Broken Kingdom (The Winter Court Chronicles Book 2)

by Stephany Wallace

  *

  After unsuccessfully trying about a million things to get the damn bracelets off, Nyx and I changed into clean shirts that covered our wrists, and dragged the unconscious—and now gagged—guards into an empty room in the east wing, where no one would find them. At least not for a few days.

  We rushed down the stairs towards the cells, encountering a few more guards along the way. I’d been ready to kick some royal ass, but they all seemed blissfully unaware that anything had happened between Father, Avrielle and us, so Nyx and I played along. I guess not everyone in the castle knew.

  For the first time in my life I was glad that Mother was asleep because of the curse. It would kill her to learn of what happened, what Father intended to do to Kyr, and his betrayal. I supposed she would have to find out, one way or the other, but I’d prefer it if it came from me.

  I briefly wondered where the king was. We came to a halt as we turned the last corner, and reached the entrance to the dungeons. Four guards stood there.

  “Prepare to fight,” I whispered to Nyx, staying out of the guards’ sight. “You take the two on the right, and I’ll take the ones on the left.” I observed them, not fully knowing if these men had been informed of the incident.

  “I suggest we just walk in,” Nyx said logically. “Based on the fact that the guards outside the west wing didn’t know what happened, the odds these aren’t aware either, are in our favor. I doubt Father would want everyone to know that his oldest son slept with his alleged illegitimate daughter.”

  “Right,” I cringed and nodded, straightening. “Just act like we own the place.”

  He frowned. “We do own the place. We are the princes of the—”

  “Shut up, Nyx.”

  He huffed, fixing his glasses and began to walk next to me, stepping into the direct path of the guards. “Open the gates,” I ordered, moving forwards without stopping. The men bowed and pulled open the doors for us.

  “Do you require guard, my princes?” One said, stepping closer.

  “No, thank you,” my brother answered, and we crossed the doors without looking back.

  Our eyes cautiously roamed the cells. The place was dark and cavernous since it was basically the foundation to the castle. Its only light came from the scarce torches that had been scattered along the way, placed outside a few cells. The stench of bodily fluids mixed with the smell of blood, and the cries of agony from the prisoners inside, suffocating us.

  “I had never been here,” I whispered, shocked by the sight before me.

  “Neither had I, brother.”

  Nyx’s gaze followed mine as I focused on a woman who lay on the filthy ground. Her cheek was to the stone, and her back to us. Crimson blood oozed from the fresh slashes her back had suffered, dripping onto the dirt. She whispered something over and over, her voice strained to contain the sobs. She was trying to be strong. I suddenly realized the air had become thick for me, making it hard to swallow as my eyes strained to see her better. I had never missed my abilities as I did in that moment. Before I knew it, I was standing right in front of the bars, my hands gripping them tightly. I wasn’t sure what this woman had done to be here, but I was certain that whatever it was, she didn’t deserve this.

  Movement came from beyond her and my world tilted as I finally recognized her words. A little girl’s head—maybe six years old—looked at me from above the woman’s shoulder, as her mother continued to reassure her that everything would be okay. The image tore at me.

  “Fuck,” I said, clenching my jaw and turned around, meeting Nyx’s horror stricken eyes; mine stung. “We are going to have to fight after all, little brother, because I’m not leaving these people in here.”

  Nyx nodded, eyes shining. I took a deep breath and turned to the woman who now sat against the wall, her child clutched fiercely in her arms as they both trembled. Tears spilled from her eyes, as the light from the flames fell over her face, casting eerie shadows and exposing the raw fear in her.

  “Please don’t touch my daughter,” she begged in a sob. “You can do whatever you wish to me, but please do not touch her.”

  Unexpected emotion captured my chest, making it difficult to speak. What the fuck had we given our backs to all these years? I couldn’t fathom how Kyr had gone along with this, but I wasn’t him. I cleared my throat and bent down, gripping the bars so I was at their level. My eyes bore into hers. “You have nothing to fear. I’m getting you and your daughter out. Just remain calm.”

  When I stood I found Nyx going from cell to cell, relaying the message to the others. I didn’t give a Troll’s ass what they had done. This torture stopped here.

  I tuned towards the entrance and squared myself for battle. “Help!” I shouted. “A prisoner wants to escape.”

  As expected, the guards came rushing in. My eyes focused on the keys hanging from one of the man’s belts, a second before I ran towards him. I gripped his shirt and using his own momentum to my advantage, I thrust him against the wall headfirst. I turned and jumped delivering a high kick to the neck of the next guard. My ankles closed around his neck, and I brought him down as we both fell. I quickly crouched, launching my self at him again, and my fist connected with his jaw, knocking him out.

  Nyx took on the other two, using thick chains that had been discarded on the floor. He twirled in the air—gaining momentum—and used them like a whip to strike the face of the first one, sending him flying against the bars of a cell. Nyx landed and swung the chains again, they hit the guard’s arms and wrapped around him. Nyx pulled him, kneeing him in the chin as he fell forwards, the guard hit the ground, unconscious.

  I rushed to the one I had first taken out, and ripped the keys from his belt. “We need a way out.” I said to Nyx as I began opening the cells. “There is no chance to let them out the way they came in.”

  My brother looked up, then to each side, as though trying to visualize where he was in the castle. He wet his thumb with his tongue and held it up, then turned to his right, walking through the tunnel and leaving me alone. I grunted as I helped a man stand.

  “Thanks for leaving!” I called after Nyx. “It’s not like I need your help or anything.” I huffed, helping the next prisoner. Each was hurt worse than the last, and I wondered if they could even walk. I opened the gate for the woman and her daughter and the sight of her gave me cause for pause.

  She stared at me as the tears fell from her eyes. “Why are you helping us? You are the princes.”

  I sighed, and shook my head. “I honestly don’t know.”

  I extended my hand towards her, and her skeptical gaze went to it, but she took it. Her weakened body shook as I helped her up, her daughter hid behind her with every step while I guided them forward. A gasp escaped the woman when my sleeve rode up, and the gold of my magic blocking cuffs became visible.

  “I found a way out,” Nyx announced, interrupting her assessment. I pulled my shirt down again, while he returned to our side, all the prisoners now gathered around us. Avrielle was not one of them. “I have seen the structural plans of this castle so many times I have them memorized.” Brother explained. “We are in the southeast corner of the stronghold, which means there is a window at the end of the hall that has direct access into the moat that surrounds us. I found the window, and because of the ancient rock formation of the wall, I was able to rip the bars from it with the chains.”

  He looked at the people gathered throughout the space, and at the woman I was helping stand, then sighed.

  “It’s not ideal but there is a large space for them to crawl out. Granted, they’ll have to swim to the other end, and then walk to the closest village, but it’s better than being here. Unless they don’t know how to swim.”

  My gaze went to the woman and her daughter. “Does your child know how to swim?”

  She nodded. “My husband taught her.”

  “Okay. I know you feel the pain now, but the cold water will actually help numb the ache, just make sure to not take too long cross
ing, so you don’t freeze.” The woman and the others nodded.

  “I can help them cross,” One of the men said, his eyes shifted from the woman and her daughter to the hall Nyx had indicated. They were anxious to get out of this place, and I couldn’t blame them.

  “All right, let’s go.”

  *

  After making sure all the prisoners had made it to the other end of the moat, and were on their way to the village, Nyx and I gagged the guards and locked them in one of the cells, then found our way upstairs.

  “Where the hell did Father stick Avrielle?” I snarled in a hushed tone, moving towards the stairs as casually as I could, Nyx walked beside me.

  “Considering this castle has over eighty rooms—not counting the servants quarters—it could take a while before we find her. She could be anywhere.”

  I stopped walking. “Damn it, Nyx. You are not helping.” My eyes searched all around us for enraged guards trying to capture us, but everything seemed… normal. Where the hell was the king? “You said it was impossible for Avrielle to open up to Kyr if they were siblings, and I agree, yet I know you saw the truth in our king’s eyes when he said he had slept with Alannah. What is happening? Or better yet, how is this happening?”

  Nyx fixed his glasses, frowning; for once he didn’t know the answer. I turned to fully face him and he suddenly swayed, seeming dizzy. “What the… are you okay, little brother?” I asked, instantly reaching for him.

  His hands gripped my arms while attempting to hold himself upright. Nyx blinked and his nostrils flared as he breathed deeply, taking in a huge gulp of oxygen. It was as though he hadn’t breathed in years. I held him to me.

  “It might be the remnants of Avrielle’s power. I’ve never felt like this.” His eyes looked into mine but they were unfocused. “I feel… strange.”

  I silently cursed. I didn’t feel anything but maybe my body had recuperated faster. “Okay, let’s get you to my room so you can rest.”

  “Your room?” He asked confused, as we began to move to the stairs.

  “Yeah, there’s no way I’m letting you out of my sight.”

  Nyx’s lips curved briefly and we began to go up. After a few steps he was able to grasp the rail, and hold himself so we continued on. When we got to my chambers he seemed as though nothing had happened, but we stopped in our tracks when our gazes fell on Kyr’s room. Gallia—Kyr’s second personal guard—walked out it, and the moment her eyes found us she rushed down the hallway towards us. She was finally well after the Summer Princess’ attack.

  “What happened?” She asked anxiously. “I can’t find Prince Kyr anywhere, and his quarters look as though there was a battle inside. I can’t find Kah either. Where is the prince?”

  Nyx and I exchanged a glance and I observed her, gauging how much I could share with her. I was familiar with Kah because we had basically grown up together. She had formed a close friendship with my brothers and I, and even sought comfort in my arms more than once. Yet, Gallia was a reserved woman, a warrior, and we had never interacted much outside the battle field. Still, I knew that if Kyr trusted her with his life, we should too. Nyx nodded, as though reading my mind and we motioned her into my room.

  “I have to be honest,” I said, facing her once Nyx closed the door behind us. “I don’t know how much I can trust you, but you have always been there for my brother, and I need you to be there for him one more time.”

  She straightened, sensing the tension in me.

  “Kyr and Avrielle were together and she opened up to him.” Her eyes widened but I continued. “Unfortunately, the king is trying to keep them apart and has told us that Avrielle is our sister, and that Kyr can’t be with her.”

  A loud gasp escaped her. “That is impossible. She could have never opened up to him if she were his sister.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Nyx answered, fixing his glasses and came to stand beside me. “We know that our brother would never lie about something like this, but—”

  “He wouldn’t.” Gallia interrupted. “He loves her. Anyone can see that.”

  I let out a heavy breath. “The issue is that after finding out they were together, the Dark King ordered Kyr to be taken to the dungeons and flogged for his actions.”

  Gallia staggered back, horrified. Her eyes were on mine for a second, and she whirled around, heading for the door.

  “Wait! Where are you going?” I reached for her.

  “To break him out of the cell!” She roared. “The Dark Army won’t stand for this. He’s our commander.”

  “He’s not there,” Nyx added.

  She turned towards us before stepping out. Her eyes filled with confusion.

  “But you just said…”

  “Avrielle called out for Kah, and they disappeared. We have no idea where she took him.”

  She nodded as though it made sense and stepped closer. “If Kah took him, then Kyr is safe. I’m sure of it.”

  “That’s not all,” Nyx said briefly looking at me, his eyes became pained. “Avrielle was taken by the guards after they knocked her unconscious, and we have no idea where they are keeping her. We looked for her in the dungeons but she wasn’t there.”

  “Shit,” Gallia cursed, coming closer. “What the hell is going on with the Dark King?” She shook her head. “All right. I’ll help you search the castle for her, and don’t worry, I took care of the dungeon guards you left behind. No one will know it was you who let the prisoners out.”

  “Wait. How do you know?” I questioned, startled. “I thought you hadn’t been to the dungeons?”

  “I haven’t. I found the idiots dragging themselves up the stairs like worms when I was searching for Kyr. They told me what you did, but I took care of them. I figured it would make sense. If the prisoners escaped on their own, they wouldn’t exactly leave their punishers alive.”

  “Damn, so where are they?” I asked, both impressed and a little scared of her. Little bit.

  She shrugged, nonchalant. “Still on the stairs that lead to the great hall, and right now we have more important things to worry about.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, getting closer, and finally sensing her distress. “What else is there for you to be upset about?”

  Her eyes became grim. “The reason I was looking for Kahina and Kyr in the first place.” She paused as though uncertain on how to tell us. “The Summer Queen and her Light Army were spotted in our lands. She is on her way here to wage war against us and rescue Princess Aura, her daughter.”

  “Damn it!” I cursed, pushing my hands through my hair. “This is the last thing we need right now. Not while there is war within our own walls.” I looked into her eyes. “Where is the king?”

  “I was told he was in a recovery trance with the healers, and should not be disturbed for the next two days. At first I didn’t know why, but now I assume it must have been Avrielle’s ability that harmed him.”

  A heavy breath left me. “My brother attacked him too, in self-defense.”

  Gallia’s eyes widened. “The king attacked Kyr?” I nodded, and her fists clenched in ire. “No wonder the healers have him in isolation. Between Avrielle’s mega sonic scream and Kyr’s mental manipulation, the king must not have fared well.” She took a deep breath as the light in her eyes changed, and shook her head, dismayed. “The Dark Army is ready to defend the crown, my prince,” Gallia vowed. “But without Kyr or Kah here, we have no one to lead us.”

  Her words slammed into my chest. Defending this kingdom had always been Kyr’s priority, one of the things that fed my admiration for him—not that I would ever tell him that. Before I knew what I was doing, I was in motion.

  “Release the Wyvern Dragons, and gather our army. They will hunt the queen and her Light Warriors, keeping them busy. It will stop them from getting to the castle.”

  I pulled my shirt off, and walked towards the armoire, taking my black leather and chains war suit out. Gallia’s eyes widened as the glow of the gold blocking cuffs on my
wrists called her attention. She blinked, her dumbfounded gaze returning to mine while I put on the suit. Regaining her composure and without another word, Gallia whirled around and left the room to carry out my orders.

  My gaze went to Nyx. “Brother, go to the Royal Archives and pull out anything you can find on mating for our race. I need you to look for something that might explain what the hell is happening with Kyr and Avrielle. Why was he able to mate so many years after his blooming had ended? How did she open up to him if she’s our sister? Act normal, and try not to call attention to yourself. Stay there until I come get you. I should not be long.” I secured my riding gloves, and closed the buckles on my boots.

  “Why, where are you going?” Nyx’s hesitant words caused me to stop before I reached the door. I turned to face him.

  “I’m going to lead Kyr’s army, and destroy the Summer Queen.”

  The screeches of fury from the Wyvern Dragons reached us, even from where we were. They had met up with the queen’s Light Army, and for what we could tell, they were raging mighty war against them.

  Wyvern Dragons were small creatures, absolutely vicious which made them all the more dangerous. They were native to our lands, and my brother Kyr had managed to group them and train them for battle. Something never before accomplished in our history. Everything we had achieved with the Dark Army was because of him. It had been his idea to use the Wyvern Dragons for war, and train them to follow our command. It was he who assembled the Dark Army—made only of female warriors.

  Women, from our kingdom’s many villages, who were neglected and mistreated by their husbands and families, treated as slaves and even abused by them. They were all given a second chance. Kyr had offered them a purpose, trained them and made them fierce. Somehow, in between the wrath of war, they had found a safe heaven… next to him. Fighting side by side.

  My brother gave them the one thing they never felt worthy of. Respect. And in return, they pledged their lives to him, to his kingdom.

  Kyr was convinced he was as sinister as the Dark King, a cold and implacable ruler, willing to do whatever it took to achieve his ambitions. No matter the cost. Yet, it took one look at the women now standing before me—clutching their weapons, mounting their horses, and ready to put their lives on the line—to see what he could not.