A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal (Stars and Shadows #2)(34)

“You can’t go after him.”

I met her gaze, and I held it there for a long time. She wasn’t my queen. I wasn’t hers to rule.

“I am.” My voice held conviction, and I wondered if she could taste my power as it thrummed through every part of me. “You can’t stop me.”

“You are the Starblessed that has been prophesied, Adara. Evren would kill me if I allowed you to fall back into the hands of his brother by not protecting you.”

“And I will kill you if you don’t move out of my way.” I felt someone at my back at that moment, and my anger rose as I expected them to stop me. But Thalia did no such thing. She simply stood behind me, her chest pressed against my back, and stayed silent.

“I am not your enemy, Adara.” The queen looked past me and her brow furrowed. “But I will lock you away until he’s found if you force my hand.”

Thalia moved even closer to me, her chest pressing fully against my back, and even though I knew she had been a part of this kingdom for much longer than she knew me, every part of me knew that she would choose me if the queen forced her to.

If it came down to the queen or me, Thalia would choose me.

“That won’t be necessary.” Sorin moved to my side, and he smiled at the queen. “Me and my men are heading out within the hour to search for our prince, and Adara and Thalia will stay back in case there is any news.”

My gaze shot to him, and I wanted to tell him that he was crazy. I wanted to demand that he take me with him, but his eyes widened and his jaw ticked. It wasn’t an order. It was a silent plea for me to listen.

And I looked back to the queen but kept my mouth shut.

She watched me carefully with her lips pressed together in a thin line. “You have to handle things carefully, Sorin.” She finally looked away from me. “We don’t know what all Queen Kaida knows.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Sorin bowed his head slightly as Thalia took my hand in hers. “And neither of you shall leave the palace.”

I could feel Thalia’s magic flare against my own in my palm. Her jaw clenched and her posture was stiff as she held me near her. She didn’t look to the queen when she replied. Instead, her gaze held steady with Sorin’s. Her face paled and her hand shook in mine. “We will be here for whatever you need.”

“It’s settled then.” The queen looked between the three of us before Thalia tightened her hand in mine. “Sorin, bring back my son.”

Sorin nodded before bowing once more, and I pulled Thalia forward and away from the queen. I knew that Evren trusted her. She was his mother, but I couldn’t force the same feeling. My trust for her remained lacking.

But right now, we both wanted the same thing. We wanted Evren home safely, and I couldn’t do something foolish that would get in the way of that.





CHAPTER 12





I typically took dinner alone in Evren’s room, but Thalia had refused to leave me on my own ever since the news of Evren arrived.

I didn’t know if it was simply because she was worried about me or because she feared what I would do, but either way, she hadn’t left my side.

Thalia was sitting across from me at Evren’s little desk, and I had no idea where she found the chair that she had pulled into his room.

“You're like a mother hen.” I tore a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew Mina had brought in.

Thalia simply shrugged and her gaze held firm to mine. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. “

“I'm fine.” It was a lie and her presence spoke to her disbelief of my proclamation. It had been two days since Evren had went missing. Two days since we had any word from Jorah or Sorin about what was going on, and everything inside me was begging me not to listen to their demands that I stay in the kingdom.

But I was far more fearful of losing Evren than I was of any of their wrath.

He had been gone for far too long, and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.

“No, you're not.” She shook her head and took a sip of her wine. “How could you be?” We don’t know they’re okay. Not Evren, Jorah, or Sorin.”

I tucked my knee up against my chest and studied my friend. I was dressed in nothing but one of Evren’s shirts, but I hadn't expected the company. I was planning to crawl in bed and try to sleep away my rising fear before Thalia had knock at my door.

I opened my mouth to answer her, but as soon as I did the door to Evren's room burst open. Both Thalia and I jumped to our feet and my magic swirled around my hands as panic took over.

But it was Mina who stood at the door with her hands against her chest.

“What is it?” I asked, breathlessly.

“It's Evren. He's back.”

Before I could think better of it, I tore from the room. I had no idea where I was going or where he would be, but I couldn't stop to think. I simply took off, my bare feet slapping against the ground, and I couldn't control a single emotion that was racing through me. I could hear Thalia behind me, and everything about her felt as uncontrollable as I did. Evren may not have been her mate, but he was her prince, and more importantly, her friend.

I skidded to a halt when I hit the main entry of the castle, and I watched in horror as Queen Veda leaned over her son who was propped up against the stone wall. His face looked sickly and drained of life, and Queen Veda cursed as she pulled his bloody shirt away from his skin to look beneath it. Sorin paced around the room with blood staining his hands, but he looked up as soon as he saw us. “Adara, he needs you.”