I do know. It’s one of the reasons I’ve seen so little of my cousin. Zarid ruled his kingdom with an iron fist, and that included his own wife and son. They were like his captives, always under his thumb.
“A griffin swooped down out of nowhere,” my father continues, his light-blue eyes wide with horror. “Everyone was so busy fighting they didn’t see him until it was too late. He went straight for Zarid. He—he snapped his head off with one bite. Completely decapitated.”
I couldn’t be more confused.
“Talon?” I ask, a little disturbed by how shaken my father is by this. Not much phases him, so it must’ve been bad.
His eyes narrow. “Who?”
“Damon’s griffin,” I clarify. “It’s the only one I know of. Large beak, white wings, lion ass.”
“No. This one had black wings, and it was no pet. It was Zander.”
Stunned, I cough. “Excuse me?”
“Zander. After it was done, he shifted to human form, naked as the day he was born, covered in his father’s blood.”
As Quinn would say, holy shit. “He can shift?”
“Into a griffin, apparently.” Father nods. “I’ve never heard of a fae being able to do that.”
“Me neither.”
“After Zander appeared, he ordered all his men to retreat. He helped us find our people. He’s the real hero here.”
“And that’s why he’s wearing borrowed clothes,” I conclude, looking at my cousin with new appreciation. “I’ll go have a word with him.”
As I approach Zander, I study him. Most of his father’s blood has been cleaned off, but there are remnants left on his neck and ears. His shoulders are slumped, and I have sympathy for him. No matter how strained his relationship with his father was, it couldn’t have been easy to do what he did.
That could’ve been me sitting alone with my guilt and sorrow. It would’ve been, if it wasn’t for Quinn.
“King Zander,” I greet my cousin formally, taking a seat next to him on my throne. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for my kingdom. We’re in your debt.”
“No, King Kirian,” he responds flatly, void of emotion. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“I do,” I insist. “I’m grateful for your bravery and your sacrifice.”
“No offense, but I didn’t murder my father for you.” He finally looks in my direction, his golden eyes unfocused, just like mine used to be.
But I see relief there.
I mistook his posture for remorse, and now I understand the reality. “You hated him that much, huh?”
“Yes. But it wasn’t for myself either. I did this for my mother.”
“Queen Rowan asked you to do this?”
“No.” Letting out a humorless chuckle, Zander runs a hand over the side of his head where his hair is buzzed. Since it’s so hot in the Day Realm, shorter hair styles are common. Men typically keep a few inches on top, and he spears his fingers through the dark strands there. “She hated him, but she’s too tender-hearted to wish death on anyone. I made the decision on my own. That bastard kidnapped her from the human realm, threw her in a harem full of other unwilling women, and the only reason he picked her as his mate is because she’s the one who got pregnant first.”
“I’m aware of the history.” If there’s one thing I hate hearing about, it’s a man forcing himself on a woman.
I glance over at the females on the stairs. Intermittently, their families are being ushered in to retrieve them. The reunions are tear-filled and bittersweet. While the girls are happy to be reunited with their loved ones, their haunted eyes tell of unspeakable crimes against them.
When I hunt down the men who bought them like merchandise, they’ll pay with their lives.
“I felt his spine sever.” Zander makes a slicing motion across his neck. “You know the resistance and the crack of bone?”
“Yes, I do.” I’ve beheaded enough people to know exactly what he’s talking about. But none of the people I’ve killed were family and I didn’t do it with my own teeth. Or beak, in his case.
“I enjoyed it,” he adds, sounding surprised by his own bloodlust. “That’s sick, isn’t it?”
I’m not sure how to answer him. King Zarid was a different level of evil. If someone as good-natured as Zander felt the need to end him, then his death was earned.
“You did what you had to do. It’s as simple as that.” I lean back, relaxing in the seat. “Why take action now, though? Because of all the Night Realm people he took?”
Zander shakes his head. “Because of you.”
“Me?”
“Well, you and your mate. I heard the curse is broken. It gave me hope for myself. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of ending my own life, of leaving this cruel world behind. At least if I was dead, I wouldn’t have to watch my mother suffer or exist as a useless prince. But now… there’s a chance I could be happy.”
“Zander,” I start, not sure what to say.
I don’t know what it’s like to have nothing to live for. I’ve always had Quinn. Even when I didn’t know she was my soul mate, she was the best aspect of my life. She gave me something to look forward to. Honestly, I don’t know what my mental state might’ve been if I didn’t have her all these years.
Zander holds up a hand to stop me. “I don’t want your pity. I’m going to be fine.” Sighing, he places the crown on his head. “Let’s get down to business, shall we? I’ve come here in seek of your aid, King Kirian. Though I wouldn’t blame you if you turn me down.”
“Just Kirian,” I request. “We’re family. If we can end this rift between our realms, I’ll do it. You’re not your father, Zander. You’ll be a good ruler.”
“I wish I had as much faith in myself as you do, but I’m afraid we’ve got more than
