The hole in the earth was still open. Pink glittering, smoky magic shot out from Candace’s fingers and coiled around Selene’s body. The demon’s eyes went wide with fear. The magic lifted Selene up and she hovered over the hole.
“See you in Hell,” Candace said.
Selene was promptly shoved back down in the hole she rose out of and it closed back up. Candace dusted her hands off and turned back to Dani and the vampires.
“Well, what’s next?”
“We see my father,” Dani replied.
“Let’s go then.”
Candace strode towards the doors. Jamie and Gavin continued to stare at each other. Dani looked up at her vampire.
“I’m not going to tell the Council,” Gavin said.
“Then what are you going to do?” Jamie asked.
Gavin looked down at the floor.
“Nothing.”
“What?”
“Yvonne was a bitch. Just as bad as Raquel. I didn’t mourn her death. Thank you for telling me the truth. Now, I’ve got to go and sort out the mess you’ve caused.”
Before Jamie could say anything else, Gavin melted back into the shadows. He stared after his brother for a long moment. Dani went over to him, holding his face in her hand.
“Are you okay?”
“I will be.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jamie pulled her into his arms and held her close, kissing the top of her head.
“I should’ve told you sooner.”
Dani shook her head against his chest. He didn’t need to do anything other than be himself with her. She understood why it would be hard for him to talk about. Backed in a corner without many other options, she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t have done the same.
“You know, as much as this is very touching, we really should go deal with your father’s situation,” Candace said.
Jamie and Dani pulled away from each other. Dani walked towards the doors and opened them. The three of them went through into the grand hallway. There was no one about which seemed odd to Dani. What was happening? She knew Questor had Novus. Gavin hadn’t said if he’d told her father.
“It seems awfully quiet. Been a while since I’ve been here,” Candace said, stepping further into the hallway towards the double doors underneath the sweeping staircase.
“This isn’t normal,” Dani said. “Where are the guards?”
Jamie looked around, his eyes narrowing.
“The throne room,” Candace said. “That’s where they’ll be.”
Dani led the way to the double doors. She pushed one of them open, walking in with slow steps. Her father sat on his throne, staring intently at Questor. There were two fae males holding Novus between them. Theo stood behind the throne along with her sisters, Belladonna, Peony and Verbena. There were several more of Questor’s men standing around him. Her father was outnumbered.
Candace swept in, took in the scene and walked towards the throne, eyes intent on Questor. Dani took Jamie’s hand and walked further into the room.
“What the fuck is going on?” Candace said.
All heads turned at their approach. Questor looked confused. Her father’s eyes fell on Dani and he choked back tears.
“Dandelion… You’re… how are you alive?”
His eyes fell on Jamie and he stiffened. Dani didn’t move any closer to her father. Mostly because Questor’s men were in the way. He looked thunderous.
“Let my brother go,” Dani said, ignoring her father.
“You should be dead,” Questor replied. “And what is she doing here?”
“Who, Candace? Didn’t you want the rightful heir to come claim her throne? Or was it just a ploy to dethrone my father?”
Questor’s eyes narrowed. Dani felt safe with her vampire next to her. She’d explain it to her father later. Explain what she’d done. When they were safe from Questor.
“Look, I don’t want the throne,” Candace said. “I never have. I renounce all claim and rights to the crown.”
She looked over at Questor.
“Now, you on the other hand have no claim to the throne whatsoever. You aren’t even of the same bloodline me or my late mother. So, what do you hope to gain by your actions?”
Questor just laughed.
“It has nothing to do with you. I’m here to settle a score with Mitah. Nothing else.”
Candace put her hands up.
“Well, I’ve said my piece.” She looked at Dani. “Unless you need me further?”
Dani shook her head. She would sort Questor out because he deserved nothing less. He’d tried to kill her. Candace shrugged, turned on her heel and left.
The room was silent for a long moment. Questor took a step towards Dani and Jamie.
“Tell me, how did you survive?”
Dani looked up at Jamie. He gave her a reassuring look. It said, ‘I’m here and I’ll protect you.’ She could do this.
“He saved me because he loves me.”
There was a sharp intake of breath heard from the throne, but Dani ignored it, focusing on Questor.
“He couldn’t have known you were in danger.”
Dani let go of Jamie’s hand and took a step forward.
“The ways of the ancient fae are fascinating.”
“I’m not here for a history lesson.”
She smiled, looking over at Novus. She wanted her brother free from the grasp of the two fae males. That’s all she cared about at that moment.
“Let me tell you a story. Once a upon a time, a fae princess fell in love with someone she shouldn’t have. Someone forbidden. When her father discovered the truth, he tried to lock her away, but her brother saved her. The princess knew in order to stay with her lover, she would have to do something drastic.”
She took another step towards Questor. She could feel Jamie’s presence behind her. It bolstered her.
“Even though her lover had already claimed her as his own, it wasn’t enough. So she did what any girl in love would do when those around her threatened to tear them
