them. They’d sent aethergraphs to Noli’s mother and Jeff letting them know that she was still alive. Now it was time to let his father know he survived his ordeal as well.
“I could wait.” Noli gazed at his house and bit her lower lip.
Steven shook his head, squeezing her hand. “I told you, now that I have you back I’m not going to let my father keep us apart. Not anymore.”
“I’m glad.” She returned his squeeze, giving him a faint smile.
He didn’t blame her for being apprehensive—his father never liked her much and had given them nothing but trouble from the moment they’d declared themselves a couple. His belly didn’t unclench either. This act of defiance scared him. He’d always been the first to mind his father—or mother. As eldest son, that was his job. To obey. To be perfect. At least his father hadn’t been the one to order him to break Noli’s stone. Still, he wouldn’t be happy that Steven found a way to stay with her.
Queen Tiana would also be displeased. But that was another matter entirely. One that inspired terror. Still, Noli was worth it.
“You two are so mushy.” James made a face of disgust.
“I’m sorry.” Noli’s cheeks pinked and she dropped Steven’s hand as if burned.
“I … I didn’t mean it like that,” James apologized. “I … ” He looked away.
Noli put a hand on James’ shoulder. “I understand.” Lips so tight they went white, he nodded, gulping. Steven joined them. “Well, we try.”
James gave him a weak smile, running his finger over the watch chain, which he’d attached to his pocket watch. “I do appreciate it. More than you know.”
“Are you
He took her hand again and kissed it. “I
“Well, if you insist.” She nodded, lips pressed together.
They walked down the side of the house toward the back door. It looked empty. His father was probably working and Quinn and Elise most likely elsewhere. Given the time of day, Quinn and Elise would certainly return soon.
Noli studied the back fence and frowned. “Someone’s climbed over the fence. There,” she pointed toward her yard, “and there.” She indicated the back wall.
“Look at all these footprints.” James gestured to the grass around them.
Steven went cold. “Footprints. Why would there be footprints in my backyard?”
“He said you’d pay,” Noli whispered. “He said you’d pay, this is all my fault.”
“Noli, this is not your fault.” He cupped her face with his hands, trying to reassure her while an odd feeling sat like a lump in his own belly. “We aren’t even certain that something’s amiss.” That feeling of foreboding wouldn’t leave.
“The door’s ajar.” James went pale.
The bottom fell out of Steven’s belly. “This doesn’t bode well.”
Something flapped from the bottom corner of the door. He bent down and picked off the piece of green fabric and held it up to the fading light.
“Earth court colors,” James whispered, eyes widening in horror.
“Its Brogan, it’s all my fault.” Noli shook, but she didn’t wail or cry.
He put an arm around her. “Let’s go inside. Perhaps my uncle simply paid my father a social call. After all, they are brothers.”
Steven didn’t believe it himself. His uncle had never visited them in the mortal realm. Why now? He opened the door. Blood splattered the kitchen and it looked as if a skirmish had occurred. His knees went weak and Noli’s hand flew to her mouth.
“It’s just blood,” Steven told her—and himself—as he glanced around the kitchen searching for bodies. Drawers had been pulled out and cupboards opened. “You don’t have to go any further. Do you want to go to your own house and wait for us?”
She shook her head and grabbed his hand. “We’ll this together.”
That was his Noli.
James shuffled over to them, frowning, something in his hand. “Earth court guard knife. This doesn’t look good.”
Steven couldn’t form words as he took the knife from James and examined it. When their father had been king Uncle Brogan had commanded the earth court guard. All earth court solders had the same uniforms and weapons. Uncle Brogan had taught them how to use a knife with one just like the one in his hand.
His finger traced the earth court insignia burned into the handle and handed it back to James. “Let’s continue on.”
Not that he wanted to. He had no desire to see who the blood belonged to.
They followed the blood trail to his father’s study, his heart thumping the entire time. Noli clutched his hand so tightly that it went numb. When they entered the room, Noli put a handkerchief to her face and turned away.
“Flying figs,” James swore.
“Father.” Steven’s knees shook. They hadn’t had the best relationship, but he was still his father. The stench of rotting flesh made his eyes water. Blood spattered the furniture, the walls, and the floor. The lingering pulse of magic tingled under his skin.
The room looked ransacked, drawers open, books off the shelves. Were they hunting for something or trying to make it look like a robbery gone awry for the sake of the mortal police?
Even though he should do something—anything—all he could do was pull Noli to him and stare at the grisly scene. Dead. His father was dead, murdered in cold blood. He wasn’t sure if he should scream, cry, run and hide, head off pell-mell to hurt whoever did this …
Everything pointed to it being Uncle Brogan’s work.
James came up beside him, eyes filled with disbelief. “I don’t understand. Why would earth court soldiers do this? Father’s done nothing to anyone, especially Uncle Brogan.”
No, their father had left the Otherworld quietly and moped in the mortal realm like a good exile, bothering no one. Anger welled up inside Steven.
“Father didn’t deserve to die, especially like this.” Judging from the state of the house and lingering magic, he’d at least put up a good fight. “Uncle Brogan probably didn’t even have enough honor to kill him himself and sent guards in his stead knowing father would be outnumbered.” Distain dripped from Steven’s voice. That was the coward’s way.
“It’s my fault. King Brogan promised to get revenge for me not giving him the artifacts.” Noli pressed her face into his shoulder. “I’m so sorry; your father didn’t deserve to die.”
Steven wrapped his arms around her. This was no scene for a lady, even one as uncommon as Noli. However, focusing on her helped to keep his own emotions at bay. Right now he needed to be rational and figure this out.
“It’s not your fault,” he soothed. “I have a feeling Uncle Brogan has been looking for a reason to do this. As long as we’re alive, James and I are threats to his crown.” Noli looked up at him. “Why would he kill your father if you two are the threats?”
“Because Uncle Brogan knows I’ll come after him in order to avenge my father—and he thinks I’ll lose.” He’d known for some time this day might come in some way, shape, or form, but he hadn’t expected it to be quite this soon.
A sharp breath hissed between her teeth. “Are you saying Uncle Brogan killed your father, knowing you’d come after him, and then he’ll kill you?”
Steven nodded, not ready to say the words out loud.
Her head shook slowly. “I will never understand Otherworld politics.”
“I think he meant this look like a robbery,” James poked around the room. “Nothing seems to be missing. But why? Why did he have to kill him?” He hit the wall with his fist.
Steven wandered over to the bookshelf, wondering if the contents behind it were what the perpetrators sought. “I think that was the plan, to make it look like it could have been anyone, even a mortal, leaving just
