Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3)(109)

House Vengeance was a gothic castle nestled between soaring, snowcapped mountains to the south, keeping it hidden from the seven demon courts in the north.

As my sister had shown me on that magical map, its remote location and magical veil of memory loss helped keep it an enigma from the demon princes and their subjects. Only an invitation, which Vittoria and I had never extended, would grant the princes passage to the realm ruled by the goddesses of vengeance. The realm where the Maiden, Mother, and Crone were rumored to reside.

With my memories now intact, I recalled that it had been a lonely existence. One we filled by reveling in our title of the Feared.

The morning after the coronation party, I stood on the terrace of House Vengeance’s castle facing the eastern gardens, icy wind whipping my unbound hair as I looked out at the familiar landscape. This had been my home for centuries. The seat of my power. This was where the great goddesses of death and fury played their vengeance games.

And now, not only had I returned as a goddess without magic, but I was also the coruler of a rival House of Sin. I might have lost my magic, but I’d certainly gained a heart, a soul. Things that now mattered more than cold, impersonal vengeance. Once upon a time, it had felt like justice. And maybe in our world, full of sin and vice, it had been. Now, having lived among mortals, I saw how wrong I’d been. There was more to life than vengeance and retribution. If we went after everyone who ever hurt or wronged us, we’d never appreciate the good in our lives.

Knowing what I did now, experiencing how it felt to focus on the good in life, to feel genuine peace, I’d never return to who I was before. My life might be long, but I still wanted to savor each bit of brightness that came my way.

“You’re quiet,” Vittoria said, joining me. “It’s been quiet without you.”

I glanced down at the wolves fighting on the snow-covered lawn. Domenico was training newly shifted werewolves, and like the damned demons, he’d forsaken his shirt despite the brutal temperature. “It looks like you’ll adjust well enough.”

Vittoria watched the alpha work through a series of kicks and punches, her expression purposely emotionless. “They can’t stay. The pack needs to be on the Shifting Isles with the rest of their families. They need to ensure that the Star Witches maintain balance and only guard the prison. It’s time they left this realm alone.”

“You could go with them.”

“I fought hard for us to get back here, to our rightful home.” Vittoria looked me over. “House Vengeance is where I belong. Where I’ll stay.” A small smile ghosted across her features. “Plus, I need to be close by in case my sister needs me. Your king might not sanction the messier parts of ruling. Which is why you’ll have me.”

She wriggled her fingers, and I shook my head. “Goddess help the demons.”

“And the witches.” Vittoria glanced back down at the wolves. “Thank you for finding the evidence I needed to clear my name. And for trusting in me even when I didn’t make it easy.”

“It would have happened much sooner if you’d just told me the truth.”

“It wasn’t my secret to share. Plus, I wasn’t sure if Vesta—Marcella—was pack at first, but I knew Domenico was hiding something. During that first meeting, when I’d persuaded him to accompany me to secure an alliance with Greed, he’d stiffened the moment they were in the room together. There were only the four of us that night, and it hadn’t been me or Greed he’d responded to. I suspected Domenico had hatched a plan and carried it out, based on the timing of Vesta’s ‘murder’ and the arrival of Marcella to the pack, but I didn’t want to draw attention to him.”

“You didn’t recognize her?”

“Initially, she cast a convincing glamour. That, mixed with her ability to change the emotions of those around her, kept me from questioning her for a little while. Once I figured out the truth and she stopped hiding her identity, it wasn’t my place to force her to return. Besides, I wouldn’t betray Domenico. Even if that meant keeping the truth from you.”

For a goddess who was supposed to only be out for vengeance, my sister took the blame when she easily could have given Domenico to Greed. “Do you like him, the shifter?”

“It doesn’t really matter if I do.” She lifted a shoulder. “He’ll live longer than most, but he’s not immortal. One day, many moons from now, he’ll realize that he’s changing and I am not. Domenico needs to be with someone who will grow old with him. And I need to be with someone I can aggravate for eternity. That is, if I choose a partner rather than simply enjoy myself on my own terms.”

“Does that special someone rule over the sin of envy or pride?”

Vittoria snorted. “Envy wishes he could hold my attention for eternity. I might be curious about rumors I’ve heard regarding his sexual talents, but that would be a passing fancy.” Her eyes sparkled as I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to think of Envy’s talents. “I’ve heard his—”

“Please, I do not want to hear any rumors about Envy. I’ve already heard about the portrait painted above his bed, the one where it shows how well-endowed he is.”

“Devil be damned.” Vittoria tossed her head back and laughed. It was the first time she’d sounded like her old, mortal self, and it gave me hope for the future. “I thought he was kidding about that painting. I should have taken him up on his offer to use his bedchamber.”