Realm of Mirrors (The DeathSpeaker Codex Book 3) (4 page)

Cobalt picked up his coffee mug from the table, and then put it back down. “First, let me explain this,” he said. “I’m no prince.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard,” Taeral said.

“Yes, I know the rumors.” He frowned slightly. “By birth only, I am the son of the former Seelie King. But I’ve never known the bastard, and I’m glad for that.”

Taeral raised an eyebrow. “Former?”

“Aye, the Summer Court has a new king now,” he said. “It happened very recently, and it’s a story for another time. But I was banished from Arcadia years ago, long before I knew about my…royal blood.”

Something in Taeral’s posture relaxed, and I was glad for it. He knew a little something about being banished. Not him personally, but his father. Our father, technically speaking. I didn’t know much of the story, but the Unseelie Queen had banished Daoin, and Taeral chose to stay in the human realm with him out of loyalty.

It was a choice that hadn’t turned out well for either of them.

“So about your tattoos,” Cobalt said. “I assure you, they’re not intended for harm. And I believed you’d never realize they were enchanted, because…well, you clearly did not know you were Fae. I assumed you were a changeling.”

“I was, actually,” I said, surprised he’d figured that out. “And I’m only half Fae.”

Uriskel made a derisive sound. “That explains
your
brother, at least,” he said.

“Don’t.” Cobalt shot a firm look at him. “Anyway,” he said to me. “Most changelings never know what they are. You must know what it takes for one to realize their potential, since you’re aware of your true self.”

“Yeah. I had a little help with that.” Taeral had to explain the changeling thing to me, when I still didn’t trust a word he said—and I’d had to dig up the remains of my real mother, a woman I’d never met and didn’t know existed, since she died giving birth to me.

Then I had a conversation with her.

I decided it wasn’t a great idea to tell these people I’d just met that I was the DeathSpeaker. Most of the Others seemed to know what that meant, and it wasn’t usually welcome news.

After all, Milus Dei wanted to use me as a genocide weapon to wipe them all out.

“I can imagine who might’ve helped you.” Cobalt smiled slightly.

“You’re probably right,” I said. “So what do the tattoos do? I mean, besides glow. And why did they start glowing?”

He looked around uneasily. “I’m not sure whether you want me to discuss certain…aspects of your circumstances in front of others.”

At first I had no idea what he meant. Then I remembered how awkward it was when I went to him the first time. There I’d been, eighteen and stupid, trying to stumble through some total bullshit story about why I’d wanted cover-ups without actually saying the word
scars
.

I think at one point, I even asked him if I could get tattoos without taking off my shirt.

“You mean the scars,” I finally said. “Yeah, it’s fine. Discuss away.”

“All right.” He glanced at Will, and I wondered why. But he didn’t elaborate. “Well, I’d never seen a Fae so marked,” he said. “We don’t scar easily. If you’re half human, that accounts for some of it, but…” Suddenly, he couldn’t look at me. “You seemed lost. Defenseless. And I wanted to help.”

“Uh-huh.” I couldn’t help noticing he still hadn’t gotten to the point. “So, how did you?”

He made a vague gesture. “For the most part, the enchantments help to guide you along the Path.”

“Um, great. What’s that?”

“It is a Fae’s sense of place, of being,” Taeral said before Cobalt could answer, looking at him with something other than fury for once. “And a heightened awareness of danger.”

Cobalt nodded. “Quite useful in a city like this. Since you didn’t seem to have access to your abilities, I sought to give you something that would’ve felt natural, even if you’d not known why.”

“Oh. Well, thanks. I think.” That didn’t sound bad. But he’d also said ‘for the most part,’ which meant there was more. “And what else do they do?” I said. “There’s still the glowing thing.”

“I did not expect them to glow,” Cobalt said softly. “You were so damaged, and I’d no idea whether…whatever caused that damage was still a threat. So I cast an enchantment that would boost your healing and hold back those who intended you harm, in the event you were critically injured. Your natural healing must have made the magic visible.”

Right then I understood why he was so reluctant to explain this. It wasn’t a bad thing either. He just knew I must’ve been critically injured recently, because it was the only way I would’ve noticed the tattoos did anything.

At the time I realized it, I’d been half-dead on the ground, surrounded by Milus Dei soldiers who had weapons and wanted to make me all dead. But they’d backed away, because they were afraid.

I had no idea why. Until now.

“Good news,” I said. “They work.”

Cobalt gave a sad smile. “Yes, I gathered that. I’m only sorry you had to learn this firsthand.”

“All right. This is all very touching,” Uriskel drawled as he straightened and strode toward the couches. “And now that you’ve had your explanation, you’ll get out of my brother’s house.”

C
HAPTER 5

I
t was a real effort not to get up and walk out of the place right then, before Uriskel could do something unpleasant to make us.

Cobalt rose to meet his brother. “You’re right. It is my house,” he said quietly. “That means I decide who stays, and who goes.”

“Really, Cobalt. Your soft heart will be your downfall yet.” Uriskel bared his teeth at Taeral. “That one is dangerous,” he said. “And the female is a
werewolf
. You do realize what that means?”

Sadie was on her feet before either of us could stop her. “
I
don’t know what it means,” she said. “Why don’t you tell me?”

“Your kind is a threat to us.”

“You don’t know me!”

“Aye. And none of you know me. Nor will you, ever.” Uriskel’s hands clenched into white-knuckled fists as he faced Cobalt again. “If you’ll not make them leave, brother, then I’ll take mine. Be it on your head if anything happens.”

I thought I saw hurt in his eyes as he turned and stalked away. But I was probably imagining that. I doubted much of anything could hurt him.

Cobalt watched him go, and let out a sigh. “I must speak with him,” he said. “And I hope you realize that he’s right. I should ask you to leave, if only because of the way you’ve treated him.”

“He admits freely to what he is,” Taeral said. “Why should he take offense at the truth?”

Cobalt’s jaw clenched. “Just because he’s used to being an object of contempt, does not mean he enjoys it,” he said. “Excuse me.”

No one moved until he started down the stairs. Then Sadie reclaimed her seat next to Taeral, and said, “Maybe you were a little hard on him.”

“Really. And he was so pleasant to you,” he said. “He is a murderous, scheming traitor. I’ll not discuss this matter further.”

“Fine. Don’t.”

The temperature in the room took a sudden plunge, metaphorically speaking. I suspected everyone would be sleeping in their own beds tonight.

After an awkward silence, Will cleared his throat. “So,” he said. “You’re a werewolf, huh?”

“Yep,” Sadie said.

“What’s that like?”

She smirked. “Overrated.”

Just then, a raised voice drifted up the stairs. I couldn’t make out the words, but it was Uriskel—and he was really, really pissed. The shouting cut off, and Cobalt murmured something in return. Then there was more shouting.

“Don’t worry. They fight all the time. Brother stuff,” Will said. But he looked distinctly uncomfortable, and I had the feeling this wasn’t one of their usual fights. “Hey, I’m sorry about your scars,” he said to me. “It’s not easy having people talk about that stuff.”

I shrugged and looked away. “It’s fine.”

“Sure it is.” He stared at me until I looked back. “I was in an abusive relationship when I met Cobalt,” he said. “It left scars. And it was a long time before I could talk about them, or tolerate anyone asking about them.”

So that was why Cobalt looked to him before he started talking about my ‘circumstances.’ I felt bad for him, but sympathy didn’t change anything. I knew that better than most. “They’re old scars. Ancient history,” I murmured. “No big deal.”

Of course, I was lying my ass off. They were a big deal, to me, and I still couldn’t talk about them. But my ex-family was no one’s business, especially someone I’d just met. I hadn’t even told Sadie about my past. Taeral knew only the bare minimum—the Valentines had hated me, and enjoyed proving their hatred in creatively violent ways.

Another floor-rattling slam from below saved me from having to continue the conversation. It wasn’t long before Cobalt reappeared, looking more than a little drained. “Well, at least you’ve no need to fear for your lives,” he said. “Uriskel swears he’ll no longer protect me, and will leave me to suffer the consequences of my own bad decisions.”

Great. I hadn’t actually been fearing for my life, until he said that.

Cobalt looked at Will. “Is there more coffee, love?” he said. “Maybe I could manage to drink some this time. And perhaps our guests would care for a cup?”

Taeral stood abruptly. “No need. We’ll take our leave, as well.” His rigid posture suggested he was about to say something stupid—again—but then he relaxed with a slight frown. “Thank you for the explanation, and for protecting my brother when I could not,” he said stiffly. “And I apologize for insulting your…Uriskel.”

With that, he pivoted and headed for the stairs.

“Um. I’d better go with him.” Sadie got up and offered a tentative smile. “Nice to meet you guys,” she said. “Gideon, we’ll meet you outside? I’ll just make sure he doesn’t do anything he shouldn’t.”

I nodded. “Thanks, Sadie.”

When she was out of sight, I faced Cobalt and made a helpless gesture. “Big brothers, right?” I said.

“Exactly. Sometimes, there are no words for them.”

“Tell me about it.” I smirked and held a hand out. “Good to see you again. And I do mean that.”

“Likewise.” Cobalt shook, but his expression pulled into a vague frown. “I couldn’t help but notice that your brother is…troubled,” he said. “In fact, there seems to be something hanging over all of you. Some dark cloud.”

“Yeah. There’s something, all right,” I said. Wasn’t going to get into the Milus Dei issue, or the more immediate problems we had with Daoin, and my being the DeathSpeaker. Taeral had plans to deal with those immediate problems—but it wasn’t going to be easy. “We’re figuring it out,” I said. “It’s a process.”

“I imagine it is.” Cobalt cocked his head slightly. “There are few resources available to the Fae in this realm,” he said. “But should you need help, I may be able to provide it. It’s something of a habit of mine, helping other Fae who’ve been banished or otherwise aren’t welcome in Arcadia. A habit my brother tends to disagree with,” he added with a crooked smile.

“Thanks,” I said, thinking I’d probably never take him up on it. Mostly because Taeral would kill me.

I shook hands with Will. “Nice to put a face with the voice,” I said.

“Always glad to meet a listener.” He smiled. “Also, what Cobalt said. I’ll help too, if I can. Even if you just need to talk sometime.”

“Appreciate the offer,” I said. “And I’d better get out there, because Mr. Cranky doesn’t always listen to Sadie. Or, you know…anyone.”

Cobalt grinned. “Somehow, that does not surprise me.”

We said goodbye, and I headed out of The Grotto convinced it’d be the last time I set foot in the place. It was kind of a shame, because I liked Cobalt and Will. And we could always use more resources. Or preferably, more friends.

But there wasn’t a chance in hell Taeral would put up with that.

C
HAPTER 6

I
figured when we got back to the Castle, Taeral would lecture me about keeping my mouth shut when I didn’t know anything, and probably rant about Uriskel a while for good measure. But apparently he was serious when he said he wouldn’t discuss it further.