Page 225 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

“Announcing the chosen’s companions, Lords Elnaril and Eldrin of the high elves.” I have to fight my wince as Eldrin is announced as my ‘companion’ rather than one of my mates, and I know the comment will have stung. The urge to turn to him is hard to resist, but I keep my position, and soon enough, Eldrin and Naril appear before me. Both perform short bows before taking up their positions—Naril the mirror of Tor behind me, and Eldrin taking my left arm in his. I may be dreading this whole event, but I am looking forward to seeing the king’s face when I walk in with an elf on either arm and his previous army of mages as my personal protectors.

Footsteps sound behind me, and I have to fight the impulse to whirl around, all of my senses on high alert, but I know I can’t, not while I’m being watched. Focusing, I use my senses and realise I recognise the scents coming my way. They smell like family, like home. So instead, I repress my instincts and lazily glance over my shoulder, seeing it’s my aunt being escorted by Ellis.

“Announcing the leader of the mountain tribes, High Chief Revna, and High Mage Ellis,” the mage declares once more, his voice carrying around the courtyard.

Dipping my head to my aunt to show my respect, I watch as a flash of humour sparkles in her eyes as she steps into my view. She approaches and presses a kiss to both cheeks, the familiar gesture warming my heart, before she steps back. Accepting Ellis’ arm once more, she stands between Tor and Naril. Although back with the tribes, Revna is higher in authority than I am, here, she hasn’t come as high chief, she’s come simply as my aunt and a warrior to support me.

The remaining elves and tribesmen have exited the carriages and get into formation around us—three elves and threetribesmen guarding us from the front, and the same guarding our rear. The remaining mages are spread evenly around us in a protective perimeter, with Grayson at the front.

They’re waiting for a signal, some sign that I’m ready, and honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be fully prepared to face the king again, but I want to get this over with, get my people, and leave this city. Taking a deep breath, I nod, and we start walking. I finally turn to face the people waiting for us on the steps of the castle.

My eyes are instantly drawn to the king. He looks like Jacob. He’s tall, has blond hair that is turning grey, and blue eyes, but where Jacob’s face always held curiosity and kindness, there’s a cruelness in the king’s gaze. The brand, although long healed, throbs at the bottom of my spine. It’s the mark all child slaves are given when sold to slavery to show whom we belong to—the king’s symbol. As if he can sense it, the king smirks, his eyes gleaming with an emotion I can’t quite work out. Anger, disgust, and fear all war within me, but my determination is stronger and keeps my steps even as we walk towards my enemy. I can feel my mates’ anger, but I push our connection to the back of my mind so I’m still aware of it, but the sensations are muted. I need to be able to fully concentrate and be in control of my own emotions right now.

At the king’s side are his sons, Princes Rhydian and Michael, and on the other side is High Priest Rodrick and several other advisers. The priest sneers at me, but I ignore him, not even bothering to waste my time with the cruel man. The priests in Arhaven have completely twisted the Great Mother’s words, and I can see them clearly now. I want nothing to do with their corrupt ways. I scan the group for Jacob, but my eyes keep being pulled back to Prince Rhydian and I can’t pinpoint why. Something about him seems…different. I hadn’t spent much time around him before I escaped Arhaven, and I heard somerumours about him, but as I look at him, his eyes flick up and lock with mine.

A jolt of ice goes down my spine, and I instinctively go to take a step back, pulling Eldrin and Vaeril to a stop. Thankfully, we are close enough that we can make it look deliberate, as there is no way I am getting any closer to that prince. Rhydian’s once blue eyes are now completely black, the pupils so large, I can only just see the whites of his eyes. His lips curl up in a smile, and the feeling of menace emanating from him makes me aware that whatever I do, I need to make sure I’m never left alone with him. My wrist glows as my goddess mark comes to life, the presence of the Mother settling over me. I’m vaguely aware of people around me gasping and staring at my wrist, but I keep my eyes on Rhydian. He’s the biggest threat right now.

There is much evil here, my beloved,the goddess whispers into my head, but her voice isn’t as strong as usual, her presence coming and going in waves.I am being blocked. My powers are not as strong as they should be, but you are not alone, she reassures me, easing my worries. I sense her anger as I continue to watch Rhydian.But be warned, that one is dangerous.Agreeing with her wholeheartedly, I force myself not to shudder under his stare.

Eldrin begins growling quietly beside me, the sound vibrating through my body and helping to ground me. I don’t bother to reprimand him as he snarls at the prince, since he makes no move to attack. Glancing at Vaeril on my right arm, I see he’s also snarling at the prince, obviously sensing the same threat I do.

I don’t think we’re under any immediate danger, so I pull my gaze from Rhydian and sweep the group once more. Jacob’s absence is obvious and sends a bolt of fear through me. Where is he? Is he okay? Has he been harmed?

“Clarissa,” the king calls out in greeting, elongating my name as he speaks, putting more emphasis on the final letter. I meet his piercing gaze. Once, I shied away from those cruel eyes.

Now, with a confidence I didn’t know I possessed, I tilt my head to one side as if examining him. He looks callous, and no one knows better than I how merciless he can be, but as I survey him, I realise something—he’s just one man. A sadistic human. He has no power, and without the magicians behind him, no magic either. I have the might of the goddess at my back. The realisation makes me smile, only the slightest twitch of my lips, but the king sees it, and it’s enough to wipe the smirk from his face.

Making a small noise in the back of my throat, I straighten. “Your Majesty,” I greet simply, refusing to bow. My eyes flick over to the two princes, and I dip my head ever so slightly in greeting before immediately turning back to the king. “Where’s Jacob?”

The smirk is back as the king watches me closely. “Cutting to the chase, I see.” There’s a hint of admiration in his voice that makes me want to shudder, and the hunger in his gaze makes me feel like I need to bathe. Except, I don’t get the feeling he wants me for my body. “Good.” His gaze darts to the elves on my arms, and although his expression doesn’t change, he can’t hide the hatred in his eyes. “You shall see him later after we have discussed business,” the king tells me, his voice leaving no room for argument. “For now, retire to your room and rest before the ball. I’m sure you’re tired from your journey.” The patronising tone of his voice matches the smile he gives me as he opens his arms and gestures for us to enter the castle. I refuse to answer him, not rising to his jibes.

A steward appears in the doorway, dropping into a low, elaborate bow before standing and indicating for us to follow him. We turn to do just that, my face serene, but internally, I’mconfused. This has not gone how I expected at all, although I’m not quite sure what I expected—the king to attack me on sight?

I’m just climbing the four stone steps that lead up to the large castle doors when I pass the king. “I see you’ve brought my magicians back to me,” he says in a low voice.

Pulling Eldrin and Vaeril to a stop, I turn slowly to look at the king. We’re much closer now, far closer than I would like, especially seeing as that puts me near his son, who’s watching me with a smirk. His comment makes my anger simmer and bubble, which is exactly why he said it. Without looking away, I extract my arm from Vaeril’s and hold out my hand, gently stroking the bond I share with Grayson, whispering a request. Within seconds, my mage takes my hand in both of his, raising it to his lips as he presses a kiss there, his eyes locked on his former king.

“They don’tbelongto anyone,” I correct, arching a single eyebrow. “However, they ally with me now.”

My display only seems to have amused the king, who is smirking. “We shall see.” Dismissing me with a wave of his hand, he turns his attention to someone behind me, and glancing over my shoulder, I feel my stomach sink as I realise who he’s targeting next. “High Chief Revna,” the king calls out, and I see her freeze as he addresses her. Turning her cold gaze on him, she places her hand over her axe, and I know she would only be too happy to slaughter him on the spot.

“Now, itisa surprise to see you here,” he practically purrs, moving forward as if to walk right up to her. A few steps away from her, he stops, cocking his head to the side and reaching out as if to touch something. A blue light ripples through the air around us as the king jerks his hand back quickly, and I feel the thick sensation of magic in the air as he activates the shield around us. Somehow, he knew it was there. Narrowing my eyes, I watch him carefully as he cradles his hand to his chest, hisgaze calculating, and I realise he didn’t know for sure, but he suspected.

What would the shield have done to him if he’d walked straight into it?I ponder, a dark little part of my mind wishing that he had. It would have saved us a lot of trouble.

Knowing he can’t get any closer to my aunt, I see a flash of something go through his eyes as he takes another step forward, getting so close to the shield, I can almost feel it sizzling. “I didn’t think you would ever leave the mountains. At least that’s what your sister told me,” he comments in a conversational tone, ignoring her hostile expression. With a sorrowful sigh, he places a hand on his chest and glances over at me before returning his attention to Revna, but I don’t miss the gleam in his eyes. He’s enjoying this. “It’s such a shame she isn’t here to show you around,” he jibes with fake remorse. Body stiff, Revna simply glares at the king, not bothering to respond, although I can see her hand twitching, longing to reach for her axe and settle this the way of the tribespeople.

Having failed to rattle the high chief, the king changes tactics, his body language changing in an instant. “Never mind, maybeIcould show you around. I would love to spend some time with you this evening. Perhaps I chose the wrong sister.”

Hatred runs through my veins, and if it wasn’t for the two elves holding me back and whispering to me in elvish, I’m not sure what my actions might have been.Fool,my thoughts chide,that’s exactly what he wants you to do.Vaeril is still talking to me under his breath in his lilting language, and while I have no idea what he’s saying, it helps calm me. Eldrin, on the other hand, while also speaking in elvish, sounds like he’s making a promise. As I pull my gaze from the king to look at him, our eyes meet, and I see I was right. I don’t need to be able to understand elvish to know a promise for vengeance when I hear one.

A feral sounding growl catches my attention, and the thick push of magic fills the air. Revna has stepped right up to the king, the magical barrier between them glowing as she snarls at him. “My sister was too good for you,” she spits, visibly furious as her body trembles with rage. Tor is at her side, speaking to her in a low voice, too quiet for me to hear, but whatever he says makes her pause. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she steps back, her head held high. “I am here for my niece, and nothing else.”

My heart swells with emotions I struggle to put a name to, feelings I’m unused to experiencing. Revna put aside her anger, pain, and need for revenge for me, knowing I need her support to get through this, even if I didn’t know it myself.Loyalty,my mind whispers to me. She may be here to support me, but being here is also hurting her, knowing that her sister suffered in this place. She needs me too, and perhaps we can both get answers.

Glancing at Vaeril, I stroke our bond and release myself from his hold. Placing my now free hand on Eldrin’s arm, I glance up at my scarred elf and ask him to trust me with my eyes before sliding my arm from his. His expression tightens, but he doesn’t stop me. With a slight tilt of my head, I motion for them to follow me. Slowly, I walk to my aunt’s side, knowing without having to check that my elves are following closely behind me. Reaching Revna, I ignore the king and hold out my hand to her, praying to the Mother it stays steady.

“Come,” I call softly. To the king, it may sound like an order, but as she drags her gaze from her sister’s killer, I see the gratitude in her eyes as I give her a way out. Dipping her head slightly, she takes my hand. I link her arm with mine, turn away from the king, and start walking towards the steward, who’s still waiting by the doors.

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