Page 66 of Wings of Snow

“I’m fine, Norivun,” she called, still staring straight ahead. “Thank you for asking. How have your searches been? Have you found Ilara?”

I frowned and followed her out to the balcony. Winter wind bit into my cheeks, and navy clouds swirled in the sky. But as soon as I grew close to her, she turned again, angling her face away from me once more.

Growling, I closed the distance between us and spun her toward me.

My breath sucked in.

Rage clouded my sight, and the wind around the tower began to howl as my air elemental affinity let loose.

“He’s been hitting you?” I snarled.

Her chin lifted. Defiance shone in her eyes despite the bruises that covered every inch of her skin.

Some of the bruises were fresh, others were old, letting me know my father’s visits to her had been daily. He usually only allowed his abuse to show on her face when he was excessively angry with me. Mostly he kept to her limbs and torso so no one could see her wounds, which meant he was already using my mother as a way to quell his fury over what Ilara had done.

“Fucking tyrant!” My wings snapped out, and I had to turn away from her since the sight of her abuse made me want to level the entire castle.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” she replied in a firm tone. “Don’t give in to him, Norivun. Do not allow him to control you with me.”

I faced her again, anguish in my voice. “How can I stand for this, Mother? How can I let him hurt you like this when I have the power to stop him?”

She took the remaining steps to me before I could blink, and her hands curled around mine, gripping me tightly. “I’ve had visions. They’re so hazy and perhaps more dream than reality since they always come to me at night, but a great change is coming to our continent. I’m sure of it. Youmuststay the course. You must find Ilara and find a way to defeat your father. I’m certain with her at your side you’ll be able to, but if she’s not...”

I gently squeezed her in return as she gazed up at me with a burning intensity in her eyes. My mother was probably the most powerful seer in the entire realm. The ability to see the future was only one of her five affinities, but the fact that she held two psychic affinities—being a seer and being able to read thoughts—meant she was incredibly formidable. Before my father had caged her magic, there had been whisperings that perhaps she should rule the continent. And she was strong enough that she’d seen what I was to become.

I’d told Ilara once about my mother’s abilities, even though I hadn’t come right out and told her directly what my mother’s affinities were. Instead, I’d hinted at one, telling my mate that a powerful seer had predicted my death affinity after I’d been born on the triple lunar eclipse. I hadn’t told her, though, that said seer had been my own mother.

And gazing at my mother now, with her fierce determination and unyielding backbone, I knew that her powerful magic wasn’t her only strength. The female that had born me had an iron will. It was always me who’d backed down from my father. Lissandra would have borne his punishment, but I had never been able to tolerate it. She had always been my only weakness—until Ilara—and, it was a weakness my father had exploited for dozens of winters.

“Norivun,” she said again, her gaze unflinching, and I could have sworn that I saw a glimpse of her fire elemental affinity in her eyes. “You’re to marry, Ilara. No one else. Only with her at your side will our continent once again see light.”

I nodded even though I knew what that would mean. My mother would rather fall under my father’s hand than allow my fate to continue.

And as much as it tore me apart to know what that meant, perhaps it was time I finally honored her wish despite whatever punishment was to come.

* * *

I foundNuwin before I left, needing to see him so I could learn what else had occurred at court during the past few days. And, as much as the bastard drove me crazy, I did miss him when we were parted for long periods of time.

Besides, he always had a way of pulling me out of bad moods, which was my current state after witnessing my mother’s recent abuse.

“Ah, brother, I had a feeling you were in residence.” Nuwin gave me a cheeky grin when I walked into his private wing. He lay on his couch, one of the court females at his side. Her lips were swollen, and her hair was mussed.

I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms, letting my wings fall slack. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Always.” Nuwin sighed and helped the female to a stand. He gave her a sultry smile. “I’ll find you later so we can finish what we started.” He led her past me to the door.

Blushing, she dipped into a curtsy, her cheeks rosy and a dimple appearing, before she scurried down the hall.

“Another conquest?” I arched an eyebrow after Nuwin closed his door.

“Not yet, but by this evening, I imagine she will be.” His lips lifted in a delighted smile. “And since you’re back and not looking like Lucifer, I’m guessing you found Ilara?”

I chuckled. Unlike me, my brother didn’t hold six affinities, but he did hold three. His weakest was the affinity he’d inherited from my mother, his ability to see. But his seer affinity was so weak that often times it only led to feelings and subtle understandings. It was why he loved to rile fae so much since he was so easily able to detect their reactions. I was guessing it was also how he knew that I’d found my mate.

“Is it that obvious?”

Nuwin shrugged. “To others, no, but to me...” He waggled his eyebrows. “Is your cock worn out then?”