Crown of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms Book 4) (Amelia Hutchins)

Aria passed Eleanora to me a few minutes later, and even though I accepted the slight burden into my other arm, I waited for her permission to move from the room. My men lined the path as I exited the palace through a secret entrance, ensuring that no one else knew that the twins had ever been born. There would be no funeral to mark their passing or coffins paraded through the village as we’d done for Liliana and Sven. No, their passing would be marked by a hushed prayer whispered in the mausoleum, and then they’d be swaddled in the prayer cloth of the dead that would hide the power they would have wielded. Aria gazed down from the window before I entered the mausoleum, and I hesitated. She stepped back, struggling through emotions as her chest heaved with grief. My stomach clenched tightly, coiling with the need to force her to join me while I laid our children to rest. My jaw clenched, holding back my words that wanted to rush out, refusing to upset her any more than she already was. Finally, she turned away, and I swallowed my pain and left her to mourn. Hours later, I sat alone, peering at the tiny coffins that Killian found for my daughters. They were the smallest coffins I’d ever seen, and they held a part of me I hadn’t realized I could lose. I’d placed their names on the wall beside Sven’s. One on either side so that, even in death, he’d know they were his to protect. Scraping sounded by the door, and Brander, Killian, Lore, and Greer entered the dimly lit tomb before I could open it. Dismissing them, I went back to staring at the boxes. I felt numb, but I didn’t mourn them as Aria did. I hadn’t known they existed until a few hours ago, which left me spinning about how to feel about their loss. “Aria is sleeping, but restlessly,” Greer announced, sitting beside me. “Tonight, I saw her flame dulling, and I’m not sure if it’ll ever be fully lit again.” Killian snorted as he brushed his fingertips over the white coffins. “That woman is resilient, and when she relights that flame, the world will realize they fucked up. They awoke a beast that had been slumbering within that tiny, cute package.” “Aria’s strong, but this one hurt her deeply.” I exhaled, lifting the bottle of whisky Lore handed me to my lips and taking a deep drink. “Let’s return to the room. I want to see Aria and know she’s okay, even if she doesn’t

want any comfort. The dead don’t need me.” The men agreed, and within moments, we were crossing the threshold of the library. They settled into chairs and onto the couch while I grabbed a log and lit the flames within the fireplace. I fed the ifrit the image of the babes to carve, and it went to work, etching their faces into the ancient oak log. As I settled into the overstuffed chair, my gaze slid to Aria, now surrounded by sleeping women. I didn’t like it, but I was glad someone was comforting her. “Tell me what you discovered at the meeting with the lords I sent you to deal with yesterday,” I demanded, turning to Killian, who was staring at Esme, currently the little spoon to Aria. “I met with some of the mid-level council members, as you requested, to see what I could discover about your pretty little monsters. Of course, I asked them about Freya and her time here twenty-six years ago. At first, everyone claimed ignorance, but after I had Malinda slip the truth serum into their drinks, they were more forthcoming. It turns out Cedrick knew that Aurora, not Freya as we’d assumed, had returned to the realms during that time.” He smirked when my face tightened, and my eyes shot to Aria, sliding over her features carefully. “He thought nothing of it since one Hecate witch had to be inside the Nine Realms anyway. He figured she was here because of it and dismissed her.” “And where was Aurora during that time?” I inquired, hoping he’d spell out who Aria’s father might be. I grabbed the bottle from the table and then poured drinks before settling back to hear his reply. “He witnessed Aurora entering ruins inside the Kingdom of Fire, slinking into the ruins her mother left of the place,” he stated softly. “I think maybe she found one who survived and made a pretty little daughter with him. Phoenixes don’t breed in multiples, though, which could explain why Aria alone survived birth. She’d have consumed her twin intrauterine. We already know Freya lost one of her twins, which would have made it easy to lie and say Aria was hers, helping her sister hide the truth of Aria’s parentage,” he surmised. “If Aria’s a phoenix, maybe they were pushing her to develop early? It’s possible they weren’t trying to murder Aria, but to push her powers to develop faster.” I exhaled as the sound of Aria’s soft whine caused an ache in my chest. “Holy fuck, they weren’t trying to create the perfect monster. Those sadistic bitches were trying to breed something they could drain for a

power boost. Or maybe they knew their mother wasn’t inside that tomb and were preparing to come back and fight her. If that’s the case, then they would have had to kill Aria to drain her magic, which would have sparked the immortality on her phoenix side. Once Aurora and Freya realized that, Aurora had to alter her plan and ensure that Aria stayed loyal to her.” I tapped my finger on the glass of amber-colored whisky, frowning. “That raises the question of whether her father is after her because he fears for her life or if he wants her because she’s instrumental in his plan to bring his people back into power. If Aria is a phoenix, which could be possible, she’s born of the first people and the Hecate bloodline. Her son will be the key to murdering Hecate once and for all.” I leaned forward, studying how beautiful she was. “Which means we’ll have to breed again and somehow keep our son alive long enough for him to murder his grandmother.” “Could you do that to your child?” Brander asked, his eyes sliding over Soraya with something darkly wicked sparkling in them. “If Aria was even successful in removing the curse Hecate placed on her bloodline and if Aria is capable of carrying your son to full-term, would you really be okay raising him and then pitting him against that monster?” “No,” I admitted, but Aria was right. We would do whatever we needed to do in order to take Hecate down. “But can I not do it? If my and Aria’s son can murder that evil bitch, could I live with myself if I stood in the way of this entire realm being free of her hold?” “Who’s to say you and Aria are even who will create the son the prophecy is talking about? She isn’t the only child born of the Hecate bloodline and the first people. Her friend is as well,” Lore countered, popping a kernel of popcorn into his mouth without taking his eyes off Esme. “Daddy is hungry, and she’s looking like my new favorite snack.” “You think you’ll land her, Lore?” Killian asked, a smile curving his lips. “Yo, bro, don’t go there. I’ll piss on her damn leg if I need to do so. Daddy wants it, and Daddy intends to get that little creature,” Lore stated with his brows wagging. “Yeah, we’ll see. May the best man win, huh? I suspect that she’s not into calling anyone her daddy, but she’ll scream whatever I want her to when she’s riding my cock.”

“Really, assholes?” Brander snorted with his eyes locked on Soraya’s unmoving form. “Now isn’t the time for that shit. And bloodline witches are vastly different. They’re created from the children descended from Hecate’s direct line. The less powerful witches were created when Hecate entered the Nine Realms. The tell is, those who can summon the mark when casting, versus those who can’t. Hecate’s line holds the mark, even when watered down through generations.” “I know that,” Lore snorted, still silently stalking the sleeping female’s every move. “You guys should get some sleep. Killian, tomorrow I need you to see if we’ve gotten any reports about what’s happening at Veldaria, and if we’ve not heard anything, send a rider to see why. You’ll also need to send word to the men I placed to monitor the lord. I’d expected to deal with him myself, but shit happened here before I had time. One man mentioned witches were being brought in, and that they could get them away before the prick fed them to his dogs. He’ll now be used to send a message to the other lords that I will not tolerate my orders being defied or ignored. Lore and Brander, I’ll need you to run interference with Celia and keep an eye on the council. If a single one of them even breathes a word about what happened here tonight, I want to know about it. I won’t be available until tomorrow night, or later. Now, everyone get out.”

Chapter Nineteen Aria The fire crackling in the chamber’s silence woke me from slumber. I allowed the grief to settle around me in the darkness as I glided my palm to my abdomen, flattening it against my nightgown and then clasping the cloth. Slowly, I extricated myself from the sleeping women who had all loaded into my nest, offering comfort. When I turned away from them, I found Knox staring into the fire with a drink in one hand and the other braced against the mantel. He downed the contents of the glass before setting it aside and letting out a deep breath. I shuffled forward, wanting him to wrap his strong, reassuring strength against me, but froze when Knox raised his head. A troubled sound escaped his lips, provoking something inside me to mirror it. It acted as kindling for my anger at what Aurora had allowed to happen. She’d led us into a trap, and it was unforgivable. I’d lost my daughters and sisters because of her failure to lead us. I had believed if I was with her, I could prevent any losses, but I’d been horribly wrong. She refused to listen to reason or trust those around her when they warned her something didn’t seem right. Knox had predicted that she’d be a weak leader months ago. I’d ignored him because I’d figured it was his hate and prejudice against witches talking. My mind slid to him, and I battled the need to feel him wrapped around me. Knox could silence my mind and ease my pain. Of course, he also ripped me to shredded pieces. The agonizing grief was crushing me and gripping my throat until I felt like I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs. Closing my eyes, I imagined his arms encasing me, easing the losses I’d endured, and immediately, the sensation of falling slid through me. A jolt of panic rushed through me as the room spun, and when I opened my eyes, I was looking at the library from above, as if observing the scene as an outsider. The sensation lasted only a breath of time before I was being yanked sideways and slammed through the barrier. I barely contained the scream that built in my chest, swallowing it when the world righted, and I stared at the shirtless, muscular back of the man who’d been in my mind before the world had spiraled around me.

Knox was inches away and very much within my grasp. I shot a worried glance toward where I’d been standing and was flooded with relief when I didn’t spot my lifeless body sprawled out on the floor from moving through the translucent barrier. Turning, I took in his toned, sinewy build. Knox’s body was lean and muscular without being bulky. The ink he carried slid over his sides, with raven wings curving perfectly with the lines of his hips. The scent of his drink collided with my senses. Knox reminded me of whisky, smooth, and yet darker with age. He exhaled slowly and tipped his head back. The slight movement caused the muscles in his back to tense, and the wings curving with the well-defined muscles inched higher. Inhaling deeply, I consumed Knox’s masculine aroma, allowing it to soothe me. It was pure masculinity, with spicy undertones that always had a hypnotic effect on me. There was something addictively appealing about being near him, as if the world weren’t so bleak or hopeless anymore. Knox turned his head, squinting over at the bed where I’d been, and his focus tightened, drifting around the area, hunting for me. Slowly, he twisted, finding me directly behind him. “Aria,” he whispered so tenderly that it resonated like a prayer instead of a name. “I can’t . . . Knox. I cannot breathe,” I bawled as tears tried to choke off my words. I’d had my entire world destroyed tonight, and the only thing I requested was to be seized by Knox’s arms and not let go. “I can’t,” I exclaimed, waiting as he slowly inched closer, as if he feared going too hastily would cause me to disappear. “I’ll breathe for you,” he offered firmly, tightening his palms into fists. “If you’ll let me, I’ll do it for you, Aria.” I shuddered, desperate to stop the sobs that had become broken and hoarse. It felt as if I’d never fully get air into my lungs past the losses I’d known tonight. There was a gaping hole where they’d once been, and I wasn’t sure how to stop the bone-deep, visceral pain that was trying to consume me. Knox cupped my cheek, breathing slowly with me. “Just take a deep breath and let it go. I’m here with you. You’re not alone anymore. In the morning, we can go back to being adversaries or whatever we are now, but for tonight, let me be your strength and hold you together.”

I nodded, and relief flickered over his face before his arms enveloped me. It was almost painful, but I needed more. I demanded to have him everywhere, all at once. It was too much and not enough. It saturated the wail that broke free with sorrow, so excruciating and soul-wrenching that he shook with me as I surrendered myself to it. “I got you, Little Monster. You’re okay,” he vowed, kissing my head as he lowered us to the floor and gathered me onto his lap. “I cannot fucking breathe.” I sobbed louder. Obviously, I could breathe, but I couldn’t breathe. It was as if I were sinking in a river of sorrow, and the harder I tried to push toward the surface, the deeper I descended into the depths. “I know,” Knox murmured, grazing my ear with his lips, crushing me in his warmth. His mouth slowly kissed over my bare shoulder to provide comfort while I cried endlessly against his chest. “I know you ache and that the pain is so severe you can’t hold much beyond it other than misery. I know you feel as if you’re standing in quicksand with no way out, Aria. I understand that misery, and I never wanted this for you.” “I can’t turn it off,” I whimpered as my brain replayed the entire night on an infinite loop. Teeth sank into my shoulder, triggering my shuddered breath as Knox’s bite eased the pain, but it didn’t eliminate it. I pressed my fingers through his mane, holding him closer, allowing him to soothe the internal agony I couldn’t escape. Knox pulled back, grazing and kissing the space between my shoulder and neck with tender, slow kisses meant to quiet the riot of emotions clouding my thoughts. I didn’t protest when he gently lifted me so he could move us to the large, comfy sofa that sat before the fire. When I slipped my palms over his naked chest, needing to touch him, he purred softly with his approval. Then I draped my arms around his neck and pressed my body close to his. “I don’t wish to feel this anymore,” I conceded, despising that it was so deep and so fucking painful that I worried I’d never be whole again. “I know,” he murmured, kissing my neck gently. “I know it hurts and that it seems as if you’ll never be the same after tonight. I recognize that pain and the need to lie down and die just to make it stop, but you can’t. I know what you feel because I’ve lived it for so long that I don’t know any other way to live. You use that pain, Aria—wear it as armor and brandish it as a weapon against your enemies. It will never end, but it’ll get easier one day. I vow to you that you’ll breathe again someday,” he purred in my ear.

“I did this. It’s all my fault.” He tightened his arms around me before his fingers threaded into my hair, tugging my head back, forcing me to look at him. “You can’t do that,” he rumbled. “I pissed off Hecate, and she murdered my parents, cursed the child I assumed was my son to live through one thousand deaths, and now I know she also cursed my people with infertility. I made a choice, and the innocent paid for it because that’s how this world works. You make the best choice you can at the moment, and you deal with the consequences when they come.” He pushed the hair away from my face, lowering his lips to brush them over my forehead. “How do you handle the pain, Knox?” I asked, capturing his hand to hold it against the chill I felt when he removed it from my cheek, and he settled me onto my side against him. “How do you survive with this hole that’s trying to swallow you?” “I started a fucking war, and promised my ghosts that I’d avenge them, and I did not waiver from that goal until I met you, Aria. When I met you, I hesitated for the first time in my life. I’d never failed or made excuses to prolong a life I’d intended to end. I couldn’t kill you, and the more I was around you; the more I learned I didn’t want you dead. I detested you for causing me to hesitate, and make me feel things I’d thought to never feel again. I lashed out because you terrified me and, with you, I could breathe again.” “Why would you say that now?” I whispered through the lump in my throat. Of all the times to open up, he decided now was a good time? “Because it’s true, and you make me breathe again. I met you, and you knocked me on my ass, but you also fed me air after I’d been starving for oxygen. This wasn’t your fault, Aria. War doesn’t care about innocent lives or those trying to live while surviving it. You learn to take the little things, and enjoy them wherever you find them. I found you, and I’m right fucking here for you.” “I lost our babies because I was too fucking naïve to see the truth. I placed my trust in the wrong people, and I lost them because of that. My sister died to buy me time to escape because I’m weak. I can’t face Hecate, not with the chance of losing more people.” “You were pregnant and unprepared to fight Hecate,” he argued, rubbing his thumb against the inside of my palm. “But you are a warrior, Aria Primrose Karnavious. I’ve met no woman like you before, and I’ve met

hundreds of thousands of female soldiers. Not a single one of them fought the way you do.” “Why are you being so nice?” I asked, not wanting to trust his words because I wasn’t used to hearing kindness from him. He frowned sadly, studying the way my gaze narrowed with suspicion. “Because tonight I saw you split apart. Right now, you’re in a precarious state, and one wrong word will send you spiraling over the edge. I don’t yearn for that. I’d rather shield you, and shelter you through the rough road ahead. I’m also being selfish because I miss touching you,” he conceded, brushing my cheek with his fingertips. “You miss me?” I whispered, causing his lips to curve into a sensual smirk. “You don’t miss me?” “I miss sleeping,” I admitted. “I don’t dream when I’m with you. There are no nightmares because you drive them away. As a child, I scarcely slept because I constantly worried that Freya would reach for me when I was at my weakest. When we had left Haven Falls, I had nightmares of what Freya used to do to me. Then, when we got here, they had covered me in glitter before hanging me from a chain as a gift for the king of unwanted beasts. But they all stop when I sleep next to you. Your arms wrap around me, and I’m safe and shielded from them. I don’t understand it, but I feel I can let my guard down with you. Yes, it more often than not allows you to slice me open, but that’s a different type of pain. Strangely enough, with you is where I feel safest.” He nodded before surrendering the breath he’d held. Knox’s hand moved gently, dropping to my thigh before slowly sliding higher until he could trace his thumb over the skin on my hip. “I miss you in my bed, too. I miss the warmth of your body against mine and waking up to your ass brushing against me in silent welcome, even though you weren’t conscious of it half the time. I crave your scent enveloping me, soothing the strain of the day simply by being close to me. I also miss the melody of your voice when you’re furious and railing at me about something I’d done. But, most of all, Aria, I miss your mind and your intelligence when we battled against one another. You’re insanely smart and cunning. There’s an edge to you that’s been missing from this realm, and I enjoy watching you sharpen it.” He swallowed, causing his jaw to flex as he

shifted his palm beneath my bottom, holding my body against his as he lifted from the couch. “What are you doing?” I demanded as my heartbeat roared in an alarm. “Taking my gorgeous, exhausted wife to bed with me,” he announced thickly before arching an eyebrow in challenge. “Knox.” I swallowed past the knot in my throat as he laid me on his bed and stepped back. He hooked his thumbs through his pants and tugged them down before migrating to the other side of the room. I unabashedly stared at his ass as he stopped at the chest of drawers and pulled out his gray sweatpants. He tugged them on before making his way back to the bed, stretching out beside me and bracing his head on his palm. “I’m going to hold you so you can sleep. I won’t let anything get to you, Aria. I won’t ask for anything more than that. You’re healing from the birth of our daughters, and you’re not alone in mourning them. I merely seek to feel you close. That is all.” I shifted closer to him, and he grinned wistfully. When he didn’t slide his arms around me as I expected, I reached for his free hand, wrapping my fingers around his before I brought it to my face. Knox studied me for a moment and then tightened “I don’t intend to allow you to evade me much longer, Aria. We belong together. You fit against me perfectly, and I fully plan to capture you and never let you elude me again. You realize that, right?” he confided. “You and I weren’t written in the stars, Knox.” “No, we’re written in the blood that will bathe this world and wash away the sins of the past. They created us to reign over the chaos and end the darkness with the light burning within you. I genuinely believe they made you so they could rule the realms through your power and strength. But they underestimated you and your need to protect the weaker beings. That wasn’t all they got wrong about you, though.” “What else were the wrong about?” I urged gently. Knox’s rough, raspy tone was a balm to my soul and broken pieces. “They underestimated how brilliant and beautiful your mind and soul would be,” he admitted thickly. His oceanic depths promised to wash away the pain and leave me floating on calm seas. “They miscalculated what you’d become, or that we’d become one another’s anchor and oxygen. I’m not saying that it won’t change because, according to Brander’s questionable medical opinion, I have a form of traumatic witch fuck, which

equates to me flying off the handle and randomly being a prick. I’m not inclined to agree with his findings. Plus, if you’re mine, my people won’t be collateral damage in the path you blaze through the Nine Realms.” “I never offered you any oath to leave your people unharmed,” I mumbled, which had his lips twitching in response. “No, you didn’t,” Knox murmured, bringing my knuckles up to his lips and kissing them tenderly. “Tomorrow, we’ll return to being enemies that fight for the same thing from conflicting sides of the war, Aria Karnavious. Tonight, we’re linked through the loss and grieving for the family we almost made together. Our daughters were so beautiful, just like their mother. You and I, we made something pure and enchantingly lovely.” “They were, weren’t they?” Tears threatened, but I refused to let them fall. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from something as splendid and insanely gorgeous, Little Monster.” “Am I truly still your enemy?” I asked hesitantly, exploring his stare to uncover the truths he might try to hide. “It depends on you and what path you elect to take from here. Will you allow your grief to devour you, or will you control it and aim it at those who inflicted this sorrow? Do you prefer to be the one who brings the realm to their knees, or do you wish to be the one who sets the world on fire, and lives within the ashes of your rage, and grief? Only you can determine your route.” “I think I might want to be the beast who swallows their souls and raises an entire kingdom from their corpses. I don’t want to save anyone anymore, Knox. That thought frightens me because I think I’m turning into a monster, and that’s not who I yearn to be.” “It scares me too, Aria. But the thing about pain is that it transforms you. Grief haunts you long after you think you’re free of it. Fear creates hate, and anger drives strength. Anguish makes you into another type of creature altogether, but rage can make you unhinged. Just make certain you put those emotions into something you can handle the fallout of and that you are in command of what you turn into. Stop following the weak and show them how strong you are as a leader. You were born to lead, and you know it as deeply as I do. You’re not the queen of nothing and no one. I believe you are the queen of everyone, even without adding my title to your

name. You’re the queen of chaos, and I suspect you’re the one who’ll save us all, Aria.” “That was pretty deep,” I whispered, seeing his lips twitching. “It wasn’t as deep as I’d like to be inside your body and soul. If I could, I’d take the pain away and replace it with pleasure and warmth so that you felt me mending your wounds.” I emitted a breath of air, shaking my head. “I don’t see how you live with this pain and hide it from the world. I wish I was like you and could conceal it behind silent strength, but I’m just not made that way.” “You should rest, Aria. I need to know you’re okay because I’m the fucking villain, and I’ve no issue raining hell down on this world. Now come here, because I ache to hold you against me,” he rumbled, tugging me closer before folding his frame around mine. “I enjoy knowing that you’re the big spoon to anybody else but me.” “I appreciate that you’re man enough to be the bigger spoon, asshole.” “Go to sleep, Little Monster.” He chuckled huskily against my ear and crowded against me to prove he wasn’t immune to my being against him. “Thank you for holding me. I really needed you tonight, Knox.” His hold on me tightened, and I smiled weakly while melting in to his warmth. Knox exhaled, kissing my forehead as I closed my eyes and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Twenty I awoke alone in the large, enticingly scented bed, but the sound of Knox’s excited heartbeat gave away that he was watching me from the darkened corner. Stretching, I groaned at the ache still deep in my body and then slid my bare feet to the floor. I didn’t need to be told that Knox hadn’t planned to honor his deal past the moment I’d woken up in enemy territory. “Good morning, gorgeous girl,” he uttered huskily. “Morning, Knox,” I returned coolly, knowing that he was about to pounce. “Did you sleep well?” I backed away until I felt the cool wall against my spine. “Indeed, I did,” he replied, stepping from the shadows. His hands were the color of freshly spilled ink, and I pushed down my unease, which had him tilting his dark head, chuckling wickedly. The tattoos that lined his ribs turned crimson, as if a fire burned in him and was ready to drip from the markings. My tongue grew heavy with the need to sample him and see if he tasted as erotically delicious as he looked. His lips pulled back, revealing a row of serrated teeth that caused my heartbeat to speed up. Knox reached below the waist of his sweatpants and fisted his thick erection. Rolling my eyes up to his face, I blinked, and in that fraction of a second, he had closed the distance between us. “You are so fucking beautiful, Aria,” he growled, cupping my cheek in his palm. “You have seconds to flee before I claim what is rightfully mine. In case you need it written out in crayon, that’s you. Lennox wants you, and I’m done fighting him. Considering you gave birth last night and need time to heal, you should probably run,” he hissed huskily. He grabbed a handful of my hair, preventing me from moving away from him as his mouth slammed down on mine. I lifted my arms and brushed my fingers through his dark-blond waves, claiming him hungrily. When Knox broke the kiss and slid his lips down my neck, I brought my knee up hard into his balls, which caused him to snarl and struggle to get air into his lungs. While I still had the chance, I shoved him down and stepped out of his reach. “And so the king bows before his queen,” I murmured before releasing a bubble of laughter. Knox lunged, but the library was faster. One minute, I

was standing before him, and the next, I was on the other side of the barrier with a cocky smile on my lips. “A king doesn’t bow to a queen, ever,” he snapped through clenched teeth, fighting to gain control of the pain. “But I intend to make you now and prove which of us is more dominant than the other.” “I’m sure you’ll try, and fail. I will not yield, nor get on my knees for no one. You were right, Knox. Emotions and such things are weaknesses and hold no place in this bloody war. You are a good teacher,” I admitted sliding my hungry stare over his chest before lowering it to his enticing V-line, which led to his magnificent cock. The prick was the epitome of masculinity, and I was an addict who craved the high he offered. If I allowed myself to taste him, he’d be my downfall, and I was finished bowing to baser needs or the emotional bonds that held me back. “Someone woke up and decided to be violent.” Soraya snorted. “One guess as to who that was, anyone?” “Yeah, she chose violence because he instigated it though.” Esme grunted before flipping her hair with sass. “Knox liked the woman she was before she’d tasted pain, and I predict she’ll be a tad more bitter and violent now,” Esme stated with a sad smile. “I imagine so.” I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “We should prepare for the funerals to come.” “Whose?” Siobhan asked carefully. “Anyone who opposes us or gets in our way,” I announced, turning on my heels to head deeper into the library. I didn’t turn to see the anger on Knox’s face, but I felt it in my cold, dismal heart. He’d been right when he told me I could no longer be the weak girl I’d attempted to hold on to. Her naïveté had gotten her daughters killed, so I had to rise from this stronger and smarter and more ruthless than I’d been before. I would paint the ground with their blood and build my stronghold from their bones. If Aurora thought I would continue to follow her after what had transpired, she was wrong. I would no longer stand beside her or be silent about her failure and inability to lead. Last night had proven to me, and everyone else, that she wasn’t fit to be a queen or rule over anyone. My sisters were no better. I’d sacrificed greatly to protect them, and the moment I needed them, they fled. It made me question things, and I didn’t like the

direction those questions led to. I loved them, but I was at the point where I couldn’t trust them anymore. “What is the plan?” Siobhan asked. “I have to tell my sisters that Reign and Rhaghana are dead. We should keep the knowledge of what Aurora did to me to ourselves for now. We’ll give her enough rope to hang herself and then watch her swing. The other witches will need to choose who they’ll join if we split ways. I think my sisters will come to our side, but I can’t promise that. I don’t suspect a lot of witches will part from Aurora since she is a second-generation Hecate bloodline witch. I will not make them come with me if they don’t wish to, though, but those who do join us will have to be tested for darkness.” Esme nodded. “I am with you either way. It just surprises me you’re willing to walk away from your sisters.” “My sisters left me to die last night. Whether on purpose or because they didn’t realize I hadn’t made it through the portal yet, they abandoned me. I’ve stopped trusting them to have my back. Putting my trust in them and Aurora was a mistake I won’t repeat. I can keep searching for the books that’ll tell us how to build a new realm without their help.” I frowned before heading in the vault’s direction. “Hecate won’t allow me to live. Not when she believes my future son will end her life. You should all consider that as well. The real battle begins now, and it’ll be a long one that we may not win.” Turning, I walked through the portal that appeared as I reached the wall, waving my hands to make it appear. I changed into a solid black dress embellished with silver jewels, pulled on the boots the library had provided, and turned to find the girls waiting behind me. “You need to be certain this is the path you want to go down, ladies,” I muttered, not confident they fully grasped the gravity of what I was saying. “None of us intend to leave you, Aria. You’re someone who won’t lead us blindly into battle and abandon us when things get bad. We all stayed together and made sure we all made it out together. If you’re asking us to consider our options, we have. This world doesn’t require another queen. It needs someone who’s not afraid to stand up to those who want to rule us through tyranny and oppression,” Siobhan stated firmly. “I chose you when I saved you in that dark alley. Since that day, I haven’t strayed, nor do I intend to do so.” Esme snorted and crossed her

arms over her chest as she glared at me. “Friends don’t let friends do stupid shit without them, or so you once told me. Plus, I believe in you and what you stand for, Aria Hecate.” “I’m here because we don’t know what comes next; none of us do. But oh, what an adventure it’ll be to bring this realm and those who get off on hurting us to their knees. When I first met you, it was because Ilsa had sent me to find you and bring you to back to her, and I’d have done that without hesitation because she had my sister. The problem was that, when I met you, I felt you on another level that made me realize that we’re nothing. We are an inconsequential drop of water in a river. You? You’re the fucking ocean the rivers yield to,” Soraya admitted. “I am not the ocean, Soraya. I’m merely a raindrop in an ocean of waves.” Still, their faith in me renewed my hope that maybe, just maybe, we’d all make it through this. “Hecate knows what I am, and I intend to show her she’s right to fear me. I’m going to burn down her kingdom and chase her ass through the ashes until she has nowhere to hide from the monster she created. Now, let’s go create some chaos and see what my family has been up to while we were away. Shall we?” I asked, smiling as I pulled my pack on and headed through the portal that led to my bedroom in the sanctuary. I was now on my own side of a war that had had been set in motion long before I’d even drawn air into my lungs. My plans hadn’t changed, but the delivery had, and the first step I needed to take was to figure out what Aurora was really up to. She’d begun campaigning her way back into the good graces of those in power inside the Nine Realms for months. It was time to assess who she’d allied with and which side of the fight she truly stood on. Aurora had done what she’d thought we needed in order to survive. Unfortunately, I’d begun suspecting her motives were purely self-serving. I’d been on the frontline, battling to keep them shielded and protected from Knox’s rage and need to end our line. Throughout it all, she’d been slinking from the tomb and making moves behind my back. So, what made her think they should keep me in the dark? I needed to figure out where my sisters stood and accept the possibility that it might be with Aurora. It didn’t scare me to stand alone, but I didn’t wish for that to happen, either. In the past couple months, I’d learned that betrayal came easily within this place. I had a new understanding of why

Knox was so defensive and lethally dished out punishment to those who sided against him. You got colder and learned to expect betrayal and treachery in order to mitigate the pain. I was adapting and growing. My heart had been ripped out, and they had brutally made me aware that mistakes were deadly. Emotions and blood bonds meant very little to this world. I’d let loyalty lead me to battle, and I’d felt failure’s blade as it pierced my soul. Luckily, I’d healed enough to recharge in his arms, as if being near him had rekindled the link I held to the Nine Realms.

Chapter Twenty-One Glaring out over the courtyard of the sanctuary, I fought the anger churning within me. My stomach tightened, and bile pressed against my throat. Denial leaped to my mind, as if it wasn’t real. I could smell the coppery tang of blood mixed with hemlock clinging to the air around me. Crimson droplets painted the emerald ground red. Tears burned behind my eyes as I pressing a hand over my mouth as I fought the proof of wickedness, and horror that had been unleashed on the innocent lives I’d vowed to protect. The distant clap of thunder sounded through the eerie, unnatural stillness of the scene. I couldn’t find words to speak, or issue past the lump swelling in my throat. My focus shifted, searching through the corpses for the older witches. Bodies were strewn over the ground, left like garbage to rot and be picked apart by animals. My heart hammered like a drum, and the pulse of my blood echoed in my ears. A soft sound behind me caused my stomach to twist and knot. Focusing on a child’s lifeless face, I stepped forward and zeroed in on the small, crudely sewn teddy bear still clasped in her hand. As if she’d held on to it for comfort as her life’s essence drained into the soil. I exhaled a shuddered breath and curled my fingers into tight fists. The barrier had been lowered, which showed that someone from within had assisted in the assault. They had sat one child up on a bench to appear as if she’d merely sat to survey the others while they slept. Only they weren’t sleeping and daggers pinned her body in place. “Do you—would Aurora do this?” Esme lowered her eyes to the kids who had been murdered. I shook my head. “No, Aurora isn’t this evil and wouldn’t slaughter children.” I dropped my eyes, causing my brow to crease before my vision blurred from unshed tears. “At least I don’t think she would. This feels more personal, and it looks like they’re staged. I can’t sense magic or the lingering touch of it here. They’re just children,” I whispered thickly, unable to shut off my emotions. “Someone led whoever did this here and allowed this to happen. Who would be this cruel to slaughter children and

then leave them to rot like trash? I don’t see the older girls, though, do you?” The others turned and moved to scan through the corpses. Someone had entered the sanctuary, removed the barrier, and allowed all these witchlings to be slaughtered. This wasn’t to punish the children for the blood they carried. It was a show of cruelty and disregard for life. “Hecate maybe? The children wouldn’t have been old enough to be added to her army or grid.” Soraya sniffed, resisting the abundance of emotions overwhelming her. Whoever invaded hadn’t been able to use the younger witches and had instead slaughtered them all. My heart hammered achingly while I inspected a tiny corpse. I could still visualize her splashing in the water, laughing with the child who lay beside her, holding her hands. Tears burned against my eyes, pricking with the need to fall. In life, they’d been inseparable, and now they were also together in death. “We’ll burn the bodies to cleanse their souls of this tragic ending. We can go once we’ve finished,” I instructed as an overpowering rush of emotion swirled through me and magic danced at my fingertips. Everything within me wanted revenge and retaliation for the atrocity that occurred here. “I will not allow creatures to dine on their remains. They deserve better than that.” I curled my fingers into tight fists at my sides and avoided the invitation to unleash the power flooding to me. “What if those who did this come back?” Siobhan asked cautiously, surveying the silent village we’d called home. Her mouth tightened into a worried grimace, and her attention shifted to us, revealing tears that rolled down her tear-streaked cheeks. “They won’t.” I gritted my teeth, jerking my gaze from the slain child laying in the muck like she hadn’t mattered. “But if they do?” Esme pressed. “If they return, we fucking slay them and let the animals feast on their carcasses,” I spat, studying their nods of agreement. “Let’s get this taken care of so we can see if the monster who did this left a trail for us to follow.” The girl I lifted from the muck was lighter than I expected her to be, and again, I had to force the rage down. Tenderly, I placed her on the shrine we’d used for herbs and examined her delicate features. It wasn’t her face I saw when I looked, though; it was my daughters’. Blinking rapidly to clear away the blur of burning tears, I turned to the next young girl. We gathered

the children, and the knowledge that they had murdered tiny females was a toxin in my soul. After several hours, we’d blessed each child and placed her into the flames, delivering them to the otherworld for their new journey. We didn’t consecrate their bodies to be given to Hecate for safekeeping because fuck her and fuck being a witch. The deity we were supposed to revere never cared about any of those created in her image. We were merely fodder for her war to gain control over the realms. When the fire died down, we grabbed our bags and headed toward the road. A commotion came from the thick shrubbery at the entrance of the courtyard, causing me to release my bag. Then, pulling power to me, I trembled with the thrill and anticipation of unleashing my magic. I glided my piercing gaze over the bushes, stalking closer until Avyanna popped up, her frightened expression focusing on me, and relief flowed over her. “Why are you hiding?” I demanded, scanning her scraped arms and shoulders. I didn’t catch any scent of guilt or think she’d been the one to drop the barrier. Avy wasn’t that brave, and I was pretty sure she was out here hiding because she fled whoever had done this. “Where have you been? I almost died! Holy shit, I assumed you’d died! Then, this morning, I was relieving my personal needs when screaming erupted. I hid, which I’m not proud of, but I’m not strong enough to fight or defend anyone. I’m sorry.” She heaved, her words broken and loaded with agony. She looked at me with regret and then glanced down, her chin quivering with fear. “Did you see anything?” Esme asked, stepping to my side. “No, but one of them mentioned a lord, and I think I heard someone say they’d be traveling to the borderlands.” Avyanna hastily filled us in on the details and answer what questions she could. “Aurora and my sisters didn’t come back?” I asked. They may have fled after leaving us behind with Hecate. “No,” Avy admitted, her body language tense before she shrugged. “I thought someone would come back, but no one did.” “That doesn’t make sense.” I ran her words through my mind, coming away with horrid scenarios and reasons they hadn’t returned to defend the sanctuary. “No, but the people who attacked us wore black uniforms with ravens on their shoulders, and the Norvalla insignia was on their banners,”

Avyanna proclaimed, sadness drifting over her face before she lowered it with embarrassment. Her tears fell to the ground, and her shoulders sagged. “After they left, I intended to return home to the marshes and hole up in dishonor. But I stayed close in case you came back.” “I’m glad you stayed shielded and are safe, Avy,” Esme offered, patting her shoulder in a show of camaraderie. “You did the right thing, and no one is questioning it, okay?” Avy sniffed and wiped the tears that rolled down her cheeks away. “I say we track him down and let Esme and Aria devour his ass,” Soraya offered, rubbing Avy’s arm awkwardly. “I don’t dine on ass,” Esme rumbled, earning a trickle of laughter from Avyanna. “But I’m not against eating the rest of him while he watches.” Esme’s shoulders lifted and fell as she grinned. We were all uncomfortable showing emotion, which made our group work well together. None of us was used to being or having a friend, someone to trust. I’d grown up with a lot of siblings, and I’d constantly been on the outside, looking in at them. The only sister I was close to was Kinvara, and she had only caught glimpses of who I was. “We should head directly to the borderlands to find the lord who murdered the witchlings and took the women. If we delay, they’ll be dead before we reach them, and I prefer not to burn any more witches today.” I faced the others to determine their response, but then I saw that Avy’s eyes were locked on me. Her attention dropped before her stare widened and flicked up once more. “That isn’t something we’re going to discuss right now, Avy. Move out,” I stated sharply. “Are you okay, Aria?” she inquired, ignoring my demand that we not talk about it. “No, but I have a target to unleash my pain upon, and that should keep my mind occupied,” I lied easily, pasting a grin on for her benefit. Avy glanced to Esme, who smiled tightly before she shook her head a single time. Thankfully, Avy didn’t argue or ask any more questions as we turned and headed away from the small, run-down village. We walked for three hours until we stood before a massive, fortified dwelling that was where I’d thought it would be. It was located inside Norvalla, flying a banner declaring it beneath Knox’s protection. My gaze traveled over the familiar flag, hesitating as it moved to examining the guards crossing the walkway above the gate. At best, they were mediocre at

their jobs since they hadn’t noticed we were standing in clear view, watching them. “It’s on Knox’s side of the border,” Esme hissed, gritting her teeth, apprehension heavy in her rasped tone. “And?” I urged, shifting to face her. “And that’s going to cause some significant marital issues.” I shrugged and swung toward the stone gates. “Aria, you cannot possibly think this is a good idea! This place isn’t just another castle you simply destroy and walk away from without repercussions. Knox Karnavious will hunt us down for killing people who living in his territory and are beneath his emblem of protection.” “He and Hecate can team up for all I care,” I offered coldly, inhaling anger as a cry sounded within the barricades of the keep. “I advised him I wouldn’t hesitate to resolve the pointless brutality happening in the realms. Those cries are from girls being punished for the blood they were born with, and I can’t stand aside and wait. Knox won’t correct this situation for me.” “We can leave hints it was someone else, maybe a banner?” Soraya rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortably. “He terrifies the crap out of me.” “He’s a fluffy teddy bear,” I purred, sniffing the air and listing to them make worried sounds in reply. “Besides, he knows my magic. Knox will come for me and me only. But if he finds us together, I suggest you fucking run, though. I’m pretty positive his men have become obsessed with our little force.” I strolled forward, but when they started bickering about what they should do, I growled and turned back to them. “Knox’s house is fucking messy and filled with murderous people. I’m his wife, and that means the responsibility belongs to me, all right?” Planting my palms on my hips, I puffed out a breath of annoyance. “He hunts; I clean. Now move. Let’s show those savages what a handful of pissed-off witches can accomplish with bad attitudes, a little magic, and a whole lot of fuck-around-and-findout.” Knox’s kingdom was filthy, and he thought it would go unnoticed. I’d be damned if I was going to ignore this or try to pin it on someone else. Besides, it wasn’t only witches who were out of control and razing hell in

the Nine Realms; it was everyone. The entire place needed a good cleansing, and I was in the mood to remove the clutter.

Chapter Twenty-Two We were almost to the gate before the guards glanced down at us, and we stopped. One of the broader guards stepped to the edge, scowling down at us with his beady eyes. I assumed he was in charge because when he barked orders, all but the man standing by him, scattered like roaches. “Who goes there?” the patrol guard demanded, unwilling to leave his post at the portcullis. “Halt, in the king’s name! Who dares approach Veldaria unannounced?” “Jesus, they honestly say that shit? I assumed it only happened in the movies.” I turned to the girls, who all looked slightly uneasy. “Look scary or something,” I fussed, angling myself toward the guard, who kept yelling, oblivious to the fact I’d stopped listening. Unleashing a jerk of magic to wrap around him, I hauled him to me. A menacing smile formed on my lips when his eyes went wide and he let out an ear-piercing scream. When he landed, he was so close to me I could smell his sour breath, so I gave him a little shove backward with my magic. He sucked in air greedily as he struggled to reach me with his fists. “Witch!” he screeched so loudly that my hand slapped over my ears while I grimaced. “Oh my! Where?” I peered around, pointed a finger at my chest, and then gave him a look of mock confusion. “Me? Well, this is awkward. It’s me, isn’t it? I’m the witch.” I balked dramatically and then pinched the bridge of my nose, cringing when he renewed his shouting. “Is that absolutely necessary?” He continued his assault on my ears and backed up, drawing his blade. “So much for accomplishing this in a civilized fashion,” I complained, lifting my fists before snapping my fingers wide. His head exploded, splashing the wall with crimson. “Murder is so sloppy.” Then I was striding forward. I got to the gate and slammed my palms against the massive wooden planks until they creaked. It only took a second more for the timber to splinter and explode. I crushed the guards who were waiting in the courtyard beneath the strength and intensity of the attack, and they contorted like tin cans under pressure. The realm rumbled, and the atmosphere swelled with raw, unsoiled magic. Shivering, I savored the tempting offering of the Nine Realms, which was lending me vast amounts of power. The sound of wood splitters hitting the cobblestones mixed with

the music and screams from inside announcing my entrance—I guess if I had intended to be queenly, maybe I should have knocked? I marched to the center of the courtyard like I owned the place. People paused, huddling together, as if they thought they’d be safer in groups. Magic flowed around me, threading through the crowd. All at once, I sent the assembling inhabitants and warriors sailing in different directions, plastering them against the wall and grinning coldly. “Hello.” I chuckled. “I’m your fucking queen, which you’ve undoubtedly heard by now, means nothing.” I rotated, providing a halfassed curtsey before proceeding. “Let’s not obsess on that too much, seeing as we’re not here for a social call or because I fucking wish to be. You motherfuckers thought to fuck around, and you’re about to discover why you shouldn’t have.” Glancing at the men and women, I snickered at their condescending faces that were tightened with anger. “Shall we proceed straight to the reason for this unannounced visit from your queen? Your lord unjustly murdered witchlings under my protection. I’m here to murder him, and anyone else guilty of allowing such atrocities to occur. I’m a very firm believer that we should maintain our homes in immaculate conditions. But more than that, I demand the lords of such houses not abduct women for his sadistic gratification or to feed them to monsters.” I looked to the lord, placing my hands on my hips as I fluttered my eyelids. “So, here I am, taking care of this messy fucking house for my king.” “You expect to slither in here and order us around? We’ve heard about you, Aria Hecate, the puppet queen. You and your kind are not welcome here, so you need to leave,” the lord demanded, but I couldn’t take him seriously. Not while he wore that hideous puffy purple shirt. I chuckled at his pompous appearance. “Is he here, then? I don’t see your king, which means I’m off my tether and standing before you. A saner individual wouldn’t call an unbalanced woman names or remind her of her position. You murdered children and took witches from me, and I’m here to retrieve them. Once that’s done, I’ll deal with you and your people,” I explained, drawing magic to me as he sneered. “You cannot strike against us!” he barked, but an echo of laughter stole my attention, and I focused on a witch stepping away from the crowd.

My stare slid over Daria and she smirked while shrugging. “There are rumors of your weakened condition, witch. You wanted to save the witchlings, and that was exactly why I allowed them to die. Did you think you could return here and that we’d all bow before you? You’re wrong. We all know you are nothing but a pathetic, want-to-be queen who doesn’t even have a throne to sit her dainty, weak ass upon.” I snorted, sucking my lip between my teeth before releasing it with a loud pop. “You sold them out, and for what? To gain favor with your king or the pathetic lord you serve? You idiot, I don’t care about sitting my ass on a throne. I am fighting to end the horrors that are happening to our sister witches.” “It doesn’t matter why I did it. You’re too late. The lord of this keep has already fed the ones you seek to the hound in his hall. You should have seen them trying to escape. It was excellent entertainment, a real crowd-pleaser.” She chuckled as the color drained from my face. Rage simmered and converted into murderous intent, which I leveled on her and had her backing up. “As your death will be for us, murderous bitch.” I laughed as my magic reached her, wrapping around her legs and yanking her to the ground. Her screams reverberated in the courtyard, and I watched emotionlessly as her body twisted and bones snapped before her head rotated, spinning until it popped off. The lord looked positively horrified as it rolled toward him and came to a stop at his feet. “Now that was quality entertainment, don’t you all agree?” “Our king will kill you!” he snarled as spittle flew from his lips. “The only thing your king wants to murder on me is my pussy. Unfortunately for him, it’s currently closed for business. So, where were we?” I tilted my head, laughing coldly. “Oh, yeah, that’s right. You were just about to die screaming.” I curled my fingers into a tight fist, forcing his blood rushing through him until it exploded from his skull. I slid my attention to the guards, smiled, and then released the magic holding them in place. They rushed toward me, and I laughed as I flicked my wrist in their direction. When they hit the wall this time, they splattered in a way that would have impressed Jackson Pollok. Red mist sprayed through the air and splashed onto the men on the battlement. I could feel the girls behind me, watching my back even though they were iffy about what was happening.

If these assholes wanted a monster, I’d show them what one could do. I let my rage run loose as obsidian-stained my fingertips and moved up my arms. The wind howled, whipping my hair against my shoulders and face. Lightning crackled above, filling the area with the thick, enticing scent of ozone. It slammed against the battlements, creating brilliant violet light throughout the surrounding area. I held my hands up high, smiling cruelly when large, fiery balls of blistering how boulders crashed to the ground, assaulting those leaning on the wall. People flooded from the castle, chased out by a monstrous dog with three horns that adorned the crown of his skull. It threw its head back, howling as it rushed me. I really hated when pets got in the way, but this one was rabid and seemed hell-bent on eating me for dinner. Closing my eyes, I pulled more magic from the realm. The anger and frustration of the last twenty-four hours replayed within me, and I unleashed it on those who had trespassed against us and the sanctuary where we’d promised the girls they would be safe. I couldn’t hear them inside, which meant the bitch I’d murdered first hadn’t been lying. The blood pounding through me was deafening, and my pain gave way to something darker. The rage flowed through me untethered, and I screamed as tears rolled down my cheeks. They were all monsters. Anything I did to them was nothing compared to the fate of those they had killed in this place of horrors. The lord had fed innocent witches to his dog for entertainment. He deserved to die. All of them did. I released more magic, watching as the entire keep shuddered and began to crumble into rubble. People fought to escape, not that it did them any good. If they could witness such things without trying to stop it, they were just as guilty as the lord and his guards. I could hear muffled screams coming from all angles, but I refused to relent. My hair whipped in the blast of wind that rushed in like a cyclone, and lightning struck anyone who tried to flee the keep’s wall. Then, when the earth quieted, I twisted to stare at my friends, who were shouting at me. Dismayed, I spun away from them and took in the violence I’d unleashed. Body parts were scattered around the courtyard. The keep was unrecognizable, and only a small section of the outer wall remained intact. Yet, I’d maintained enough control to protect my friends. I was evolving, gaining more precise focus, and the magic I wielded was becoming—more. It was both terrifying and exciting.

Silence reigned through the courtyard. The magic I’d unleashed slowly returned to me, and I exhaled the anger that drained from my limbs. Facing the girls, I took in their wide, horrified stares that drifted over the carnage. Soraya stepped back, spinning while her mouth dropped open. Esme’s eyes were as wide as an owl’s and her mouth formed a perfect O as she took in the destruction I’d created. Siobhan cleared her throat, forcing everyone to notice I’d finished. “You were correct, Aria. Murder is very messy,” she whispered so softly that I had to strain to hear her. Spinning to the wreckage, I bent to pick up a length of ribbon from where it had laid discarded in the dirt. I tossed it into the air, watching as it found the flag of Norvalla tied around a pole. “There’s no way Knox won’t know you did this,” Soraya admitted in a hushed tone. “Remind me never to piss you off.” “They deserved it for what they did to the others.” I drifted farther into the carnage, pausing when a tiny hand caught my attention. Silently, I climbed to the child, pulling him out from the rubble. “No,” I hissed, shaking my head as my chest tightened and denial pulsed through me. “There are no children in Norvalla. He shouldn’t be here.” “Others come here for shelter and to settle,” Esme stated, kneeling next to me. “He would’ve become a murderous bastard, anyway. Who knows, maybe you saved someone else from him?” She winced when I swung my horror-filled stare to her. “You don’t know that for sure, though.” I killed a kid, and I couldn’t take it back. Standing, I looked at the rumble and quietly surveyed the atrocity I caused with my pain and crimson rage. “I-I didn’t realize there were children here.” My words broke, and my lips quivered at the brutality of my crimes. “I didn’t know.” Crying past the palms I’d pressed to my trembling lips, I fought the nausea that was flooding my mouth with saliva. My thoughts raced with the knowledge I’d taken a child’s life. I had fucked up. Bile burned the back of my throat, and I shook my head in denial. “They’ve killed thousands of ours,” Siobhan whispered, placing her hand on my shoulder, causing me to jerk in response. “That is them! It’s what they do, not us. I did this!” My breathing became ragged, and I had to focus to stop myself from hyperventilating.

“Surely you did not assume you’d make it through this war without ending innocent lives, did you?” Esme asked, searching my face until she realized I had. “Oh, shit. You did, didn’t you? That’s an impossible and unrealistic dream. You cannot wage war and avoid everyone who ends up caught in the crossfire. It isn’t possible, Aria. You attacked a dwelling with bad people inside, and yeah, some shit happened. I’m confident there were a few more blameless creatures here as well. But it doesn’t change the fact that the boy was in a keep where they were torturing innocents and feeding them to their dog for entertainment.” “It doesn’t make this right. Nothing you say or do will change that. This was wrong. You and I both know it, so we shouldn’t try to dress it up or justify what I just did.” I nodded, knowing Knox had told me something similar about preventing the death of innocents. Hadn’t I promised him I wouldn’t murder blindly when I’d been murdering entire keeps, castles, and villages? Yes. Had there been good people inside? I didn’t honestly know that answer. This was the first time I’d stayed to face the consequences of my actions. “This can’t happen right now.” I shoved my fingers into my hair, yanking on it until a sting danced over my scalp. “This isn’t me, and I cannot become a monster who can end the lives of children, because if I am, then I’m no better than lord of this keep or the witch who stood with him,” I whispered. “I won’t be a creature who willingly ends any child’s life.” “The only way to ensure that never happens is to scour the place you wish to assault before you lay siege to it,” Siobhan pointed out, her forehead creasing in concern as I nodded. “Then that’s what we shall do,” I announced, wiping the silent tears away from my eyes, looking over the rubble and destruction I’d wrought. “Next time, maybe keep shit like you said a few minutes ago to yourself, Esme? Battle is messy, Aria. Mistakes are more so, but you can learn from this, I suppose,” Soraya muttered crossly. “Where to now?” Defeat wafted over me, and I felt emotionally drained. I’d failed to protect those I’d vowed to keep safe, and failure seemed like the only thing I could depend on at the moment. “We’ll go to the library and rest for a few days. We can start scrying, and using other means to search for them. Siobhan, you mentioned a seer who could locate the entrance to the Kingdom of Fire, or Aden. I think it’s time we focus on that, too. The

library is safe, and we should be able to recover while we search for things.” “Is the library safe?” Avyanna questioned carefully. “It should be. We have a little while longer before the barrier weakens.” I opened the portal into the library, whispering the spell to shield our presence from Knox before casting one last look at the child and taking in his delicate features. The boy was older than I first thought, but that didn’t make it any less heartbreaking that he had lost his life. Regret settled like molten iron over my soul. If I couldn’t learn to accept what had to be done, I’d already lost the war. That was a sobering thought. In my lifetime of planning and calculating my course, I never considered that I would do something so horrid while fueled with anger. I had, and I now had to figure out how to live with it.

Chapter Twenty-Three Days of uneasy silence had passed within the library. Knox hadn’t returned in almost an entire week, and that was worrisome. Fear and theories swirled through my mind, ranging from Knox avoiding the room because he blamed me for the death of our daughters to him having gone off to fight Hecate. Or worse, discovering the destruction I’d unleashed, and plotting my demise. Neither of us was strong enough to manage that feat alone, and it terrified me to even entertain the idea that he’d left here seeking to face the bitch. I’d spent the silent days pouring through the heavy tomes the library provided. Instead of reading them, I’d concocted a spell to consume the knowledge by merely holding my palm over the pages. Considering the sheer volume of information and my dwindling window of time, I’d needed to expedite my search for the information on how to create a new realm or where the Keepers might be hidden. Knowledge was power, and the moment the barrier dropped, I would lose all access to the tombs. The scent of freshly poured tea, and old books filled the space, creating a soothing environment to read in. Candles had been lit, adding the perfume of bergamot and sage to the air and easing the tension still weighing on me. My finger paused over a passage when something caught my attention, and I squinted at the words. Sighing, I marked the map with the potential location of the next element. Thinning my gaze at the large map sprawled out on the table, I contemplated it thoroughly. Puckering my lips, I moved them toward my cheek while I compared the new location to where I’d marked the others. My eyes widened, and my heart stopped momentarily before thundering against my ribs. I slid to the edge of my seat and leaned over the map. My head already ached from spending hours staring at moving words within the volumes I’d read. Exhaling, I slid my finger around the points. With my pen, I slowly connected the points of the six-pointed star, and pursed my lips. A river crudely followed the markings, and I forced out a strangled noise of frustration at my inability to see it before. The triangles that overlapped pointed to strongholds that held the elements, two of which I’d already collected. I’d overlooked the obvious, which should have been idiot proof, really.

Taking a moment, I scanned the river’s path as it curved, branching off to other channels. My finger slid over the artwork and stopped on the palace in the middle of the map, where each body of water ended. Blinking slowly, the air escaped my lungs, and I stared at the grid I’d drawn. My finger followed the water back on the map, sliding past the elemental, and over a waterfall that fed the water back to ocean. A quick scan revealed they all took similar paths, ending at the ocean. A loud snort escaped when I took in the map as a whole, noting that she’d used it all. Hecate had used everything she’d had at her disposal, including the ocean that surrounded the realms. She’s used all nine of them, using the power she needed, while creating a dam like system to bring the magic back continually to her kingdom. “That is impossible,” I whispered breathlessly. The star created a net over the entire Nine Realms, and each one of the six points housed the element. The rivers circled them and then flowed throughout the land, connecting into one large channel that fed into the Kingdom of Vãkya. She’d created a magic grid, which continually ran through the elementals and delivered continuous magic to Vãkya and herself. Hecate had created a magic system over the one that had been in the Nine Realms prior to her arrival. Her incessant need for trade hadn’t ever made sense before since she didn’t need it to rule over them, but she’d needed access to their realms. Once she’d gotten it, she’d crafted leylines in the waterways and used them as conduits to pull power from the elements. She’d basically created an intricate channel of power which fed her kingdom, ensuring it was the most powerful of all realms. Hecate hadn’t merely cursed or weakened those who lived inside the Nine Realms. She’d nullified them, forcing them to weaken while she siphoned their magic to her and then stored it in the witches so she could use it when she needed it. The witches she’d added to her grids were power points she used to tap when she needed a jolt of power. Like backup batteries. “Son of a bitch!” I chuckled, curving my lips into a cheesy grin. Releasing a whooping noise, I bounced on my seat in victory over what I’d discovered. The sound of people floated up through the window, forcing my attention away from what I’d discovered. The tone of their cries changed from jubilation to something worrisome the longer I listened.

Pushing up from the chair, I started toward the window, but hesitated. Tilting my head, my eyes narrowed to slits, and my stomach twisted. Turning in place, I faced the doorway with queasiness that flooded my stomach. Rooted in place, I felt my cheeks heating with guilt, knowing they had apprised him of my deeds by now, and if he’d returned, he’d seek me out directly. Flicking my hand through the air, I cleared the map and books I’d been scouring for information on how to create the realm, and hints for where the other elementals would be located. Knox’s return had butterfly wings batting against my insides. The relief was short lived, though, because the angry sound of footsteps moving through the outer corridor echoed to where I stood. Terror wrapped around me, constricting my throat at the thought of the coming confrontation. After a moment, the door lurched open, and Knox arrived with his fists clasped at his sides. He issued a resounding snarl, instantly occupying the space with his otherworldly presence. His angry strides moved directly to the barrier, rage pouring from him in bitter waves that were strong enough to make it to my nose. He trembled with fury, and my heart stuttered, halting at the fierce expression in his gaze. “Aria!” Knox snarled, smashing his hands against the shield, which made it shudder beneath the pressure of his angry slap. “Tell me you didn’t do this!” I tried to gulp down the pain, but regret was a dam in my throat. “I know you’re there,” he hissed coldly. Knox dragged his helmet off, flung it to the floor, and started tearing off his armor. “Explain to me how you’re not the one who set siege to a keep on my lands. I need to hear you say that you didn’t massacre innocent souls in your grief.” I shivered as he dropped the heavy chest plate. The sound was deafening within the hushed room, and his ragged breathing had mine mirroring it. He yanked at the silver chainmail, hoisting it over his head, sending it sailing toward the wall, shattering some artifacts as it collided. He pushed his palms through the sandy-colored, his disheveled strands. “You fucking coward,” he whispered, grinding his teeth together, furiously pacing in front of me. “Face me, Aria,” Knox challenged as second before he rattled so fiercely I almost dropped to my knees. When I failed to appear, he growled his resentment and spun, staring straight at me. Silently, I edged closer, sighing with relief when his gaze didn’t track me. He chuckled with cold malice, which caused the hair on my

collar to rise and my heart to constrict. Turning on his heel, he stormed to a large chest sitting beside the mantelpiece, plucked something from it, then turned to the fireplace, where the wandering flames seemed to inch forward as if drawn to him. “This is what you’re looking for, isn’t it? You want to know how to construct another realm? It’s right fucking here in this book. If you want it, then come fucking get it from me, Aria.” He rattled while he peered into the orange-red flames before his pensive gaze turned to search for me beyond the barrier. He looked drained and betrayed by what I had done. I wanted to explain what had happened and that I loathed myself for what I’d done. Knox had the book dangerously close to the blaze, which was the only way to destroy the knowledge forever. Once, I’d asked the library where the book could be or if it had been destroyed. When it hadn’t answered or responded, I altered my wording, asking if something could have happened to the book. I’d barely gotten the question out before a book dropped onto my lap. It was a codex of demons, open to the entry on the ifrit. “Are you too fucking scared to face what you’ve done, to look me in the eye and tell me the truth? You are no better than we are, Aria. Now you’re just a coward who won’t own up to her fucking crimes.” “Knox,” I murmured, but he didn’t hear me through the barrier. He wasn’t wrong. I understood what he’d yelled to the center of my conscience. I snapped my fingers, removing all traces of the research, and dropped the illusion so he could see me. Knox’s heated gaze glided over me before he bought the book up for me to see and laughed wickedly. “Please don’t do that, Knox,” I pleaded gently. I resisted the increasing hysteria over losing that tome to the fire. “Don’t do it. I—just, please don’t destroy that one.” Knox issued an ominous growl, stared right at me, and flung the book into the fireplace. “Did you honestly think I wasn’t aware of what you sought within the Library of Knowledge? You must think me a fool, is that it? I have known what you sought since the first time I caught you wondering in my library. Did you know your grandmother once tried to find the same book? The library denied her access to what she sought as well.” Tears flooded my eyes, and I fought the yearning to burst through the barrier to rescue the pages before the fire completely consumed them. My fingers shuddered, and I swayed my head, silently shattering while my future slowly burned.

“I was going to make a realm safe for the children, so they wouldn’t fear laughing too loudly or being discovered and killed,” I whispered brokenly. I hugged my stomach as the graceful flames moved over the pieces of parchment, curling them before turning them black, hungrily devouring their words and wisdom. “You’re not a fucking god, woman. That isn’t something even you are strong enough to achieve. Besides, if it were possible, don’t you think we’d have already accomplished it? Do you think we didn’t consider options when your bloodline bailed, fleeing this place to abandon us to what their mother had done here? Did you think we lingered here while the witches destroyed our people and slaughtered our offspring because we just didn’t want to leave? Answer me!” he snarled, making me jerk and tense against the rage cascading from him. “No, I don’t think you’re stupid. How am I supposed to find answers when no one tells me anything? I’m treated like a monster by everyone inside this hellish place, including you. When I ask you about these things, you smile or change the subject. Aurora tells me if I am meant to know, I’ll be told. So how the hell am I supposed to know anything? I merely sought a place safe for children, so they could live without fear, without ending up collateral fucking damage in this war!” He grumbled while drifting closer to where I stood. My attention flickered to the book, which wasn’t anything more than embers, and with it, my hope of a new realm. There was violence within his gaze that worried me. That wasn’t the most terrifying thing, though. Beneath the false sense of calmness he exhibited, deadly promise and rage simmered. Desire to punish me blazed in his turbulent, glittering sea-blue glare. “Answers? Here’s one for you. If you had found that book and erected a new realm, another realm, along with everyone in it, would have died to create it. You’d have murdered an entire realm to secure a location, for what? A few innocent children you deemed worth saving? What about the others? Nah, you didn’t stop to think about anything other than what your people needed. Magic comes at a cost, and you comprehend that better than anyone else. The library hid the book from you because it perceived you as a threat and it wasn’t wrong.” Knox laughed darkly, and his frame shook from the intensity of it. When his palm struck the barrier, I shot back, wide eyed as I watched the barrier ripple under the assault. It was waning, which meant I didn’t have the time

I’d thought I would. Knox’s anger fueled the air with a scent of an impending storm. His smirk was ruthless, as if he’d caught it, too. He leaned against the barrier, placing his palms flat against and flooding it with the wrath of his anger. Knox exhaled, staring into my soul as if he could devour it entirely. “Lie to me and say you didn’t butcher those people,” he murmured as his chest heaved and his scowl blazed with viciousness. “Gods damn it, Aria!” He exploded, shoving away and stepping deeper into his room only to spin around and peg me with an agonized expression before driving his fingers through his hair. “They were feeding witches to their hounds for entertainment,” I shouted, not bothering to hold back my anger. It also didn’t help that him destroying that specific volume had devastated me. I’d endured him and his people treating me like I was a pet and had nothing to show for it. My breathing was as ragged as his, and I rattled low. Folding my hands into fists at my sides, I struggled through the emotions roiling through me. Yes, I’d carry that child with me to my grave, and I deserved it, rightly so. I wasn’t sorry about executing the lord, his witch, or his guards since they’d been pure evil in the truest sense. His cheek jumped and a muscle in his jaw ticked with the fury that he didn’t work to mask. There was something terrifyingly beautiful about Knox when wrath smoldered in his eyes. He stepped away as if he couldn’t trust himself near me. Black contours encircled Knox’s irises, and the seablue glittered vibrantly. His fingers shifted, turning the hue of freshly polished obsidian. “I was fucking dealing with them!” he thundered loudly enough that it shook my bones. The entire room rattled with the pressure, enticing my body to accompany the trembling. “Do you think I can’t control my fucking people? I was handling the issue, but something more important came up.” “They killed all the children! They invaded my haven. The place I had assured the witches and children I’d gathered would be safe. I left it protected, and guarded even so, they died. I gave them my vow, Knox. Me! I promised they wouldn’t need to fear being hunted down and murdered for simply being labeled evil because they’d been spawned from a cursed breed. I told them to trust in me, and that I’d keep them secure. But I was here losing my babies while your lord had those kids massacred! I lost everything, and all I’ve accomplished is unraveling. I can’t catch my

fucking breath anymore. Every time I find my footing, someone kicks it out from under me!” My tears ran freely, and he lifted his eyes to the ceiling before dropping them to hold mine. “Not by my people, Aria.” He sighed furiously. “My guys did not massacre the kids. A witch drove a blade through the hearts of those children. You alone slaughtered innocent lives that night.” His tone was bitter as he smoothed his palms down his face. “Those witches you sought to save? A beast didn’t eat them because my men had already rescued them and had taken somewhere safe.” “What?” My forehead wrinkled, and I jerked back as if someone had struck me physically. Then inky shadows splotched and filled my vision, as lightheadedness threatened to steal my consciousness. I argued in my head, and denial soared to the tip of my tongue, demanding I eliminate it, but I pushed it down. The world convulsed around me, and I tried to inhale with lungs made of cement. His declaration pounded through my skull, crashing against every cell. Nausea churned, and I battled the panic attack trying to sink its claws into my lungs. I gulped loudly, shaking so hard that I thought the room was collapsing. Holy shit, I was a villain! Knox’s people hadn’t murdered the kids or the witches. That witch had lied, and I’d blindly believed her because she told me what I wanted to hear. I had ended their lives, and I hadn’t offered a shred of mercy. It felt the ground slip out from beneath me, and Knox smirked as the color drained from my face. My stomach somersaulted, and a weak gasp escaped me.

Chapter Twenty-Four Knox’s words bounced between my ears, muting the angry words he continued to throw at me. It sounded like I’d stepped into a wind tunnel. If what he’d said was true, he’d protected the witches. The witch I’d crumbled like tinfoil had mentioned her part within it, but she’d told me I about the dogs, and feeding the girls to them. My mind whirled with what it meant, and how it looked. I’d slaughtered them all, and there’d been zero hesitation on my part. The looks on the girls’ faces flashed through my mind, threatening to make me retch what little food I’d held down in the last day. My stomach somersaulted, and I smothered the gag that built in my throat. Saliva pooled in my mouth, forcing me to swallow repeatedly to keep the sustenance down. Lifting my palms to my hair, I yanked against the silken strands before releasing a shuddered breath. “You ordered your people to leave the children alone,” I mumbled through the disbelief slicing and shredding my heart. “Shit. You ordered them not to harm children, and I missed it.” “A lot of fucking good it did for my people. Their own queen walked in, threw a fucking tantrum, and slaughtered them. Once we’d realized what was happening at the keep, I posted men there to ensure the lord didn’t run before I arrived. I had every intention of using him as a warning to any other lord who thought to do something similar. Instead of taking care of that, I sat here and watched you losing our children.” If I looked close enough, I could see his rage pulsing just beneath his skin, waiting to be released. “If you hadn’t allowed Aurora to lead you into a trap that cost us our daughters, then your sanctuary wouldn’t have fallen because I would have already handled the issue. But that sequence of events occurred and led to you slaughtering my people. I sent boys to squire there, Aria. They’re dead because I ordered them there, and you executed them all!” Guilt burned in my eyes, and I didn’t conceal from him. “Not willingly. I wasn’t aware of innocent lives in that keep, Knox. I didn’t know!” My words slipped out sharply and swiftly as my hands twisted into the skirt of the gown I wore. Not just a child. Children. He’d sent them there, and I’d killed them.

“You didn’t know? Did you check before you attacked? Or maybe stop to realize that I established the borderlands from diverse races. One’s who weren’t sterile as our people were? No, because you saw nothing beyond your desire to hold an entire castle responsible for the crimes one man committed.” His harshly issued accusation slapped into me, knocking the fight out of me. My hands dropped, and my body trembled uncontrollably. He was right. I hadn’t looked or investigated if there were innocent beings inside. I’d been too mad to see beyond my need to make them pay. Swallowing the excess saliva pooling in my mouth, I clenched my eyelids shut. “Do you know why I don’t just walk up to a place and decimate it, wife? Is it easier? Certainly. That isn’t even a question. The reason I don’t is because there is always the possibility of victims within, and they don’t deserve to endure more pain or agony. You attacked my lands and the people I was supposed to protect. Do you have any idea what I thought when I saw the destruction you created? I thought Hecate had done it. But then I discovered that pretty, tiny pink ribbon you’d placed on my flag, and I had to acknowledge that the monster wasn’t Hecate. It was you.” He started from the room, but I called out to him, forcing him to linger. “Knox,” I murmured, moving closer, seeing his head tilting. When no words came, he spun around to face me. His thickly coiled arms lifted, covering his chest while he waited for me to speak. “What the hell could you possibly need from me, Aria? My obligation isn’t to ease your guilt. I have to inform mothers that I, their fucking king, sent their children off to die. I have to tell the wives of my men that they’re widows because their husbands crossed your path and they didn’t make it out alive. So, what the fuck do you want from me, wife?” he demanded, moving back to stand in front of me. “I did not know the children or your men were there,” I declared, working to fight off the pain ripping through me. “You accuse me of being a murderous, heartless prick every chance you get.” He grunted when I merely shook my head in reply. “I’ve never walked into a keep and slaughtered the entire assembly within it, ever. But you? You enjoyed unleashing your magic on that place, and it was clear in the way you folded bodies and left them for others to see so they’d fear you. Didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, hating that he was correct. “I didn’t think. I just reacted in anger, and grief that exploded, Knox.” “So that makes what you did okay?” he snapped. “No, it doesn’t excuse what I did at all. I know I fucked up. What about you? You speak of me slaughtering unjustly when you’ve murdered thousands of innocent souls,” I accused, knowing that what he had done in no way justified my actions at that keep. “You admitted that you have many times!” Had I enjoyed murdering the bitch who had executed the children? Yes. I couldn’t argue with that fact because I actually had felt peace within the violence in which she’d died. Was I wrong to execute the lord? No. Had Knox not saved the witches, the lord would have fed them to his dogs. He had probably done so many times in the past. The innocent people caught up in my anger? I felt nothing but crippling shame over their deaths. “I am not perfect, and I’ve ended lives that didn’t deserve to die, but I’ve never done so on the scale you did. There were pregnant women and children within that keep. Expectant mothers you helped during Beltane,” he admitted softly, clenching his jaw and fists while staring at me. “I warned you about touching my people. I told you it was a line you couldn’t cross. You’ve placed me in a tough position.” He had told me that, and I had still walked into a keep in his kingdom and decimated it. My head dropped forward, shame resonating through me in ripples while staring at the blood covering his hands. “Give me one good reason not to walk out there and tell them that their queen brutally ended their loved one’s lives,” he pleaded softly. His words beseeched me to lie, to let him believe I hadn’t been the monster who’d carried out the atrocities he’d seen. I couldn’t, though, nor would I lie to ease the agony burning inside of him. “I have no reason to give you, Knox. There’s no excuse for what I did. I allowed my grief to cloud my better judgment. So, you can go stand before them and report that the puppet queen you married slaughtered them.” I exhaled a shuddered sigh, letting him see the anguish and rage in my eyes. “But I’m not their queen, nor did I offer them my vow of protection. I am nothing to you or your people. You told me that yourself and then made certain I was very aware of it. Both you and Aurora look at me and see a tool you can use against your enemies. To everyone else, I am your whore who they laugh at. I’m fully aware of my worth to you, husband.” My

fingers unclenched and wiped away the moisture on my cheeks before I cleared my throat to continue. “Before you forced me to that altar, you made it perfectly clear that Liliana was the only woman you will ever love and I was simply the witch you wanted to own. You can never love something like me, Knox, not even after finding out the truth about Liliana’s identity. Me? I’m still only the consequence you’re stuck with.” Stepping back, I battled against the pricking of guilt and the tightening in my chest. “I remember,” he whispered, causing me to lift my gaze to his. “I just didn’t think you’d end up being a monster like me so soon. I have endured five hundred years of war and tragedy to become what I am. You didn’t make it an entire year before becoming one.” I jerked physically from the slap of his words. I deserved it. But if I was a monster, he and this world had created me. “You’re not a queen, and you’ll never be one if you continue like this. You don’t think beyond your own people and what they need. To be a queen, you have to face the consequences of your actions.” He uttered coldly while he remained before me. “If you can’t think without your grief driving you, you won’t be any different from the rest of us. You’ll just end up being another fucking monster like the rest of us. Sorry to inform you, but now you’re just another villain. I have to return the bodies of the people you murdered to their families for burial and inform them of their losses. I’d consider your next move very carefully. If you attack my people, I will cage you so you’re no longer a threat to them or anyone else. I don’t want this for you, Aria. I thought we had made progress, but while I was whispering my truths to you, you were biding your time before you could unleash your misery on others.” “That’s not fair. I didn’t leave here intending to hurt anyone. I’m sorry, Knox. I really didn’t, and I wish I could take it back and undo it now. I can’t, and I know that. I’m not this person, and I don’t want to be another monster. I never thought I was a hero, because we only considered heroes such to one side of a story. I’m just trying—I’m sorry, I’m so fucking sorry.” “Sorry doesn’t bring back the dead. It doesn’t change what you did. If you want to know what it means to be a queen, walk out there with me and help me deliver the news. Show me you’re willing to do what it takes to be

one, Aria,” he stated, scanning my face before he snorted. “That’s what I thought. You’re all for saving those you deem worth saving, but when you make a mistake, you can’t face the music. I guess Aurora will take the throne, and you’ll be the one watching everyone from the shadows? Is that your plan?” “I never said I wanted to be a queen or pretended that I’d make a good one. Remember? You wanted the throne I’d inherit, and now that it’s not a viable since Hecate has it, you’ll need to get it by other means. I am sorry for what I did, and I know it changes nothing. All I can do now is to be better and more careful moving forward. You have every right to hate me, and if that’s the case, then I won’t hold it against you. But that’s the choice you have to make.” I stepped back, praying against the odds that he didn’t concur with what I’d stated. “So, it’s my move? This isn’t some fucking game we’re playing here, Aria. I’m about to walk out there and inform families that my wife slaughtered our people. This is the world we live in, and those are the people I have sworn to protect. If you were anyone else, you’d be fucking dead already and hanging from my walls as a warning to others who sought to harm my people. My move is to go outside and read off names from a list that I compiled while digging out mangled bodies from rubble so I could bring them home. Am I going to discover more keeps like that one throughout Norvalla, wife?” “No,” I admitted before taking another step back from him. “You sure? Maybe you should take a moment and think that answer through.” I shook my head, creasing my brow as his eyes sparkled with animosity. “I’ve not touched any other one within your realm.” “How about the one you attacked before you showed up, miscarrying our babes?” “The only losses there were ours. We never made it past the gates. Did you . . . did you find any remains of witches there?” “I didn’t fucking look for your sisters or bother with a single dead witch on that field. The inhabitants inside were slaughtered, but not before they’d been brutally tortured. I guess it really doesn’t matter which Hecate witch slaughtered them. Right? We’ll just add their names to the list of innocent victims that ended up collateral damage. I thought you were different from the others, but you couldn’t wait to show me otherwise, could you?” The

sound of a horn blaring forced him to turn toward the window before he spun back, stepping closer to the barrier. “Don’t make me hunt you down. I don’t want to cage you, but if you do this again, I will do what’s needed to stop you. If you’ll excuse me.” He snorted, spinning on his heel to leave me stewing in my emotions. After time had passed, I sealed off the library and moved toward the window. A sizeable crowd had gathered, with lines of people inching forward with uneasy gazes. They pulled carts covered with blankets into the area. Sliding my eyes over a few, I exhaled, noting the hand hanging lifelessly from one. There were several carts that continued into the spacious, lavishly decorated courtyard. Knox had retrieved the mutilated victims, returning them to their families. He hadn’t cleaned up, choosing to stand before the crowd bathed in their blood and the soot from the wreckage he’d dug them out of. His men didn’t seem to be in much better shape. Killian moved through the gathering crowd and grabbed the lists from the men who drove the carts. Brander lifted his hand, waving someone closer to him. He accepted the papers the man held and nodded toward the wagons. After a moment, both men strode over to Knox, handing him the parchment until he bowed his head. Even from where I stood, the pain stamped on his features was clear. He handed a few pages back to the men, and they moved through the crowd. Knox called out a name, and the crowd echoed it until they began parting for someone to pass. My brow creased as a woman stepped forward and stared at Knox in confusion. Knox spoke to the woman. And even though I couldn’t hear his words, I knew she was a mother or widow when she collapsed, her shoulders shaking with sobs. He swallowed hard, closing his eyes against her agony. Others from the crowd moved to help her from the ground, but it was Knox who picked her back up. Brander moved to her other side as Killian brought a chair over for her. Lore stood with Greer, both silently watching Knox kneeling before her, whispering as she nodded, weeping loudly. When he finally rose, he announced another name, and the process started over again. Time moved by, and I silently remained in place, forcing myself to face what I’d done to them. All around the area, people cried or mourned the losses I’d created. Had I wished for the world to mourn with me? Yes, but actually knowing I had

forced someone to feel as I did, well, it shattered that desire. I found no pleasure in their pain. I didn’t wish to hurt others in such a manner, but I ached on a deeper level than I could explain. A young couple moved up to the king, their faces filled with denial and anxiety. Knox spoke delicately, but the woman collapsed, pleading for him to take the words back. The man sank down next to her, holding her in his embrace even though he looked destroyed by the news, too. My chest tightened with misery that broke free from my lungs, forcing my hand to press harder to hold it in, to silence my suffering. I knew that pain, and how deeply it tore into you. I also understood why Knox had stated he didn’t want others to know it, ever. His ocean-colored gaze lifted, locking with mine as he swallowed. Then another couple stepped up and I slipped back from the window, placing my hands over my ears to block out the pain-filled sobs that exploded from them. Turning to hide from the scene, I found the others watching me with knowing stares. “I can’t be the monster in this story,” I whispered breathlessly. “I don’t want to feel this ever again. It’s too much, and I don’t know how to handle it. I’m to blame for making them carry the same anguish and soul-shredding agony that lives inside me. They shouldn’t be hurting right now, but they are because I made them do so.” “So don’t be a monster. All you have to do is refuse to allow this place to turn you into one,” Esme offered, as if it were that simple. “He is angry, and rightfully so. Knox came to you directly after discovering what you’d done to his people, same as you did when we discovered our people were murdered. The difference is that he didn’t seek to hurt with anything more than words. Knox was brutal and should have probably given himself some time to cool down before coming to you, but he wasn’t wrong.” Her smile was a tight, white line before she frowned. “You can’t change what you did, but you can decide what you do from here on out.” “He burned the book that held the answer of how to create another realm,” I admitted, perching my weary frame on the couch. He probably never wanted to see me again, and I’d have to accept that. “We have no plan, and I am not sure what to do now.” “So, we don’t have a realm, and we can’t create one. We knew that was a possibility and that we might need another plan. I think it’s time to find Aden and ask him some serious questions,” Esme countered softly. “Maybe

we belong with them, anyway, and it will save us the trouble of figuring out where to go later on. If we know where we belong, Aria, we can figure out where to build a kingdom for others easily.” “I have to locate Aurora and my sisters first. I tell them about Reign and see which of my sisters will come with me.” “Then let’s find them.” Esme nodded at Soraya. “It doesn’t matter who is with us. We need to assume everyone is against us and be pleasantly surprised when they’re not.” “That sounds like sound advice. Shall we go see what awaits us?” I asked, smiling as they helped me up from the couch and hugged me. “I’m so glad I have you guys with me. For the first time in forever, I don’t feel like I’m alone.” “Still not your best friend.” Esme snorted, patting my back. “But I got your back, Aria. Not because you’ve earned it but because we all see ourselves in you. We know you won’t leave us to rot on a battlefield or run when shit gets hard. Don’t prove us wrong. If you do, I will not think twice about putting an arrow through your heart.”

Chapter Twenty-Five It had been weeks since I’d departed the library. Each day, we scoured for traces of my family and those who’d escaped the slaughter at the sanctuary. Every night, we returned to the rickety old keep without discovering them. Then, last night, the scrying crystal had finally marked this location on the map. We’d wasted most of the daylight hours planning how we’d infiltrate the enormous mansion. In the village that surrounded the vast mansion, we’d heard of a party being held for the newest members of the council of nobility. It was as if the universe had settled, adjusting to aid us in finding our foothold. That news caused trepidation to thunder through me because, if she were here, it would prove that she’d sought an alliance with those she’d encouraged me to attack. The estate was already flooded with guests, and there was still a seemingly unending line of coaches waiting to deliver even more people. Drawing in the soothing perfume of pine mixed with a subtle hint of wild lavender deeply into my lungs, I calmly evaluating the scene. I worried my lip between my teeth because the event was clearly a lavish affair. “They appear to have hit the local renaissance fair and ransacked their costumes. That’s rather scandalizing of them if you ask me,” I whispered. Esme pegged me with a peculiar expression before turning her attention back to a woman stepping from an elegant coach just as her layers of skirts caught on the steps. “What are you speaking about?” she pried, proceeding to examine the woman who’d began browbeating the driver as if he’d caused the steps to abuse her. “You don’t know what a renaissance fair is?” I laughed while the woman began fretting, resenting the gown she wore. When Esme didn’t answer, I continued, “It’s this event where everybody dresses up and acts as if they are from the medieval ages.” A troubled lavender stare moved to lock with mine, and her eyebrows wrinkled. “If you’re about to ask what medieval means, save your breath. It’s basically this place, only here, they added steroids.” A strangled noise escaped from between her lips and she grinned. “Steroids sound cool enough.”

The longer we lingered in place studying the crowd, the more uneasy I became. Fear and uncertainty swirled through me, curling talons into my heart at the prospect of confronting Aurora. Those emotions mixed with the rising trepidation and suspicion that they’d purposefully betrayed me niggled in my mind. It was simpler to think they were in there being abused, than to imagine them inside enjoying the celebration. A couple appeared out of thin air on the landing of the stairs. The guard stepped forward, opened the door, and bowed as the couple passed. Those arriving via portals opened by their personal witches didn’t seem afraid or at all hesitant to join the revelry unfolding within, either. “It’s like they’re unaware of just how close the Realm is to all-out war,” Esme mumbled bitterly, fidgeting over the tightly fitted dress we’d snatched from the library. Siobhan chortled, easing her palms down the emerald-green ball gown that hugged her luscious curves. My dress was blood-red and displayed the arches of my hips. Its simple design allowed the delicate silver daggers, which were strapped to my upper thighs to remain indiscernible. A crisscross pattern of thick silk strands covered the bodice, offering only a hint of cleavage. I had braided my hair into a Viking-style braid that began at my temples and met on the crown of my head to form a single, larger braid. We’d all dressed extravagantly for the event and looked amazingly feminine. That hadn’t been a smooth task, considering Esme whined and bellowed about having to wear a dress. She wasn’t into playing dress-up, evidently. My finger touched my lips, and my focus zeroed in on the doors, wondering if Aurora was already inside. “Where the hell are they?” I muttered absently, hating the idea of them being here, and what that would mean. “They’re probably already inside.” Esme rolled her eyes as she wrenched the waistline of her gown to adjust it better. “I look like a nitwit in this atrocity.” “You’re hot in that gown, Esmeralda.” My attention slid over her curves. “Whatever,” she said around a groan. “Are we going, or not?” she complained while crossing her arms over her breast, scowling at the heavy doors, as if she could will my sisters and aunt to appear.

Blinking rapidly as they appeared, I turned to glance at Esme before sliding my focus back to where the women we’d been waiting for appeared. “Show time, ladies,” I uttered faintly, narrowing my attention as my family continued stepping out from the new portal that had opened on the landing. They smiled and laughed while they waited to be granted entry, and my eyes narrowed. So, if they weren’t here already, why had the spell said they’d be here tonight? I scrunched my nose, studying the behavior while they beamed at and teased their escorts who grinned back readily. My stomach churned when the guard whispered against their ears before swinging the doors wide, allowing them entrance. If I’d had any doubts about them plotting and constructing alliances with others, they’d just crushed them. “They did not appear to hesitate before letting them inside,” Soraya pointed out. “It’s almost as if they’re invited.” I swallowed the confusion, slowly adding steel to my spine while I mentally prepared to confront my family. Not that I expected a fight, but I’d prepared for one all the same. My coming here was for more than to notify them about what had transpired and our losses. I also intended to confront Aurora and demand to know if what I suspected was true. “Are we expected to hike to that door in heels?” Esme asked disgustedly. “That isn’t realistic, Aria. We’ll break our bloody necks for them before we arrive at the gates!” “Of course not, we’ll open a portal like everyone else, so you don’t break your pretty neck, Esme. After we get through the door, I’ll need fewer than thirty seconds between the time we enter and when I establish the barrier restricting the gathering monsters from intervening. Once I have my answers, we’ll open a portal and withdraw back into the shelter. Everyone understand?” “What if they attack you?” Soraya queried, her perceptive stare reading my face. “I don’t think they’d try to harm me,” I muttered softly, knowing it was a possibility. “If they do, they’d be on their own against Hecate.” “No, they’d be standing with the other royals against you and Hecate,” Soraya pointed out in a strained tone. “Yes, that would be correct. I guess we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I wouldn’t think they’d be foolish or gullible enough to assume the council would simply welcome back. I mean, they might if they had

something to offer that would appease them or something the council needed to fight against Hecate, sure. That is partly why I don’t think they’ll attack me. Without me, they can’t stand against Hecate.” Siobhan grunted and slowly rocked on her heels. “What do we do if they attack?” “You stand back to allow me to defuse the situation without anyone dying. I need everyone to stay focused and follow the strategy. No one veers off course and this should all go smoothly.” I glanced at the hooded figure that stood in the shadows. Closing my eyes, I swallowed the fear of what awaited us inside. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was going to go sideways, and I’d be walking my only friends into a hostile environment filled with people who wanted us all either enslaved or dead. “What could go awry?” Esme questioned in a grim humor. Her comment had me wincing and counting the infinite number of ways in which this could go horridly wrong. Then I pulled magic to me and ripped open a portal. Smiling as it opened wider than normal and with less magic deployed to accomplish it. Slipping through it, I seized the guards standing in front of the door and yanked them back through with me. Esme and Soraya moved hastily, striking both over the skull with the hilt of their blades. Once we had them gagged and secured to separate trees, we traveled through the portal. My hand landed on the doorknob, but I hesitated, sent out a quick prayer that I wasn’t mistaken about my family’s motives, and then twisted the knob. When I pushed open the door, several armed guards turned toward us. I hurled my magic toward them, following as they rolled down stairs and into full view of everyone in the ballroom. By the time my feet hit the last step, I’d collected more magic than I would need, and I smiled. Flicking my wrist, I barred the exits. Then I slammed my hands down, erecting a barrier of magic protection, and I slid my attention to my sisters, who looked at me with guilt sparkling in their gazes. Another breath of magic forced them through the inviable wall. Unfortunately, Aurora had been close to lip-locking a male, which had forced him into the center as well. “I see you survived, Aria. I don’t believe we’ve invited you here, though.” Her condescending tone grated on my ears, forcing my stomach to churn with resentment.

“I’m harder to kill than most girls these days,” I stated, giggling while batting my lashes. “You’re a hard woman to track down, Mommy.” I snorted as her face tensed and she gasped. It had taken me a few weeks to piece together what Knox hadn’t been telling me that night, and the only conclusion was that Aurora was my mother, not Freya. Sure, I was seeing if she denied it, but she didn’t appear to be in a hurry to do so. My stomach clenched with the complications of what that would mean, and I felt my heart twisting when she merely stared at me with a loathing look blazing in her softer blue eyes. “Who’s this, darling?” the male asked, his harsh look drifting down my frame with passion before rattling sounded from outside the barrier. My attention drifted toward Knox, who was standing beside Celia, Brander, Killian, Lore, and Fade. He moved to step toward me, but Celia gripped his arm to stop him. Then I turned away dismissively. The prick hadn’t wasted time replacing me, had he? That he was here wasn’t shocking. It was that he was in the same room as my family and they weren’t trying to kill one another. In fact, it appeared as if everyone was accepting of the Hecate bloodline being in the same room as them. Knox didn’t edge forward, choosing to remain beside Celia. Hell, my family had already betrayed me, so why not add another bucket of salt on the wound? I’d intended to test the waters with him sooner than later, but I never thought he’d do so with my family or the whore currently gripping him harder than her pussy could manage to grip a cock. But the last time I’d been near her, she had smelled of at least nine different men, so if he wanted her, he could keep her and stay the fuck away from me. “This would be the one I was advising you about, my love,” Aurora declared with silent warning gleaming in her stare. “I assure you we did not invite her,” she whispered to him before turning to me. “Aria’s departing now, aren’t you?” “Both Reign and Rhaghana are dead.” I forced my tone to stay neutral so she wouldn’t hear how deeply she’d just cut me. My chest tightened when she awarded me with a scathing look. There was not a single ounce of regret for their loss on her face. I’d expected betrayal from Knox, but this hurt. It fucking ached on a level that sucked the air from my lungs. The recklessness was one thing, but the blatant disregard of the loss of one of us was a new low for her.