Page 70 of Bonded By Moons

Everyone in unison raises their glasses and toasts to us as we find our seats at the table. We sit closest to my father and my brothers are seated near my mother this time.

“Thank you, father.” I grind out through clenched teeth. “Do you mind explaining to us where you’ve been? And who this fucking imposter is?” I say nodding in the direction of Ronyx, losing my cool as Ember places a calming hand on my thigh under the table. I can feel her magic pour waves of calmness, peace, and resilience over me. I let out a slow breath.

“In due time, son. For now, let us eat and cheer for new beginnings.” His father shouts even though we’re all seated relatively close. He’s being preposterous today.

“This really couldn’t have waited until we got dressed?” I ask my father as he takes in our appearance for what seems to be the first time.

He clears his throat. “This won’t take long, then.”

His happy demeanor quickly fades and he slams his wine glass down on the table and looks to Ronyx.

She blushes and smiles back at him.

What the actual fuck is going on here?I hear Ember whisper through the bond.

Ronyx stands from the table and smiles at all of us. She quickly backs away and leaves the room. We sit in silence for several minutes before she returns with a strange box. She rounds the table and sets the black carved box down in front of my father. His eyes glisten with power and hunger as he slowly opens the lid.

“This, my dear family, is our salvation.” he says as he diabolically stares at whatever is inside the mysterious box.

Slowly, he raises what appears to be a blood stone. I’ve seen them at the black market on very rare occasions.

Have you seen a gem like this before?I whisper to Ember.

Yes, but that is not an ordinary ruby. It’s a soul stone. It’s estracted from a creature or fae prior to their last heartbeat and holds their magical essence.

Shit, he’s got something we didn’t know about which puts us even further in the dark regarding his powers and abilities.

My father is a fire pixie, but with the strange powers he’s acquired recently, he’s also gained the ability to manipulate shadows and air. He’s capable of walking through shadows, allowing him to move from one space to another in the blink of an eye. It’s an ancient but lost magic that allows fae to bend space and time to their will and travel anywhere within seconds. I’ve only seen him do it at the winter solstice ball, when he lost his temper in front of the entire lunar court and hung me from the ceiling.

Honestly, I haven’t seen my father since that night.

What exactly has he gained from this stone?

My question is quickly answered as I watch him wave for a young guard to be ushered into the room. He’s chained and being tugged around like a wild animal, when in reality the guard looks like he’s scared shitless.

“Father, what is going on?” Aspen shouts down the table. “That is one of my guards!”

“Well, you should feel grateful that one of your men has been chosen to sacrifice themselves for the sake of our kingdom.”

“Excuse me?” Aspen shoves his chair back and tries to run to help his guard. He doesn’t make it far since the king is using air magic to restrain Aspen. Forcing him to take his seat again, my father uses more power to shove Aspen’s chair back to the table. Locking him into his seat.

My father growls at the room. “Now that the dramatics are over, let’s get on with it. You’re all just a bunch of fucking children if you can’t see how this will change the fate of our world forever.” The king says while waving at Ronyx and taking his seat once again at the head of the table.

The young strange woman focuses on the guard who is fighting for his life, kicking and screaming, trying to save himself.

“Please!” The young guard screams but his voice is cut off as Ronyx raises her hand and casts black shadows that zap and pulse like lightening, wrapping around the guard's throat, cutting off his air supply and suffocating him in seconds.

Ember flicks her attention back to the king and screams, “What have you done?!”

My father ignores my mate and it makes my blood boil even more.

We all turn to face the king and wait to see what his next move is. We’re frozen in our seats, locked and restrained by his strange magic. It feels wrong as it tries to caress and kiss my skin like an unwanted lover. I don’t know entirely what’s going on yet, but Amara and Ember are trembling with rage and disgust and we all stare at the king. Unable to move.

He’s a despicable excuse for a king. He’s no king at all.

We need to rid this world of his tyranny immediately. I don’t give a fuck if he practically donated sperm to create me. He can burn and I hope its by my hands.

If not for all of the fae and humans here, then for my fucking mate. I won’t let him ever touch her, look at her, be around her again.

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