The council reared back in shock. He suppressed a groan, clearly this would take a while.
***
Leo rushed through the portal station, pushing past the crowd. Liliana had only been out of his sight for thirty or so minutes, and the need to reassure himself of her safety made him impatient. His heart settled into a slower rhythm when he saw her standing at the lift station. He nodded at the soldier in the shadows keeping an eye on her. She stood in the falling dusk, her feet tapping, arms crossed over her chest. Her aggravation and anger still burned across their connection, clearly she’d not cooled off in the time she’d left.
She turned as though she felt his gaze and snorted in disgust. “I knew there was a reason a lift hadn’t arrived yet.”
Fallon shrugged. “It pays to know people.”
She pinned her hands on her hips. “I’m going to the royal house whether you tag along or not. You’re not stopping me.”
She blew out a frustrated breath as a lift floated silently to a stop in front of them. Leo opened the door, waving for her to enter.
“I wouldn’t dream of stopping you.”
Her eyes widened in shock. Straightening her shoulders, she entered the airlift. She muttered a reluctant thank you and moved over for him and his brother to enter. No one bothered to break the silence as they rode to the castle. Nervousness had his leg bouncing though. His mate was angry, and rightly so. He only hoped she’d exercise caution in approaching the royal family. They had right on their side, but one thing he’d learned hunting, you could never fully prepare for how a cornered person would react. The queen was renowned for both her temper, and the way she punished those with which she found fault. He couldn’t imagine she’d allow them to sling around accusations at her son without reacting.
They were met at the royal station house by four palace soldiers in full dress uniform. Leo exited first, reaching back to help Liliana out of the lift. He guided her up to the castle with his hand on the small of her back. He mentally prepared for the confrontation ahead. Fallon stopped them at the door, quietly speaking with the guards. There was a bit of a ruckus, as the soldier refused them entrance.
The hairs on the back of his neck raised and he shoved Liliana back into the airlift. He called out to Fallon as the platform beneath them heated. He shifted into his Cagyn form, as flames erupted around him. Pissed, he manifested his sword and charged through the fire. He’d traveled through hotter temperatures than that every time he took a prisoner to Azreal. The soldiers stared at him openmouthed as he cut down the first one to attack him. He heard the whistle of air a moment before he ducked an arrow spinning past his ear. Pulling a gun from the back of his pants, he fired into the guards’ tower, grunting as the archer fell. The courtyard fell silent as he held his gun against their captain’s temple. It wouldn’t kill the male, but he’d surely wish he were dead.
“I’m just pissed enough to fire my weapon whether you put yours down or not.” He said mildly.
Fallon tossed the soldier he’d been fighting over the edge of palace’s pod. The male’s scream got progressively quieter as he fell.
His brother peeked over the edge. “Damn shame. It’s gonna suck for him when he finally hits the bottom.”
Leo shook his head. “Now. Are we going to have any other problems?”
The remaining soldiers dropped their weapons. Leo glanced up into the tower, his finger flexing. More weapons were tossed from the tower and three pair of hands were held up, out of the openings.
“Well, all right then.” He pushed the captain from him and motioned for Liliana to join him.
She shuddered as she reached his side. “If they’re fighting this hard at the door. Imagine how hard they’ll fight once they realize why we’re here.”
Leo nodded grimly. “Stick close to me, please.”
“Gladly.”
No one else barred their way through the rest of the palace and before long, they stood at the heavy golden doors of the receiving room. Leo sighed. He’d been mated in this same room, less than a week ago. How fast the world changed around him. He reached for Liliana’s hand and squeezed tight. Her fury and grief broadcasted loud and clear, her magic wild and wafting around her. He briefly wondered what all that energy was doing to his son.
He wanted to put a pause on what they were doing and take care of both his mate and his son. Maybe soothe the rough edges and calm Lily a little before dealing with the heaviness they were about to go through. His face tightened in anger and regret. He had a job to do, so he pushed aside those thoughts and focused on what was ahead.
“What are we waiting for to go in?” Lily’s touch prodded him from his thoughts.
“That would be me.” Xaiver said from behind him.
Leo lifted his eyebrows at the sight of his father next to him. “Why are you here?”
“Support.” Ranolph left it at that.
They opened the door and entered the room together. The king and queen were on their thrones in full regalia, clearly expecting trouble. Kedric stood next to his mother, leaning on her throne, chin in his hand, his pose insolent. Liliana stiffened next to him, her anger ratcheting up a few notches.
“What is the purpose of this?” Queen Kaylin was the first to speak.
Xavier stepped in front of them all. “I’ve come in an official capacity.” He pulled out a small box.
The room was silent as Xavier played the Oras they’d all earlier seen from the point of Kita struggling. The prince blanched, his skin paling. Queen Kaylin gasped as the video played out. When it was done King Leander’s broke the silence.
“All I see, at most, is an ethical violation. Kedric’s only crime was in leaving her to die. He’s not guilty of murder.”
Liliana growled. Leo tightened his grip on her hand.
“We’re not here for the prince.” Xavier shut down the Oras.
“The hell we aren’t.” Lily snarled.
Xavier shot her a quelling look before pulling up another video. This one showed Liliana’s maid Bea. Leo pulled his mate closer to him.
“What’s going on?” Liliana whispered.
He shrugged. Hell if he knew. He didn’t think it would bode well though.
Chapter 25
LILIANA SWAYED AT XAVIER’S DECLARATION. She stared at the image of Bea floating in the air between them and the royal family. She was confused. She looked at Leo, who studied his brother. He squeezed her hand again, and she clutched his like a life line. Grief was ripping her heart at having to watch the video of her sister’s death again.
“See, I went to the Eminzu to ask what could be done to a prince who didn’t have the decency to call for a shaman when his mate lay dying. Imagine my surprise when Rugaba himself informed me that the maid he had in custody had stories to tell.” Xavier pointed at the wavering image of Bea.
Queen Kaylin choked, and squirmed in her chair. Liliana’s gaze volleyed between Xavier and the queen.
Xavier turned to Liliana. “Bea packed Kita’s bags for every trip to Adro, correct?”
She nodded, a cold wave started from her fingertips, taking over her body.
“She packed it all. Clothes, sex toys, everything Kita needed for her monthly foray into the sadistic world she and her betrothed loved. You had her pack a little something extra this time though, didn’t you?”
Dread pooled in Liliana’s stomach, her legs shaking and going weak. “My God.”
“Mother, you wouldn’t.” Kedric moaned.
“She dragged you down into her sick and sordid world. She wasn’t good enough for you.” Kaylin hissed.
“It’s the prince who is sick!” Lily shouted in defense of her sister. “Kita only did it because she loved that twisted animal you call your son.”
“Careful how you speak about my son.” Kaylin’s icy rebuke sent a spike of fear through her.
“She was my mate, mother.” Kedric moved from his mother’s side, shock and grief twisting his features.
“No way woul
d I allow that stupid whore to run my kingdom.” Kaylin was unrepentant. She adjusted the skirts of her dress.
“It is not yours to run.” Leander spoke up next to her, “And now, in light of this I cannot even allow Kedric the kingdom.”
“What?” Kaylin screeched.
“Who do you imagine taught our son all he knows, Kaylin? Surely not me.” Leander gripped the sides of his chair. His jaw clenched in his fury.
“You can’t be serious, father?” Kedric whipped around to face the king, anger mottling his cheeks.
Kaylin stood, and advanced to the end of the dais. “You should’ve been dead!” She pointed at Liliana. “You’re lucky the stupid Dziva I hired failed.”
“Who did you hire?” Leo’s deadly voice sent chills down her spine.
To say her mate was furious was an understatement. His magic sent sparks and sharp stings across her skin as he gripped her hand tighter. Kaylin turned her head refusing to answer.
“What could you have possibly gained from killing Liliana?” Fallon’s baffled question distracted them.
“My son will rule Legba. I couldn’t let her get pregnant.” Kaylin speared Liliana with a death glare.
“You’re too late.” She snatched her hand out of Leo’s and caressed her stomach. “I have an heir and he will be a better king than anyone from your poisonous tree.”
“Your son won’t see the light of day.”
Liliana reeled back from the queen’s angry hiss. “When my son takes the throne, if you are alive to see it, that is, I’ll be sure to have my husband release you from prison long enough to watch him be crowned.” Magic filled her, a yellow glow covered her skin as she made her proclamation.
Leo growled next to her, his pride in her words evident.
“Kedric will rule!” Kaylin shouted, spittle leaving her mouth.
“No one from your line will sit a day on my throne, Kaylin.” Leander’s quiet voice sliced through their argument.
“Father.” Kedric protested.
“You allowed your mate to die, without so much as a whimper of help. The kingdom will never stand for you as their leader.” Leander’s voice rose with every word. “Hopefully with my grandson, I will get it right.”
“You will take this kingdom from my son over my dead body.” Kaylin whispered, shaken.
Xavier smiled sinisterly. “I’m glad you said that, because that has been arranged.”
Right before their eyes Kaylin disappeared from the dais. Liliana’s hand covered her mouth, surprise leaching away her anger. “Shit.”
“Mother?” Kedric’s reached for the empty space where his mother disappeared.
“I can’t punish you for your proclivities, nor your part in Lady Marcolev’s death, Prince Kedric, but understand this, you are no longer welcome in the Atlanta Haven. As my sister now resides there, I want you nowhere near her or my growing nephew. It’s decreed and should you disobey the order I will banish you.”
Kedric paled. “You can’t do that.”
“I have done that.” Xavier announced. He nodded to Lily.
She bobbed her head in acknowledgment of his effort. It wasn’t the punishment she was hoping for, but she knew he’d tried. No other Haven reached the power level the Atlanta Haven achieved. The prince would have to settle for the lesser havens to feed and she would have to be content with that punishment. At least she wouldn’t run into Kedric while she was at her new home, and that was a blessing.
Leander sighed in defeat as Kedric stormed from the room. He wiped a hand over his face. “The child will need to spend time here to learn his place.” He glanced down at her stomach.
Liliana put a restraining hand on her mate as he growled in protest. “We will have him here every summer as soon as he reaches his eighth year.”
“He will not be alone.” Leo said through gritted teeth.
Leander cleared his throat, but was unable to hide his growing excitement at the prospect of the child. “Of course. Whatever you decide.”
“We have further business before the night is done.” Xavier addressed Leo.
Leo pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek softly. “Fallon and my father will see you home. I don’t know how long this will take, but I want you to rest, okay?”
She nodded. She pulled him to her for another kiss. “If it’s in you to do, I want her to regret messing with our family.”
His eyes lit, the silver encompassing his pupils. “I swear it, my love.”
He walked from the room in long strides, his retreating energy leaving her cold. She hugged herself, and shuddered. With him gone, her mind cleared and she realized she’d never asked what Bea had told Xavier. She would find out herself.
“I need to visit my father.” She announced.
Fallon acquiesced, guiding her back to the lift station. She wasn’t leaving Legba until she got answers.
***
Leo stopped as Xavier halted just outside the receiving room doors. His eyes opened in surprise as his brother opened a portal directly to the Eminzu council room. He himself had the power to open a portal anywhere, he’d forgotten Xavier had the same power. They stepped into the bright light in the hallway, coming out into the dim room of the Eminzu. The council of elders were gathered at a long table on a raised dais, their gazes grim as he and X entered. Rugaba sat at the head of the table, the Eldest member of the council on the other end. He released his base form, knowing already why the god summoned him there. The burning of his body changing felt good, his Cagyn beast stretching, relishing the upcoming trip.
His mate had asked him to make sure the queen was punished and anticipation flowed through him. He took note of the fear entering Queen Kaylin’s eyes. Grimly he observed the resignation in Bea’s eyes. Her presence in the room didn’t bode well for the maid. Liliana would be devastated, as she thought of the woman as a mother figure.
Rugaba’s voice filled the cavern. “Between the Eminzu and the head of the Amanda, punishment has been decreed. You will both suffer the eternal death and be sent to Azreal.”
The queen fainted and Bea moaned in fear as he stalked to them. Rugaba nodded to him and Leo rolled his shoulders, loosening his body for the long trip.
He clapped his hands once, and drew out the spell for Azreal. The portal opened and he grabbed Bea’s hands as she tried to move away from him.
“I have information you can use. Please, don’t kill me.” Bea pleaded.
Used to the pleading, Leo turned a deaf ear to it.
“My brother will have fun getting the information from you. Do not worry that it will die with you.” Rugaba assured her.
Bea went limp in his arms, her breathing erratic. Shaking his head, Leo shifted her weight, and reached for the queen. He slapped Kaylin to wake her. Her eyes widened and she screamed as Leo dragged both her and Bea through the portal.
Chapter 26
HER SHOCK QOUTA HAD BEEN reached for the day. Or at least that’s what Liliana thought as they landed at her family’s airlift pod. Her father’s possessions littered the lawn, her mother’s shrill voice reaching them outside.
“Gods in heaven, can this day not end.” She muttered, using Fallon’s hand for help out of the lift.
She rushed up to the keypad, hastily typing in the code to extend the walkway. She growled in impatience as it slowly crept towards the house. She’d thought coming to her father’s house would be soothing. She’d get answers from Bea, wallow in comfort of her father’s hug and go home.
Now?
Who knew what she was getting into? She sighed in aggravation and pushed through the front door. All four of her aunts crowded her parent’s common room, their expressions varying from anger to pity. They were packing away some of the sculptures that had graced the tabletops in her parent’s home for years. They each swung their heads around to Liliana as she walked in.
“What’s going on?” She was hesitant to ask.
Her oldest aunt rushed over to quickly answer. “Your mother is fi
nally being rid of your deceitful father.”
She reared back. “Excuse you?” No one talked about her father, especially not the women who’d never liked him.
“You heard her. I’m kicking your father out, and I want you to leave behind him.” Her mother stormed past them in the foyer, opening the front door to toss out more of her father’s luggage. She barely missed hitting Leo’s father, who’d come up behind them on the walk.
“Papa!” Liliana called, pushing past her other aunts. She raced up the stairs and found him carefully packing his art into a crate.
He glanced up at her entering his room and sighed. “Lily.”
“Why is mother kicking you out? What is happening?” She touched his shoulder.
They both turned at the heavy steps stomping up the stairs. Her mother rushed in, out of breath, her eyes manic.
“The Eminzu granted me release from my mating.” Arian answered her question.
Liliana paled and sat on the edge of the bed. “What will you do, father?”
“I don’t care where he goes, so long as it’s not here. I’m no longer forced to look at your cheating face and that of your whore.” Arian spat.
“Whore?” Lily turned to her father. “Is this true, father?”
“Tell her! Tell your favorite daughter how you cheated on me with our maid. Tell her all about the women you parade in that apartment you thought you were keeping a secret from me.”
Her father slammed the drawer he’d been cleaning closed. “There has been no one since Bea! You will not continue to lie on me, Arian.”
Magic swelled in the room as her parents squared off. Getting between then didn’t even occur to her. She was still fighting to decipher their words.
“It’s not slander if it’s true.” Arian’s hair lit with her anger.
“It was once! Once, gods damn you and it was your fault besides.” He argued.
Arian laughed bitterly. “It was not my fault you slept with her.”
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