Page 26 of These Fractured Bonds

Leo grabbed a couple of strawberries. “Speaking of fools, my brother made a move.”

Yareli stiffened. For the past two months, she had feared the inevitable conflict between the three siblings—Endrim, Agatha, and Leo.

“Endrim has ordered Tuom to return under the pretext of the recent attacks near our city.” He pushed away from the table, pausing. The tight grip he had on his chair was anything but casual. “Though I doubt he will attempt anything overt.”

Bri said, “No matter what occurs, we will keep you safe.”

Yareli bit her lip, swallowing her doubts, and smiled, but the mood was ruined. She cleaned up quietly—the weight of the Earth Court’s strained political state pressing hard against the peace of Leo’s home. The mention of Endrim reminded Yareli of Leo’s identity. Third General Leo, the youngest son of Lord Astorius, the Earth Court lord. Tuom, the First General, was part of his court, serving Leo’s father directly until recently. With their father on bedrest from an unknown illness, Endrim now oversaw a majority of the Earth Court’s administration.

Confirming that Tuom had a prison full of torture victims had only added to Leo’s suspicions about his brother. Unfortunately, Yareli was the only evidence that could incriminate Tuom. His other victims were either dead or unable to recover, and Leo had refused to reveal her presence. Humans weren’t supposed to be in Izmari, and the Prohibition Decree that restricted travel between Izmari and the human realm banned humans from the island. Yareli suspected it wasn’t the sole reason why he didn’t denounce his brother. Leo had shared that his father, although frail, requested the three siblings attend weekly family dinners. Accusing Endrim, then, would be a big blow to his father.

The silence from the end of dinner persisted, and Yareli pretended to read a novel she randomly chose from the bookshelf. Bri sharpened a blade, and Leo read government documents for a meeting the next day. Despite their assurances, Yareli couldn’t help but wonder how much longer the peaceful days would last.

Itdidn’tlastlong.The following day, it went to shit. Neither Leo nor Bri had been able to stop by for long, and Yareli had settled down to try her hand at wood carving before heading to bed. She had just nicked her thumb when they burst through the door with visible signs of battle—blood stained their clothing, and a bruise colored Bri’s cheek.

Leo stormed toward his office. “Mydearestbrother murdered my father and sister! He’s taken control of the court.”

A chill washed over Yareli, and she abandoned her work, hurrying to her room to grab the emergency satchel under her bed. She failed to grab the bag with her shaking hands. Once she had it, she struggled to get it over her shoulders, dropping it in frustration. She sank onto her bed.

Her breath came in quick bursts, and she gripped her knees, doing a breathing exercise to calm down. They had planned for this. There was a safe house on the other side of the island in the Water Court. All she had to do was grab her satchel and meet them in the living room. She could do that.

After what felt like an eternity, but it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes, she had her breathing under control, and she picked up her satchel, throwing Leo’s gift, a wooden wolf, and a tattered scroll of exercises in it. She tugged on a knitted sweater and walked back to the living room, where Bri tossed confidential documents in the fireplace, the flames curling the pages into ashes.

Leo called her from the kitchen. “Shove some food into your bag and take this too.”

He handed her two sheathed, lightweight daggers. She wedged one into her belt and another in her boot. He helped Bri, and soon, they were all set to leave. Their past few months were reduced to a couple of satchels.

“Ready?” Leo asked.

Yareli nodded, putting on a brave face, but a pang of loss hit her chest. It was too soon. She had gotten accustomed to her life with them, and now she had to watch it burn.

They exited the house together. Yareli and Bri watched in silence as Leo set his own home on fire. He said nothing of it; he simply set his shoulders back and nodded at Yareli. He shifted into his animal form—a beautiful white wolf—and bent down for her to climb onto him. Since she was human, the journey would be on foot.

Yareli leaned forward, lowering her body to make herself as small as possible, and prayed that they would make it to the Water Court without a hitch. A lone howl sounded in the night, and she shivered despite Leo’s warmth. The night’s veil of darkness pressed down on her, becoming oppressive despite herusual fondness for it. It was easier to admire the dark from the safety of her well-lit home. She swallowed.

Leo took off, plunging them into the woods.

Chapter 11

TheWaterCourtwasa seven-day trip on foot, five days on Leo’s wolf form. The sun had set long ago, and the cool air of the encroaching fall chilled Yareli’s skin. Leo moved fast; his muscles rippled under her with every leap. She tucked her head into his neck fur, blocking the rush of air from hitting her face. With his speed, they could make it. She could allow herself to drink Hope's cup of salvation.Almost, Almost, Almost… The affirmation helped her endure the pain from holding one position for hours.

A howl rang in the night, followed by a cacophony of similarly pitched sounds, reminding her of their precarious position—they were prey. Hunted. By what… She didn’t know, didn’twantto know. All she could do was hold on and pray they’d make it.

The world tilted ninety degrees, and she fell from Leo, landing hard on the ground. Pain exploded in her right shoulder. Grunting, she pushed herself halfway up and squinted. Ambushed in the forest, the moonlight was obstructed by the thick leaves. She faintly made out Leo’s white fur as he struggled with what looked like a misshapen shadow.

“Yareli!” Bri materialized by her side, shoving her backward and intercepting another shadow that lunged at her. Bri made quick work of it, beheading it with a single swing of her sword, and turned to Yareli.

“I can’t see,” Yareli told her, her voice a higher pitch than normal.

A moment later, lights popped into existence, hovering high above them. She shut her eyes from the sudden light until her eyes adjusted, and she saw Leo walking toward them. Back in his Fae form, he held a large axe. The shadow’s body lay lifeless behind him.

“We’re surrounded,” Bri whispered. “Do you have your daggers?”

Yareli turned to her, heart racing. “Yes, but I can’t—”

“You can.” Bri’s brown eyes flashed with burning intensity. “And you must. If you are separated from us, you must fight. This is why you trained.”

Bri held her calloused, scarred hand out, and Yareli stared. It was a hand that knew battle, so unlike her own, but she didn’t want to die—this she was sure of. She accepted Bri’s assistance and stood. The three of them stood back-to-back, forming a triangle and circling in place. Yareli mimicked their stance—knees slightly bent, daggers out, scanning the area in front ofher. Her palms were sweaty, making it hard to grip her daggers; she adjusted, then did so again. She nearly jumped when Leo and Bri placed their hands on her shoulders in reassurance. Feeling a little sheepish, she exhaled, letting the extra tension leave her muscles. Her grip steadied.