Page 92 of His Fate

Henrich steps forward and nods. "It is true, brother. Kasimir the Chosen is now king, king of very few. Bozidar the Great has fallen."

Havok immediately goes lax, his entire body sags as he looks between us. "It cannot be true."

I nod as Havok's hurt, his grief amplifies tenfold and permeates the entire room, chilling us to the bone with the way it physically drops the temperature at least fifteen degrees.

"And Nika?"

My chest tightens at his pet name for our mother. "Gone to The After as well."

"As are our sisters." Milos hangs his head and folds his arms against his chest.

"Sisters?" Havok's eyes fade from red to their normal piercing ice-blue. "How many?"

"Three. Born eighty five years after me."

"Oh gods..." Havok drops his forehead to the stone floor. "Oh gods, I am so sorry. Sorry for… for everything… your loss, this loss—"

"Our loss," Andrej grunts. "Our loss is yours as well and we are all sorry for it."

"How?" Havok lifts his head. "How did they fall?"

"This is why we brought you here, brother." I take a step forward and crouch down to meet his eyes. "Cyril attacked our kingdom in the night, decimated our home, murdered our family then destroyed each kingdom under Bozidar's rule in the same fashion. We are all that is left of the Dragovihk Clan, all that is left of dragon shifters save for Cyril's army. Karel got word they were coming for you before they unleashed war on us so Andrej went to retrieve you. We need you here with us, not only because you are our brother but because you will be of great help in making sure they pay for all they have done."

Havok looks me in the eye, madman replaced by soldier, by brother, by orphaned child. "I am at your service, my king, and I will personally make sure that motherfucker's skull is sitting at your family altar before the next full moon."

I nod and get to my feet. "Unchain him. Find him a place to stay that will protect him from the sun. We can have food and clothing provided while we figure out a more permanent housing arrangement."

"Unnecessary," Havok grunts as Andrej frees him of the hog tie. "If there are mountains or forest nearby I will find my own housing, and if my trunk survived the trip strapped to Andrej's back then I will not need clothing."

Milos smirks. "You sure about that, hobo Vok? Looks like you could use some new duds to me."

Havok glares as Andrej releases the shackles. "The only thing I need cannot be purchased, can only be provided one way and until I have that one thing again, my meager possessions will suffice for now."

"Food then." Henrich nods as he pulls his phone out. "There is a cave in the side of the mountain about four hundred or so yards from here. If you wish to continue living as a recluse that should suffice but we can at least provide you with food."

"I do not eat." Havok rubs his wrists where the flesh is torn and raw. "Nor do I need a source for feeding. The cave will be enough."

Henrich looks up at him with wide eyes. "How are you… how are you surviving?"

"I'm not." Havok smirks before getting to his feet. "I am merely a walking corpse and nothing short of a miracle will change that." Then he looks at the four of us again, stopping briefly on each of our faces. "Despite my abduction and the reason for it as well as the fact that I was an asshole, it does my dead heart good to see you all."

It may be just a glimpse, but the last few moments, our brother we all know and love made an appearance.

Confirmed when Havok's face splits into a devious grin and his eyes flash red.

"Now, let us discuss the goings on, perhaps begin serious preparations for all the ways I shall enjoy dismantling Cyril limb from limb before presenting his skull as an offering to my new and mighty king."

Yeah, he may be half crazed by vengeance and grief, but Havok is still in there somewhere and that is exactly why he needs to be here.

We need him just as much as he needs us and together we shall bring down the bastard who killed our family.

Yes, Please

"Tell me again why we are running through our home likesilent ninjaswhile sneaking around the halls as if we werecartoon villains?" I whisper her words back to her as Posey tugs my hand and continues stealthily dragging me down the stairs.

"Shhh!" she scolds with a smile that does not match it. "You'll wake them!"

I roll my eyes and grin, allow my mate to continue dragging me down the stairs until we hit the foyer.

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