Page 73 of A Kingdom of Broken Bonds

“They tortured me,” I continue, “and in the process, it caused me to fully embrace my powers, the good and the bad. I transformed, finally able to access my full powers. I was able to escape and kill them.” My voice is even and disconnected from my emotions, simply telling them the minimum details.

I glance at Felix at the back of the room, wanting to see his reaction to what I said. I know none of this is easy for him, being the only one of my loves who is not bonded to me. My heart aches as I take in his distressed expression. He seems to sink into the wall, as though wanting to become invisible.

Wanting to make him smile, I take a deep breath, knowing the news I have to share will please him—will please everyone.

“In more important news,” I begin, “my position as the first bride is now complete.”

As expected, shock ripples through the room and exclamations fill the air. Even the guards seem surprised, sharing a look between them.

“You solved your part of the prophecy,” Eli whispers, awe making his eyes bright. “How? I thought it was linked to Havoc.”

“We read the prophecy wrong. We misinterpreted it all.” I laugh, everything seeming so clear now. “While I was Havoc’s mate, my real purpose was to survive Havoc and find my true mates, Eli and Finnik. That is what lifted the final block on my powers—my powers that will save our people.”

Before anyone can comment, my father sneers and makes a noise of disgust. “The fae are your mates? You were supposed to marry a prince.”

Of course this is what my father would pick up on—the status of the males I surround myself with, not the fact that I have discovered how I can help Trador. My metaphorical hackles rise, my overprotective instincts running high. I should not let him get to me, and I am going to blame it on the new bond between Finnik and me.

“We are meant for each other. It is fated,” I grind out between clenched teeth, as civil as I can manage.

Geoff clears his throat, pulling attention his way to stop an argument between my father and me. “Why is the vampire disease still spreading if you completed your purpose?”

Geoff always asks difficult, hard hitting questions, even if they might sound offensive to some. I do not take his words as a critique or a sign of doubt though, knowing he is simply trying to get to the bottom of what is happening.

Feeling a little breathless at the responsibility, I smile as I meet his gaze. “Because my purpose is to heal the vampires. I am the cure.”

His eyes widen in surprise and understanding.“How do you know this?”

“It was revealed to me when I unlocked my powers.” I wish I could explain the certainty within me in a way they could understand, but without feeling it themselves, it is impossible. They just have to trust that I am right. “I have not quite figured out how to do that just yet, but I know this is what I am supposed to do.”

I sense Eli’s surprise through the bond, but it quickly settles into a glowing appreciation. He is proud of me and what I am capable of doing. He knows I am at my happiest when I am helping others, and it makes sense that my true purpose is this. Finnik already knew about all of this, yet he is still brimming with pride as I explain. Geoff is watching me with a considering look, and when he nods his head in approval, accepting that what I say is true, I release a quiet breath of relief. My father is unmoving, probably still trying to get over his aversion to the fae and the fact I have mated with two of them.

Finally, my eyes settle on Felix—my friend, lover, and anchor to reality. Only he seems like a shadow of himself. The feeling of something being wrong surges within me once again. I need to speak to him and make sure he is okay.

“Could I please have a moment alone with Felix?”

My father grumbles and looks as though he is going to argue, but Geoff stops him by placing a hand on his arm, shaking his head slightly.

“We shall be in the bar,” my advisor replies, steering my father from the room.

I turn to look at Eli and Finnik, the tension on their faces telling me just how unhappy they are with this request. However, just as I can feel their needs, they can feel mine too. Taking their hands, I squeeze them tightly and let them sense how much I need to do this, not just for me, but for Felix. They leave reluctantly, taking the guards with them, the door shutting with a quiet click.

Silence fills the room, and the sour stench of fear reaches my nose—Felix. He is afraid, but of what? Surely it isn’t me. We have been friends for decades, and I share everything with him, so why would he be scared of me now? Because of what I did to escape? He was totally silent when I explained how I escaped, so perhaps I disgusted him with the lives I took.

“Felix, is everything okay?” I walk towards him, my hand reached out to touch him, but he shrinks back and bares his teeth.

“Stay back,” he hisses, his hands pressed against the wall as if feeling for a way out.

I jerk back as though I have been stung, feeling sick to my stomach. He is afraid of me, of what I can do. Do not overreact, you do not know this for sure. Look at him, the sensible part of my brain tells me, and I have to force myself to take deep breaths. I automatically assume I have done something wrong, but he was looking off when I first walked into the room. He did not know the details then, so he was disturbed by something before I arrived.

Scanning him from head to toe, I take in every little detail, desperately looking for a clue. He does not even sound like himself, his words harsh. Sweat beads on his forehead, something that’s not common for a changed vampire. In fact, he does not look well at all, the colour drained from his face.

“Felix, what is going on? Are you feeling—” I cut myself off as I have a disturbing realisation. “You are sick.”

He caught the disease. This must be the early stages, as he has not gone feral yet, but I would say he is close to descending into the madness. I try to look at him objectively, calmly noting the symptoms and making a plan to treat him. In reality, that does not work in the slightest. This is Felix, my first love and best friend. I was terrified he would catch this, and now my worst nightmares have become a reality.

Ignoring his earlier plea, I step forward and attempt to pull him into my arms, only he avoids me with a hiss, holding his arm out to block me.

“Thea, please, do not come any closer.” His entire body seems to shudder as he fights against the disease working its way through his body. He grips onto one of the bedposts, the wood groaning under his hand.

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