Heir of the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock Book 3) Read online

  I stared at him for a while, trying to work out what he was really saying. “What sort of... compromise are you planning on?”

  The hope that had been building up vanished just as instantly.

  He chuckled. “I’m not planning on anything, but I can tell you, I don’t want you compromising at all. I want you to have everything.”

  “As in...”

  “Tavlor... and to be my heir.”

  I sat up. He was going against the Council? “You expect us to be able to win on all fronts?”

  My father’s eyebrows dropped as he narrowed his eyes at me. “Don’t you want to?”

  His question had me shuffling in my seat. I didn’t know what I truly wanted, and that was scary. And confronting. What should have been an easy question was much harder to understand than I initially believed. I knew without a doubt I wanted Tavlor, but did I want everything else?

  “I... don’t know anything about your role. And everything I’ve been told... doesn’t make me want to fight for it,” I admitted.

  He coughed strangely, clearing his throat. “Then what are we fighting for?”

  “Ah...” God, I was an idiot. How did I explain it? “All I ever wanted was to find you. Be your daughter... I didn’t know that would come with all this responsibility. I’m not sure that I’m built for it, to be honest.”

  My father smiled suddenly and leaned back against the couch. “Not built for it? You’re the strongest Witch the Council has seen in too many generations to count. You’re my daughter. You’re your mother’s daughter...” He began to laugh. “If anything, you’re too strong. Too powerful. They would never have let me have a child with a woman as strong, and independent and powerful as your mother. You would never be able to be controlled. You’re their worst nightmare.”

  He continued to chuckle, crossing his arms and running a hand over his mouth as though to stifle the noise, but not being able to. I bit my lip to keep from joining in.

  I turned towards Tavlor. “What do you think?”

  He cocked his head, seeming to be surprised I would ask him at all. “About what?”

  I swallowed hard. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to the question, but it had to be asked. “Do you think I can do it?”

  Tavlor toddled forward, his gaze on my face as though assessing me.

  I kept his gaze, but couldn’t help the way saliva pooled in my mouth and how I had to swallow hard against the need to look away.

  What was he trying to determine? My strength? My abilities? If he thought I could do the job my ancestors had been born to for so long?

  I didn’t know why this suddenly mattered to me, but hearing it from Tavlor, from someone who was raised within the Council and not my father was important to me.

  Tavlor put his hand out and I took it.

  He dragged me to my feet and held onto me like his life depended on it.

  “Ava. You can do anything you want to do, and I mean that in every sense. You are kind and so smart, you empathize with every person, and are unforgiving to those who are evil. You are a rare creature, and I know, no matter what you choose, you will be successful.”

  I grabbed onto him, hard. “But can I do... this.” I gestured with my hand, but I didn’t think I explained myself the way I intended to. I needed to clarify. “Lead people. Have them look up to me. Take on all this responsibility and do it well?”

  He nodded, his eyes locked into mine. “Of course, you can. Didn’t you hear your father? You are more powerful than any High Warlock before you, because they couldn’t control your breeding. Your mother’s will. If you decide to do this... then you will bring the change they fear. You will bring peace. I know you will.”

  I closed my eyes and dropped my head onto his chest. His heartbeat steadied my own and I took a deep breath, trying to figure this out. What I wanted didn’t exactly align with what the right thing to do was.

  What did I know about running a household, let alone a planet? How was I going to do this?

  I lifted my head and took a deep breath.

  “Well, it sounds like I’ve got a lot to learn before any of that happens,” I said slowly.

  Tavlor kissed me on the forehead, his lips feeling like goodbye.

  I pulled back and glared up at him. “Hey, don’t you dare give up on me,” I told him. I clenched my teeth to make sure my voice didn’t shake. “I’m not marrying some stranger, I can tell you. And they have no right to take my birth right away from me either, not unless I... you know, decide I don’t want it.”

  My father laughed and patted the seat next to him. “Come here, Ava.”

  I left Tavlor and moved over to my father, my chest tight and my eyes burning with unshed tears.

  “What’s up?” I asked, my tone flippant, trying to lighten the mood. Trying to make myself feel better.

  Unfortunately for me, it wasn’t working.

  “I want you to know, that you’re my daughter.”

  I laughed, glancing at Tavlor, then back at my dad. “I know... isn’t that the point of all this drama and trouble?”

  My father reached over and took my hand, squeezing my fingers tight.

  “Ava.”

  “Yes... dad.” I swallowed hard at the look in his eyes. It was intense, heart-felt. As though I could feel his soul, know his intentions.

  And they were more than I could cope with.

  “Hear me,” he said, his tone serious. “You’re my daughter, no matter what. If you decide that you don’t want my... job, then that is more than your right, that is your obligation. To make the right choice for you. Always. I just want you to know that that will not change the relationship between you and I. Nothing will.”

  I squeezed his hand back. “Thank you, dad.”

  “But I want you to know something else.”

  I arched a brow. “What’s that?”

  “I want you to know... that I think you would be an amazing High Warlock,” he said. I wanted to cut in, make some sort of sarcastic remark, but he sounded genuine. “And you would do things for our community. For this realm, all the realms in fact... that I don’t have the courage to do.”

  I inhaled sharply.

  “I’m not sure if you’re right, but I appreciate the vote of confidence,” I said. It was all I could muster, given the swirling emotions inside of me.

  My father smiled and let go of my hands. “Now, what is it you need from us, to help you decide?”

  I took a moment to think about it, but the answer was pretty simple. “I need to know more about what you... do. I want to meet some of the people, I want to hear what they need from me... I just...”

  “Wanna do some research?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, pretty much. I mean, if research could sound so simple, I’m willing to do it.”

  My father nodded. “Done. Let’s organize a full day tomorrow. We’ll speak to the leaders of the Shifters and the Fae. You can ask whatever you want.”

  “That sounds great.” I sat back, relieved. The plan did sound good. I hoped it would be informative. I hoped it would make things clearer for me in order to help me make the most informed decision I could.

  My father turned to Tavlor and they began to talk about which realm to go to, who to speak to, and what to tell them.

  I sat back and felt the wind on my face, like being on a rollercoaster ascending the first hill.

  I was on the ride, and irrespective of what was about to happen, I couldn’t get off now.

  Chapter 11.

  WE FINISHED BREAKFAST and stood up from the couches I was beginning to love. I spent too much time in my father’s office nowadays.

  “So, why aren’t we going to the Fae realm where Abigail and Horlow live?” I asked Tavlor as he handed me a dark cloak, similar to the one he wore.

  I reached out to grab it, and my fingers touched the thick fur. I slung it over my shoulders, the weight settling on me like a huge hug.

  “Wow, this is heavy. And so warm!” I furrowed my
brow. “Are we going somewhere cold?” Before he could answer, I looked down at the sleeves of the coat. “What is this made out of? It’s soft, too.”

  Tavlor nodded, his face strangely sad. “Yes.” He reached out as if he was going to touch me, thought better of it, and dropped his hand back to his side. “It’s lined with a magnificent wolf that used to roam the woods of this world.”

  I stiffened, grabbing the edge of the cloak, ready to pull it off. He couldn’t possibly be saying what I thought he was.

  “Are you telling me this used to be a shifter?” I shook my head. “A person?”

  His hand lay on mine, stopping me from flinging the cloak off in disgust. “No, not a shifter,” he said gently. “A simple animal.”

  I frowned. I wasn’t sure I liked that either. There was no need to use the skin of an actual animal to create any type of clothing, especially when I was sure my magic could probably keep me warmer than a cloak ever could.

  “Can’t I just wear a normal cloak? With a wool lining, or something?” Or faux fur, that worked too.

  Tavlor shook his head and stepped up close, in front of me, tying the cloak at my neck, then at several points down my chest. “No. This is best, and I will explain why. The answer is tied to your question.”

  He inhaled deeply and sighed just as hard.

  I frowned. What was wrong with him today? He seemed more morose than usual.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  He nodded and stepped back, adjusting his own clothing so I got a glimpse of multiple weapons tied to his body. My mouth dropped open but I quickly shut it. The last thing I wanted was to look like some kind of fish, especially in front of Tavlor.

  “I’m well. The reason your father and I decided to travel to this Fae realm, rather than the one you are already comfortable in, is so you can see what sort of turmoil part of the Universe is experiencing.”

  “So, you’re deliberately taking me somewhere... dangerous?” I asked, not sure if I understood correctly.

  I could barely believe that. My father, and my lover, both wanting to throw me into more chaos? It seemed counter-intuitive, somehow.

  And from the look on Tavlor’s face, his brows lowered and his lips twisted, he agreed with my thoughts. He wasn’t happy to be going today.

  He continued. “They are not at war with anyone at the moment, or we would not be taking you there,” he said though I wasn’t sure how that assurance was actually working. “However, they are naturally, a very rough people. They have gone through much. The cloak you are wearing is traditional garb and will help them accept you. It shows respect to their history, their culture.”

  “Okay... but why would we go there?” He still hadn’t explained why I simply couldn’t go to the Fae realm I knew and ask questions of them.

  “Because you need to see what’s wrong with the realms that the Council lorded over. Not look at this magical realm, and Abigail’s Fae realm, and think that everything is okay. Not pretend that life is simple and easy across the realms with minimal discord that can be reduced to petty crimes. Things are not okay, and I believe... and your father believes, that if you’re going to take this role on, you need to see our worlds at some of their worst. Not their best. So you truly understand what you will be stepping into.”

  “Their worst?” I asked, not sure my defensive skills were good enough to sustain a proper attack yet. I understood what my father and Tavlor were trying to do, but at the same time, I didn’t think they needed to prove anything to me.

  His lips kicked up a little. “The realm we are visiting is not the worst, not by any stretch of the imagination. But it will show you the sort of wars, and pain, that can be possible, if the Council has their way. Trust us.”

  I grabbed his hands, looking into his dark gaze. “I do.”

  Then I realized that we were still alone.

  I glanced around the room we stood in, a large chamber just outside my father’s offices. A transportation room.

  “Where’s Dad?” I asked slowly. “And are you sure the Council’s bounty on me has been called off? I’d hate to get into another fight with a pack of wolf shifters who want my head.”

  Tavlor put his hand into his cloak pocket and pulled out an official looking document. A scroll, similar to the other contracts I’d been offered. How and when he got it, I didn’t know. I narrowed my eyes, chewing my bottom lip. He unrolled it so I could look at it myself.

  “Yes, this is the official decree to say you have been cleared of all charges against you, and I have been promised that word has been sent out.” Tavlor patted his chest. “Though, I brought extra protection just in case someone refuses to listen to a piece of parchment, even if it is magic.”

  He was armed to the teeth, both in magical ability and physical weaponry. But there was still a tremor of fear that I felt pass through me that I recognized. Mostly due to uncertainty. I felt like I was walking into a trap, although I knew that wasn’t the intention. While I trusted Tavlor and my father, I didn’t trust the unknown. I didn’t trust that the Council would keep their word, even with laws and decrees and the shaking of hands.

  But I couldn’t do anything about that now.

  I put a hand to my belly, where my tattoo lay. I still hadn’t had use for it yet, thankfully. But my journey was nowhere near ended. “Me too.”

  A door behind us opened and my father walked in, looking the least- official I had ever seen him.

  “Woah... what’s with the casual attire?” I asked him, waving my hand to encompass his plain black suit and the cloak he held that looked similar to the one I wore.

  These Fae must be pretty passionate about killing wolves for all three of us to be wearing them. I hated that I had to wear it, but it seemed like dressing the part proved to them we could be trusted. I made a mental note that if I did decide to do this, to claim my birthright, I would make it illegal to use the skin of an animal to make any sort of clothing.

  My father grinned. “It’s a disadvantage with these people to shove my position in their face. If I could disguise myself, and you, I would. However, such a thing would be considered trickery, and treachery. It would offend them, and that is not something I would like to do, especially when they are powerful enough to figure it out for themselves.”

  I put both hands up and pushed one at each of the men before me. I’d had enough of this.

  “You know you guys are scaring me,” I said.

  My father laughed. “Don’t worry. Tavlor and I will protect you.”

  My heart pumped a little too fast, adrenaline pulsing through my blood in preparation for the fight to come.

  But there was no fight. This was a diplomatic mission, of a sort. I hoped these creatures would understand that we meant no harm and had no intention of causing discord. So I took a couple of deep breaths, aiming to slow my racing pulse. I had two of the most powerful warlocks in the Universe on my side. I shouldn’t be worried. Or scared.

  “Alright.” I said, gathering my wits about me. “Let’s go.”

  My father walked over to a portal door, waved his hand, then opened it. He walked straight through, and Tavlor held out his hand to me. I glanced at his fingers, shivering with unease, then braced myself as I took his hand. My Fae man tugged me straight into the portal after my father.

  There was no going back now.

  As soon as we’d passed through that strange, cold, empty space between the realms, we were launched into a completely different world.

  One unlike anything I’d ever seen.

  “Woah.” I gaped at my surroundings, staring unblinkingly into the vastness.

  A castle stood up ahead and... “Are they dragons?”

  I narrowed my eyes. They couldn’t be, surely? I hadn’t thought any existed.

  Two magnificent, ancient creatures flew overhead. One had wings of a royal purple, and the other had flecks of blue on its otherwise reptilian body.

  Tavlor nodded. “Yes.”

  “Are they shifte
rs... or...?” Just normal, regular animals. I really had no idea how to spot the difference between the two yet. My eyes scanned for anything on them that might give them away, but I couldn’t come up with anything just yet.

  Tavlor squeezed my hand. “These Fae, in particular, don’t like any type of shifter, so you will not find any in this realm. And I would recommend... not speaking of shifters in front of them. It could rile up anger.”

  I pretended to zip my lips shut. “I will watch and learn, and try not to ask too many questions.”

  I was notoriously bad at exactly that, though. Mother liked to tell me how one day my curiosity could get me into a lot of trouble, if not killed.

  My father nodded.

  “I know it seems wrong, but on this first visit, it’s probably best Ava,” he said gently.

  I nodded. Surely, I could keep my mouth shut and just observe?

  He continued, “Mental and physical shields up, especially when we’re speaking to the king.”

  King. And I highly doubted king was an elected official. This place might be worse than the magic realm. At least by appearances there was some sort of checks and balances within the magic government. Of course, if the entire Council was corrupt it didn’t really count, but the possibility was there.

  “Yes, Father.” I’d gotten pretty good at both physical and mental shields now.

  He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, and as a trio, we walked along the dirt road, towards the castle.

  I clung to Tavlor’s hand and continued to take in every detail around me. It was like being in some sort of medieval time. With rocky roads, and untouched woods. Castles, and no cars. No signs of advanced technology anywhere in fact, although, I’d kind of expected that from a Fae realm.

  As we stepped inside the castle gates, I glanced around, anxious to learn more of these people. Would they look like the other Fae I’d met?

  I frowned as I surveyed around the city.

  The streets were littered with rubbish and filth, the houses mere shacks. What was this? A mirage, perhaps? There were no people and I didn’t see any trees, which seemed odd for the Fae. They loved the earth. It helped their magic, from what I was told.