlow grins, making me blush. She’s wearing a stunning red floor-length dress that hugs every inch of her skin, highlighting her beautiful curves. A flame red mask covers half her face.

The rest of the men are wearing tailored suits colored to their chosen element, their masks matching. Ace walks up to Hazel, a green mask dangling from his hands as he lowers his head, whispering in her ear. A smile plays on his lips as Hazel blushes profusely, her own smile mirroring Ace’s.

Harlow claps her hands together. “Let’s get drunk, bitches!”

“Already ahead of you,” Lenox chirps proudly.

Once everyone crosses the front door threshold, they disappear. I assume no one wants to fly and ruin their clothes.

I’m about to follow when Knox steps in front of me, his eyes piercing mine as he offers his hand. I don’t dare look away as I glide my hand into his warm one, electricity flying up my arm as we touch. The last thing I see before white light encompasses us is his gorgeous face, beaming down at me with a smile so beautiful liquid heat pools in my stomach.

My feet land on the ground once more, but this time, endless chatter surrounds me. Thousands of Fae in various masks and clothes line the street. The array of vast clothing is exquisite, from ballgowns to skintight clothing, different colored suits, and the matching masks decorated to suit their elemental magic.

I’m standing on a cobbled driveway, and when I turn, I come face-to-face with a brick castle, two towers framing either side. It’s one of the oldest buildings I’ve seen, yet its age doesn’t hinder its beauty—it only enhances it. The brickwork and detail on the large and imposing building is magnificent, weathering through the years and standing strong. Lanterns line the walkway to an arched front door, its black wood sanded to perfection.

Everything is perfectly styled and upkeep, yet I can’t help but notice the water fountain situated in the middle of the driveway has been left in despair. The seven archangels long forgotten, mold and dirt clinging to the otherwise beautiful statues.

The energy surrounding us is palpable, everyone’s excitement buzzing in the air as the night’s stars shine upon us. The moon is completely covered in darkness, its outer ridges glowing faintly as if to say, I’m here. It’s exquisite to see, that something so beautiful, shrouded and hidden by darkness, can still shine bright.

The Fae around us notice Knox and his court. They start cheering, moving aside to clear a path to the entrance. Knox smiles at those who say hello.

I walk behind Axel, Harlow, Ace, and Hazel as they stride through the doors, Knox trailing behind me. Lenox and Nolan are probably already inside. At the front entrance, a petite woman stands in the threshold holding a clipboard as she scribbles down names of attendees on the paper attached. Her dark-as-night hair is slicked back into a tight ponytail, her dark navy gown flowing to the floor.

Knox appears in front of me before I can reach her. His husky voice floats through my mind.

Cloak yourself.

The command in his voice is jarring enough that he doesn’t have to ask me twice. Everyone around me is so invested in their own experience that no one notices when I disappear. I stick close to Knox as he stops before the woman.

He lifts his chin as the woman gives him a small curtsy. “Prince Knox.”

Prince, not king.

Knox lifts his chin higher as he stares the woman down. “Emmalyn.”

Without another word, Knox walks inside. I don’t reveal myself until we’ve passed the front door. Grabbing Knox’s arm, I drag him to the side, into the shadows, as other attendees pass us.

“Why did I have to cloak myself?” I whisper.

Knox leans against the wall, shrouding me from those who pass us. He speaks so quietly I have to lean forward into his warmth to hear him. “I don’t want the Queen of Air to know about you and how you got here. I don’t know what she’d do with you.”

I blink. “Emmalyn’s the Queen of Air?”

Knox shakes his head. “Her second, and her best spy.”

That explains why she called him prince and not king.

Knox pushes off the wall. “Enough about that. Enjoy your time, Delilah.”

Trailing behind Knox through the entryway, a smile spreads across my face. Large doesn’t begin to describe the sheer size of the ballroom. You could fit Knox’s entire estate in here. The walls are painted black, embers of fire twinkling in crystal chandeliers on the ceiling, surrounding the circle skylight window. In the direct center of the skylight is a view of the eclipse. Round tables circle the outer skirts of the room, leaving a wide berth for those who wish to dance. Each table is adorned with ten gold seats, white tulips and various candles are placed beautifully as the centerpieces.

Music blares all around us. Multiple live bands and singers play in unison, set up in each corner of the room. Servers in all black, wearing moon-styled masks, walk around the room, serving endless amounts of wine and food. Several trays pass by me stacked with glasses of red and white wine and an array of skewers. The aroma of lamb, roast, and chicken makes my mouth salivate.

Hazel and Harlow come to my side. Taking my arms, they drag me to the center of the room where everyone is dancing, smiles spreading across their face. The music pulses through my veins, taking over my entire body, urging me to move, to join, to celebrate. I lose myself in the music, letting it overtake my body, giving it what it wants. Happiness explodes within me, making me smile so wide my cheeks start to ache.

Harlow stops a server as he walks past, taking three glasses of red wine. I don’t protest or say no this time. Taking a sip from the crystal glass, my chest vibrates as I moan. Everything is better in a Fae body, wine included. The rich flavor dances on my tongue, soothing my muscles instantly. My mind buzzes as the strong liquid runs havoc through my veins. All my nerves evaporate as I completely surrender myself to the experience. I dance until my feet hurt and drink until I no longer feel them.

The music overtakes everyone in the room, as if the instruments and those playing them have put magic into the very melodies they weave. It feels like we’ve been dancing for hours when I look up to see where the men have disappeared to.

I spot Ace first, standing next to a male I’ve never seen before. His companion’s hands move a thousand miles an hour as he speaks, yet Ace only has eyes for Hazel as she dances beside me. I’ve never seen her so carefree, as if the music commands her to let go too. Harlow is purely wicked as she dances, oozing sexuality.

Scanning the room as I dance, I’m about to give up searching when I spot him.

Only for my heart to be lodged in my throat.

Knox is smiling and dancing with a stunning woman in a black dress, her hands all over him, caressing his arms, his stomach. When she sinks her long manicured fingers through his hair, I feel red hot jealousy burn through me.

Of course he’s with a stunning blonde Fae. Why would a Fae king be interested in a human has-been? I was stupid to read into his kindness as flirting. I was nothing but entertainment to pass the time.

Don’t worry, Angel, I’ll save a dance for you.

Bile rises in my throat, my eyes burning as his deep voice floats through my mind. I slam my mental shields up.

Stupid. I feel utterly stupid.

Any happiness and joy I felt moments ago has completely evaded me. I turn away from Harlow and Hazel, not wanting to add to the embarrassment of Knox not only reading my mind but the girls seeing me cry over him. Navigating through the throng of happy Fae dancing only adds salt to my already burning wounds.

I spot a dark hallway on the other side of the room, sighing in relief when I find it deserted. I don’t care where I go, I just need to get out. I feel like I can’t breathe.

My vision blurs as tears line my eyes, so much so I don’t see the male that appears before me. I smack into his chest with a grunt, pinewood stuffing its way down my nose. I squeeze my eyes shut, refusing to let Knox see me cry. It’s my own fault, my own damn fault that I read into things wrong. I step away until my back feels the bite of the cold brick wall.

“Careful, Angel, your feelings are showing.”

I snap my eyes open. How dare he. Rage replaces the heartache as Knox peers down at me, nothing showing through his cold mask of indifference. Perhaps it isn’t a mask.

He slowly leans forward, placing both of his hands against the wall beside my head, caging me in with his body. “Going somewhere?”

“Why the hell do you care?” I spit.

Knox clenches his jaw so hard I hear his teeth snap shut.

“I’m just a tool to free your world.” I push against his chest with all my strength, each word I spit at him enunciated with a shove. “Why. Do. You. Fucking. Care!”

Knox doesn’t move an inch. All I succeed in doing is placing my hands on his warm chest. I rip my hands away as if I was burned. His eyes narrow as he glares at me. Fury pulses from him as if he can’t contain it anymore. Why the hell is he so irritated?

“Because your thoughts are irritating,” he growls.

“If you stopped invading my mind, you wouldn’t be so irritated!”

He shakes his head in astonishment. “You truly don’t see it.”

“See what?” I say through gritted teeth.

“I’m giving you time, Delilah.”

I fling my arms out beside me, all the fight leaving me. “Time for what?!”

“To grieve! To not hate me!” he snaps. His voice lowers as he continues, “You hated me when we met…hated me. You hate kings and you hated them even more after your father killed Easton.” His eyes burn as he stares at me, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “You thought I was exactly like him.”

I suck in a breath. How does he know about Easton? I open my mouth to protest that he’s being ridiculous, but I can’t. Everything he’s saying is true. I did think he was like my father. That still doesn’t explain—

“It explains everything,” he spits vehemently.

I bite the inside of my cheek, looking at him, truly looking at his face, his open expression filled with pain. We’re both breathing heavily, our chests rising and falling in tandem.

His voice is hoarse, as if he hasn’t spoken in years. “Do you see now?”

Yes and no. It still doesn’t answer what he was doing earlier with—

“She was touching me, and I was trying to move away. It was one-sided on her end,” he cuts in, reading my thoughts again.

I narrow my eyes. “Then why taunt me?”

He shrugs. “Thought it was an opportunity to give you a shove.”

I shake my head in bewilderment. This man is so—

“Charming?” He grins.

“My shields are up. How are you still in my head?”

“I don’t know,” he whispers.

“Liar,” I breathe, my chest rising and falling faster with each passing second.

Knox parts his lips, the tip of his tongue darting out, licking his bottom lip. My stomach tightens in anticipation. I hate myself for it but I want him to kiss me and I hate him for being right.

Knox’s eyes droop, his gaze turning predatory as heat blazes within them. “I’ll be here waiting. Whenever you’re ready,” he whispers.

I lean forward instinctively, inviting and welcoming his touch as my body screams with electricity, begging for his touch. Knox lowers himself, dipping his head so close to mine the warmth of his breath brushes across my lips.

My eyes are closed when the music suddenly stops, along with every sound in the room. Voices stop cheering, people stop moving, even the air around us seems to pause, including Knox’s body as he freezes above me. Fluttering my eyes open, I peer into his gorgeous face to find Knox completely gone, his blank face utterly devoid of the person I was speaking to moments before.

I duck under his arms, moving away from him as fast as I can to the other side of the hall. Knox doesn’t move, he stays frozen as he is, his arms propping him up against the wall. My heart is beating so fast it feels as if it’s going to explode out of my chest. Approaching him, I lay my hand on his back. The second my fingertips connect with his taut muscles, I cover my mouth with my hand to stop the scream from escaping as Knox twists around. His face is drawn, eyes empty. Vacant of the person I’ve come to know.

Movement in the ballroom begins to pick up once more. At the same time, Knox lurches forward, completely unaware of my presence as he leaves the hallway. My gulp is audible as I anxiously follow him, stopping on the threshold, not daring to reveal myself as my gut screams for me to run.

I peek my head through the black curtains separating the hallway and ballroom, only allowing a sliver of my eye to look through. I press my hand over my mouth to stop any noises from escaping, fearing that even my breathing will alert someone of my presence.

My eyes are as wide as saucers. Every single Fae in the room has lined up, walking and turning in rhythm, facing one single wall as if they’re a unit in an army. Rows upon rows of Fae fill the entirety of the ballroom. There’s not an ounce of emotion or sign of life behind their eyes.

They’re moving like the trapped Fae in the human lands.

I spot Hazel, Harlow, and Ace together in one line. Lenox, Nolan, and Axel are in another on the other side of the room. Knox stands in the line closest to the hallway. Despite the difference they’re all facing away from me, waiting.

It’s not long before I find out why.

Hundreds of guards march into the room. They’re all wearing the same outfit, gray fighting leathers with a red swirling symbol on the sleeve. They seem to be as lifeless as the others, moving and marching in rhythm with the guards around them. As the guards begin to separate, I realize they’re working in teams. As one moves forward, choosing a line of Fae, two guards trail behind, carrying a large black trunk. I watch in terror as each set of guards open the black trunk, revealing thousands of syringes.

They work effortlessly and smoothly as if it’s not their first time.

In unison the guards pick up a syringe and a small bottle of vibrant orange liquid. Turning to the Fae at the front of the line, each guard injects the needle into the Faes’ necks. Once the needle is out, the Fae walk to the back of the line.

My entire body shakes with terror while every Fae in the room is injected with the orange glowing liquid against their will.

Even after they’ve been injected, they don’t return to normal. Their eyes remain a hollow vessel of what once used to hold life. My mind finally begins to process what I’m seeing—they’re being mind controlled.

Cloak yourself.

The ethereal voice from Hazel’s cabin has returned, the urgency in its voice making me snap out of shock. I don’t look around to see where the voice came from, knowing I won’t find answers. Without a second thought I heed the ethereal voices demand, making myself invisible, I shield myself and my scent.

I’m shaking so violently the curtain in front of me vibrates. Tears well in my eyes as I stand there, unable to do anything, as every person in the Fae lands is compelled.