Page 4 of The Court of Truth

“She killed your mother?”

“Among other things,” he replies, defeat etching his features as he wipes a hand down his face.

“Like?” I push, desperate for more.

“Like making several attempts at the throne before I imprisoned her in the gem.”

“Attempts against your life?” I ask, not wanting, butneedingto know, and the solemn nod he offers in answer tears at my heart. How has this man, surrounded by such darkness, managed to care for Nora and me the way he has? How has he risen above it all and still been a good person? I don’t think I’ll ever understand. Shaking my head, I force myself to remain present as my gut twists, reminding me of the other thing he mentioned: the amethyst. “What was the likelihood of her being the co-conspirator in my kiss of death?”

The second my father shakes his head, I know my answer. “Something tells me it was purposeful on Fairbourne’s part.”

Silence dances in the air, settling over us all. Thankfully, it’s not weighed down with dismay, it’s just an air of disappointment. Which somehow manages to feel worse.

“What now?” Nora asks, stepping to my side, and I shrug, but before I can speak, Raiden beats me to it.

“Now she rests.”

My father shakes his head, offering me a sympathetic look before he turns to my vampire. “She needs to appoint an advisor.”

“She doesn’t need to do anything until she’s ready,” he retorts, not missing a beat as Nora claps.

“Preach it, Fangs.”

I raise my eyebrows at her in surprise but she shrugs me off, refusing to actually acknowledge that she agrees with something Raiden is saying. My father, however, isn’t hearing either of them.

“I’m sorry, but?—”

“No disrespect, Sir, but I’m going to stop you there,” Raiden interjects, moving to stand between us. “She may have been born into this role, but I think it’s fair to say she earned it on her own merit. She’ll make decisions when she’s ready. That’s not right now, it may not even be tomorrow, but that’s fine becauseshesays so. Not you, not me, and certainly not this one,” he adds, pointing at Nora, softening the moment as my father’s eyes shimmer with an emotion I can’t quite place until he speaks.

“Thank you, Son. I know my daughter is in safe hands with the four of you. Protect her with your life. Not just physically, but mentally too. She’s going to need you now more than ever. I trust you. Don’t prove me wrong.”

3

KRYLL

The familiar sight of Beau’s home on campus does nothing to calm the building exhaustion inside of me. Black on black everything leaves little joy to be found in the dark surroundings. The entire day has been a haze. One thing has led straight into another and I don’t know which way is up. I can’t even begin to imagine what Addi’s going through.

Which is exactly why she was carted off to bed the moment we got here. She may be our queen, and we’ll damn sure treat her like one, but we all know she’s going to put taking care of herself at the bottom of the list. No way. We can’t allow it.

It’s our job to make sure she takes care of herself whether she likes it or not. I only wish it was me tucked up with her, but it seems Brody got the golden ticket while I wait for my brother.

I stare at every inch of the kitchen, hoping to find a clue on how to handle everything going forward, but we’re out of our depth. Addi may have been born into this role, just like Raiden mentioned earlier, but she wasn’t trained for this part. The academy classes fell short with these teachings. I guess it’s not their fault the entire academy’s purpose was cut short, but they should have been touching on everything at every point.

“Hey, do you mind if I sit?”

I shake my head, focusing on the present to find Arlo grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and pointing to the table I’m at. I wave my hand, offering him a spot, and he quietly leans back, a heavy sigh falling from his lips.

It seems we’re all up in arms, handling everything as best as we can while remaining present for the woman who needs us most.

Movement by the door pulls my attention as Beau saunters into the room, and I cock a brow at him. “Are they settled?”

“Yes. Mother sends her wishes.” I nod in acknowledgement as my brother heads for the fridge, but instead of retrieving a bottle of water, he pulls out a beer.

August and Nora are off staying with my mother again until there’s a permanent place for them that’s safe enough for Addi to ease up on them. I don’t think that place exists, but we’ll figure it out eventually. One thing at a time, that’s all we can do.

The screech of the chair opposite me dragging across the floor makes me cringe as my brother collapses into it. He takes a swig of his beer before pointing the neck of it in my direction. “You guys can stay here for as long as you need.” He waves it between Arlo and me, signifying everyone, and I nod.

“It won’t be that long,” Arlo states, picking at the label on his water bottle as I cock my head at him. It takes a moment for him to realize he has my undying attention before he expands. “Once all appointments have been made, she’ll be relocated to the castle.”

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