Queen of Myth and Monsters (Adrian X Isolde, #2)(84)

Then I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

As I rose to leave, I felt something beneath my foot. Stepping aside, I found a small, black book on the floor. I went to pick it up and place it on the table beside her bed, but as soon as I touched it, I knew it was a spell book. There was an unmistakable energy to it, cold and a little dark, which surprised me given that it had been in Ana’s possession.

I started to open the book, hesitating a moment as I glanced at Ana. This almost felt like an invasion, but it was likely she had taken it from the secret library. I had taken books too, and perhaps she had found a few spells she felt worthy of trying against Ravena. I could not say I was ready to attempt magic again. I felt guilty and ashamed for what had happened with the mirrors, both my failure to injure Ravena and somehow leaving the portal open for the vârcolaci to enter the castle.

Still, I was curious.

I opened the book. It cracked as I did and revealed yellowed pages and faded handwriting. The first few pages detailed healing and cleansing rituals, but as I turned brittle page after brittle page, the incantations grew…darker.

It was the only way I knew to describe it. The words on this page had been used for something terrible, and it sent shivers up my spine.

The door clicked, and I slammed the book closed. I pressed it to my chest and looked as Adrian entered the room.

“Come to say goodbye?” he asked, his gaze moving from my face to Ana’s. He stood at her bedside and placed a hand on her head.

“I hate that we must leave her.”

“Tanaka will take care of her,” he said. “He is like a father to her.”

That was comforting, though at this very moment, I was not certain he was pleased with me. I was taking Adrian away from Revekka, and it was true that our people needed us just as much as mine did in Lara.

Adrian pulled his hand away and looked at me.

“I am bringing along Solaris,” he said. “I’d rather keep an eye on him than leave him here to turn our people against us.”

I did not like that he would be in our company, but I preferred that over leaving him in Revekka. His anger toward Dis was volatile and could be used against us.

“Perhaps his hand will be of use,” I said, unenthused.

“Let us hope he demonstrates more loyalty to us,” Adrian said. “Are you ready?”

“I have no choice,” I said.

Adrian studied me for a moment, frowning.

“What will you do?” I asked. “If we cannot reach Lara in time before my people are turned?”

“If they are unwilling to conform to my rule, they will have to die.”

***

The cold stung my eyes as I stood in the courtyard and watched our army assembling below—row after row of men and women, clad in red, gold, and black. At its head was Daroc, who gave orders; I could hear his muffled shouts but could not make out anything he said. I knew part of this ability was new. Prior to being turned, I’d have never been able to hear anything said on the field at the base of the Red Palace.

The development unnerved me a little. I wondered how much more my hearing would improve over the next few months, and my thoughts turned mostly to the evil that lingered in the woods and the monsters that attacked my people. Then I thought of Lara and how they would see my decision to change.

Traitorous, evil, weak.

I knew the words they would use, and each one burrowed deep, painful reminders of how they had shunned me the moment they realized I had not killed Adrian on our wedding night. Never mind that I had tried. Now that they had truly been overrun by a vampire army, I wondered if they would see Adrian and I as the lesser of two evils. Would they see our coming as a rescue or another siege?

I felt someone approach and looked to find Killian, who was dressed in Revekka’s colors.

“Killian,” I said in surprise.

He offered a small smile and straightened his jacket.

“Perhaps not the best timing,” he said. “But you are my queen and I am your commander.”

A thickness gathered in my throat. Sometimes I was so hindered by how I’d left Lara—without the blessing or praise of my people for a sacrifice I’d made to protect them—I forgot I still had support.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He smiled, but it was sad. He looked below at the massive army. “No need to thank me, my queen. I will always fight for you.”

I knew Killian had never lost his loyalty to me as his queen, but this was different. Of anyone in my circle, he was my friend, and he had shown that time and time again.

I took his hand and held it. My action surprised him, and he met my gaze.

“I am grateful you are with me,” I said. My eyes blurred and I took a breath to keep from crying. “I do not want to exist in this life without you, Killian. You and Nadia…you are my only family.” I paused and then met his gaze. “I’d like you to consider becoming one of my noblesse.”

He studied me, eyes searching, trying to figure out exactly what I meant.

“Are you asking me to become a vampire?”

“I am,” I said. “I’ll change you myself.”

Killian pulled his hand from mine, and my heart fell.

“He changed you?”

I could sense his confusion and even his hurt. He felt betrayed.

“You don’t…look different.”