Chapter Text
Kieran breathed in the fresh morning air, the warmth of the day already wrapping around his skin, he overlooked the world beyond from the balcony of the palace.
He could smell the pine trees and the babbling lake beyond them., he could smell fresh bread being baked by the kitchen and roasting coffee.
All normal things. Normal life. The palace had its own internal rhythm, it continued on even when all seems hopeless. Life carried on regardless.
His body still ached even after a week of bed rest, his muscles stiff and sore.
They had learned that the toxin had been enough to kill a wolven and it was only his bond with Poppy had kept him alive.
Poppy and Casteel had been utterly devastated upon learning this, but Kieran had just felt grateful to be alive. To be back in his home.
However, a great sadness still rippled through him, a guilt that ate away at him day and night.
He hadn't been to see Annoushka yet, she was still unconscious and he was still too much of a coward to face her. To see her.
The images from day flashed through him. Again, and again. The terror. The utter helplessness he had felt. The rage. His heart started to pound again. He gripped the metal railing of the balcony His stomach clenching. He wanted to run away. To bolt far, far away. His breathing shallow. He tried to breath deeper. Needing air.
He was vaguely aware he was having a panic attack, they had been on and off for the last day or so.
“Kieran,” came a voice, a beautiful sound that instantly eased some of his anxiety.
He squeezed his eyes shut. Desperate to seem normal. Seem himself. But why bother? She could taste his emotions.
A hand touched the small of his back, he almost flinched, but instead he slowly turned to see the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
Her eyes were bright and filled with worry, she wore a long cotton lilac night dress, a lilac overcoat. Her long red hair wild and rumbling down her breasts and shoulders.
How had he ever been able to stay away from such beauty?
“Are you okay?” She asked, her hand touching his cheek.
He swallowed.
“No,” he answered honestly, forehead dipping to hers. He inhaled her scent. Gods it was everything to him.
She tentatively leaned in and kissed him, slowly and softly.
At first he stiffened, unsure of how to respond.
But her scent surrounded him and it crept into his very soul. He leaned in to it.
Their lips tentative and soft, then her tongue slid against his, seeking more.
Gods, the feel of that touch alone, was incredibly powerful.
They hadn't been together in so long, it just didn't feel right, not after everything that had happened. He wasn't ready.
But their tongues melded together so perfectly it was hard for his mind not to wander.
Before he could reach around and grab her, some one cleared their throat. It was Nyktos.
They quickly pulled away from one another, but he just smiled.
“Annoushka…is awake. Kieran she's asking for you,”
His body stiffened, his mind going blank, Poppy reached his hand and gave it a squeeze
“Okay, thank you. Can you give us a minute?” She asked her grandfather, he nodded and left.
They turned to each other.
“Are you okay?” She whispered, he swallowed his throat dry.
“Poppy…I just feel so much guilt. It's killing me how can I possibly face her?” He squeezed his eyes shut.
“Kieran, my love, you have nothing to feel guilty for. Absolutely nothing,” she told him sincerely, kissing his face, his lips.
A tear rolled down his face, but he quickly wiped it away. Straightening his spine, if Annoushka wanted to see him, he would do it.
---
Poppy sat behind her desk, a stack of papers looming over her. She sighed deeply.
She had led Kieran to the Sera's chambers where Annoushka was but left him to speak to her in private. There was a lot for them to deal with and she didn’t want to intrude.
Besides she'd been away from her desk for almost a week, Nyktos had taken charge in her and Cas' absence whilst they saw to Kieran.
No one has dared question it, even if had been a little unorthodox. Who was going to question the King of Gods?
His presence actually seemed to calm down the whole palace and city. They were yet to officially announce public execution of Thomas and any of his associates.
Jack and Cas had been on the hunt to ferret out any followers. She wanted to exterminate the whole fucking organisation.
Plus, she needed to decide what to do with Eliza, the wolven who had betrayed them, who had sought to destroy her and in turn Kieran. She needed to be punished.
Gods there was a lot to do. She ran a hand over her swelling belly. It was harder now, more defined. Matilda hadn't been happy with her, after using so much power and energy she was concerned. But actually she felt fine, the initial nausea having settled down.
She sighed, looking at the stack of papers.
Before she could get started. She felt that sensation of overwhelming nausea. She gripped her desk. Trying to overcome it.
Once she opened her eyes, she saw Rhysand stood in front of her. Dressed in head to toe black.
Shadowy wisps of night seeped off him
Gods, he was terrifyingly beautiful.
“I'm just letting you know, that doesn't feel fun” she chided
He gave her a half smile.
“Apologies.” He bowed his head. “May I?” He gestured to a chair opposite it
“Of course.” She watched the fae High Lord take a seat. After they had found the boy, his arms tight sround Kieran's neck, Rhys had been utterly exhausted. It had taken him a long time to muster up the energy to shadow step home.
But since then he had been back to thank her and explain more about him and his home.
It had been fascinating, learning about other worlds out there that they weren't aware of.
Rhysand was from the home world of the fae, a powerful race of near immortals. Their world, known as Prythian, was separated amongst several courts. He was the High Lord of The Night Court and his mate Feyre was High Lady. He had explained about the other courts and how they were controlled by seasonal and solar magic.
Apparently, Thomas had discovered it, had learnt all about the fae and their powers. And just like he wanted to control Poppy, he also had sought to control Rhysand. The most powerful fae in their realm. In fact he had been so obsessed with Rhysand that he had inked his face in honour of the tattoos Rhysand wore.
Rhysand had first learnt of Thomas when he had been notified of several fae females in his Court going missing, seemingly disappearing into thin air.
He had launched an extensive investigation, only to be attacked. Thomas had completely caught them off guard and he had been able to siphon a fraction of his power.
Thomas had then taken Nyx as a way of bargaining for more power.
The real question now was how had Thomas discovered it? How had he world walked? It took a tremendous amount of power to move between worlds, Thomas must have had help.
“How's Nyx?” She questioned.
His expression softened
“As well as can be expected. With any luck he won't remember of any of this happening,”
She nodded. “I hope so…”
“How is your mate?” He queried.
She sighed, her heart aching “not great, he feels tremendous guilt. Shame. Sorrow. Anxiety.” She told him honestly.
He nodded like he truly understood
“We have a place he and your friend can visit. It's a safe haven for anyone who has suffered great trauma. It would be the least I could offer as gratitude for your aid,” Rhysands voice slid over her. The power in it made her sit a little straighter.
“We have so much to sort here, but when they time is right..."
He smiled and nodded.
Then his expression changed.
“Where is he…?” His voice was cold now.
She eyed him.
“He's in our prison. Heavily guarded and warded. There are draken guarding him day and night. He cannot leave the confines of his cell. He gets regular…visits from many people.”
“ I'd like to be one of those visitors…” the threat implied was obvious. She considered.
Thomas has taken Rhysand's child form another world and brought him here, in the hopes it would draw Rhysand away. In the hopes he could bargain the child for more power. She completely understood his need for revenge.
“That can be arranged...” she told him. His eyes glimmered with feral delight.