Novels by Faryal Javed

Nathan and Damian left Edric's room.Outside, Nathan turned to Damian. "With the iron ring active, we will not be able to communicate with Aurelian."Damian thought about it for a while. "We will start questioning all the Holt mages who are here in the capital."Nathan nodded.They were only halfway across the corridor when they saw a guard running toward them. The guard stopped in front of them, breathless."Your Majesty. Lord Regent." He gasped for air. "There is an esteemed guest waiting for you both in the waiting chambers."Both Nathan and Damian frowned."Who is it?" Nathan asked."Lord Aurelian Holt, my lord."Nathan's blood ran cold. "How was he able to enter the capital?""It seems he had already entered before the activation of the iron ring."Both Nathan and Damian had so many questions. Both wanted answers.Damian was the first to walk toward the waiting chambers when Nathan's hand stopped him."Change first. You cannot let him see you in this state."Damian finally looked

Nathan was exhausted.He was practically dragging his feet by the time he was done with all the nobles. His legs ached. His back ached. His head throbbed with a dull, persistent pain that had settled behind his eyes.He simply wanted to get in bed with Damian and Rowan on either side of him and sleep.But he had one last task before he checked on Silas's investigation.Nathan dragged his feet toward Damian's study. The corridor was quiet, the guards standing at attention, their eyes following him as he passed. He did not acknowledge them. He did not have the energy.He pushed open the door.Alessio was already there, seated at Damian's desk, a stack of parchments spread before him. He looked up when Nathan entered, his expression shifting from concentration to concern."You look terrible.""Thank you," Nathan said flatly. He crossed to the desk and sank into the chair across from Alessio. "What do you have?"Alessio handed him a parchment. "The official statement. I drafted it myself.

After leaving Lucian's room, Rowan and Nathan walked a little further.They did not know what to do next. Where to go next. Their steps were slow, unhurried, their minds still turning over everything that had been said.They stopped in front of a large arch.Beyond it, the castle courtyard opened up before them. The sun was climbing higher, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. Guards patrolled the walls. Servants hurried to and fro, carrying linens and trays and messages. The fountain in the center of the courtyard bubbled softly, its water sparkling in the light. Birds perched on the edges of the roof, chirping and fluttering.It was a beautiful day. Bright. Clear. Alive.And yet, neither of them felt it.Nathan spoke first. "He did not mean to yell at you. He was just stressed."Rowan was still looking outside. His silver eyes were distant, his expression unreadable."I know," he said. "I would have reacted much worse if I were in Damian's place." He paused. "But it still h

Back in Lucian's room, he finally stirred.He opened his eyes slowly. The room was dimly lit, the fire burned low, the curtains drawn. He sat up slowly, his head throbbing, his body heavy. He stretched, his joints protesting—And almost jumped out of the bed.Silas was still sitting in that chair.Why is Silas sitting in my room? Lucian thought.Silas's eyes were closed. He was sleeping—perched upright on the chair, his posture slightly slumped, his hands clasped on his thighs, his lips slightly parted. He looked... peaceful

The night was a heavy thing.Especially for Damian.Sleep abandoned him. It always did. Peace had died with his father. Anger had been born when his mother was murdered. And now—now Rowan was targeted.The only ray of light in his life. The only thing that urged him to get up in the morning and move forward.Lucian had taken the fall meant for Rowan.The kingdom was already against Nathan. They had already killed almost all of his family. Now they were after Rowan too.And Lucian had almost died tonight.Damian tossed and turned on the bed. The sheets tangled around his legs. His breath came in short, uneven bursts.He turned toward Nathan. "I am sorry. I am keeping you awake."He turned toward Rowan. "I am sorry. Go back to sleep."He turned away again.He did not realize that they could not sleep either.They felt everything he was feeling.The bond—frayed, incomplete, but still there—carried his turmoil like a current. His fear. His grief. His rage. It bled into them, filled their

Rowan eventually made his way back to Damian, settling onto his usual spot—the armrest of the throne. Damian's hand found his waist, steady and warm."Be careful around Isolde," Damian said quietly.Rowan chuckled. "I can still feel her killing intent. I'm not that stupid."Nathan leaned toward them, his voice light. "So you know you are stupid, but just not too much."Rowan gasped, his hand flying to his chest in mock offense. "You are making fun of me? How could you?"Lucian replied before Nathan could. "He is right, though."Rowan turned toward Damian, his expression exaggeratedly wounded. "Do you hear that? You see them? They are ganging up on me. It is not fair."Damian hummed. His hand tightened on Rowan's waist."Indeed, it is not fair."He shifted, pulling Rowan gently from the armrest and settling him onto his lap. Rowan's breath caught—just slightly, just enough for Damian to notice."You two," Damian said, his voice calm but firm, "stop teasing him."Nathan's lips curved. "