Page 20 of Whispers of Fate

“To tend to the shit unfolding from the storm,” he announced gently. “The boys returned this morning. Half the unit they marched with vanished before they reached the palace. I am forming scouting parties to see if we can locate them and bring them home before the temperature drops lower. We also have family showing up, and others seeking refuge from the storm. I didn’t want to wake you since I wasn’t gentle last night. You also didn’t stir when I kissed every inch of your gorgeous face this morning. You’ve had a lot of things to deal with, and I have been out scouring the countryside, not doing much else.”

“Oh.” I smirked, drifting my eyes over him before I moved closer, lifting to place my lips against his. “I’m glad you’re home and that I can finally breathe again with you near. Go and be the king they need. I’ll be down shortly.”

He yanked me closer, and I slipped my arms around his back while he walked me toward the bed. Sliding my palms up his powerful back, I groaned, pushing my fingers through his silky hair, and my mouth lowered to his, claiming it softly. Ryder walked us toward the bed, smiling while he followed me down on the mattress until he placed a hand beside my head, and lowered his lips to mine, kissing me gently.

“Rest, and I’ll send the attendant up with some sweets and tea for mybreeding mate.”

“Do you want these fists, Fairy? Those two words better never leave that skilled tongue beside one another ever again. If they do, you’re going to see me go from goddess to wicked witch in seconds flat.” He chuckled, planting a kiss on my forehead before he drew back, staring at the shattered door. His magic rushed through the room, and the chill vanished as the door repaired itself. “I love you.”

“You better after last night.” He chuckled wickedly.

He exited the room, and long after he’d left, I remained rooted in place. I had a sinking sensation in my stomach that something was horribly wrong. I couldn’t shake the feeling that that soon we’d be donning our armor and heading to battle against an unseen enemy.

Chapter Twelve

Theblizzardragedoutsidethe palace walls. Wind howled vociferously through the basin, forcing turmoil to churn in the inhabitants existing here. Ryder and the boys had gone back out to scout for the missing guards. He’d taken some of his brothers with them for backup in case they ran into trouble.

I’d started ordering supplies months ago to prepare for the celebration, and now I was determining what we had and tallying stores to disperse to those who showed up. The tithes that had been paid were also being split up and handed out to fae who came to us for help. Unfortunately, supplies were diminishing far more rapidly than they were coming in. Although I’d sent people out to gather more, the persistent assault of ice and snow attacking the land made it unlikely they’d return quickly.

Ciara walked beside me, Fury on her right, and Phoenix firmly planted on her hip. We entered the throne room, which was full of laughter and chatter as family and friends feasted on the evening meal. Enjoying the sight of them cracking jokes and talking to one another, I smiled until the door of the feeder room crashed open behind me.

A woman slipped out of the doors, plastering her back against the wall. The girl’s wrists and thighs were both welted with what looked like handprints or marks from being held down. The woman’s coloring was ashen, and yet she didn’t make a peep or gesture for help. It wasn’t uncommon for men to get rough with them, but we’d assured there was a varying assortment of kinky creatures kept in service for Ryder’s unmated brothers, or incoming guests. Our eyes locked, and she scampered away while I wrinkled my nose, noting the red marks on her wrists and throat. Her blonde hair was soaking wet—either from water or sweat—and she walked as if it ached to physically do the simple task.

I turned toward the door, considering investigating who’d mishandled her. The thing was, that room was nothing but a fuck-fest, and entering it would have me up close, and a lot more personal with Ryder’s brothers, and men than I wished to be.

“Synthia?” Ciara asked, her violet gaze searching my face before she peered around to see what had caused me to suddenly pause. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes,” I announced, plastering a smile onto my lips. “I need to check something really quick. I’ll find you once I’ve wrapped up. Can you go make sure Ristan is allowing Orion to play with the other babes? He’s been nervous of allowing the little dangle to play since he disemboweled his nursemaid and ate her heart.” Her ink-colored eyebrows shot into her hairline, and her mouth formed a perfect O. I waved her shocked appearance away, elaborating on why the little urchin had done what he had. “She’d been trying to seduce Ristan and decided to try to drug him to secure a spot in his bed. We think Orion was aware of it and killed her to protect his daddy. I don’t actually think he’d try to hurt anyone other than the next woman to show interest in Ristan.”

She snickered before covering it with her palm, even though Phoenix giggled, peering at her mother with lavender-colored eyes, which swam with love. A pang of regret clenched in my chest, and I exhaled before running my finger over the babe’s cheek.

“I can almost agree with what Orion did.” Ciara snorted, drifting her gaze toward Fury, who was standing on a table, swinging his wooden sword. “I fear our children will only know war and strife. It’s been weird having normalcy around here, even with the freak storms. I can’t help feeling that it’s precarious, and we should not trust it yet.”

Staring at the boy, I said, “I feel that too. It’s as if there’s something creeping closer, hiding in the bushes surrounding us. There’s a pit in my stomach, slowly carving itself into a crater. I thought Ryder being back would help, but there is still a whisper of warning in my mind.”

“Icelyn tried to end the blizzard and couldn’t. I’m beginning to think it is what is causing the dread and unsettling feelings building around us.” Ciara paused, sliding her gaze to Lilith, who had a palm on her stomach. “Lilith is pregnant, but she’s not discovered that tidbit for herself yet. Asrian seems clueless too.”

I focused on Lilith and smiled when I heard the beating of tiny hearts. “Apparently, they’re in a rather big hurry to catch up to the rest of us.” I wouldn’t disclose their secrets yet, even though the tiny heartbeats sounded strong. Four strong heartbeats pounded from within Lilith’s slender form.

“You think they’re having multiples?”

I nodded. “Triplets.”

Ciara shook her head. “I wonder how they’ll balance it all. I only have two, and sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on Fury’s childhood while tending to Phoenix. He’s so active that I have allowed the nannies to help me more often with him. This little lady is much more mellow, and merely wants to cuddle and be held.”

“And that makes you feel guilty?” I guessed, sensing her true feelings from the frown tugging her lips down at the corners.

“Yes, immensely so. I feel like I am failing him, Synthia. Fury was barely a few months old when I got pregnant with his sister. It didn’t allow us time to coddle him or shower him with the attention he needed.” Fury let out a battle cry that had us both shooting our focus to him. Fury held his wooden sword up high in the air, and continued to chase one girl, who squealed and giggled while they rushed around the table. “Honestly, I’m not even sure how he hasn’t broken every bone in his body. That child is wild and houses no fear within him.”

“You have nothing to feel guilty about, Ciara. You and Blane love them unconditionally. Asking for help doesn’t make you a negligent mother. We all need help sometimes, and few will ask before it becomes too much. Look at your son and tell me he isn’t happy and loved by everyone around him. The other children and everyone within this palace adores that child. He’s the prince of dragons and doesn’t need to be coddled. Fury will become king someday, and that means he’s going to be taught by others to rule justly. You’re an amazing mother, and Blane has surprised us all by being an amazing king to his people, and father to his children. He’s also a loving husband, and worships the ground you walk on. I agree you should take time between pregnancies, but merely so you can heal properly. There’s not one person present who doesn’t think you’re an amazing mother. Considering the past and what you’ve accomplished for yourself? I think you’ve built the perfect life and have found the perfect husband to create it with.” A bubble of laughter escaped her chest, flooding her with relief that visibly drained from her worried expression.

Fury hooted with victory, which forced us to search through the crowded room to discover his location. He was sitting on the girl, pulling her hair while she fought to punch him in the nose. “He definitely gets that from his father. I need to handle that before he licks her or something worse. I’ll meet you in the storerooms above once I’ve put this little miss down for her nap.”

Ciara started across the room, and I drifted my attention toward the door to the feeder room, discovering it left open. Heading toward the open door, I merely intended to shut it, preventing any children from wandering in, I paused with my palm on the thick oak door.

Smothered cries were coming from the cracked doorway. Tilting my ear toward the noises, I creased my forehead with worry. It sounded more like someone was pleading for help, but being prevented from doing so. The muffled cries turned into moans, but it still didn’t sound pleasant. A shiver of unease raced down my spine as I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The smell of sex and spices met my nose, forcing my nostrils to flare with awareness. Candlelight flickered with the breeze that the open doorway created in the dimly lit antechamber. No one sat on the couches or chairs that filled the room. Normally, it was filled with feeders who were waiting to be chosen by a male. The emptiness sent a warning shooting through me, churning my stomach.

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