Page 70 of Fallen Heirs

That was before I’d taken in the rest of the space.

The kaleidoscope of colors—so much color—was astonishing enough and a complete break from the rest of the palace and most of the Realm actually, which was a dull blend of black and silver through and through.

All except this new space he’d fashioned.

The walls were covered with damask wallpaper boasting a baroque-style pattern with a blend of purples, blues, pinks, reds, greens—almost every color under the sun. Cozy shag rugs covered the gray hardwood floors. There were vibrant-blue and purple couches and armchairs in a seating area that faced an impressive entertainment unit with a mammoth flat screen television hung on the wall, along with numerous video game consoles.

He caught me frowning at the latter and explained, “She’s half-human and spent a lot of time living amongst them, I determined she’d enjoy them and possibly find comfort.”

Well, if she didn’t, there was always the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf on the opposite wall stuffed full of books.

There was an open door that gave way to a bathroom that I could only partially see into from my current position, then a walk-in closet right beside it with so many clothes within that all seemed to match her bohemian type of style perfectly.

And then at the far end of the room was a massive four-poster bed with multicolored silk sheets that complemented the wallpaper, the posts themselves gold with flowers carved into them and leaves encircling them.

I zoned in on her there fast asleep and tucked up in the sheets, her beautiful pink hair fanned out over the mountain of pillows.

Instinctively, I went to go to her, but my father snagged my arm, pulling me up short.

“Not yet. There’s something else you need to see first.”

“Father,” I protested.

“It will take but a moment, then I vow to you that I will allow you time with her. She will be rousing awake by the time we return, so you’ll be able to actually speak with her too.”

“Fine,” I muttered, allowing him to lead me back out of the room.

The moment we stepped beyond the magical vacuum, heat rushed through my body as I thankfully felt the reassuring and fulfilling sensation of my magic again.

He kept hold of my arm and teleported us to a space thatwasfamiliar to me.

His lab.

Or so I thought, until I took in what was happening within.

Usually, he kept the space to conduct magical experiments, always trying to push the boundary of his power and abilities, and to also create things to assist with his rule.

But this time there were a dozen Dark Fae beings rushing about from various stations that had been set up. They each had a grimoire in front of them on the silver table tops along with beakers full of numerous solutions, Bunsen burners, thermometers, test tubes, a whole lot.

“The top magical scientists in the Realm,” he told me.

I walked in further and took in the long stone stable that was usually reserved for his experiments.

This time it was full of beakers containing what appeared to be blood, along with vials of shimmering gold.

“Alena’s magic,” I breathed.

“Just small amounts,” he assured me. “Enough to experiment with.”

I noted the silver vials over at the far end. “And yours too?”

“Correct. Functioning as the dark magic element needed in order to test with.”

“The beakers… you took her blood. That’s why your hands were covered with it on the bridge.”

“Yes, one of the tests didn’t go to plan and the beaker exploded all over me.” He shot me a look. “And here you actually thought I was torturing her? The woman you love? Absolutely not, Orpheus. I would never do her harm.”

“You extracted blood and her magic, Father.”

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