“I fucking hate politics. I make a much better soldier.”
“It’s something I don’t miss either, but I’d do anything for our people.” My thoughts travel to Gesa and the villagers. They begged for protection against Scur. I should have taken more with me into the Mortal Realm.
“What’s the plan then? We go along with what they want? Puppets to the Dark?”
“Our goals align. Scur’s reign will end, then we will destroy Rahna. After this is over, our people will be free and the Mortal Realm will be safe for the Bloods to flourish if they don’t want to return home.”
“Sounds like we’re getting a sweet deal.”
He guzzles the wine before reaching for the decanter again. I sit back and think about all the moving parts in this puzzle. While the Bloods benefit, so does the Dark. We formed an alliance once Nox discovered Anima and I were mated.
Even if she refuses, it is born of our magic. There’s no denying it. I will wait for her to come to her senses. I’ll gladly do so for however long it takes.
“Anima is their long-lost princess. Nox has gained an heir, and his mate has returned. There will be peace in the kingdoms. My only worry is Caedis. If what the White Tyger says is true, and Caedis will come, he must side with us. Without the king of Death, we could all die. He’s much more powerful than any of us.”
“Have you ever met him?” Mammon’s face turns ashen.
“No. He is a nightmare my parents told me about when I was young. I don’t imagine the tyger is wrong.”
“Three evils to conquer.”
A knock sounds at the door. Mammon places his glass down on the table and answers it. A servant stands at the door with a letter in hand. It bears the crest of Dark Royalty.
Mammon takes the envelope, closing the door before the servant can get a word in. Handing me the letter, he takes up his glass again and sits in the chair by the fire.
The paper is heavy, cursive writing across the top. I crack the wax seal, then flip open the letter.
Gardens. We must discuss our shared interests.
“What does it say?” Mammon asks.
“The king is requesting my presence. I imagine to speak about Anima.”
I stand from the chair, making my way into the closet. They have hung proper court attire for me, and if I play the king once more, I’ll start with this type of armor.
An oxblood suit hangs with a crisp white shirt. There’s a tie, but I’ve never been a fan. A sash with my family’s crest drapes over on a nearby stool. I don’t know how they could have gotten it, but it’s a welcome sight. It’s been too long since I’ve stepped into this role.
“Here,” Mammon says as I walk out of the dressing room. He hands me a ring. It’s my royal symbol. A gold ring with a blood-red ruby in the center. Its weight in my palm reminds me of the day I took it off.
“Thank you for bringing it.”
“I thought we might have to look presentable.” Speaking of, Mammon has changed into a similar suit, but he drapes a sword on the side, the show of his stature as general. If we were in the Bloodlands, he’d be wearing his general’s uniform.
“Let’s find out what the king wants.”
NOX
“I told you I do not understand what’s wrong with it,” Uriel says for the third time. Every time I look at him, my heart does a double beat. His strong shoulders and beautiful wings. It’s taking all of me not to pull him back to our rooms.
“There must be a reason for it.”
“There is. We’ve been apart for too long. It’s shredded with trauma. It will have to heal. Time is the only thing that will help.”
This isn’t what I wanted to hear. If someone expects that our mating bond isn’t what it once was, we’ll be vulnerable to attack. I can’t let that happen. I’ve only just gotten my family, the one I craved for so long.
I move to him, cupping his face in between my hands. “I will never leave again.”
He pushes my hands away, then takes a step back. “It’s what you say now. But don’t forget I was there when you threw us away. If it weren’t for Anima, we’d still be apart.”
A bolt of pain washes through me because it’s the truth. I thought nothing could repair us, then I saw her—bright with Uriel’s light and full of my darkness. It’s as if she got the best of us.
“You’re right,” I say, dropping my hands to my side. I walk over to the fountain and sit, staring at the fish swimming in the clear water.
“It can’t go back to what it was. You destroyed us.” A tear falls from his eye. He wipes it with the back of his hand before turning from me.
“I’ll make it better. I vow this to you.”
“For now, we take care of Anima. Focus on the battle ahead. You and I can wait.”
He takes flight, leaving me alone with my guilt and the fish.
“Your Majesty.” The voice of a servant pulls me out of my self-pity. “The former king of Bloods.”
He bows and walks away. Torque comes through the entrance of the garden, looking regal as ever. Born a prince, die a king.
“You summoned?” His smirk has me taking a deep breath. He is truly fortunate that he’s my daughter’s mate.
“We must discuss Anima.”
“I don’t think she’d like us talking about her behind her back. Wouldn’t it be easier to bring her into the conversation?”
“No.” I can’t have her listen to what I have to say. She needs time to accept her role.
Torque walks further into the garden to stand where Uriel once was. “Then talk. I can’t make promises. She is my mate. There’s nothing that I want between us.”
“You must let her go.” My statement hangs in
