by Donna Grant
It’s because he knew her that he understood why she was speaking of Usaeil’s choice in decorations instead of continuing the conversation with Talin. She was giving Talin time to calm down.
“It’s been a long time since I stepped foot in this castle. I was here when she first claimed it as a Light stronghold all those thousands of years ago.” Erith turned to Cael, but there was no smile in greeting. “You and the rest of the men need to know this place inside and out.”
That got Cael’s attention. Death only gave that order if she suspected there was a need to defend—or attack—in the future. “I’ll see it done.”
“Veiled,” she ordered.
Talin replied, “Someone knows I’m here already. The rumor is spreading throughout the court faster than lightning.”
Erith moved to stand closer to Cael as she faced Talin. “Is it Bran?”
“I’ve not seen him,” Talin said. “And I’ve been looking.”
Cael added, “The rumor could’ve been started by anyone. Bran or one of his cronies.”
“True.” Erith slowly nodded. “Has anyone said it was you, Talin?”
Talin’s lips twisted. “Not yet. Everyone is watching everyone else, though.”
“That could work to our benefit,” Death said, a slow smile pulling at her lips.
Cael couldn’t look away from her mouth. She had no idea how enticing she was—and she never would. Because he’d never let it pass his lips.
“How?” Talin asked.
Erith held out both of her arms. “Look where we are. The Queen of the Light’s castle. Where is Usaeil?”
“Gone. Again,” Cael answered.
Erith dropped her arms and turned her head to him. “Exactly. As she has been of late. A Reaper at court isn’t the only rumor swirling, is it?”
“No.” Talin laughed. “Everyone is also whispering about the photo of Usaeil with a man. The speculation is it’s a Dragon King.”
Erith nodded, smiling. “Usaeil isn’t here to squash any rumors or get her court under control. The Queen’s Guard has been in disarray since Rhi left. This leaves the court very vulnerable.”
Cael frowned as he faced her. “Are you telling me you believe someone might take over?”
“No,” Death replied.
One word and no explanation as to what she meant. This was how most of the conversations with Erith went. Cael should be used to it after all these thousands of years, but sometimes, it irritated him.
“So, what do you mean?” Talin asked.
Erith was silent for a moment. “Tensions are going to begin to run high. First, about the Dragon King. It might’ve been ages since Rhi’s fling with her King, but the Light don’t forget easily.”
“No Fae does,” Cael murmured.
Death cut her gaze to him for a moment. “As fast as that rumor will continue to circulate, it’s the fear of a Reaper at court that will keep that one going. You’ve been accepted here, Talin. Use it to your advantage. Continue to make your rounds and listen. I think you’ll be surprised at what you hear.”
“I could do more veiled,” he said.
Before Cael could respond, Death said a cool, “No.”
Talin bowed his head. “I’ll get on it immediately.”
Cael watched Talin leave the room. He’d seen firsthand what could happen to a Reaper who fell in love with a Fae. Bran had destroyed the Reapers from the inside out because of it.
“You’re worried about him,” Erith said, breaking into his thoughts.
Cael turned his head to her at her statement. “I worry about all my men.”
“They’re not Bran.”
“I didn’t think Bran was capable of killing us, but I was wrong.”
Erith arched a black brow. “So you question your judgment?”
“You choose the Fae to be Reapers.”
Erith’s eyes widened before she looked at him with something akin to admiration. “So you question my judgment.”
Cael squeezed his eyes shut a moment. It hadn’t been a question. “You chose each of us because we were betrayed in some way that brought about our deaths. We’re all fighters.”
“But?”
“There is no but. It’s a simple fact. We fight for justice, for you, and for the continuation of things as they should be.”
She tilted her head to the side and regarded him, her black locks moving with her. “You’ve always had a higher sense of right and wrong than most. You aren’t hasty in your decisions, and you weigh all your options. It’s why you’re a leader. You should’ve been leader of the first group.”
“I was the newest. Theo did a good job.”
“He wasn’t you.”
Cael had never heard such praise from Death before.
She drew in a deep breath. “You knew what Bran was going to do.”
He lowered his gaze, not wanting to think about that time. Theo had had his hands full with the Reapers splitting apart.
“You told Eoghan,” Erith continued as she moved closer to him. “You tried to tell Theo.”
“I was too late.”
“It was your observations that saved both you and Eoghan.”
Cael slid his eyes back to her. “That’s not true. Bran and the others were winning. They would’ve killed Eoghan and me had you not arrived.”
“I think your memories of that night are clouded with yet another betrayal, as well as the magic Bran aimed at your head. When I arrived, all that was left was Bran. I had to pull you off him.”
Cael shook his head. “That’s not how I remember it.”
“Eoghan had been knocked out with a blast of magic. The same one that Bran aimed at your head. It bounced off you and hit Eoghan so you weren’t unconscious as Bran wanted when he attacked.”
Cael searched his memories, but just as Erith said, they were clouded.
“As good as every Reaper now is, I chose the right one to lead.”
He rubbed his chin. “Then hear me when I say we could have a problem with Talin.”
“Because he’s in love with Neve?”
“You know?” Cael asked with a frown.
Erith lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “It was fairly easy to deduce after his blowup earlier.”
“You changed the rules for Baylon and Kyran.”
Death hastily looked away. “I did it because neither of those half—Fae had connections to the Fae. River knew of her heritage, but she’d never interacted with a Fae.”
Cael hung his head, furious and sad for Talin at the same time. It was going to devastate Talin, who’d watched his best friend fall in love and get the girl.
“Talin chose one of the most connected families to get involved with,” Erith continued. “Neve is an Everwood. That family has always been a part of court. They’re respected. There’s no way Neve could know who he is and not let it slip eventually.”
“I know.” Cael’s heart broke for Talin.
“I’ve watched Neve.”
Cael’s head jerked up. “You’ve watched her?”
“I wanted to see who Talin managed to connect with. I was thrilled to discover it was the Everwoods, and that it happened by accident.”
“Talin is charming and likable.”
Erith bowed her head. “It’s why I chose him for this assignment. His interaction with Neve hinted at something deeper, something more profound. I never expected him to fall in love.”
“But he has.”
She met his gaze. “If he tells Neve–”
“He won’t,” Cael spoke over her before she could finish the sentence.
Chapter Six
For two days, Talin walked the castle, listening to the inane talk of those at court. The longer he went without seeing Neve, the harder it was for him to keep a smile in place.
He missed her terribly. He wanted to search her out, but for his own sanity, he kept away.
Just as Death had expected, talk of Usaeil and the Dragon King was overshadowed by the idea of a Reaper at c
ourt. Then it shifted away from the Reapers, briefly, when anger began to build as the males became irate with the idea of Usaeil choosing a Dragon King over one of them.
The reasons and excuses as to why Usaeil should take one of the Light as her husband were varied, but all focused on one thing—children.
The Light may have sided with the Dragon Kings against the Dark eons ago, but that didn’t mean they wanted any involvement with them.
The exception to the rule seemed to be Rhi. The outrageous, wild, and sometimes reckless Light Fae was beloved by the majority of Light.
Talin was shocked by this. He thought it might have something to do with her affair with the Dragon King and the way it had so abruptly ended. Not to mention the love everyone knew she still carried for her King.
Then he heard a story about how Rhi had been so brokenhearted, she’d walked into the Dark side of the Fae realm where few come back. There was a small group who claimed that it was Usaeil who saved her. However, the masses said they knew it was her King.
No one knew why the affair ended, or why the King continued to keep his distance from Rhi—though there was also speculation that Usaeil had a hand in ending the relationship. One thing was for certain, everyone trusted Rhi.
Talin wondered if Daire knew all of this since he was trailing after Rhi. He couldn’t wait to ask Daire and compare notes.
The anger throughout the court might have begun with the thought of Usaeil with a Dragon King, but it didn’t take long for things to turn back to the Reapers. And that’s when everything got interesting.
All Talin had to do was sit back as one after another, the Fae began to claim others were the Reaper. Fights broke out. After one was broken up, another started. Magic was thrown until everyone quickly subdued both attackers.
After the fights came the explanations of why those accused weren’t Reapers. Talin learned countless things about the families at court, and he suspected there were many secrets spilled, as well.
By the third day, the accusations and fights continued. He kept out of the way, never condemning or taking sides. He merely observed.
During a fight, he saw some new rumor making the rounds as people began to talk. It didn’t take long for it to reach him.
“Did you hear?” the person next to him asked. “They say Neve Everwood has been hurt. It’s why she hasn’t been at court.”
“Hurt how?” Talin demanded.
The woman shrugged. “I don’t know.”
His orders to stay away from Neve be damned. He had to know what was going on. Talin stalked out of the ballroom, searching for anyone from her family.
It was Atris who found him.
“Talin,” Atris called.
He turned his head to find Neve’s brother running down the corridor to his right. “What’s going on with Neve?”
“Thank the Light I found you,” Atris said when he reached him. “You need to come with me.”
Talin didn’t budge. “Not until you tell me what’s going on.”
Atris halted, his brow furrowing. “Didn’t Neve tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
Atris’s shoulders sagged. “Someone has been stalking her.”
Dammit. He knew he should’ve pressed her further the other day. Talin’s need to get to her right then was overwhelming. “Is she all right?”
“She was poisoned. I found her.”
Poisoned? The room spun around Talin at the thought. “Where is she?”
Atris moved to stand in front of him. “First, you have to calm down. My parents don’t know yet.”
“They should.”
“They will soon. I need you with Neve first. You’re the only one I trust right now.”
Talin nodded. “Where is she?”
“At her flat. Listen, Talin, someone has been going through her things and moving items around in the house.”
Talin’s first thought was Bran. If he were at court, it would make sense that he would’ve seen Neve with Talin and gone after Neve as he had with Jordyn and attempted with River.
“What else?”
Atris hesitated for a second. “There were black roses left on her bed.”
In the world of the Fae, black meant Dark. None of the Reapers knew how Bran passed on the powers given to him by Death—or how he managed to retain them.
When Talin saw Bran, he hadn’t been Dark. Then again, Bran could’ve used glamour to hide that fact.
“I’ll go to Neve. You find your parents,” Talin said.
Atris nodded and turned on his heel before hurrying away. Talin made his way outside the castle and teleported to Neve’s flat.
His stomach was in knots. His chest was so heavy it felt as if every Dark pummeled him with magic. Talin was veiled as he walked around her building, looking for signs of Bran or anyone else.
There was nothing, which only frustrated him more. Talin unveiled himself in an alley and hurried up to her flat. He felt the magic around her door before he reached it.
As a Reaper, there wasn’t much magic that could keep him out. He sensed Atris’s magic added to Neve’s. That meant someone had passed through Neve’s strong magic.
A Dragon King could do that, but they had no reason to target Neve. That left Bran or one of his many Dark underlings. Talin didn’t know how long he had before Atris showed up with Neve’s parents.
He passed through the magic shields and spells to open the door. As soon as he entered the flat, he smelled the distinct aroma of poison infused with Dark magic. He paused long enough to put his own spell in place to keep anyone out that wasn’t a friend to Neve or himself.
Talin rushed into the bedroom where Neve lay upon the bed, unmoving. His heart stopped until he saw her chest move.
Humans believed the Fae were immortal. That wasn’t true at all. A Fae could be killed using a blade forged in the fires of Erwar—or by magic.
He slowly made his way to the bed. Talin sat and gathered one of Neve’s hands in his own. Her eyes fluttered open. It took her a moment to focus on him.
“Talin,” she murmured.
“It’s me. I’m going to watch over you until Atris returns with your parents.”
She swallowed, a shadow of pain crossing her face.
He rubbed his thumb in circles on the back of her hand. “Why didn’t you tell me someone was bothering you?”
“I thought it was my imagination at first.” She had difficulty swallowing again.
Talin looked around and saw the glass of wine knocked over, the red liquid staining the carpet. The poison must’ve been in the wine. If he took it to Cael, they might be able to figure out what kind of poison—and magic—was used.
“And the flowers?” he urged.
She shrugged and looked away. “Perhaps a prank.”
“I wish you would’ve told me. I could’ve protected you.”
Neve’s gaze returned to him. “On one of the few occasions you’re here?”
He bowed his head. “Point taken. But had I known, measures could’ve been taken.”
“I took them,” she said angrily. Then she paused as she put a hand to her throat. “Whoever this is, got through the layers of magic I used.”
“Do you know who it is?”
She shook her head. “Atris and I looked into it a few days ago, but we found nothing.”
“You need to be somewhere more secure. I’m fairly certain your parents will feel the same when they arrive.” Talin glanced over his shoulder. Where was Atris?
“I can still feel the poison within me.”
That shocked him. He’d just assumed Atris was able to remove it all. Talin put his hand over her throat and mumbled a spell that would pull the poison from her.
Except it didn’t work. Not properly, at least. Talin felt some of the poison fade away, but not enough to heal her as she needed.
“You need to fight the poison and magic,” he told her.
She gave him a wry look. “I have been.”
�
�For how long?”
“Hours. Days,” she said with a shrug.
Talin didn’t like feeling helpless, and he was getting to that very quickly. “I think we should leave.”
“I’m not strong enough to teleport,” she said and closed her eyes. “I tried multiple times.”
If he took her with him, Neve would know one of his secrets. But if he didn’t get her out, there was a chance her attacker could return.
Though Talin wanted a look at him.
What he didn’t want was Neve caught in the middle of a battle, because that was exactly what would happen.
“Eoghan. Kyran,” he called mentally.
He knew his friends would come immediately. Talin ran a hand over Neve’s forehead, using magic to make her sleep. He then stood and gathered the wine glass and the little bit of wine that was left within.
Talin walked into the kitchen as the door opened and Eoghan and Kyran entered the flat. He glanced into the bedroom to make sure Neve still slept as he greeted his fellow Reapers.
“What’s going on?” Kyran asked.
Talin held up the wine glass. “Neve’s been poisoned. There’s magic added to it.”
Eoghan frowned and jerked his chin toward the bedroom.
“She’s fighting the effects. Her brother found her. I thought Atris removed the poison, but I don’t think he could. I tried, but I was only able to eradicate a tiny bit.”
Kyran’s forehead furrowed deeply. “Do you know who did this?”
“No. It’s someone who has been harassing her, though. Atris told me her drawers have been gone through, things moved around the flat, and black flowers placed on her bed.”
“Now this.” Kyran crossed his arms over his chest.
Eoghan raised a brow and pointedly looked at Talin.
Talin sighed as he nodded. “I know it could be because of me. I’ve not seen Bran or any of his companions. A Dark, even one using glamour, would stick out at court.”
“Could this be because of her family?” Kyran asked.
Talin lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “It’s what she believes.”
“But you don’t.”
“No.”
Kyran grunted loudly. “I don’t either. It’s no coincidence Neve was targeted after mention of a Reaper at court made the rounds.”
“We still need to check out her family. I want to rule out every possibility.”
