So for the sake of my brother—and if not for him, then for me—can you please reach out to us? Siyala is unnerved that she has not received word on Rhea, and for all I’m talking you up to her, she gets less and less convinced that you’re someone who is trustworthy the more time that passes. Remember, you have a home here too, Bahira.
I hope your experiments are going well.
Love,
Your Most Favorite Shifter Without A Penis,
Jahlee
I don’t realize how tightly I’m holding the letter until I notice the small rip that’s branched out from my grip. “Care to explain to me why my personal letter has been opened and read?”
“It has shown to be imperative with your family that we check the messages received from foreign kingdoms,” Kallin answers, steepling his hands beneath his chin. “Though I’m curious to know how someone in the Shifter Kingdom is aware of the woman who was inadvisably engaged to your brother.”
I slowly fold the letter back up and tuck it into my pocket, ignoring the dirty look Osiris sends me as I try to buy myself some time. “And how many messages are you receiving from foreign kingdoms?” Gods, if they are monitoring lettersintothe kingdom, certainly they are tracking the ones that leave too. And without knowing who will report back to the council, I can’t risk responding to Jahlee’s letter. Or sending one to Kai himself.
He smirks, leaning back in his chair. “Don’t deflect, Princess Bahira. Part of your mission was to find out how the shifters knew that we could pass through the Spell, and youapparentlyfailed to do so. The bargain we made with them specified your help, as chosen by the magic of the Continent, in exchange for their protection should we need it. You returned home early, andby your own accounts, were unsuccessful in that regard as well. But are we surprised considering your success here at home has been so mottled with disappointment?”
“I fulfilled my end of the bargain. The magic of the deal would not have allowed me to leave if I hadn’t. With Nox home and the magical item no longer a threat, we have no need for the safety the shifters were providing.”
Borris jumps in, his eyes locked on the door as if he can see through it and to some unnamed threat in the hall, “That remains to be seen.”
A line forms between my brows at that.
“And now this letter reveals that they might know aboutourown weaknesses, fed to them by a member of the royal family.”
Fury rises, giving birth to a tingling warmth that expands across my chest at his cadence. “What are you insinuating, Councilman Kallin?”
“Treason, Princess Bahira.”
Words tangle in my throat as I glare at him. With the Mirror broken, there is no way for the council to confirm what Kai knows about our kingdom, not that I had even told himanythingregarding our own plights. But just astheycan’t contact him, neither canheassure them that I’m speaking the truth.
A biting retort sits on my tongue, pushing at my teeth and lips to try to break free, but before it can, the door to the council room opens, one of the palace aides breathing heavily as he pokes his face through the opening.
“Your Highness. Councilmen.” His wide eyes hold mine as he draws in a deep inhale. “Prince Nox has woken.”
My feet pound over the glittering black stone floors, all thoughts of the council and their accusations pushed to the back of my mind as I run. The guards’ presence hasn’t lessened in the time since I’ve returned, and as I round the final corner and continue forward, I spot a cluster of them gathered in front of Nox’s door. Their weapons glint where they are sheathed behind their backs, and they stand at attention, their faces serious even as a few cast curious glances as I bound towards them. But my surprise at the number of guards is quickly overshadowed by the familiar head of dark blonde hair that paces in front of them, her arms folded over her chest.
“Bahira!” Haylee shouts, throwing her arms out wide before drawing me in for a hug. I’m so stunned by the gesture that I stand there awkwardly, my breaths panting near her ear.When was the last time we hugged each other?I genuinely can’t recall if we ever had.
“Haylee, what are you doing here?”
“I’ve been trying to visit Nox since the ball, but”—she shakes her head, her eyes darting to the closed door—“Cass has been strict about who he allows in. Which I suppose I understand. With everything going on…” She grows quiet, her eyes coming back to mine. “And I know I haven’t sought you out yet; it’s just my uncle has kept me sobusy,and I—”
“Haylee, it’s fine. We can catch up later, but right now, I need to see my brother.” Letting her go, I step back and turn on my heel, my hand reaching for the door handle.
“Of course. I hope he’s alright.”
“I told you, no one is coming in here until the king himself—”
“It’s me, Cass.” Three clicks ring out before the door opens and Cass leans across the threshold, eyes assessing as they look back to Haylee.
“Sorry, Bahira,” he says quietly, allowing me to pass. He shuts the door and locks it again, despite hearing Haylee’s protest on the other side.
The air is still tainted with the astringent scent of medical supplies, but something else now lingers there too. Something that smells of metal—of blood.
My eyes go straight to where my brother is still laying in the bed, but the sight of him halts my steps. His clothing is rumpled and his hair is in disarray, but it’s what swirls in the normally charcoal color of his irises that has my throat working hard to swallow. They’ve taken on a misty ink color and flecks of bright white dot them like stars in a night sky. “What’s wrong with his eyes?” I ask, looking first to my mother and then to Cass from where they stand on either side of his bed. At my question, his head snaps towards me, a feral look the likes of which I haveneverseen on Nox sending my pulse through the roof.
“We do not know,” my mother answers, her hand gently resting on top of Nox’s head. Those eyes—somehow Nox’s and not—narrow, and an eerie chill creeps over me as I near the bed. The rest of his body comes into view, and a rush of air is squeezed from my chest as I take in what is attached to his wrists and ankles.Shackles.
