Heir of Broken Fate (HOBF Book 1)

It’s been nearly a week since the attack in Knox’s home and everybody is still roaming the halls as if they’re half asleep. The blood of those lost stain the atmosphere. It isn’t until later in the evening when everybody is in the sitting room does anyone speak of such things as demons.

“The witches aren’t using black magic,” Harlow declares as she saunters into the room.

Lenox leans back in his chair. “You’re sure of it?”

“When am I ever wrong?”

Knox, sitting in the seat beside me, cuts Lenox off before he can jab at Harlow. “What makes you think they’re not in on it?”

Harlow grimaces. “Their land is dying. They’re spending all of their time trying to find out why.”

I lean forward in my seat. “Is it because of the dark magic?”

“They don’t know,” Harlow says solemnly.

Knox slides his gaze to me. “Do you think it’s connected?”

“Everything is connected at this point,” Nolan mutters.

Ace grimaces. “It’s true. Every problem leads back to what happened that night.”

Knox falls silent, his jaw clenching as he leans back in the sofa.

Harlow plops down into a seat beside Nolan. “I’m going to scout other locations. I have a sinking feeling that the witches’ territory isn’t the only land being affected.”

Knox rests his elbows on his knees. “We need to hunt down the demonic creatures.” Knox’s words silence the room, the tension in the air palpable. Knox lifts his sapphire eyes to his court. “We now know why the demonic creatures roam the courts. They’re guarding dark magic books they’ve hidden.”

Unfortunately, the ones the wendigos were hiding didn’t contain any entrapment spells.

Harlow scoffs, her eyes narrowing. “There’s hundreds of creatures and we’re expected to not only go after them, but also find the books they’re hiding?”

I clear my throat. “One of the books they’re guarding contains the entrapment spell.” I look around the room to Knox’s court. “If we want to destroy the entrapment spell, we need the dark magic book that created it.”

Lenox’s face scrunches as if he sucked on a lemon. “We have to go after them all, don’t we?”

Knox grimaces. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Axel steps out of the shadows of the room. “When do you want us to start?”

“Tomorrow morning. Lenox, you’ll patrol the aerial legion, and Nolan will go to the warrior island. Harlow, we need you in the Water Court.”

Harlow’s eyes blaze with excitement. “As you wish.”

Knox’s lips twitch as he looks between the twins. “Ace and Axel, you’ll go to the Air Court.”

Ace clears his throat, his eyes darting between Hazel’s quiet form and Knox. “I’d like to stay behind in the Essence Court, if that’s okay.”

Knox’s sapphire eyes consider Hazel, eyes glazed and unfocused. Hazel has been quiet since the attack. She says she’s okay, snapping at everyone to stop fussing around her like an insolent child, yet in moments like these when she goes silent and her eyes get far away…you know she’s not dealing with it well.

Knox dips his chin at Ace. “You can patrol Essence while Axel patrols the Air Court. Delilah and I will go to the Earth Court. We can reconvene in two days’ time to switch patrols for Fire and Air.”

Harlow leans back in her seat, crossing her arms as she smirks. “What exactly do we have permission to do?”

Knox deadpans, “You have free rein on the beasts, Harlow.”

Harlow clicks her tongue. “Delightful.”

The next morning, Knox and I are flying over Essence Court as we make our way to the Earth Court. Anticipation sizzles through my veins as we soar over forests, lakes, and villages, scouring for demonic creatures. Every demonic creature we encounter is one step closer to the dark magic book.

Lifting my head to the sky, I can’t help but bathe in the sun, the warm glow making my skin tingle. I flutter my eyes open to find Knox’s sapphire eyes on me, the beautiful blues holding an emotion I can’t decipher.

“You’re meant to be looking for demons.”

“I only stopped for a moment.” Lifting my brows, I quip, “Besides, my eyes weren’t the only ones to wander.”

A tick in Knox’s jaw is my only response.

As I turn back to the view, I expect to see more forests, yet the sight I find knocks the air from my lungs.

It’s the most gorgeous sight I’ve ever beheld.

A tree, so large it must be over ten stories high, stretches before me. Its large trunk twists and twirls around itself until flaring out at the top, its branches spreading far and wide as its leaves glow. Pulsing with white light, it shimmers and twinkles as we fly past as if to say hello. The tree shines as bright as a star. Not only is the fluorescent color of the tree capturing, the energy pulsing off it in waves is hypnotizing, enchanting even. As if it’s beckoning for me to join it.

“What is that?” I breathe.

Knox’s warm breath tickles my ear. “The Tree of Life.”

I’m grateful I don’t have to voice the question on the tip of my tongue as Knox flies around it once more, its enchanting appearance and energy singing to a part of my soul. As if begging me to go inside and take a look.

“The very life force that’s connected to magic, to Fae and these lands,” Knox whispers.

“That’s where magic is from?” I ask in awe.

Knox dips his head lower, flying slower as he circles the tree. “It is magic.”

I have never been so drawn to anything in my life, as if the tree is a magnet, pulling on my heart strings. My body physically tenses, locking up as Knox sails away from the tree. It isn’t until we’ve crossed the Essence border into Earth Court does my body start to finally relax.

It feels strange to be back here, in the woods where it all began. How vastly different my life has changed in a mere few weeks. It’s shocking what time can do to a person. It isn’t until Knox lands in an open field, with shin-length blades of grass tickling my legs, do I get a strong sense of déjà vu.

My gaze lifts to the swimming hole mere feet from me. The feeling of a dozen eyes on my back, watching my every movement, makes me shiver.

Knox’s deep voice pulls me to the present. “This is where the mermaids gave you the riddle?”

I nod toward the swimming hole. “The pod was waiting for me there.”

“Hmm, interesting.”

I don’t look back at the swimming hole as I leave, trailing behind Knox as we search the woods. “Hazel told me that they don’t usually help anyone. Is that true?”

Knox doesn’t take his eyes off the forest. “Yes. They only give freely to those that can do something for them in return.”

I blink. “But I didn’t do anything for them in return.”

“Hence why it’s interesting.”

“I just wonder if—”

I knock into the hard planes of Knox’s back, his large hands reaching behind him to hold my own, squeezing tightly. He drags me with him as he crouches in the long blades of grass.

Devious chuckling fills the forest, the sound of life around us holding their breath as the manic laughter grows louder with each passing second. White light surrounds us, time and space stretching and bending as Knox teleports us. Knox doesn’t let go of my hand until my feet are touching the ground once more.

“What was it?”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Knox visibly shivers. “Gremlins.”

Memories from Hazel’s cabin come rushing to mind, images of green scaly creatures with teeth lining their eyelids. The lizard-like creatures appear as if from nightmares.

“Are they that horrid?” I ask, shocked to witness even Knox shudder.

“I grew up hearing legends about the gremlins in the forest. I learned at a very early age to stay far away from them.”

I bite my lip, trying to contain my laughter. “Are you afraid of small gremlins, Knox?”

He scoffs. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m one of the most powerful Fae in Aloriah.”

“That’s afraid of gremlins,” I mutter under my breath.

“If you don’t shut up and search for demonic creatures, I’ll leave you here alone to fend for yourself. You won’t be laughing after you meet one of them.”

I can’t tell whether he’s joking or not, and not daring to find out, I snap my mouth shut. Falling silent, I trail behind Knox through the dense Earth Court forests.

Thunder cracks, the darkening blue of dusk fast approaching as light ruptures across the sky, rocking the ground beneath my feet. Knox and I run for cover as lightning strikes throughout the lands of Aloriah, water beginning to pour.

We’ve searched the forest for hours with no such luck in finding any demonic creatures. Fitting how when you don’t want to run into them, they’re everywhere and yet when you do, they’re nowhere to be found.

“I can’t fly in this,” Knox calls through the hammering weather.

I tip my chin to the sky, the pounding rain pummeling my face. Thunder explodes above me so loud I squeal. I open my mouth to suggest teleporting when I think better of it. He’s been using his magic all day today and yesterday with very little rest. If Knox could teleport, he would have already.

Knox wraps his large hand around my arm, pulling me as we take off into a sprint. Running through the torrential pour is something I’m grateful to have experienced. With chaos surrounding us, the calm it brings me is euphoric. As if a part inside of me has been unlocked, released from its cage, grateful for the permission to soar, experiencing joy as if a child once more.

A giggle escapes me as my left boot sinks into a puddle, splashing Knox in the process. I fling my arms to the side, tipping my head back and letting myself laugh freely, enjoying the moment. Allowing my body to sense the forest around me, allowing Knox’s energy and magic to flow over me, guiding me through the dense trees.

When I open my eyes, Knox is staring at me, a smile playing on his lips. His eyes shine, sparking with joy, yet not for himself—for me.

My laughter ebbs and flows, slowly dying as Knox’s pace turns unhurried and a small log cottage appears through a break in the trees. A wooden sign dangles in the front garden. Tavern of the Wild.

Knox and I remove our wet coats, shaking the water off before entering through the front door, the hinges squeaking as bells chime overhead. The smell of pine washes over my senses, and oddly enough, lemon. The small cottage area is filled with various art pieces all depicting the lands of Earth court. The stories and history of the traveled paths taken, along with the found treasures Mother Gaia gave the Fae as gifts.

A small woman sits behind a wooden desk, a set of swords laid out as she cleans them. When the woman’s eyes connect with Knox, they widen before she stands upright, bowing her head in respect. “Your Highness, how can I offer my services?”

“We’ll take two available rooms, please.”

The woman’s cheeks tint pink. “I apologize, Your Highness. We only have one availability. The storm washed everyone in.”

Knox turns on his charm, his smile deepening, making the woman’s cheeks darken. “No worries, we’ll take whatever is available.”

My throat tightens, belly pinching as heat pools in my core. We’re sharing a room.

The woman nods before scrambling for the other side of the desk, her steps harried yet slow with age. When she returns, her wrinkled hands hold golden wings, the key attached to the center.

“Second floor, last door on your left,” she says with a smile.

Knox and I say thank you before climbing the creaking wooden stairs. As we pass each room, I’m surprised to find the hall deadly silent, no noise coming from any of the rooms, until I remember this isn’t any ordinary lodge. It’s a lodge filled with magic and silencing shields.

Using the golden-winged keys, Knox enters the last door at the end of the hall. Number seven. Stepping through, I’m shocked to find that not only is it freezing in the room, with the howling wind weaving in through the cracks and crevices on the roof, but…there’s only one bed. The door shuts behind me, sealing me inside, along with my haywire hormones.

I’m rooted to the floor when Knox begins to peel off his clothing. “What are you doing?” I ask incredulously.

Knox’s gaze lifts to mine. ‘Getting ready for bed.’

My eyes widen. “You don’t have to be naked to do it!”

He quirks a brow as he strips off his shirt. “No, but I’d prefer not to be drenched.”

I don’t hear a word he says. My eyes are glued to his stomach; it’s not like I haven’t seen his muscles before, but I’ve never seen them wet…as we’re alone in a bedroom.

The sight makes my mouth dry. “There’s only one bed.”

My breath hitches as Knox drags his pants down, standing in the small room with only black boxers on. “I’m very much aware, Delilah, I do have eyes.”

My cheeks heat as he walks around to the double bed, all his glorious muscles bunching as he slides between the sheets. When everything is covered by the white material, I finally lift my eyes. Knox lies there with the smuggest expression I’ve ever seen.

I stand in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do until I croak, “Do you need to be half-naked? It’s freezing in here.”

A phantom wind blows through the room, snuffing out each lantern until I’m plunged into darkness, the only light being the lightning striking outside.

“Get in bed, Delilah.”

I gulp, unsheathing my blades and wet clothes before inching toward the bed. Sliding onto the sheets, I lie on the very edge, refusing to touch him. If I touch him, I’ll lose all control.

My mind is wired, running through a thousand thoughts. I can feel the heat emanating from his body, teasing me as I shake from the cold. This is going to be a horrible night’s sleep.

Knox’s voice sends a shiver down my spine. “You can warm yourself and the room you know.”

“I-I don’t know how to do that,” I sputter.

I can practically hear his smirk. “Shame.”

The sound of my teeth chattering fills the room. Is he making the room colder? The temperature has dropped significantly from when we first entered.

I grit my teeth. “Knox.”

“Yes, Angel?” he purrs.

“I’m freezing. At least tell me how to warm the room.”

He lets out a long sigh. “I don’t feel like being your test subject…You could very well turn us into ash in your sleep.”

I groan, sliding further under the thin sheet. He’s insufferable!

The bed dips as his body moves closer. “What are you doing?” I snap

“Your teeth are annoying. I’m warming you up. That’s what friends do.”

He spits the word friend as his wings unfurl behind his back. A wing drops in front of me, cocooning us. I moan at the heat radiating from them and instinctively snuggle closer, stiffening when Knox lets out a deep groan, the sound making my core clench and pulse.

My eyes widen at what I’ve just done. I touched his wings. I fling myself back, only to bump into his bare chest.

“If you’re about to complain about the arrangement, I suggest you shut your mouth.”

I huff out a laugh, thankful that he doesn’t comment on the wing touching. My teeth stop chattering as his chest slows and his breathing turns shallow. I close my eyes, trying to calm my body as every nerve ending lights on fire. Lying next to him after spending weeks avoiding how he makes me feel is absolute torture, and the more time I spend around Knox, the more my body screams to have him, to want him in any way I can. Gritting my teeth, I force my body and hormones to relax and pray for sleep to come.

A whimper leaves my mouth as I awake to Knox’s front plastered to my back, his arms circled around my waist as he holds me, the hard length of him probing my backside. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I’ve woken more turned on than when I went to sleep. My underwear is wet, my core pulsing as goosebumps skitter down my body. My chest heaving at the feel of his hard length behind me.

Knox’s hands twitch, one nestled between my breasts and the other under my head. His chest rises and falls against my back, and the puffs of his warm breath tickling my ear make me whimper. My hips instinctively swivel in small circles as Knox’s length twitches from my sounds.

His hips grind against me, making my head fall back, my lips parting, a low moan escaping me. His hand squeezes my breast, pinching my sensitive nipples, then trails lower down my stomach to where I need him most. I part my legs to accommodate his hand when power blasts throughout the cottage. Knox’s shields snap around us as he sits up, his wing covering me. I peek around Knox’s wing as shouts and screams come from the hallway.

“How dare you do this to me, Xavier!”

“I think it’s time to leave,” Knox whispers.

Wordlessly we slide out of bed, the argument on the other side of the door penetrating our walls as we silently get dressed. I can’t believe what we were about to do.

No matter how much time has passed, my cheeks remain tinted pink while I lie in Knox’s arms as he flies over the Earth Court back to Azalea. I haven’t been able to look Knox in the eye since we left the small cottage several hours ago. Reading how embarrassed and uncomfortable I am, Knox decided to fly back to Azalea instead of continuing to scout for demonic creatures.

I’m not embarrassed over what could have potentially happened. I’m embarrassed that any time I look at Knox, my body ignites in flames from how much he physically affects me. One glance from him and I know my resolve will crumble instantly.

Keeping my eyes downcast on the Earth Court lands, I can practically feel Knox’s thoughts running a thousand miles an hour. He also hasn’t said a word to me since we left. I’m wondering how I can fix the situation when my eyes practically fly out of my head.

“STOP!”

Knox halts midair so forcibly he has to tighten his hold on me as I fly forward from the impact, as if we hit an invisible wall.

“What is it?”

I shake my head, unable to utter the words. “Land on the floor now,” I croak.

The second his feet touch the forest floor, I practically throw myself out of his arms, my feet shooting off the ground as I run.

Knox’s shouts and protests at my back chase me. My feet slide as I come to an abrupt stop, my knees buckling, taking me to the floor as a sob leaves my mouth. Knox’s gasp behind me is the only sound in this desolate land. I lift my hands before me, watching ash flutter between my fingertips.

No.

Knox falls to his knees beside me, the air rushing from his lungs in one fell swoop. Silver lines his eyes as he shakes his head, his hands lying helplessly on his lap. We stare at the dying land before us, the lively color of the forest burning black as it turns to ash.

Exactly like my dream.

There is no fire, no one creating this. It’s as if the very essence of what makes the forest magic come alive is dying.

The Fae lands are dying.

“I’ve seen this,” I whisper.

Knox’s eyes burn a hole into the side of my head. “When? Can it be fixed?”

I shake my head. “I saw it in my dreams. I dreamt of the Fae lands dying, that everything turned to ash.”

“I don’t understand any of this,” he rasps.

“We need to break the entrapment spell.”