Heir of Broken Fate: Chapter 39

“Ready to fly, Angel?” Knox calls from a few feet away. The sun shines behind him as we stand in the back garden, waiting to conduct our magic lesson for the afternoon.

Insufferable cocky bastard. “I hope I land on your face,” I snap.

The moment I woke up determined to put space back between us, he woke up determined to smash the wall I created entirely.

He smirks. “You love my face too much to do that.” He taps his lips with his index finger. “What is it that you say? Gorgeous, beautiful…the most handsome man you’ve ever seen?” His eyes shine with utter delight as I gasp.

“You’re insufferable!”

He shrugs. “I know you don’t truly mean that.”

“Oh trust me, I do,” I grit.

His smile is predatory as he stares me down. “You don’t think I scent the change in you when you’re pissed at me, Angel?”

My eyes blaze with fury. Knox woke up this morning, took one look at me wrapped in his arms, in his bed, and chose pure violence.

He disappears, teleporting behind me, resting his lips on the shell of my ear. “No, Angel, I chose foreplay,” he purrs.

A shiver wracks my body at his blunt words.

I spin, preparing to do anything and everything to shove him away, but he’s gone already. I turn back to find him lounging in the garden seat, his powerful arms spread along the back of the bench. “Are you ready yet?” he drawls.

I cock my hip, crossing my arms. “Are you done playing games?”

He looks up at me beneath his thick lashes, eyes blazing. “Never.”

My toes involuntarily curl. “Just shut up and show me.”

“My pleasure,” he croons, disappearing from thin air before I feel his breath on the back of my neck. “Open your wings.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, Knox’s presence making it hard to concentrate. Nevertheless, I immerse myself within my magic, becoming one with it. I shift my stance as my wings unfurl, trying to drag me down.

Knox places his hands on my hips. “Engage your core and back muscles to steady yourself.”

He trails his hands up and down the side of my stomach as I listen to him. My core muscles aren’t the only thing being engaged. My nerve endings spark to life, ready to combust at a moment’s notice, my body screaming for his hands to trail lower.

Knox’s touch never leaves me as he walks around me. Aligning his feet with my own, his wings blossom behind him. With barely a foot between us, my breathing turns shallow.

“Flutter your wings,” he says softly.

The wind brushes my back as my wings open and close. Hazel wasn’t wrong about their sensitivity. Every brush of air against them sends a jolt through my body, heightening the experience of my already electric flesh.

I grit my teeth, taking deep calming breaths.

Knox’s cocky voice travels down my spine. “Something wrong, Delilah?”

“Nope. Everything is just fine,” I chirp.

Knox takes a small step forward. Picking up my hands, he spreads my arms out beside me. His gaze never leaves mine as he drags his index fingers along my arms, traveling from the tips of my fingers to my shoulders. A shudder wracks my body as his featherlight touch trails down my chest, over the swell of my breasts, before he lays his palms flat against my ribs, stroking his thumb under my breasts. “Engage your back muscles as you pick up the pace,” he whispers.

Muscles I’ve never used before burn as they work to accommodate the faster movement of my wings as they flap.

“Good girl,” he purrs.

My nipples tighten painfully, my breasts growing heavier with each breath I take.

Knox’s husky voice sets my stomach on fire. “Faster, Angel.”

My eyes close on their own accord. How Knox has turned a lesson in flying to be such an erotic experience escapes me.

“Knox,” I breathe.

He lowers himself to me, bringing his face so close to mine I feel his exhale brush against my lips. “Yes, Delilah?”

My eyes shoot open to see his are drooped, blazing with heat. I close my wings and take a step back, ignoring the way my toes curl at his guttural groan. I shake my head and turn for the house.

This can’t happen.

“Where are you going?” he shouts.

“Lesson over,” I call over my shoulder. Then I slam into a wall of rock-solid muscles. “Stop doing that!” I snap.

“Why are you still pushing me away?” he asks, the intensity in his gaze drying my mouth.

“I’m not. I need a break,” I say flatly.

He cocks a brow. “Why?”

I flail my hands beside me. “Because flying uses new muscles and my back hurts.”

“Try again.”

I ball my hands into fists. Why is he pushing me on this? “I’m tired,” I grit out.

“Wrong.” He lowers his mouth to my ear. “I think you’re struggling to cope with how wet I make you.”

I gasp, shoving his chest with all my strength. “Stop it!”

Knox pushes forward, invading every inch of my space until I have to tilt my head back to see his face. “Give me one good reason why I should,” he demands.

“You’re fucking annoying,” I spit.

“Delilah.” He clenches his jaw, irritation coating every word. “You either tell me the reason to whatever this new problem is you seem to think we have, or I see for myself.”

My self-control snaps.

“I’m princess of the human lands! You’re a Fae king, it’s too complicated, and there’s too many consequences!” I scream in his face.

“Fuck your consequences,” he growls, smashing his lips to mine.

The moment his soft lips touch mine I moan. Every reason as to why we shouldn’t be doing this leaves my mind entirely as Knox slides his arms around my lower back, pulling me against his body. Every dip and hard ridge of his muscles press against my body. My nipples tighten, wetness pooling in my center when the large length of his hardness prods my stomach.

His tongue peeks out, stroking the seams of my lips, demanding to be let in. I part my mouth, welcoming him. Knox groans into my mouth, the vibrations traveling through my body as his tongue explores mine, tasting every inch, kissing me as if he never will again, savoring every stroke and taste.

His hands slide up my body, slowly teasing my sensitive skin as his fingers trail up my stomach, gliding over the swell of my breasts. I whimper when his thumb brushes my nipples, stroking small circles around the hard nubs. His hands continue up my neck and cup my cheeks.

My body is on fire. Nothing has ever felt like this before, and nothing compares. I place my hands on his hips, slipping my fingers under his shirt, the warmth of his skin seeping into my hands as I greedily feel every inch of muscle. His growl of appreciation vibrates into my mouth, traveling down my spine to my toes, turning my exploration frenzied.

I need more. I need to feel everything, see everything, taste every inch of him.

“Keep talking like that, Angel, and I’ll take you right here where anyone can see,” Knox growls.

My breath hitches, my core pulsing at his words.

Knox leans forward, nipping the shell of my ear. “I love hearing everything you want to do to me.”

My chest heaves as I pull away, my body screaming in disapproval. It yearns, begs, to be worshipped by Knox. His sapphire eyes are so full of heat they look predatory.

My mind whirls, panic grasping me. No matter what happens, I still have to leave—

“One day at a time, Angel, we’ll take it one day at a time,” Knox says softly, reading my mind.

“Knox, get your ass inside!”

A shield snaps around us the second Lenox’s voice booms across the yard.

I frown. “Why are you shielding us?”

Knox’s grin is devious. “Scent.”

My eyes widen. You can truly smell the change in a Fae? I thought it was a myth or the men were taunting and joking about it. My mouth drops opens when I realize all the times Knox had turned me on and I played it off…he knew the whole time.

Humor dances along every inch of his face. That’s why he was so cocky all the time. He knew, he always knew how he affected me. I shake my head in bewilderment. “I still don’t understand how you’re getting past my mental shields,” I find myself saying.

Knox looks at me intensely, gazing at me as if he can see right through me. “I think we’ll find out soon,” he murmurs.

“For fuck’s sake…Knox!” Lenox shouts.

Knox slides his hands into his pockets, strolling for the back door. “This isn’t over, Angel,” he calls over his shoulder.

No, it isn’t.

Whatever the hell this is.

“Do you and Axel have telepathy?” I ask Ace as we sit in front of the fire.

Lenox dragged Knox into his study the moment he stepped into the house, leaving Ace and I standing alone in the foyer. Ace offered to keep me company, joining me in the sitting room on the brown leather sofa as he helps me clean my swords.

Ace stumbles over a swipe before halting his movements, my question throwing him off guard. “I didn’t realize we were being watched,” he says defensively.

“I wasn’t watching you on purpose,” I rush out, placing my hand on his. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ve just noticed that you tend to know what he’s thinking and vice versa.”

Ace’s shoulders relax. “Sorry, we used to be…” He shakes his head. “Our telepathy was used against us when we were younger. We’re very—”

“Protective of it?”

Ace nods sheepishly and picks up the sword again. “Yes, something like that.”

I look over the back of the couch in the direction of Knox’s study. They’ve been in there for over an hour now; I hope everything is okay. I turn back to Ace. “Do you mind telling me about the other courts?”

His eyes fill with excitement. “Of course, what do you want to know?”

I bite my lip. “Everything. I know there’s five courts for the elements, each one housing a city, but what are they truly like?”

“Each city is styled in honor of the element. Air is all mountains and hills, the eastern side of the country getting the ocean’s wind knocked into them. Earth is full of waterfalls, forests, and lands. Naturally, they have the best crops. Water is magnificent, with canals and rivers running throughout the city, and the Fire Court is a warrior’s playground. They’re all very hot-headed,” he mutters, smiling to himself.

I pick up another sword, wiping oil down the silver. “What are their kings and queens like?”

“They all dealt with their grief over what happened differently. It shaped all of them, most for the better and some for the worse.”

I frown. “In what way?”

Ace lifts his head, pausing his movements. “Some of the ruling families became hateful. I don’t think they knew how to deal with their grief, so they started taking it out on those around them.” Ace’s voice hardens. “It’s selfish, making your city, your people, pay for something they didn’t do.”

Ice fills my veins. “What are they doing to their people?”

Cold forest green eyes lock with mine. “Some courts’ ruling royals want to reinstate old barbaric laws.”

I arch a brow. “Such as?”

“They want to reestablish class lines with the lesser Fae,” he says, rage that I’ve never seen in him before contorting his face.

“Why would they want to do such a thing?” I breathe.

“Power,” he says simply.

Of course, it always comes down to power. The only royal I’ve come across that isn’t power hungry is…Knox. “Is there any chance of that happening?”

He shakes his head. “Not with everything else that’s going on.”

Axel strolls into the room wearing his fighting leathers, pulling our attention away. “Where’s Knox and Lenox?”

Ace waves his hand to the door “Lenox dragged him into the study.”

Axel plops down into the single sofa in front of me, crossing his powerful legs at the knees. “Hazel was asking for you,” he says casually, his gaze locked on Ace.

Ace’s head snaps up. “Where is she?” he asks, already standing.

“In the cellar.” Axel grins.

Ace doesn’t utter another word to his twin as he rushes out of the room. I can’t help but chuckle.

Axel picks up the sword Ace deserted and begins cleaning it.

“Oh, you don’t have to.”

He simply shrugs, the epitome of unfazed. “I don’t mind.”

I resume cleaning mine, both of us working silently as we wipe down the blades. I’m surprised I feel so comfortable around him. In the past, silent and intimidating men have made my internal alarm bells go off, accompanied by an overwhelming need to avoid them at all costs. Yet I don’t feel that way around Axel. He seems silent and closed off for a whole other reason, other than it being an intimidation tactic. He’s constantly alert, assessing and taking in his surroundings, as if he’s waiting for a fight and needs to protect himself at a moment’s notice.

“How did you meet Knox?” I ask, breaking the silence.

Axel doesn’t lift his head from the sword as he speaks. “On the streets of Azalea when we were boys. My mother was in and out of our lives until one day she didn’t return, leaving Ace and I to fend for ourselves.”

I try to hide my shock, not only to the horrors of his childhood but that he’s opening up to me at all. “That’s awful.”

“She was a horrible person,” he states coldly. “When she was high, she found enjoyment in making me her punching bag and when she wasn’t high, she was out on the streets searching for her next fix.”

Bile churns in my stomach. That’s why he’s so protective of Ace even after all these years; Axel grew up protecting him, shielding him from the horrors of their so-called mother. Perhaps that’s why I feel safe around him, subconsciously knowing we were similar, that he would never do to others what was done to us.

Trepidation runs through me. “Why are you telling me all of this?”

Axel lifts his head, vibrant green eyes piercing mine. “Because I know why you’re finding it difficult to not get attached and comfortable with people.”

Panic sinks its claws into my chest, an invisible hand squeezing until it burns. Do they all know? Is that why they’re kind to me? Out of pity?

“Did Knox tell you?” I ask calmly, feeling anything but.

“No, I can see the signs.”

I blink. “Do they all know?”

“No, that’s your story to share if you wish,” he replies gently, staring at me for a moment before adding, “Ace doesn’t know either. He was more sheltered from my mother, so he doesn’t know what that part feels like…not to the full extent.”

My heart breaks at his admission, my earlier thoughts confirmed.

Axel got the brute force of his mother’s fists to save his brother from ever feeling that type of pain. The confusion, hurt, and betrayal of someone you love making you feel so worthless, as if you’re nothing.

I lean forward, placing my hand on his forearm, feeling his muscles tense before relaxing. “Thank you for sharing yours with me,” I whisper.

Axel dips his chin, picking up the sword, retreating into his mind once more.

I’m about to leave the sitting room when Harlow, Ace, and Hazel storm through the back door, their chests heaving frantically. “We know how the spell was created,” Hazel wheezes.

My mouth falls open, utter shock zipping through my body. Knox appears in front of me, facing the others, as if he could sense the change in the air. The spark of hope that they’ve found, an opportunity for redemption.

Axel rises from his seat, his eyes guarded as he faces his brother.

“What the fuck? At least tell me what’s happening before you disappear into thin air!” Lenox shouts, barging through the sitting room door. He stops the moment he takes in all our expressions. “Someone better start talking,” he mutters.

“We know how the spell was created,” Hazel repeats.

The energy in the room sparks—with hope.

“How?” Knox asks.

Hazel opens her mouth only to slam it shut, casting a wary glance at Ace.

Ace steps forward, grimacing as he says, “Sacrifice.”

Knox’s body goes still as death, his hands clenching at his sides so tightly his knuckles turn white.

“We still need the original spell book that the caster used, but now we know what type of dark magic was performed and how it created something so large,” Hazel rushes on.

Harlow cuts in, saving Hazel from being the one to break Knox’s heart. “They used the energy of the king and queens’ murders as a conduit to power the spell,” she says in disgust.

My entire body goes numb.

Knox’s family was brutally murdered—sacrificed—for a spell.

I’m thankful I haven’t eaten dinner, otherwise I would have vomited right then. I turn to Knox, finding his face full of agony, his features twisting in pain.

“That’s not all.” Ace winces, making Axel’s body go rigid. “The demonic creatures aren’t being let in through the barrier like how Delilah was…They’re being summoned.”

“The reason why they keep coming back is because they can’t be killed in this world. The moment they die, they return to where they came from and whoever is doing this just summons them again,” Harlow explains.

The beasts truly aren’t from this world.

Lenox’s face is deathly pale as he mutters, “Holy shit.”

Everyone stands around the sitting room, utterly speechless. I don’t think Knox is even breathing as he says, “Did you find anything else?”

Pain fills Ace’s eyes. “That’s all.”

Knox leaves the room without another word, his entire body locked tight, his hands clenching and unclenching at his side. My body screams to try and fix this, soothe him in whatever way I can, to make the horrible pain he feels disappear. I start to follow after him when a large hand catches my bicep. “Give him a moment,” Axel murmurs.

Axel has known Knox longer than I have; he’d know best. I take a step back, despite my heart crying out otherwise.

“We need to continue tracking the beasts, try and lure them out of whatever hole they crawled into,” Lenox states, rage morphing his features.

“We will,” Harlow says adamantly.

“I need to update Nolan,” Lenox mutters before leaving, his shoulders slouched. I swear I see silver lining his eyes before he disappears from the room.

Everyone disperses, nobody having an appetite for dinner.

Anguish races through me, deep and utter sorrow, so crippling it takes my breath away. The only other time I felt this type of pain was…when I lost Easton. But it’s not my pain I’m feeling. Without second-guessing myself, I head straight up the stairs and down the hall.

Not bothering to knock, I open the door. My gaze doesn’t linger on the room long. I find Knox sitting on the futon at the end of his bed, slouched over his knees, a glass tumbler of what smells to be whiskey dangling from his hands.

My heart pinches.

He doesn’t move as I approach. Kneeling before him, I see the utter devastation on his face as silent tears roll down his cheeks. I take the tumbler out of his hand, placing it beside me on the floor. Sliding my hands up his neck, I tilt his head, making those pain-filled eyes connect with mine. “What do you need?” I whisper, my thumbs stroking his cheeks, catching the tears that escape.

“You,” he whispers brokenly. “I just need you.”

My heart cracks at his vulnerable admission.

Climbing onto his lap, I wrap my arms around his neck, stroking my fingers through the soft strands of his hair as he buries his head into the crook of my neck.

We stay like that for hours, as he mourns the loss of his parents all over again.