Fuck the fates!It enraged him to no end. She couldn’t just give in to the madness of it all. But he was haunted by that look in her eyes. As if she truly knew. It was clear she wouldn’t give in. So, he begrudgingly agreed, fulfilling her promise—to stay away, out of danger. But that didn’t stop David from sending the Cherubs to spy. He had to do something to put his devastated mind at ease, to know her heart was still beating. But time was running out and he refused to let her rot in the hands of the Skell King.
The Lord’s face flushed a molten red. “The only misunderstanding here,boy, is the part where you think you can give orders around here!” He stabbed an accusatory finger into David’s shoulder, causing him to stumble back astep. “Ironically, I might add, as you’ve been pissing and moaning for decades about not wanting to assume your responsibilities!”
Frowning, David opened his mouth to refute.
His father’s hand flew up, quickly interjecting.
“And as far as I’m concerned, whatever trouble the Hallow Land Queen has gotten herself into is not our concern. Tensions are already high, having such a strained relationship with their kingdom.” The Lord’s voice dropped, disapproving. “What exactly do you think the Skell King would do if he found out Loveland was harboring his bride?”
A long, lethal beat passed. They both knew exactly what the Skell King would do.
“But he is abusing her!” David yelled, stepping forward. White knuckles fisted the hilt of his sword, as if ready for that very attack right now. “Any more and he will outright kill her! She is in need of a safe haven. Are you really so heartless that you’d turn a blind eye to such monstrosities?”
The Lord’s lips coldly pulled into a narrow line, mimicking the thin ice David was stomping on. Then slowly, his features softened.
Placing two hands on the table, the Lord let out a long breath, shoulders slumping.
“People may suffer every day in other lands, but they are not our responsibility. Just as we are not their responsibility.” He straightened as his eyes met David’s. “The portals remain closed, as they’ve always been. The well-being and safety of our people is priority.Always. I will not put them at risk. ALordwould never put his people at risk!” His voice hardened, enunciating the last words. “Maybe you were right to delay your rule. You’re not ready.” Auburn locks swayed under his rose-gold crown as he shook his head. “Listen to yourself. Listen to what you are asking of our people!”
David dragged a heavy hand down his face. “This isn’tabout me. This is about doing the right thing!” He looked down defeatedly, sorrow replacing his anger. “You know damn well the Skell King is up to something.” David sighed, gazing out the window toward the Candela. “You know the prophecy, Father.” Pausing. “She’s pregnant. Due to give birth any day now.”
A dark shadow crept over the Lord’s face, draining the pink from his cheeks. Eyebrows rose, cream-white wings pulling in tight behind his back.
“Even more reason,” he whispered each word as if they were dipped in poison. “If the Skell King is as power-hungry as we fear, he’d tear this very realm apart to claim his prized child.” The Lord turned to David. “I’m sorry. The answer is no.”
He laid a heavy hand on David’s shoulder, almost pitying, then disappeared from the room.
A strange glimmerpulled David’s lost thoughts back to the present. In the distance, the Loveland Candela stood tall next to the mountain, twinkling in the sun like an enormous golden candle, forever ablaze.
Hours passed. Agonizing ideas rolled through his head that only led to dead ends.
Little tuffs of smoke started to rise from Mount Lovelorn, accompanied by small spurts of rocks. To the side, the Candela flickered.
Did that just—? Impossible.
Suddenly, the doors burst open and two rose-golden armored Cherubs came fluttering in. It was the Cherub Army’s two Captains, Huck and Pudge.
Wide, worried eyes approached him, dropping a heavy stone of dread in his stomach.
“What’s happened?” he demanded.
It only took a second for them to communicate into his mind:Maura. Informants say she’s had the baby.
“Shit! Take me to her, now!”
Huck darted quickly, taking his hand. With a sudden flash, they rifted to Hallow Land.
The bedroom was silent.Toosilent.
Curtains were drawn with only a shadowy sliver of light piercing through.
Every instinct had the hairs on David’s arms raising. Something was very wrong.
There was a faint sound. The sound of a slow, anguished breath.
Huck swiftly flew to the curtains and flung them open letting light flood in. As the room illuminated, so did the pale figure lying in the bed.
“Maura!” David rushed to kneel by her side, taking her hand in his.
