Chapter 53

Nova looked in at the man inside the cell. He didn’t look ancient, just old. She hadn’t asked how old he was, but if the talk of how long he knew things meant anything, then she was looking at the oldest person in history right now.

“Ah, King Troy, I do look forward to your visits.” Arwan tapped the side of his head. “It helps to keep my mind sharp.”

“I’m pleased to be of assistance, Arwan.” Troy stopped inside the door and stood there.

“I would offer to shake your hand in a formal human ritual, but...” The mage raised his hands and wiggled them to show the chains around his waist only allowing for a little movement.

Nova glanced at Michael where he stood in the doorway.

“To restrict his movement, so he can’t cast spells.” He glanced at him through the clear wall. “We’re not one hundred percent sure our ability blockers work on him.”

Nova offered no comment because if these people were afraid of him, she should be terrified and was as close to being so, more than she had ever been.

“What can I deny for you today?” the mage said, the note of amusement very clear.

“Oh, I’m not here to ask questions today.” Troy motioned to the door. “But I’ve brought someone that has a few.”

Arius walked in, with Bastian right on his heels. Nova’s breath caught in her throat. If the Alterealm royals were afraid of him, with all their otherworldly abilities, should Bastian really be in there? She quickly glanced at Michael.

“He insisted.”

“A prince from Solrelm,” Arwan exclaimed loudly. “How delightful.” The mage bowed his head for a moment and then smiled at Bastian. “If you’re here, then that means more pieces of the vast puzzle have been revealed.”

Bastian gave the man a bored look. “I’m curious.” He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did you know one from your inner circle betrayed you?”

The mage looked at him and then at Troy. “A betrayal, how predictable.” He smiled again, but Nova noticed the look of amusement was no longer in his eyes.

“Are you ready?”

Nova glanced at Michael and nodded, then turned back to the wall. She had to concentrate hard to appear relaxed like Bastian was because she knew letting fear show to that man would give him power over her and the situation.

Bastian looked right at her, so she knew the wall had changed and she was visible to all inside the cell.

“Oh, my, my, things are unraveling now.” He smiled at her. “If the prince of Solrelm is here, then I know who you are.” Arwan took a moment to study her. “You do exist. I had my doubts over the years. We spent centuries looking for those that came before you. You were very well hidden, even with all of my power, I could not sense you. The fairy said you did, though, so I had to take his word for it.”

“Which one?” Bastian interrupted. “Which fae?”

Arwan looked at him again. “Oh, I can’t recall the name, it’s been so long now. Is it true?” He smiled at Bastian. “Is she really your human other?”

“It is.” Bastian straightened from the wall.

Arwan shook his head. “I told them that they were leaving too many to tell the tales of their secrets, but—” He lifted his shackled hands. “—they didn’t listen.”

“They?” Bastian scoffed. “There were many involved, you’ll have to be a little more specific.”

Arwan opened his mouth and then closed it and smiled. “Very good, prince, you almost caught me in my own web.” He chuckled. “I always knew you were a wily one.” The mage turned and looked at Nova again. “You must visit again, dear, and tell me how you hid all this time. Reports of one of your predecessors using the tunnels once reached me, but no magic could find you there.”

“Make it so he can hear me, please.” She didn’t look at Michael, just kept her eyes on the evil mage inside his prison cell.

“Go,” Michael said quietly.

“I don’t think so.” Nova gave Arwan a forced, polite smile. “You’ll just have to wonder for the rest of your days and know that the lovely fae woman succeeded in keeping my soul out of reach for all of you…”

“A woman, you say.” He smiled at her. “Oh, that narrows the plot considerably, my dear, thank you.”

Nova kept a straight face, even though inside she was practically doing a happy dance. She held his look for a moment more and then turned and walked out of the door Michael stood in. In the hall the others stood back, giving Kara a lot of space where she stood outside the door to the cell Arwan was in. Kara was smiling. Nova took that as a good sign.

She stood where she was and watched Bastian, then Troy, and finally Arius come out. Kara touched her bracelet and then looked at Nova, a big smile on her face.

“You did it.” Kara glanced at Bastian. “Both of you. It was the first time I’ve been able to listen to his thoughts without my eyes rolling back in my head.”

“What did you hear?” Troy stood there, no trace of a smile on his face.

Kara nodded. “The fairy that told him you existed, he thought the name Belford immediately. And when you said they betrayed you, he thought Mark or Marx and his. The thought stopped there.”

“What about the fae woman that hid my soul at the start?”

“His mind was actually silent for a moment, which is a first for him, then he thought of two names, Florin and Satine.”

Everyone was silent for a moment.

“I guess we’d better call Aireese and see if she knows the names,” Michael suggested.

“Run Mark and Marx through the databases and ask the Elders and see if anyone turns up,” Troy told him.

“That’s not much to go on and from the sounds of it, they could have died centuries ago.” Michael watched Troy.

“It’s more than we had.”

“I think we should let a few more that were brought in see Nova.” Kara gave her a big smile.

“You think they’ll tell us more?” Arius looked from Nova to Kara.

“Or think it.” She shrugged.

“I’m willing if Nova is.” Troy turned to her.

Nova avoided looking at Bastian, knowing he’d have objections. “I’d like to know why they want me.”

Kara point to Arius. “The one that thinks he’s special.”

“Special how?” Bastian asked.

Kara shrugged again. “Like it’s beneath him to speak to us.”

“Well,” Bastian chuffed, “that’s just rude, your royalty after all.” He tilted his head and looked at Nova. “I think we should introduce ourselves.” He smirked.

“Absolutely.” She was surprised he wasn’t objecting, but she’d take it.

“I want to go check on Rena, she wasn’t feeling well earlier.” Autumn turned to leave.

“Those things happen during pregnancy,” Alona said with a grimace.

“I know.” Autumn nodded. “I just want to make sure she’s okay.” Michael gave her an understanding look and then glanced at Emil.

Emil held his hands up. “I’ve been forbidden to inquire after my daughter’s health.”

Alona chuckled. “It can be trying, constantly being asked how you’re feeling.” She looked over at Chase, who smiled at her.

“I haven’t asked yet today.”

Alona grinned. “No, just watch me constantly.”

“Ah.” He went over. “That is because your beauty has captivated me.”

“Barf.” Quinton motioned down the hall. “Let’s go find out if these punks know anything.”

“Lucky you.” Rafael looked at Raegan. “With such a romantic mate.”

Raegan laughed and gave Quinton a soft look. “He has many other redeeming qualities.”

Quinton smirked at Rafael, then raised his eyebrow in a look Nova took to mean ‘ha’.

“I’m starving, so the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can eat.” Leone looked around at his brothers.

The mention of food prompted everyone to move.