House of Lies and Sorrow (Fae of Rewyth #1)(49)

“How dare you talk about them that way.”

“They are weak! Humans are weak! Has your past not proved that to you enough?”

“You know who killed them,” Malachi demanded. “I know you do. You have spies everywhere in this castle. Certainly you know who is to blame for their deaths.”

I froze. Even if we had suspected that the King knew something, it was bold to accuse him this way. Especially when he was already pissed off.

Adeline must have known this too. She reached her hand across to mine and gave me a ‘let’s go’ type of look, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t leave without knowing how this conversation ended.

I shook my head at Adeline.

“You accuse me of murder in my own kingdom?” the King asked.

Malachi paused, as if he actually wasn’t’ sure how to answer for once. “I just want to ensure the safety of my wife. That’s all.”

“You’re willing to do a lot for this girl, Malachi. I have to say I don’t like where this is heading.”

My heart was pounding in my chest.

“She has nothing to do with this,” he responded. “I simply want to know who I can and cannot trust in my own home.”

“You still assume the attacks are coming from within the castle?” The King asked. His voice was cold. The fake ignorance made me want to jump down there and kill him myself.

“I don’t assume anything,” Malachi answered. “But there has been no evidence of break ins from outside the castle, so the obvious answer is that these murderers are from the inside. And I know plenty of people who may want my wives dead.”

“Like who?”

“Like your other sons, for one. I’m sure they don’t like seeing me as the heir.”

The King laughed again, but it was humorless.

“The rest of my sons have no problem obeying their orders. They know their time is coming. You are supposed to be setting an example, Malachi. Yet for some reason it has been so hard for you to just do as you are told, even with your mother on the line.”

This time, Malachi did not respond.

“My punishments for you do not seem to be taking effect. Perhaps we should adjust so you’ll learn this time?” the King asked.

Again, Malachi did not respond. Adeline’s hand found mine and squeezed. Because we both knew where this was going.

The King turned his attention to the guards. “Go find Malachi’s precious wife.”





CHAPTER 25





Malachi





Uncontrollable rage pulsed through my body in one second.

Nobody was going to touch Jade.

Nobody.

My father sent the guards away, leaving him and I alone in the room.

Except we weren’t really alone. The sweet cinnamon scent of Jade’s hair hit me as soon as her and Adeline crawled in here.

Not to mention the sound of her heart racing.

I knew she was still on the balcony, listening to every word. But my father didn’t know that. For all he knew, Jade was still locked away in my bedroom.

“You really think harming my wife is going to make me obey you?” I asked. My wings inched wider with every second. A predator’s defense.

“I think she is your weakness, Malachi. As every wife of yours has been before this one. When are you going to learn? I’ve tried to make you learn, I really have. You weren’t meant to be like the others. You were meant for power. Can’t you see it?”

“Jade is not a weakness.” I kept my voice as flat as possible.

My father smirked. “I saw the way you defended her yesterday in the court meeting. Against your own brother, too.”

“I was defending myself.”

“You lie!” he yelled. “You have grown soft! You are not the boy I raised, Malachi. I raised you to be a weapon. A killer!”

I couldn’t take any more. I had spent decades obeying my father in hopes that he would eventually tell me where my mother was. I had waited and waited like an idiot. But now he was using Jade was leverage, too?

My blood boiled in my veins.

“You want me to be a killer, father?” I asked through gritted teeth. My heart pounding was the only thing I could hear. “Then you should have just said so.”

One of the guards entered the room, and I didn’t hesitate. I flashed across the room, unsheathing my sword, and sliced the back of his legs. He dropped to his knees in an instance, and I grabbed him by the hair, exposing his neck.

“Is this what you wanted?” I yelled at my father. “You want me to be tough?”

My father’s eyes widened, just slightly. Enough to let me know that he hadn’t expected that.

Good.

Because he underestimated me. He always underestimated me.

“Malachi, I–”

I sliced the guard's throat before he could finish objecting.

“Is that enough for you, father? Is this the man you always hoped I would be?”

“Control yourself,” he boomed. “Or there will be consequences.”

“I’m tired of controlling myself, father. I’m tired of being told what to do. You want me to be powerful? You want me to be the Prince of Shadows that everyone has hoped for? Then fine.”