“Where’s Brandon?” I struggled with my bonds, but they remained firmly in place.
“Don’t worry, your little boyfriend is fine,” Lucian said, clasping his hands in front of him and eyeing me warily. His stare was cool and calculating. “Well, maybe not fine, but he’s alive, at least. You will get him back soon, but first I need to talk to you in private. This position suits you, Princess. On your knees and at my feet where you belong.”
“Go to hell,” I snapped, pushing myself back against the wall. I was still light-headed, and if I tried to stand now, my legs could give way—I didn’t want Lucian to realize how much his dark magic had affected me.
He moved closer and, without touching me, pulled me up, holding me against the wall with his magic.
“Oh, I’m sure hell is where I will end up eventually.” A sardonic grin formed on his lips as he held me pinned to the wall. “You should learn to behave better with your elders, Princess. Especially those who could give you what you want.”
“You and Morgana have been hunting me for months, and you planned to kill me,” I spat. “I want nothing from you.”
“Ah! But you will, little princess,” said the archmage, “and you will change your tune when you hear what I have to offer.”
“You have nothing to offer me,” I snarled.
He glided closer, his voice silky and smooth like a caress. “I can offer you more than your incompetent Prince Rafael or that rogue, the Black Wolf.” His breath was warm against my cheek as he spoke into my ear. I tried to move away, but his magic held me rooted to the spot. “You and I together would be unstoppable, Aurora. Marry me, and I will make you high queen of all Avalonia.”
Was he serious? Did he think I would marry him to get the throne?
“What about Morgana?” I was eager to keep him talking while my mind processed this. Would he betray his queen to gain power?
“I will take care of Morgana, you needn’t worry about her.” The archmage moved back a little.
“You are just her lackey, what can you do to her?” I tried to goad him. I needed more information, I had to keep him talking.
“You underestimate me, young princess.” Lucian’s features contorted into a cruel sneer. “I know what Morgana is hiding. I know her secret. I know the real reason she had Azaren killed and why she wants you dead so badly.”
She had a secret?
“If you agree to marry me, I will tell you what it is,” he said, coming closer.
“And that would conveniently make you high king.”
“That is the whole point of the offer.” His hand moved to caress my hip. “It wouldn’t be a very good deal if I didn’t get anything in return.”
I recoiled at his touch but forced myself to keep my voice even. “Why not marry Morgana?”
“Morgana will never marry.” Lucian scowled. “She plans to rule alone. She will never share power with anyone.”
“First,” I said, outwardly calm and meeting his gaze, even though my heart beat faster than usual, “I am barely seventeen, and you are old enough to be my father, so this is very creepy. And in any case, if you were closer to my age, I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man in all of Avalonia.”
His features twisted into an ugly snarl, and his dark power tightened around my chest, making me gasp for breath. My own magic welled up to fight it, but with my amulet on, the beast remained caged. If I didn’t learn to control it soon, there was no telling what would happen when I removed the amulet the next time. Even if I could remove the amulet, I wasn’t about to take that chance. Lucian loosened his hold and I fell to my knees, pain shooting through my legs. I took deep breaths and tried desperately to shake off his hold.
Lucian quickly released his grip and turned to leave. He looked back at me with a sneer. “You should also know that your dear granduncle, the illustrious Duke Silverthorne, is rotting away in the palace dungeons. There is no one to come to your aid now.”
“What!” I gasped through the pain. What the hell was going on in Eldoren? “King Petrocales would never imprison his most trusted advisor. You’re lying.”
“Am I?” A devilish grin spread across his hardened face. “And I suppose you also think I am lying when I say we have an informant who knows where your dear prince is hiding.”
“Who?” Who could have betrayed us?
“Santino Valasis, the pirate.” Lucian looked extremely pleased with himself. “In fact, I’m about to go and meet him now. Once I have disposed of your prince and your so-called rescuer, the Black Wolf, you will realize the best option for you is to ally yourself with me. I am your only chance for survival.”
I slumped against the wall. If Santino had given us up to Lucian, this was the end. We were done for.
The door opened and Brandon was pushed down the stairs, landing in front of me with a thump. His head was bleeding. I moved to help him, but with my hands tied, I couldn’t do much. I looked at the archmage, my hatred for him clearly showing in my eyes.
“You can have my answer now,” I ground out between clenched teeth. “I will never marry you, not for every single crown in the seven kingdoms.”
He didn’t look perturbed in the least. “Think about it,” he said, unimpressed by my refusal. “You have till sunrise to give me your answer.”
Lucian turned and left the cellar, plunging me back into shadow as I was cloaked in the room’s murky folds.
Aurora Firedrake
Brandon groaned and tried to push himself up, but his hands were bound too. One of his eyes was swollen, and the gash on his head oozed blood, which trickled down the side of his
