Page 113 of Chosen By the Fae King
“Stay calm, Aeryn,” Lorne commanded. “This will get much worse if Nox thinks Boaz is scaring you.”
Unable to answer with words, I nodded mutely.
“Leave,” Nox ordered the male.
“Not until I have her life!” Boaz tried to get around him. It seemed like a half-hearted effort.
Nox grabbed him by the throat, shadowy magic flaring around his hands. “I will not say it again. Leave. Now.”
“She murdered my daughter!” Boaz shook with fury, his fiery aura lashing around him. “My only daughter, she loved you,” he let out a shaky breath. “She loved you so much.”
I winced. The anguish in his voice was heartbreaking, but I wasn't sure his daughter actually knew how to love anyone.
Nox's eyes gleamed obsidian. “Zoriyah's death was a tragedy. Though I don't enjoy adding to it, old friend, I'll tell you that your daughter's death was her own fault. She had been told, both before and during the combat trial, not to use her magic. She didn't listen and tried to strike a killing blow. In fact she nearly succeeded in taking Aeryn's life. So don't stand there and pretend like Zoriyah was a victim when you know damn well what she was capable of. Aeryn had no choice but to defend herself.”
Boaz's icy blue eyes flashed with sorrow and pain.
“I understand your grief, but if you ever threaten my mate again …” he trailed off meaningfully, shadows writhing around his fingers.”
Boaz stared at him, chest heaving. After a long moment, he sagged. The rage leached from his expression, leaving behind anguish and regret.
My heart twisted. If anyone understood loss, it was I. I knew the depths of Boaz's grief, that chasm of despair that threatened to swallow you whole, and I did not wish it on him.
“Please accept my condolences for your loss,” I said softly. “Zoriyah's death weighs heavily on me.”
Boaz gazed at me, tears glimmering in his eyes. He opened his mouth but no words emerged. With a jerky nod, he pivoted on his heel and descended the stairs.
Then I was in Nox's arms, trembling. He folded me close, stroking my hair. “You did nothing wrong.”
I nodded against his chest, taking a moment to compose myself. I looked down into the courtyard. The other fae were studiously avoiding looking our way, uncomfortable witnesses to the emotional scene.
“What a shit show,” Nox said, his breath warm against my ear. “Do you need a break?”
“No, let's get through this. Please.”
Nox pressed a kiss to my temple and raised his voice, “My patience has run out. The next fae to draw my ire will meet my beast.”
Murmurs met our ears. Someone cried out. Nox smiled menacingly and called for the line to continue.
We got through four more families and I cleared them all. I couldn't decide if that was good or bad. No, definitely bad.
Nox deserved answers and I'd nearly forgotten about the wraith who tried to drown me. I wanted answers, too, damn it.
Twenty-Three
Aeryn
Next up was Portia and Rodrik Brandenburg, Raina's parents. They'd brought an entire entourage of personal guards. They weren't the only ones traveling with security. Far from it, but their excess came across as a flaunting of wealth and power.
“Slight overkill,” I whispered to Nox.
“Showing off is a way of life for them. Even my own formal cloak pin doesn't have the size or number of jewels as Rodrik's. And I'm the fucking king.”
“I've never seen you wear it.”
“That's because it's too garish for my tastes and I rarely wear a cloak.”
My stomach churned at the sight of them. Nox detested them and their daughter, but I'd hoped, for both Raina and Liam's sakes, peace could be made between them.