A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal (Stars and Shadows #2)(33)

And that desperation made me feel more vulnerable than ever. Because I couldn’t deny he was all I wanted in that moment.

Because I was alone in this kingdom, and I had been alone in the kingdom before this, and all I ever had was Evren. Even before I realized it, it was always him. Even through his betrayal, it was him.

“Are you two going to make me drink all this wine alone?” Thalia called out to us as she held a bottle of wine in her hands. I laughed and pulled myself away from Sorin as I made my way back to the table. Wine was exactly what I needed. I needed it to help drown my thoughts and the feelings that were invading me.

“I'll have another glass.”

Thalia smiled before popping the cork and filling my glass to the brim.

“Tonight, we have fun. Then tomorrow we’ll work.”





CHAPTER 11





I could feel the rolling of last night’s drink churning in my empty stomach.

“Again!” Thalia called out, and her voice echoed inside my head.

“I need a break.”

Thalia snorted, and I could feel her irritation with me without even looking at her face. “If I had known you couldn’t handle your drink, I would've never given you so much wine.”

“Well, now you know.” I huffed out a tired breath and prayed for my head to quit pounding.

“It doesn't matter.” She raised her hands and waited for me to get back in my stance. “If you're attacked, they aren’t going to make sure you’ve recovered from a night of drinking and dancing before they finish the job.”

She was right. Of course she was, but it didn’t matter. All I could think about was how badly I wanted was go back to Evren's room and take a long nap.

But there wasn’t a chance in hell Thalia was going to let that happen.

“Fine.” I widened my stance and tried to focus on my breathing as I waited for her move as she lunged at me. This time, I was anticipating it. I shot to the left, and only felt the wind from her movements. She didn't land a single touch.

“Better.” She nodded her head as I wiped sweat from my brow. “Again.”

We did that over and over again, her changing up her movements every time, and me trying to anticipate what she would do. She landed at least ninety percent of her hits, and I was aching all over.

I feared that she wouldn't stop until I was puking, and I breathed a sigh of relief when Sorin rushed out onto the courtyard. I was looking forward to his cocky banter, because at least I could catch my breath.

I pressed my hands against my knees and bent at my waist as I swallowed breath after breath. But my head snapped up at the sound of Thalia’s worried voice.

“What's wrong?”

I looked to Sorin, and he was taking short, shallow breaths, and his eyes were wide with panic.

“It's Evren.” His hand was held firmly against his dagger. “We just received word from Jorah that Queen Kaida knows of his treason.”

Everything stopped. Everything but my raging panic. “What does that mean?” My magic swirled inside of me, and I feared that even though I’d been training to control it, I wouldn’t be able to right now.

Sorin simply shook his head, and it angered me. Fueled me.

“What does that mean?” I growled, and his gaze snapped to me.

“I don't know.” His voice shook with emotion he tried to hide.

I shouldn’t have been angry with him, but I couldn't stop the way it was crawling inside of me. The anger and the fear. It was taking over, and Sorin was the one bringing it out in me even though he wasn’t doing it purposefully.

I had no control.

“Where is my mate?” I snapped as inky black magic trailed from my fingers, and I watched as Sorin looked down and took it all in. But I lost the ability to pull it back. My heart raced as my power felt so uncontrollable. Evren was in trouble, and I couldn't just stand here and work on my breathing while attempting to control my magic. I didn’t need to do anything but get to him.

“He’s missing.” Sorin delivered the line like it didn’t pierce through my entire soul and rock my entire being.

He was missing. My mate was missing and that could only mean…

I shook my head as I tried to shake off my fear. I couldn’t go there. I couldn’t let myself begin to fathom what that could mean.

“I’m going after him,” I growled out through clenched teeth.

I moved to the side of the courtyard and grabbed my dagger before either of them could stop me. I heard Sorin curse under his breath, but I didn’t allow it to slow me down. I needed to get to Evren, and no one was going to stand in my way.

I rushed through the door, back into the castle, and my hands trembled. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew that I couldn’t just sit here. He was their prince, but he was my mate, and I wouldn’t allow us to sit here while only the gods knew what was happening to him.

I pushed down the hall but stopped short when Queen Veda moved into my path. Her dark hair was a mess as if she had been running her fingers through it, and two of her guards stood at her back at full attention.

“I’m taking it you’ve heard the news of Evren.” Her voice was so controlled, so calm, and I hated it.

“I have.” I went to move past her, but she sidestepped and blocked me.