“This isn’t right,” Liam whispered through tears, his words choked with sorrow.
“Nothing is right about this,” Adam agreed as he stepped behind me, wrapping his arms around me, seeking comfort. Liam lifted his matching azure-blue gaze to lock with mine, and I frowned. “Syn is the only family I have, other than one brother who may not live to see the sun rise.”
“She’s also the Queen of the Horde, and they’re looking at her for strength. You’re a king now, Adam. The people are looking to each of us for guidance, and leadership.”
“Doesn’t change who we are or who we were,” Adam stated, releasing me as he moved to stand over Keir and Moira’s bodies.
“This is just beginning,” I whispered, standing between the newly appointed Blood King and Dark King, “and we’re losing.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
I stared at the bodies covering the courtyard, glimpsing Abiageal’s tiny form among the sea of others. Cailean and Sevrin had gone into the palace of the Light Kingdom, only to discover it hadn’t been spared from treachery.
The remains of the deceased had been placed in the courtyard on slabs of marble to honor them. We’d skipped over the fae rule of piling servants into a mass grave. Instead, we positioned them upon the stones as well. I called in druids from Faery to come and bless the dead for their journey into the next life.
Liam held my hand while Adam sat silently beside me. There was certain solidarity in loss that bonded people who lived through mass casualties, but that didn’t lessen the grief we felt. I knew both the men who stood beside me were numb, riddled with the same guilt that washed over me.
The somber mood that had fallen over the stronghold was one of deafening terror, even though we prepared to defend it against our enemies. No one spoke or whispered as we stood there, taking in the atrocities that had befallen the high courts of the fae. It was unreal. It was something we’d assumed couldn’t happen, and we’d been proven wrong in a big way.
I’d moved the women into the tower, and Destiny had spent hours helping me place wards to protect against the mages. As we worked, she told me how the children enjoyed the sights in the City of the Gods. She admitted they had already grown in the few days they’d been there. Time moved differently in the City of Gods. My children had been there for months, even though only a few days had passed in Faery. The news of their accelerated aging didn’t help my emotions with everything unfolding here, but it did make me feel as if we’d done the right thing by sending our children away.
Thanatos watched me from the shadows as if he didn’t know how to approach me, or maybe he wasn’t finished taking souls from us. Three entire kingdoms had fallen in a matter of hours, which meant Ryder wasn’t facing Bilé as he’d planned. It made me feel like shit for being relieved while those around us perished. No, Bilé was smarter than we’d assumed, and maybe we needed to be reminded of it.
I also was relieved that Thanatos was here and not following Ryder, offering me some reassurance that perhaps he’d come out of the fighting unscathed.
Darynda found me as I made my way through the stronghold, stopping to peer around me before she spoke softly.
“The new chef is shit, and I’m sure he hasn’t ever peeled a potato before today.” Her emerald green eyes went wide as a soldier stopped, tipping his head to her before letting his gaze slide down her petite frame.
“Ask Dristan if he can move or speed up the chef and kitchen staff interrogations. I honestly don’t care if the new one is shit, as long as he passed the test and is safe from committing treason. Icelyn,” I called out to the Ice Queen over the sound of the marching soldiers patrolling the inside of the stronghold. She watched the proceedings without fear. When she neared me, I spoke low so as not to be heard. “So, you might be the new Light Heir, which would also indicate that you’re the newly crowned Light Queen, so congratulations, or something?”
Icelyn shook her head and lifted up her arms. “I no longer have the heir brands. That was what I was coming to tell you. They’ve vanished, and I’m uncertain why or how. I checked the babes for them, but nothing.”
“What?”
“Riders incoming!” someone shouted directly behind me.
My heart leapt, hoping that it would be Ryder and the men coming back victorious from battle. I moved through the room, heading toward the battlements to watch his return, only to find Dristan and Sevrin eyeing the banners warily.
“Who is it?” I demanded, stopping between their massive frames, staring at the immense force of troops that moved across the meadows. There was a large white banner with what looked like a single A, presumably for anarchy, written in blood.
“No fucking clue,” Dristan announced, staring at the front seven riders who preceded the army.
“Is that the sign for anarchy?” I asked, a frown creasing my brow.
“We should get you inside, Synthia,” Sevrin muttered, straining his eyes to watch the riders who seemed to be slapping each other with severed limbs. “Are those legs?”
“It’s Asher and the Seelie. He actually fucking came.” I smiled, watching the Seelie as they approached us, in no hurry to reach the stronghold. In fact, they slowed even more when Asher’s arms moved as if he argued with those beside him.
“But whose leg is he slapping around?” Dristan’s mouth turned into a frown. His multicolored green eyes turned to me, and he shook his dark head as he took in the Seelie army. “I can feel them, all of them.”
“Yeah, that’s not surprising considering your father screwed the Seelie Queen, and out popped an army of Asher like creatures.” Or, so we assumed that was what happened. Rumor was Danu had had a hand in creating them as well. Danu was also known as the Mother of the Fae, so who knew what that really meant?
“No, Synthia. I can feel all of them. The entire army marching toward us shares a familial bond. They’re all Alazander’s children, meaning he didn’t just fuck the queen, he fucked the entire court.”
“Your father really was a whore.” I nodded for the troops in front of the castle to stand at the ready. I wanted to be prepared in case Asher had changed his mind and decided to march on the horde instead of accepting Ryder’s offer to join us. “Be ready in case they try something. I will not lose this stronghold while Ryder is away.”
“Hold the line!” Sevrin shouted, sifting to the front of the men who protected the fortress.
I watched the front riders break away from the others as they approached the gates. Asher stared up, watching me from iridescent eyes that bespoke of sinful nights. His dark hair had been pulled back and placed into a folded ponytail that exposed his pointed ears. He wore a silver cloak, making the silverish brands on his arms stand out.
“Fuck me,” I muttered.
“I think Ryder may find issues with that, Syn. I’m not saying no, though, just so you know; if you need it, I’m here,” Dristan said, offhandedly pushing his fingers through his thick hair, staring down at the army approaching the gates.
“We have a problem, a big one.”
“I admit, having Seelie in the bloodline is not ideal, but Ryder seems to think these fuckers may be an interesting addition to the horde.”
“Dristan, do me a favor and look at Asher’s arms. Tell me what you see.” I watched Asher as he dismounted and started forward, oblivious to the soldiers who held the long spears up in warning at his informal approach.
Dristan stared and then swore beneath his breath as he studied Asher and the brands pulsing on his arms. He looked from Asher to me, and then back before he shook his head in disbelief.
I leaned forward, frowning further as Asher touched his hand against one of the spears, pulling his finger back when blood appeared. Instead of backing up as anyone else would, he examined the weapons and then the armor of the soldiers who watched him warily.
Sevrin
gazed up at me, brow raised, waiting for my orders. I wasn’t sure if I should speak, or wait for Asher to finish his inspection of the armor and weaponry our men held ready to fight. The army stayed behind Asher, not raising weapons or appearing to expect a fight, which gave me pause.
“Asher, friend or foe?” I called down.
“Hmm, an interesting question, Goddess,” he called up, lifting those inhuman eyes to mine as a sexy smirk covered his lips. “I fear we are here to assist in the fight. My brothers and sister wish to go to war.”
“And you?” I asked, smiling at his disappointed look. “What is it you want to do?”
“Fuck, but fighting will have to soothe my ache for now. You were correct. The human world is filled with shit.”
“Let them in, but the army remains at the gates,” I announced to the soldiers who regarded the infamous Seelie warily.
Asher sifted, appearing beside Dristan and me without warning. The sex pheromones he oozed didn’t go unnoticed as they slithered over me, forcing my body to clench with need. Rainbow-colored eyes studied my response, noting the subtle effect his magic held over me.
“Good to know I turn even the gods on.”
“Turn it off,” I ordered.
“Oh, sweet thing, it isn’t even on yet.” He shrugged broad shoulders, observing me. “Would you like to see it on?” He ignited his power, causing my body to tremble. A moan of need slipped from my lips as he smiled roguishly. “Mmm, what delicious noises you make for me. I bet you are a dirty girl for your king. Aren’t you? I like dirty girls the most.”
“In case it has slipped your fucking mind, she is the Queen of the Horde, and you will give her the respect her position demands,” Dristan sneered, moving to position his body between Asher and me.
“Fucking Unseelie, ruining the fun as usual,” Asher frowned, looking at Dristan. “Brother, so nice to meet another poor fuck that our father sired. I’m rather exasperated with finding new kin, considering I can’t fuck them. Are you aware that every pussy in that army is related to us? My dick is feeling very neglected, so excuse me for reminding myself of Her Majesty’s grace that pussy still notices me, and that I can occasionally find some that aren’t blood-related within this world. Rarely, but Synthia proves there is hope for my cock yet.”
“Are you finished?” I asked, struggling to ignore the need he’d created within me. “My husband is away, and that means I cannot play. Keep your fuck-me vibes under control because I can’t even go to his camp to ease the ache, asshole.”
“Mmm, he wouldn’t find it amiss should you end up on his warhorse, needing a good pounding? He’d probably enjoy it, what with the bloodletting happening out there.” Asher smirked at my discomfort, trailing his pretty eyes over my body in a slow caress. “I’m positive his sword is at the ready should you land on it, Queen of the Horde. But I have issues that I need you to explain to me. You see these?” he asked, discarding his shirt with magic to expose the iridescent and silver intertwining brands. “What the fuck are they?”
“They’re brands, Asher.”
“I know that much, pretty girl. I have brands, perfectly good ones that mark me as Seelie royalty. I want to know why the fuck these silver brands are on my arms, legs, and other things that I won’t mention since you’re the queen. I’m assuming you know what they mean, judging by the humor you are finding in my discovery of them on my flesh.”
“They’re the Light Heir brands. Faery has chosen a new King of the Light Kingdom to sit upon the throne in the Palace of Lights.”
“Suck my dick,” he muttered. Dristan growled once more, and Asher turned to stare at him. “I am the Seelie King.”
“You are, but the Seelie have no home. You have no throne, Asher. It is my understanding that the Seelie Court barely escaped the palace before it collapsed around you. The land followed, forcing you out until all that remained was the prison in which you escaped. My guess is this: Faery chose you because your home is in ruins. You needed a new home for your people. Faery needed a new king to rule the Light Kingdom. Improvising, it looks like Faery selected you to fill the void.”
I smiled tightly at his watchful gaze, enjoying the way he flinched a little at the explanation. I was an asshole for the small enjoyment it gave me to catch him off-guard with the truth of my words.
“You are a king without an official court. Your entire lands were destroyed, were they not?” I paused, waiting for his nod. “Faery is a living creation from Danu’s magic. It finds balance one way or another, and it chose you to balance the courts. It just so happens the guardian we appointed was murdered, and now you are here. That isn’t a coincidence, it was destined for you to assume that role.”
“I don’t want to be king of anything. All I ever wanted was to be free of the fucking prison that held us, and I am. I’m not king material, nor do I care to rule over anyone. I just wanted to be free and fuck as many women as I can that aren’t related to me. Is that too much to ask? Point me to a willing woman, and I will be the happiest cock in the kingdom.”
“No one who sits upon the thrones of Faery ever wished to become rulers, and yet three new kings have been crowned in the last twenty-four hours. You’re one of them.”
“I hate to be the downer here, but how the fuck is the Dark Heir supposed to fuck the Light Heir if both have dicks?” Dristan mused.
“I’m not fucking a guy,” Asher sputtered.
“I have no idea, but Asher’s brands aren’t like the ones that Icelyn had. They are the same as Adam’s and mine, meaning they are permanent.” I studied the pulsing brands, placing my fingers on them before yanking them back. “Jesus, would you dim it the fuck down?” I demanded, fighting against the need to come undone and make a total ass of myself.
“It is down, Synthia. It is down as far as it will go without finding release. I’m Seelie, sex in the purest form of the word, created to fuck and feed. This is what happens when you lock something like me up for centuries and forget to fucking feed it.”
“Okay, noted,” I snapped back, letting my power slide over him, allowing him to feed. His eyes went wide, and I pushed more power into him, watching as he groaned while his eyes rolled back in his head mid-orgasm. “That help?” I asked, noting the way his brands danced to a steady beat like he was being fucked.
“Fuck, you’re delicious.”
“I’m glad you think so,” I stated, turning to look at the army that remained seated on their mounts. “Has your army been fed?”
“They have no sense of morals. They started fucking each other even though they’re blood-related. Starving Seelie don’t normally care, but I don’t want to carry the knowledge around that I fucked my own blood to feed.” He held on to the stones of the wall, heady from the power I fed him.
I sent the same power rushing through the army, noting the way they jolted and then moaned as I fed them enough to protect our people from his army’s need to feed. I needed troops to fight, not a half-starved, half-mad Seelie army who had been locked in a cage of magic since the moment they were born. Danu had created them, then thrown them into the prison as if they’d meant nothing to her. I was convinced she’d been using them to build an army for some purpose.
Seelie were the opposite of the Unseelie, and yet Asher was high fae, born of horde genetics, which was why Faery had chosen him to take Dresden’s place. It also made me wonder if the Light Heir had been within the Palace of Lights when it had fallen to the mages.
The only way to get the full power of the brands was to be the heir. Meaning there wasn’t another alive, which shot the whole Light and Dark Heirs making a baby together out of the realm of possibilities.
“These assholes again?” Adam asked as he walked up behind me, noting the way the entire army outside the gates was moaning. “They seem happy.”
“Adam, meet the Light Heir,” I grumble
d, watching his eyes grow large and rounded.
“I’m not fucking him. If that’s Faery’s idea of a cosmic joke, it can fuck off.” Adam crossed his arms, hiking a dark brow to his hairline.
“I think your destiny changed unless Asher has a uterus hidden behind his balls.”
“You know I’m right fucking here, right?” Asher mumbled, still staring at me like he was in heaven, and I was his tour guide past the pearly gates. “You need to stop before I make a mess. My dick is actually fucking pulsing right now, and I’m trying really hard not to disrespect your husband by coming as I stare at his pretty wife’s face while her power fucks me up.”
“Oh, sorry,” I chuckled. “I thought we were having a moment, Asher.”
“We’re about to have a few moments that I’m certain my new found brother wouldn’t approve of if you don’t turn it off, woman.”
“Riders!” Someone shouted.
We turned, staring out at the dark armor of the troops moving toward Asher’s army. I swallowed as the hatred of those who approached filled the air.
“Mages!” I screamed, turning to the men who stood by the drums. “Sound the alarms! Battle formations! Fucking move! Let the army in, now! Open the gates quickly.”
“What the fuck are they thinking?” Dristan asked, watching as thousands of mages marched toward the stronghold. “It doesn’t look like they’re here to surrender.”
My throat tightened as fear gripped my heart painfully. Fighting my hands at my sides to hide the trembling, I exhaled fighting to expel the worry slithering through me at the sight that swam in my vision.
“No, they’re not. They’re coming to take down the last caste of the high fae. They’ve come to fight the horde. Asher, get your army inside now. Sevrin, get the archers to the front of the wall. I want shield holders ready to guard them at the front, and the infantry behind. Move the cavalry behind the infantry, ready to charge on my command. Asher, your army will go with ours. Have them prepared to move in should one of ours fall. Dristan, I need to know that the tower is locked down and that Eliran is within it. The wards are all up, which means no sifting, so please, move.”
Embracing Destiny Page 19