A Kingdom of Venom and Vows (Stars and Shadows #3)(18)

“Yet, there is another.” She cocked her head slightly and studied me. “Queen Veda rules her kingdom as if she is as powerful as me. She has shared my husband and birthed him an heir.”

“And what? You’re jealous of her?”

The queen’s harsh laugh was startling. “Queen Veda has nothing that I envy. I simply want to destroy her.”

“Why?” The question was stupid. I could see the greed in her eyes staring back at me.

“Because this world belongs to us.” She waved her hand around. “There is only to be one true ruler over it, and that ruler will be my son.”

“Is that what you told yourself when you killed Gavril’s mate?” I took another step back as her eyes widened in surprise.

“Where are your powers, Starblessed?”

I stared at her before looking past her toward the door where one of her guards was entering.

“It would appear that I have secrets, just as you have yours.”

“Queen Kaida.” The guard bowed his head. “The king is asking for you.”

“Have him wait.” The queen offered me a smile, but there was nothing friendly about it. “The Starblessed and I have much more to discuss.”

“I’m done speaking to you.”

“No.” She shook her head gently. “You aren’t.”

She moved around me, almost circling where I stood. “I’ll ask you again. What have you done with your powers?”

“I don’t have any.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I would never tell the queen the truth. It would do nothing but fuel her vengeance for Evren.

I started to walk from the room, but her hand reached out and her nails dug into my upper arm. I stood there frozen, not moving, as the queen’s perfume burned into my nostrils. It was thick, cloying, and the longer she held me, the more I felt like I was suffocating under its weight. The scent was flowery, but it also carried a hint of something I couldn’t quite place. Like burnt sugar and sulfur, sickening and sweet, but too thick for the smell to ever be pleasant.

“We are having a ball to celebrate your return in two days’ time.” Her nails dug in harder, drawing blood. “I would suggest you find the magic my son once tasted in your blood before then.”

I turned my head and met her hard gaze. “And if I don’t? Will I end up like his mate?”

Queen Kaida’s face was hard, the lines around her mouth, her brows, and her eyes deep and etched with malice. She didn’t cower from my stare and the longer she held me, the more I could feel her aura seeping into my skin until I felt as if I couldn’t move, my feet were planted to the floor and every muscle in my body locked.

She was resolute, but her words were like glass being crushed underhand. “Then I will do everything in my power to destroy that mate of yours.” Her eyes flicked back and forth between mine, watching. Assessing. “We will drain the life from him while you watch. I don’t give a damn if he is the son of my king.”





CHAPTER 8





EVREN





W e found very little information about death magic in our tomes.

Almost nothing to go on, but I couldn’t stand around and wait any longer. There was no telling how strong my brother’s magic had grown.

My chest ached with the weight of my guilt that Adara was under his rule while her own magic resided with me.

I began stuffing supplies into my saddlebags and tossed a canteen of water in Sorin’s direction. He attached it to his own before grabbing more supplies from the table.

I lifted my bags and draped them over my shoulder, and when I turned around, I almost ran into Adara’s father.

The man was frail, still so weak from what they had done to him for years, and I could hardly meet his gaze without guilt eating me alive.

“I’m coming with you.”

I pressed his hand against the table and used it to help support his weight.

“No,” I said gently but firmly. There was no way I was taking her father back into that kingdom. Even if he wouldn’t be a hindrance at getting her back, Adara would never forgive me for it.

He had just gotten out of that hell, and I wouldn’t send him back.

I refused to.

“You can’t stop me,” Dareen growled, and the already great respect I had for the man increased.

“You’re right.” I nodded my head and adjusted my bags on my shoulder. “But you’re not in any shape to fight. I am going to get your daughter back. I will give my life if that’s what it takes to do so, and you will be a hindrance.”

The air around us grew tense and heavy as his grip on the table tightened and his jaw clenched. But I saw a flicker of understanding pass across his face as he slowly nodded in agreement.

“I know that you spent many years with them.” He shook his head as he looked past me. “I know that’s your father, but I’m not sure if you truly know what they’re capable of.”

Dread filled me and turned my stomach. “I do know what they’re capable of. Especially my father and the queen. I saw my fair share of their cruelty during my years as their captain, and I will never be able to earn your forgiveness for delivering you to them.”

His gaze met mine, and he searched my depths as if he could see to my very core.