Page 39 of A Deception of Courts

Gabrial lowered her chin, falling quiet. In the wake of her revelation, there was a heavy weight that set upon us all. Her silence allowed us to take in the knowledge that Aldrick had succeeded in killing the Elmdew kings. And that truth settled over my conscience like molten ash.

Gabrial’s previous sorrow made sense now. This explained why her stare lingered on her skin, rather than us, at the beginning of our conversation. She had known. Maybe even seen what Aldrick had accomplished.

If it had turned her to tears, I could only imagine how horrifying the truth really was.

“Can you… show me?” I asked. My throat burned with anguish. It took effort not to give in and allow it to overcome me completely.

Rafaela read Gabrial’s body language and spoke for her. The younger Nephilim dropped her stare, and retreated further to the side of the room.

“Their death was not kind, Robin. Witnessing it will not bring you anymore answers to what we have given you.” I read the emotion in Rafaela’s open stare and knew her refusal was a way of protecting me. “It would seem that Duwar shields Aldrick. Gabrial can only see glimpses of what has occurred. What she can glean seems to be what Aldrick wants her to see. How he has got such knowledge of the keys, and of us, I cannot yet comprehend.”

“We aren’t going to let him win,” I said, gaze lost to a place on the wall beyond Rafaela’s head. “Every move, every step. Aldrick is always ahead. So, we must find a way to leap ever further, to put him on the back foot for once.”

Not one disagreed with me, and yet I still couldn’t say exactly how we were to do this. But the seed was sown, I wasn’t prepared to give up so easily.

“Can you at least tell us how this has happened?” Duncan questioned. “Only days ago, Aldrick was in Lockinge. Knowing just how he has gotten so many steps ahead will help us navigate forwards. Please, Gabrial. We appreciate this is hard for you, truly. Any further information will be greatly appreciated.”

If there was no other reason I required Duncan in this moment, it was for how he spoke to Gabrial. Careful, and with respect. He was far more skilled at keeping his emotions in check than I was.

“I will try.” Gabrial cleared her throat, then lifted her reddened eyes back to the group. Gone was the sadness. Now anger replaced it. “Aldrick’s personal ties to the Elmdew Court root deep. Reading his past is messy, as though it has been tampered with. It would seem he left Lockinge long before you think he did.” I shot my eyes to Seraphine, who hardly masked the abundant surprise from Gabrial’s explanation. “Aldrick, alongside an army of mutated humans, crossed the Wychwood border and infiltrated the court. What I know, which is the clearest part I can see, is that Aldrick used his power to ensnare King Peta and make him give up his power somewhat willingly. What followed is…” Gabrial smacked her hand to her mouth. Her skin took on a greenish sheen.

“That’s enough.” Rafaela shot forward to fuss over Gabrial but was waved off. “No more.”

“I am fine,” Gabrial spluttered. “I just… give me a moment.”

Edging on the side of caution, I thought it best the conversation was taken away from what Gabrial had learned. The horror she’d seen had affected her greatly. It aged the young girl before my eyes, a heavy burden to witness the death of a person, whether she knew them or not.

Empathy was a unique gift, and Gabrial was overcome with it. I told myself that there would be a time we would demand answers, but for now, it could wait. Our focus had to be honed.

“What does this mean for us?” Althea asked, red-rimmed eyes lifting, the faint crackle of heat still emanating from her skin.

“It means that Aldrick is going to stop at nothing to get the remaining keys,” I said. “But we are going to stop him.”

“Yes, we are.” Rafaela locked her golden stare upon me, fixing me to the spot with her determination. “Robin, Aldrick is going to come for you. For all of you. But I… we will not allow that to happen. Going forwards, any step made, we do it together. If you will accept our help, we cannot make you.”

“We accept,” I said, with the confidence of the king I was becoming.

My hand shot out toward Rafaela, such a human gesture but one that the Nephilim recognised because she took my hand in hers, her grip iron-clad. “Then let us form a plan, ally.”

CHAPTER 12

Three excruciatingly long days of travel – that’s how long it took my body to finally adopt the natural sway which mirrored the ship’s as it sliced across the ocean. The terrible sickness, which the sailors had warned about, had barely passed. In its wake, I was left with a thudding ache deep in my skull. It sang in synchronicity with the smashing of water against the ship’s hull.

I spent more time on deck, surrounded by open salt winds, than in the dark pits of the cabin in which Duncan was currently left sleeping. I wished for him to be well enough so I could share his gentle warmth with the freedom of the sea.

Dawn had barely graced the skies with its brush of lilac and rose. It was common that the deck was full of life before the sun rose. The buzz of the fey snatched away the peace I craved. I grew used to slipping out whilst they slept. Moments like this, small pockets of quiet when there was nothing but me and my thoughts, were not as terrible as I once believed.

The silence gave me time to contemplate what had passed and what also waited for us when we arrived in Icethorn in a matter of days.

However, today I wasn’t the only one who frequented the early hours of the day to bask in its clarity. Rafaela weaved throughout the thin wisps of cloud with her wings outstretched, casting a shadow across the deep azure waters below. As we did each morning, we recognised each other’s presence with a glance and then left each other alone. She kept to the skies above her ship; I kept to monitoring mine.

Rafaela and Gabrial had joined our journey to Wychwood, whereas Cassial stayed in Lockinge with an army of Nephilim. Quietly, I was glad he didn’t follow. Cassial hoped to gain control of the human city. Faith in the Creator had dwindled to a dying flame thanks to Aldrick and the wildfire that was his lies. However, Cassial believed in the power that was spreading the word of the Creator back among the humans. I imagined once the humans saw the winged warrior, they wouldn’t need much reminding of the faith they’d not long traded for Duwar and his promise of power.

It wasn’t every day angels from scripture turned up at your doorstep.

Neither Rafaela nor Gabrial had even given thought to joining Cassial. Both had made it their duty to protect the remaining three keys, plain and clear. Which meant, proven by the shadow I’d gained, Rafaela never strayed too far. When I was awake, she was awake. Even hidden within my cabin with Duncan’s limbs entwined with mine, I sensed her.

My stomach groaned, sending a sharp stab of hunger across my torso. I pressed a hand to it, massaging the ache in hopes it faded. It wouldn’t be long until the mess hall would be overcome with food and I’d eat with those manning the ship. I wouldn’t touch a morsal of food before, choosing to break bread with the fey I’d saved. If anything, I told myself it would help build respect – reminding them that I was no different to them.

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