Page 102 of Fated In Ruin

Cool air hit my face as I strode through Crimson House, waving to Nash on my way past the dining hall, where he was gathered around a table with a handful of guards, and Virgil, who looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

I made a mental note to get my cousin settled once we got back, and make sure he had somewhere safe to go after this was over. I owed him, after all.

The house was empty, but…I caught the pungent hint of cedar and changed direction, heading deeper into a wing I’d never been to before. Malachi was here somewhere, and we would all face Ravok together.

Or not at all.

* * *

Following his scent,I found Malachi in a stuffy, unused library, candles burning all around him, hunched over a book, the heavy drapes pulled tight against the rising sun.

I wasn’t even sure he noticed my approach, until his breath went out in a rush. The silence grew heavier when I stopped beside him, so many questions burning in my mind.

One burning brighter than all the others.

“Tell me about Romulus,” I said quietly, his shoulders tensing at the name. “I saw what happened between you two yesterday. He was one of your friends, wasn’t he?”

I couldn’t say how I’d put that together, only that Iknewthat fact down to my soul, like I knew Malachi would never betray us, like I knew the moon would rise tonight and Riordan would one day have the kingdom of his dreams.

Malachi didn't respond immediately. When he finally nodded, the pain in his eyes made my breath catch. “It’s a long story.” He gestured to the window seat, and I settled beside him, waiting greedily for another glimpse behind the mask.

“We were more than friends,” he began, his voice rough with emotion. “Growing up together, we were brothers in all but blood.” His laugh was bitter. “I thought I knew him better than anyone.”

“What happened?”

“Ravok happened.” Malachi's fingers curled into fists. “We were ambushed—Romulus, Noctarian, my brother Tyberius, and me, on some shithole battlefield in Croatia. Caine only turned the strongest humans, and Rom…well, he was clever, but he wasn’t strong. Ravok would have drained him and left him in the mud. I couldn't... Ididn’tlet that happen.”

He drew a shaky breath. “So I knelt. Swore the binding oath to Ravok. Gave up my eternal soul to save them. I thought I was saving all of us, but instead…I fucked up.”

“You couldn’t have known,” I murmured. “But Romulus...blamed you?” I could see that. I’d been furious, after choosing death over immortality, then having my own fate decided for me.

“I…don’t know.” He spread his hands helplessly. “For the next ten years, we marched across Europe under Tyrell’s command. We fought together, saved each other's lives more times than I can count. I don’t know when everything changed.” His voice thrummed with frustration.

“He visited me, after your escape.” His eyes slid to mine, an entire conversation contained in that single glance. “Rom claimed he’s been Ravok’s thrall this entire time. But not a mindless thrall, not a slave like the others. Hechosehis fate.”

Malachi stood abruptly, pacing away to the opposite end of the room before turning to face me. “He has full awareness. Every decision he's made has been his own.” My heart ached, watching his face twist beneath the weight of his grief.

“What does that mean, exactly?”

Malachi’s expression only grew darker as he stared at me from across the room. “Tyberius’s death,” he whispered. “Romulus orchestrated my brother's downfall, and his execution—was all part of some plan.Ravok’s plan,” he added, horror coloring his voice.

“Blake…your mate wasn’t…” Malachi’s throat bobbed, then he firmed his shoulders. “You were right. Your mate is faultless for what happened to my brother. Ty was sold out by someone he would have trusted, and all this time, I’ve been blaming the wrong person.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, wishing I could give him more than just words.

“The friend I sacrificed everything to protect...” His voice broke. “He betrayed us all.”

I rose, moving toward him, but he held up a hand to stop me. “I never saw this coming, Evangeline. All those years of thinking I was one step ahead and I never...” He whirled, slamming his fist against the paneled wall, wood splintering beneath his knuckles, leaving behind a smear of blood.

I remembered Ravok’s taunting words about Rhiannon and shuddered.I’d be keeping that information to myself.

“I should have known.” He looked bereft, in the center of the room, with his hollow stare and blood dripping from his hand. “Should have seen the signs something wasn’t right.”

“Malachi...” I reached for him again, and this time he didn't pull away, letting me tuck him into my arms. I stroked my fingers down his cheek, brushing his hair back. He tensed, as if he wasn’t used to someone comforting him, then closed his eyes, his lashes a dark curve against his pale cheeks.

“You couldn't have known,” I whispered. “He was your friend, you trusted him.”

“And look where trust got me.” The rage in his voice couldn't mask the grief underneath. “My brother is dead. Ravok is free. You are in danger.” He lifted his eyes to mine, and in them, I saw nothing but anguish, a powerful male laid bare as he murmured, “Ravok was a monster, that I knew, but Rom…I never had any friends, except him and Noctarian and Ty. Now I’m alone.”

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