Dawn of Chaos and Fury by Melissa K. Roehrich - 53

50

“ T hanks, kitten,” Axel murmured, feeling her flames dance around him.

It was cold in Idalia, the capital city of the Anala Kingdom. He’d known that, of course. Geography had been part of his studies, and Idalia sat just on the outskirts of the Sulien Forest. In the northernmost part of the realm, it was always cold, and from his understanding, the forest often had snow even in the summer months. At least in the southern part of the forest, the year-round snowfall didn’t seem to affect Idalia quite so much.

Of course, none of that mattered much to the Anala Kingdom. Not when a good number of their population had fire magic. Aside from the Anala Legacy, they never let other kingdoms claim fire Fae. Katya was one of the rare exceptions, and he still wondered how she’d ended up in the Falein Estate.

They’d arrived via portal station, stepping into the daylight, and Axel had immediately pulled up the hood of his jacket to shield himself from the sun. Gloves in place and completely covered, the cool weather helped hide his new nature well enough.

The portal station was on the water’s edge, and Axel could see the faint outline of the Ozul Mountains across the body of water between their two kingdoms. It was brilliant really. With the mountains butting right up to the water’s edge on the Arius Kingdom side, there were no inhabitants. If they did send anyone to spy, all they’d see was the same thing a person saw if they entered the kingdom through the portal station. Axel had only been to the kingdom one other time, and that was due to the tradition of all heirs touring the capital cities and Fae Estates. Otherwise, Lady Kyra rarely granted entry.

Kat held Maddox to her chest, keeping him plenty warm. They were staying in Idalia for a few days’ time, which meant they’d needed to bring him along. There was no way either of them were missing out on entering the Anala Kingdom.

Tessa walked ahead of them, pulling her fur-lined jacket tighter around herself, and Luka stepped to her side, presumably doing the same thing Kat had done for Axel by providing some of his dragon warmth. Theon was at her other side, while the rest of their company trailed behind Axel and Kat.

They were escorted from the portal station and down several blocks into the heart of Idalia until they came to a three story brick building. Topped with a gold dome, the sun reflected off it. Climbing the front steps, they entered an elegant lobby, mosaics of the sun and fire on the floors. A moment later, the sound of heels echoed before Lady Kyra appeared before them, along with her daughter and their Sources.

Kat shuffled nervously next to him, fighting all her instincts to drop to a knee. Tessa had made it clear none of the Fae with them were to do so. She’d said if they were pushing for this change and wanted the Fae to be seen as the equals they were, no one should be bowing to anyone. The Fae had been nervous, but none of them defied their own Lady.

Lady Kyra’s bright amber eyes skimmed over them, a small smile playing on her lips as she bowed her head slightly. “Lady Tessa,” she greeted, lifting her head to meet her gaze. “Welcome to Idalia.”

“Thank you,” Tessa said tightly, everything about her tense. She was still conditioned to think everything was a trap, and Axel couldn’t blame her.

Lady Kyra either didn’t notice or didn’t care to draw attention to the possible slight as she shifted her focus to his brother. “Theon,” she greeted, stepping forward. “You bring quite the company with you.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Kyra,” he said. “It is such a rarity.”

“Out of necessity, I assure you,” she replied, features hardening the smallest amount. “We have a light lunch prepared. Come and eat. We can discuss matters, and then you can be shown to your quarters before we meet again.”

They all followed her to a large space with a long table in the center. Rather than being served, one wall was set up with various dishes in a buffet style. After everyone had filled their plates, Axel held Maddox while Kat settled in to eat.

Lady Kyra sat at the head of the table, observing everyone as she said, “Now that we all have food, perhaps some introductions?”

“Of course,” Theon said, glancing at Tessa, who nodded. She may be the Arius Lady, but she was letting Theon be the public face of the kingdom. Not that she didn’t step in when she needed to, but she was smart enough to know that Theon had been playing the game of politics far longer than she had.

“You know Luka,” Theon started.

“Of course,” Kyra said. Arching a brow, she added, “Lady Tessa’s other husband.”

Theon smirked. “Correct.” He didn’t say anything else to that, gesturing across the table. “And you know Axel. This is his wife, Kat, and their son, Maddox. Together they sit on the Underground Council.”

“The lost fire Fae,” Kyra said with a nod of her head. “Congratulations on your son.”

“Thank you, my Lady,” Kat said softly, glancing at Axel, and it took all of him not to ask right then and there how Kat had come to be raised in the Falein Estate.

“A child of fire and shadows will certainly be…” Kyra hedged.

“Welcomed,” Tessa interjected, her fork halfway to her mouth. “He is welcomed within our kingdom and the realm.”

Kyra nodded in understanding, her gaze lingering a moment longer on the babe before moving on.

“Xan Mors,” Theon said. “Luka’s father, and Razik Greybane, his brother, along with Eliza, Razik’s mate.”

Kyra settled back in her chair, propping her chin on her fist. “You are not from Devram.”

Razik and Eliza exchanged a look, but it was Theon who said, “No, they are not.”

Kyra was still eyeing Eliza, and it was enough to make Razik shift closer. Eliza, however, was holding the Lady’s stare.

“Any other questions?” Eliza asked, a bite in her tone.

“Several actually,” Kyra answered. “But I will save them for another time. Xan Mors, however…” She shifted her focus to the dragon. “There is someone here you have been separated from for quite some time.”

“There is,” Xan agreed. “I would like to be taken to her as soon as possible.”

Kyra nodded. “That can be arranged.” Before Theon could move to the next person at the table, Kyra said, “Caris Emersyn. I need no introduction. It is nice to see you once more.”

“Wait, you know Caris?” Axel interrupted.

“Quite well,” Kyra replied. “Her brother was once a Lord. We were working closely on several matters before the St. Orcas line took over the kingdom. Obviously, those relations could not continue until recently.”

“It is good to see you, Kyra,” Caris said with a gentle smile. “I have missed your company.”

Axel sat back in his chair, somewhat shocked. His entire life he’d been told Arius Kingdom had been shunned by the others. To hear otherwise was… Well, not entirely surprising considering the ways all the kingdoms had twisted history to match their narratives. Anala Kingdom wasn’t innocent in all this either. Even if they claimed to be trying to change things, they were still complacent in the end.

“As for you, Corbin, welcome back,” Kyra said. “Thank you for keeping so many secrets.”

He smiled, bowing his head. “Of course, my Lady. Although I discovered you were keeping secrets of your own.”

She nodded, her face falling a little. “Out of necessity, but it is not something I am proud of.” Corbin’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Who is with you?”

“Lange Castellon,” he answered, nodding to the male two chairs down. “And Priya Perin,” he added. The child shrank back in her chair where she was seated between the two males.

“It is lovely to meet you, Priya,” Kyra said. “Do you have enough to eat?”

She nodded, her turquoise eyes harsh for a child so young. Axel couldn’t say he was surprised by that either. She was right to be distrusting after what she’d just endured, but true to their word, Corbin and Lange hadn’t left her behind once. One of them was always with her. Axel had no doubt they’d earn her trust, just like they’d somehow earned Eviana’s.

“And next to Xan is Akira,” Theon finished. “Tessa’s mother.”

“You are also not of Devram,” Kyra mused.

“I am from what should not be,” Akira said simply, digging into her meal.

An awkward silence filled the air until Lady Kyra picked up her fork as she announced, “Well, now that introductions are out of the way, let’s eat. After you have been shown your rooms for your stay, we will take you to areas of our kingdom I trust you will find interesting.”

They dug into their meals, small talk taking place among them, and it was about halfway through when Tessa turned to the Anala Lady and said, “May I ask you a question?”

Kyra smiled, setting down her silverware and wiping her fingers. “Of course, my Lady.”

All the chatter had died down, and Tessa picked up her wineglass. “Why is it that all the fire Fae stay in the Anala Kingdom?” She glanced at Kat. “Or most of them.”

Kyra hummed. “Yes, there are very few exceptions. She was one of them, although not by my choice. I did not learn of it until you were already gone from our borders, Katya.”

“I didn’t mind the Falein Estate,” she said. Then she added, “For the most part.”

Didn’t mind, my ass , Axel thought to himself, and he must have made some kind of sound because Kat reached over and rested her hand on his thigh, squeezing softly. He was fairly certain if she’d been raised here, she wouldn’t have been forced to service any scholars.

Kyra cleared her throat, gaze darting away from Axel. “There have been Accords since Devram was created that the fire Fae would serve Anala Kingdom. Anala herself demanded it before agreeing to bring her Legacy here.”

“But why?” Tessa pushed. “None of the others made such demands. Silas. Sefarina. Anahita.”

“None of them were a First,” Kyra said. “They were not in a position to make such demands.”

“Not in a position? They are gods.”

“Yes, but they are Lessers. Everything in Devram mirrors other worlds in one way or another.”

“Like the Source Marks?” Tessa asked with far too much sweetness. Theon and Luka took note too, both of them stiffening at her tone.

Kyra looked more and more uncomfortable as this conversation went on, and Axel was rather impressed. For someone who didn’t want to be the most powerful in the room, Tessa was handling it with far more grace than any of them would have.

“Yes,” Kyra agreed. “Like the Source Marks.”

“That mirror something else.”

Kyra shifted in her chair. “I won’t deny that there is corruption in the realm, Lady Tessa.”

“Do you deny your participation in it? Do you deny going along with it to maintain your seat of power? Of forcing the Fae Anala felt the need to protect to still serve at your feet?” Tessa pressed, lightning flickering in her eyes. Her gaze flicked to Kyra’s Source, then to Gatlan. “Forcing Fae to endure such Marks?”

“We do not treat them beneath us here,” Kyra tried, lifting her chin.

“It doesn’t matter if you do so outside your own borders. You simply prioritize those you deem more valuable,” Tessa spat bitterly.

“Tessa,” Theon murmured, reaching to take her hand.

“No, Theon,” Kyra said, holding up her hand. “If we are to be allies, we need to be able to speak freely.”

“You know of twin flames?” Tessa asked, tapping her wineglass with her nail. “You know they’re incorporated into the Source Marks?”

Kyra cleared her throat. “Yes, I did know. That was happening long before I acquired my seat.”

“And you didn’t think to do anything about it?”

“We have all made mistakes. We all have regrets. I think you’ve learned that well over these last months,” Kyra replied. Tessa’s eyes narrowed, but she went on. “Changing how things have been done for centuries is not an easy task, my Lady, especially when the majority of those in power do not want change. When they are vehemently against it. Instead, it must be accomplished by making smaller changes. Letting them build into something bigger. Over and over again, even when it doesn’t feel like a difference is being made in the end.

“It is making a difference when no one will likely know but the person who receives the gift. It is keeping as many as you can safe and mourning those you lose. It is welcoming those who manage to escape and giving them refuge. It is watching and observing those who show the slightest bit of sympathy because maybe, just maybe, they will end up joining the cause. It is working endlessly for something you may never see come to fruition in your lifetime.”

Her voice cracked as she continued. “It is hoping, when all feels lost, that a young heir who Selected someone who could be this world’s salvation or destruction will let her be who she was always meant to be. It is hoping she will choose this world too, despite how it broke her and used her and does not deserve her. It is hoping, even when it seems pointless, because hope sees the invisible. What is possible. What hides in the dark, hope drags to the light. Hope is never truly lost as long as one person still dares to dream of something better.”

Axel was staring at the Anala Lady. Everyone was. The room had gone silent and still. Something reverent hung in the air.

“I once thought hope was pointless,” Tessa said softly.

“What changed your mind?” Kyra asked.

“A friend gave me music,” she answered, her eyes finding Axel. “When my world was breaking, he cared enough to give me something to drown in when there was nothing else.”

Axel offered her a small smile, and she returned it, even if it was a little muted and sad.

“But I can agree we wish for the same thing, Lady Kyra,” Tessa said, picking up her fork once more.

Kyra smiled, doing the same. “Then it will be my pleasure to show you what we’ve built here.”

After they were shown their rooms, they were led to a building on the other side of Idalia, and Axel was shocked to find it was another portal station. Portals that anyone could use— Legacy, Fae, mortal. It didn’t matter.

The first portaled them to the other side of Sulien Forest, on the east side of the Terrarun River. If he was shocked about the portal station, he was amazed at what they found.

An entire city of Fae.

It spanned for miles and was larger than Idalia.

All of them were Fae that had sought safety from the other kingdoms. Mothers who wanted to save their children. Lovers who were desperate to stay together. Those who had dared to defy the Legacy and were facing the Underground or death. All the Fae from the Sirana Villas, the Celeste Estate, and the Pantheon.

Thousands of them were housed here, and they were clearly running short on space.

“We cannot risk going too far south,” Tana, the Anala Heir, was explaining as they walked through the streets. “The cities there are mainly Legacy, but the Fae that are there are employed and paid fairly. Nothing is forced.”

“And this city is guarded,” Gatlan, her Source, added. “Hundreds of members of our forces are trained outside the city. It is part of their duties to serve on rotation here, as well as the other cities.”

Axel had been watching the male and Corbin. They had apparently been friends during their formative years at the Anala Estate. It was yet another reminder of how much the Fae were forced to sacrifice for the kingdoms. Friends. Relationships. Hopes and dreams.

It had him slipping his arm around Kat’s waist and tugging her into his side while he held Maddox on his shoulder, the babe sleeping soundly and warmed by his mother’s magic.

Tessa had asked to visit a school in the city, and they had opted to stay outside. In a rare moment alone with the Anala Lady, Axel asked, “Lady Kyra?”

She turned to him with a smile, waiting for his question.

“You called Kat a ‘lost fire Fae,’” he ventured. “But with all these security measures…”

“How did it happen?” she finished when he trailed off. Axel nodded, and Kyra sighed. “We have people on the inside in nearly every kingdom. As you can imagine, it is a dangerous thing to ask of someone, and they risk everything by doing so. But when passion and hope win out, the risks don’t seem to matter.”

Maddox started fussing, and Kat reached to take him, snuggling him close. Her head was down, focused on their son, but Axel knew her well enough to know she was trying to process whatever Kyra was about to tell them.

“A little over two decades ago, one of our greatest assets found their way to us. He was deep in the Achaz Kingdom and could sense power,” Kyra continued, and Kat’s head snapped up.

“You speak of Brecken,” Kat said, eyes wide.

“I do,” Kyra agreed with a sad smile. “He did much for the Fae in Devram. So much more than anyone realizes. But all those noble actions still came with costs, and you were one. I did not know what he’d done until it was over. I was furious, but he swore he’d make it right.”

“Brecken is the reason Kat was outside the Anala Kingdom?” Axel asked, not following where this was going.

“He was,” Kyra answered. “Brecken had come across a desperate mother. A Shifter who’d had a child with a Fae. She was being held at the Sirana Villas, and she begged Brecken to take the child and hide him. Refused to be told where so she couldn’t be forced to betray the secret.”

“Corbin,” Axel said, the pieces slowly coming together.

Kyra nodded. “Our alliance was still new and tentative. He didn’t fully trust me yet, which was fair. We keep strict records of all our Fae, and we knew exactly how many children were at the Estate. He swapped the child out.” Another sad smile at Kat. “He took you to the Falein Estate. As I said, I was furious. He wouldn’t tell me where you were, but he swore an oath to watch over you and keep you safe. He checked on you often.”

“And when my Selection year was getting close, he took me to Tessa,” Kat whispered.

“I do not know those details,” Kyra said. “I was to claim you that night under the Accords the moment your fire magic showed itself, but…”

“I claimed her for Arius first,” Axel finished. “You were irate.”

She nodded. “So was Brecken, but it appears to have worked out in the end. Fate can be funny like that.”

“Don’t let Tessa hear you discuss the Fates,” Axel snickered.

Kyra hummed. “Yes, the Fates have not been particularly kind to her.” A few seconds passed before she said, “Before the others return, there are two people here I think you will find of interest. One you may not wish to speak to. The other, I think you would like to meet.”

His stomach dropped.

His mother and his sister.

“I…” He pushed out a harsh breath, shoving his hand through his hair. “Cressida,” he finally said. “I do wish to speak to her.” He glanced at Katya. “Alone.”

“I can arrange that,” Kyra said.

So while everyone else continued to tour the kingdom, Axel went with Kyra’s Source to a small town on the other side of the Terrarun River at the base of the Raghnall Mountains. Just inside Sulien Forest, it was built into the side of a mountain. The kingdom’s own mini Underground it seemed. Then again, it wasn’t quite a prison. There were not bars, but semi-comfortable rooms that they weren’t allowed to leave.

“Just knock when you’re done,” he said, and Axel nodded as he was let into a room.

It was sparse. A small sitting room with a table for two, a sofa, a small desk, and a bookshelf. A doorway led to what he assumed was a small bedroom and bathroom. Cressida had clearly heard the door, because she emerged from that room a moment later, then froze when she saw who stood in her space.

“Axel?” she gasped, rushing to him and throwing her arms around his neck. “Thank Arius you’ve come for me.”

He was stiff as he reached for her arms and pulled her off him, gently shoving her back a few steps. His lips curled back as he said, “I didn’t come for you. I only came to say goodbye.”

Because at the end of the day, she was still his mother.

“Say goodbye?” she cried. “What do you mean?”

“You kept things from Theon. From me. You betrayed Arius Kingdom and tried to have Tessa killed,” Axel said coldly.

“I was forced to keep those secrets,” she argued. “And betraying Arius Kingdom? I was betraying your father, not the kingdom. Do you know what he did to me?”

“I do,” he answered. “I’m sorry you had to endure that.”

“You’re sorry?” she repeated, her features turning cold and angry. “As if that changes anything.”

“It doesn’t. I know that.”

“I suppose I should be grateful. After all, I got you in the end, right?”

“I could never replace another child,” he replied.

“That’s not what your father said,” she sneered. “A male. A spare heir. I should be honored to provide such a thing after giving him such a disappointment the first time.”

“But you never really loved me, did you?” he asked.

She lifted her chin. “I did what I could.”

“You tolerated me. Used me as a weapon against Valter and Theon. Favored me out of spite,” Axel continued, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

She was quiet, and when that silence stretched on for nearly two minutes, when she refused to look at him, he knew he was right.

“I have a son,” he said, and her head snapped up, emerald eyes wide.

“What?” she gasped. “I have a grandson?”

“One that you will never lay eyes on,” he replied. “Because you will remain here. For the rest of your days.”

“I am your mother,” she cried, lurching forward and clutching at his arm. “You can’t leave me here!”

“My mother was kept locked in the Underground for nearly a decade,” Axel snarled, once again removing her hands from his body. “She has held my son. She has rocked him to sleep. She is the only reason you are not in the After.”

“You cannot leave me here!” Cressida cried again as Axel turned away.

He knocked twice, the door opening a moment later, and as he stepped through the door, he looked over his shoulder one last time. “Goodbye, Cressida.”

He could still hear her furious cries echoing while Kyra’s Source led him back out of the small incarceration unit, and when they stepped out in the daylight once more, he reached for his hood again.

“Dey? I didn’t know you were going to be here,” the Fae male said, and Axel turned to see who he was talking to.

Dark red hair was cut to her shoulders, bangs touching brows over emerald green eyes. In fitted pants and a shirt, she had daggers strapped to her thighs. She’d clearly been trained to fight. Her eyes were narrowed, studying him, and he didn’t need the shadows drifting around her to know who she was. Knew she was five years older than he was, weeks younger than Theon.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he stayed put, waiting for her to make the first move.

She stepped up on the first stair, stilling once more. “You’re her son?” she asked.

“She birthed me,” he replied. “But I don’t claim her as my mother.”

The female didn’t respond. Only studied him more, and he didn’t care. He’d long since stopped caring what other people thought of him. He had a family he’d kill for, and an Underground full of people in his care. If his sister decided she wanted nothing to do with him, it’d hurt, but he’d move on. He’d understand.

“Aiyana told me of you,” she finally said, moving up another step.

“I’ve been told of you as well,” he replied. “But I’m guessing you’ve known of me far longer than I’ve known of you.”

“Probably,” she answered, venturing another stair closer. “You were speaking to her?”

“For the last time,” he said, watching the mist of shadows trail her. “Have you met her?”

She nodded. “Once.”

“And?”

Her lips thinned. “She took one look at my shadows and cried. Sobbed about what her life should have been to have produced an Arius heir.”

“ Her life?” Axel questioned.

“You heard me.”

He huffed a laugh of disbelief. “Yeah, that tracks for her.” He tipped his head, studying her. “And now?”

She was still four steps down from him, spine ridged. “Aiyana will return to her sons, and I…” She shrugged.

Axel took a step down this time. “What do you want to do? Stay here?”

Her hands clenched at her sides, and he knew what she was going to say before she said the words.

“I’ve been forced to stay hidden here,” she replied.

“Valter is dead. No longer the Arius Lord,” Axel said. “Would you like to see the rest of the realm?”

Her shadows thickened, caressing her in a way they used to do to him. “Your brother won’t consider me a threat?”

“He’s not the ruler, and even if he was, no. He wouldn’t, and he wouldn’t be a threat to you.”

“I’ve heard…things. About him. And you,” she ventured, her nerves finally flickering in her eyes.

“Most are true,” he conceded. “But much has changed too.”

She remained quiet, features hard.

“Think about it?” he said, jogging past her down the stairs. “I have to get back to my wife and son, but when you’re ready, we’ll be waiting.”

“You have a wife and son?” she called after him.

He paused, turning to walk backwards down the street. “I do.”

“What are their names?”

“Kat and Maddox. What’s yours?” he tossed back.

It was small, but her lips curved up at the corners. “Kasdeya, but everyone calls me Dey.”

“Let me know when you’re ready,” he repeated. “Mads will need someone to teach him to wield his shadows when the time comes.”

“Me?” she asked, her brows flying up.

He shrugged. “Who better than family?”

Her power writhed beside her until a panther of shadows took shape. He grinned, and she smirked back. And in that moment, he knew they’d see her again.