Heir of Broken Fate (HOBF Book 1)

I tip my head back, letting the sun shine across my face as I inhale the fresh smells around me—moss, grass, lavender, and sea water. I open my eyes to find the most gorgeous field surrounding me. Colors blossom from every which direction, red and pink leaves adorning the tips of trees, beds of flowers scattering the area. Hearing the trickle of water, I turn to my left, spotting a pool of glistening water as it swirls and flows, the colors of the rainbow shining across it where the sun hits it. Rocks adorn each side of the oval-shaped hole.

It’s a mermaid pool.

In awe I take a step closer, my bare feet gliding over soft grass. I’ve never felt grass so soft before; it feels as if I’m walking on a cloud.

Kneeling before the rock pool, I lean over, stretching out my hand an inch above the surface. My fingers submerge in the water, only to come face to face with ice blue eyes camouflaged in the water blinking up at me.

I tilt my head to the side, the face below doing the same.

I stare at my reflection, scanning the freckles smattered across my cheeks and turned-up button nose. My pink-tinted, pouty lips. My long auburn hair flowing down my shoulders. Long black eyelashes fluttering as I blink. Nothing has changed, yet something is different. I lower my head to the water, tucking my hair behind my ears, only to find that my ears are pointed. My breath leaves me in a whoosh as I lift a shaking hand, feeling the elongated tip.

Fae.

I look like a Fae.

A loud splash has me snapping my head up. Scanning the pool, a smile spreads across my lips as several tails breach the water.

Tails of all size and color.

I lean as far forward as I can, wishing I could get closer as one glides in front of me, its white tail and hair so stark against the natural color of the water I almost miss the body it’s attached to.

“Mermaids,” I breathe.

The smell of ocean and pinewood surrounds my senses as strong arms wrap around my waist, my back hitting a wall of muscle as soft lips kiss my cheek.

A dark husky voice whispers in my ear, sending tingles racing through my body.

He sighs in relief. “Angel.”

I jolt awake in bed panting, my heart sinking in pain as it longs for the overwhelming happiness and love it felt only moments ago.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamt about the Fae and their lands. As I got older, I began dreaming of the same ocean and pinewood smelling man comforting me, filling my heart with love. Then I awake to a world without magic, Fae, mermaids, and happiness.

My bedroom door bangs open, jarring me from my thoughts as I turn to find Annie strolling into my room looking frazzled. I instantly sit up. “What is it? What happened?”

Annie’s eyebrows rise, her pointed stare halting my movements entirely.

“I think you already know why your father is running around like a mad man.”

I make my expression blank. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…Why is he mad now?” She’s suspected me of freeing prisoners for years but it’s too risky to outright ask the question, especially in a palace filled with my father’s spies.

She would never tell a soul. No, Annie would demand to help.

I’ve never told her because I don’t want her to get caught in the crossfire. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to Annie, and I refuse to be the one to put her in harm’s way.

Annie walks through my dressing room to the bathroom, emerging with the first aid kit that she placed under my wash basin. Returning, she takes a seat beside me on the bed as she addresses my wounds from yesterday evening.

“Your father has requested your presence at a mandatory council meeting,” she says, applying ointment to my cut cheek and lip. “I ran into Easton on my way in here. I told him I would tell you myself.”

“Will this meeting also include the news you’re supposed to tell me?”

Annie lifts her eyes, peering at me below her lashes, her lips twisting into a grimace. “Yes.”

I groan. Not only is my father in a horrible mood because he has no one to execute today, but now he’s going to make the council’s day a living hell as he takes his temper and wrath out on them.

Myself included.

A flash of memory from my dream floats through my mind. Strong arms wrapped around me, keeping me safe and filling me with love and tenderness.

I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago. However, my heart and soul seem to not agree with my mind on that matter.

My love for the Fae lands started when my mother used to read me stories about them when I was a small child. They were the happier stories of the Fae lands, how Fae and humans co-existed, respected each other, and protected one another. Until the Fae lands were destroyed one hundred and forty-eight years ago, along with every single ounce of magic, mystical creature, and sadly the Fae race.

Every single faerie and animal gone in an instant. It’s such a tragic story how they died. It was because…

My mind stops abruptly, going wholly blank.

“How did the Fae die?” I ask suddenly, making Annie jump at my abrupt words.

Annie opens her mouth to speak, her eyebrows furrowing. “I don’t know,” she says quizzically.

Why can’t we remember?

“Perhaps it’s in a Fae history book?” I suggest.

“Good luck finding a book about the Fae. You know your father hates anything to do with magic.”

I level her with a flat look. “He thinks it’s preposterous because he doesn’t have any. He must be the best at everything, and the most powerful.”

Annie’s eyes sadden. “That’s very true.” She closes the first aid kit. “All done.”

Rising from the bed, I thank Annie for the wound care as she leaves.

In my dressing room, I pick out my finest baby blue dress with a white-lined detail on the corset. Council meetings are where my father shows off his pretty doll, his perfect princess and heir. My father has only ever seen me as an object, something he owns. A chess piece to move around on his board in his game of domination. Which means I can’t make any mistakes, disrespect, or embarrass him. I must walk, speak, and look my best—unless I want another repeat of last night.

Taking a deep breath, I get ready for another day in hell.

Strolling out of the east wing, Easton and I make our way to the council meeting room on the first floor. Easton is dressed impeccably in his guard’s uniform. Not a single thread is out of place and his armor is so clean I can see my own distorted reflection shining back at me.

“I suppose your father’s tantrum this morning was your doing,” Easton whispers.

I scan the halls for any loitering guards or workers as I mutter under my breath, my lips barely moving an inch, “Not here, East.”

Easton nudges me with his elbow. “Just give me a hint.”

Looking into his forest green eyes, I let mine reflect the triumph I feel in my heart that they got free last night. Perhaps a little mischief too.

One side of Easton’s mouth tugs into a crooked grin. “You have to take me one of these times. You can’t have all the fun.” He winks.

All the humor fades from my face.

I can never let anything happen to Easton. I can’t even make a suggestion on what to eat for dinner to my father, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to stop him from punishing Easton if he stepped out of line…

Easton has to be protected at all costs.

Passing a group of maids and guards off-duty, Easton bows his head in acknowledgment. I smile at the group as they curtsy to me. But I can hear the whispers at my back as we pass them. I know exactly what they’re gossiping about; it’s the same every time.

Walking outside, we enter the eastern gardens, our beloved way of getting around the enormous palace. It feels like a maze trying to navigate the gardens, yet the fresh air is always preferred over the coldness that emanates from the palace halls. The garden is beautiful, blossoming with life. It’s a sight to behold…and it’s also where there aren’t as many guards posted.

Once we’re halfway through the rose bushes, I turn to Easton, a smirk on my lips. “When oh when will you propose to me, my royal guard?” I ask, fluttering my eyelashes.

Easton sighs dramatically as he takes my hand. “My lady, you know I love you. But I can’t in good conscience marry you when I’m in love with your sister.”

Dropping Easton’s hand, I whack his shoulder. “You always ruin it with your fictional characters!” I chuckle.

He raises his hands in surrender. “I learned from the book lover herself that every story needs a good plot twist.”

I chuckle at that. Reading became my escape from reality at an early age. I find comfort in living others’ lives, even if it’s just for a moment. It brings me immense peace…to be anyone but myself.

It’s the only time my anxiety doesn’t rear its ugly head.

I roll my eyes, conceding. “Very true.”

Easton glances behind us where we left the gossiping staff. “You’d think by now they’d get the hint,” he mutters.

Everyone believes Easton and I are lovers. Whenever we’re together—which I relent is majority of the time—we’re constantly met with whispers and gossip about why we’re keeping our union a secret. The reasons vary from my father never approving of me dating someone as “low” as a guard, or that we get a kick out of all the rumors.

The last part does hold some truth—we do find enjoyment laughing at the gossip. However, us being lovers couldn’t be further from the truth. Don’t get me wrong, I truly do love Easton and I know he loves me, but we’re platonic soulmates. Easton is my sounding board, the other half of my soul, yet I don’t see him as more than a best friend. Even if I did, Easton loves the other side of the coin. Part of why he hates his father is his father’s hatred toward people who love the same gender.

“How are things with Cole?” I whisper.

He glances around the garden. “You know how they are.”

I take a deep breath, treading carefully. “Have you reconsidered what he asked?”

Scrubbing a hand down his face, Easton heaves a deep sigh. “You know I can’t, Delilah. Things are hard enough with my father as they are. I don’t need to be making things worse by coming out in a public relationship with a man.”

I take a hold of his hand, gently squeezing. “I will always support whatever decision you make,” I vow.

Easton’s lips flatten into a line, a sad smile tugging on his lips.

My heart sinks. Easton and Cole have secretly been lovers for over a year. They’re perfect for each other and Easton loves him deeply. Except Cole doesn’t like being a secret, so he gave Easton an ultimatum: either come out publicly—no more sneaking around—or they were done.

Easton’s father did a number on him, and I know he feels shameful, which he absolutely should never feel about the person he loves. But his father’s words have dug a deep hole in his mind and Easton is too scared to make that kind of leap yet.

Reaching the west wing, Easton and I walk through an archway, resuming our stroll in silence through the palace corridors. As we turn a corner, we’re met with ten palace guards posted outside the meeting room.

Steeling my spine, I lift my chin as I approach, Easton taking his spot outside the door in the hallway. Only my father’s personal guards can be present at council meetings.

The guard posted in front of the entry doesn’t so much as look my way as he opens the black mahogany door.

The oval-shaped room is styled with white marble tiles. Floor-to-ceiling windows at the far side of the room overlook the western forest, a black steel fireplace adorns the left side of the room, and placed in the center is a twenty-seated, oval-shaped table with white cushioned chairs.

My father sits at the head of the table, dressed impeccably in his black and gold royal clothes. I’m surprised he’s not wearing a crown considering his ego needs to be stroked every ten seconds.

Scanning the several council members seated around the table, my stomach drops when my eyes land on my father’s second. Duke Harrison, who’s seated to the right of my father.

Another reason why I hate council meetings—the insipid man I’m to be seated in front of.

“Thank you for finally gracing us with your presence, Delilah,” my father drawls sarcastically.

I slide my gaze to the mounted clock on the right side of the room. I’m not late, I’m ten minutes early, yet because I wasn’t here twenty minutes earlier kissing his ass like all these other power-hungry monsters, I’m tardy in his mind.

Ignoring his verbal jab, I take my seat to his left, placing my hands in my lap as I straighten my spine. Glancing toward my father, I pray for him to start this gods-awful meeting.

Leaning back in his chair, my father crosses his arms over his chest. “We’ve been betrayed again,” he says, ice coating his words.

The council members glance around the table at each other. Some have already begun sweating.

“One hundred slaves”—people, just call them people, I hiss in my mind—“escaped the holding prison last night.” His gaze roams the council members. “No one has seen or heard from any of the slaves. They have completely disappeared!” he bellows, no longer holding the leash on his temper.

“I already have my best men on it, Your Highness,” Duke Harrison interjects.

My father’s face turns red, the veins in his neck protruding. “We have no one to execute today and I want a solution.”

“We could change the curfew and not tell certain sectors,” Duke Harrison offers.

Bile burns my throat, making my eyes water.

Suggesting to kill innocent people by their own manipulation and games…

I open my mouth to detest such a horrid idea when my father’s laugh booms throughout the room. He smiles. “Brilliant!”

My jaw drops open on its own accord. I can’t control the disgust that lines my features. If anyone deserves to be executed, it’s the men sitting at this table. Not the innocent people of this country who are trying to get through another day alive. I’m surprised he hasn’t halted the killings considering if he keeps it up, there won’t be anyone to rule over.

The king flicks his hand to his personal messenger. “Edgar, see to it.”

Before anyone can so much as blink, Edgar is scuttling out of the room.

‘Any updates on sector three?” my father asks.

Phillip, a scraggly middle-aged man with gray peppered hair, clears his throat.

“Your Highness.” He bows, audibly swallowing before he speaks again. “The rebel protests haven’t stopped. Sector three is no longer the main rebel group, but sectors four, five, and seven are rioting every day. The damages are insurmountable.” Philip casts a wary gaze around the table, wiping sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief. “They’re also refusing to work. They’ve banned together, Your Highness.”

My father’s jaw hardens. The energy in the room turns palpable, the tension a living thing breathing down everyone’s necks. All twenty council members tense, their backs straightening as everyone in the room holds their breath.

There’s always been small groups of rebellion in the sectors, yet these past ten months have consisted of outright riots. However, this is the first time in history that the sectors have rallied together and refused to work. The fact that four out of seven sectors are rebelling is a dramatic change of events.

This must have been the news Annie was talking about in regards to the people.

I clamp my mouth shut as my lips threaten to pull into a smile. They’re fighting back.

“When was this?” my father replies coldly.

Philip clears his throat. “The past week, Your Majesty.”

“And no one thought to tell me?” he barks.

“I had the army sent in to destroy the notion that these sectors have the right to go against their king,” Duke Harrison cuts in, saving Philip. “Unfortunately, the efforts to stop this ridiculous act of defiance haven’t worked.”

“I should have been notified the second it started,” my father spits. “The executions aren’t taming the rebels.” The king slides his gaze around the room as he clicks his tongue, his cold beady eyes assessing each council member. “I’ll personally see to it that each sector understands the laws of this mighty kingdom and what happens when you disrespect your king.”

My stomach sinks.

I fist my hands in my lap to keep the fear inside of me.

My father never goes to the sectors. He sends his cronies to deal with the “filth”. I pray to any god that will listen that he doesn’t pick people off the street to make a point.

“Duke, you’ll accompany me on the journey. Inform the army to dispatch at first light tomorrow.” He turns toward the other members. “I trust that you all understand the ramifications of not telling me what’s happening in my own country.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” rings out in unison.

Taking a steadying breath, I raise my chin as I address my father.

“Perhaps you could go to each sector and ask what the people want.” I keep my voice strong, unwavering. “If you offer them changes, the people might go back to work.”

Gasps ring out around the room as my father’s head whips toward me faster than humanly possible. His very eyes change, the deep brown turning wholly black, soulless, as his face burns crimson red, the veins in his neck protruding.

“Leave us. See to it that my orders are sent out,” he barks, dismissing the council.

I close my eyes as my breathing turns into a wheeze.

I know what happens when his eyes change, when the person behind them vanishes and the monster he keeps on a leash inside of him is released.

I mentally kick myself for speaking at all. I’m only allowed to sit there like a pretty little princess doll, to make our kingdom and court look unified—like a happy family, even if it’s anything but. I couldn’t sit there any longer and listen to my father’s outrageous plans for the innocent people of our country.

The council members leave the room like their asses are on fire, until it’s empty save for myself and my father. The clang of the dark mahogany doors slamming shut seals my fate.

“How dare you question my orders?” he seethes.

I blink. “I didn’t, Father.”

Rising out of his chair, he walks toward me—a predator stalking prey. My body tenses, getting ready for what I know is to come.

I lift my head as he towers over me. His body physically shakes with barely contained rage, and his teeth are clenched so tightly I’m surprised they don’t snap.

Quick as a snake, the back of my father’s hand whips across my cheek, making my head fly to the side, my hair splaying in a tangled mess over my face. Wetness trickles down my cheek as my cut tears open once more.

Sucking in a breath, I feel my heart leave me until there’s nothing but the lingering burn of my father’s hand imprinted on my skin.

“You do not dare question me in my own court!” Spit flies out of his mouth as he screams.

The second strike I see coming. Frozen in my seat, the heel of his boot comes down on my chest, sending me flying back in my chair to the ground. All the air in my lungs evaporates as my head bounces off the tiles, sending black stars shooting into my vision. Warm liquid trickles down my nape.

He kicks my leg, scoffing. “Useless offspring.”

The sound of his boots retreating on the tiled floors make tears spring to my eyes as he leaves his only daughter bleeding on the ground.

It’s silent for a moment before I hear Easton, his boots squeaking as he rushes into the room. He skids to a stop beside me on his knees. Those gorgeous forest green eyes lined with tears.

Easton’s mouth opens and closes, no sound escaping his lips before he gently scoops me into his arms. I lay my head on his chest, listening to the erratic thumping of his heart as he carries me out of the room.

The sound of the mahogany doors banging behind us rings hollow through my ears.

I place my palm over his chest, my voice breaking as I speak. “I’m okay, Easton.”

“Don’t lie to me. Never to me,” he says vehemently.

Easton takes me to Annie, and so the routine begins again.

For another day is just the same as before. It always will be.