Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3)(34)

“You’re unbearable, perhaps, but the rest remains to be seen.” It was interesting that my sister had also sought out Envy when she’d had an alliance with Greed. Unless it happened the other way around. “Were you her first or second choice for an alliance?”

“Second. Though I’m sure she wishes she came to me first. My coffers are bigger than Greed’s.”

“I doubt that, your highness.”

He really grinned at me this time, showing off his boyish dimples. I’d only seen them once before, and it softened me to him.

“Looks like your sister isn’t the only one with sharp claws. Believe what you like, pet, but remember I can’t lie.” He glanced at the marks on my chest. If I didn’t know better, I’d think concern creased his brow. “You need to get that taken care of. It already looks infected, and the rot will stink up the cell to high hell.”

“Duly noted.” My eyes narrowed. “Why do you keep calling me a shadow witch?” I asked. There was no healer, no bandages, no point in dwelling on something I couldn’t tend to. If the wound got that badly infected, the stink would be the last thing to worry about. “I know what I am. Who I am.”

“Do you now?” He sounded unconvinced as he sat on the floor again.

I drew in a deep breath, focused on the last image I had of Wrath to fuel my sin. To allow it to temporarily break free from its cage, then I let go. “You tell me.”

“Your eyes…” Envy raised his brows, looking almost impressed. “Mortal no more. Seems like immorality has won out. No surprise there. Though you’re not healing, which is rather curious.”

I released my fury and exhaled. Envy scrutinized my features but didn’t comment on what I imagined was the return of my warm brown irises. I lifted a shoulder, then motioned to my eyes. “Not quite immortal.”

“You may not have your full powers, but mortality submits to immortality in the end. It’s the strongest force of the two. A drop of immortality is more powerful than a bucket of mortality.”

That made sense. Almost. Except for the fact that Wrath had fought very hard, more than once, to keep me from “dying.” I would get to the bottom of why soon enough. “Let’s not get off track. I asked about shadow witches. Tell me what that really means. Please.”

Envy cocked his head, considering.

“‘Shadow’ because you possess a mere shade or shadow of your true power. ‘Witch’ because with so much dilution of your magic, that is what you are. What all witches are—descendants of goddesses.”

“Why couldn’t you tell me that before?”

“The curse wouldn’t allow me to. Seems like more than your eye color is changing.”

I thought about the magic bond between me and Wrath. The one that had allowed him to spear into my mind and crack whatever had been holding my memories at bay. “Do you believe my marrying Wrath has anything to do with that?”

Envy regarded me as if I was suddenly very intriguing. “You both accepted the bond?”

“This appeared on both of our fingers.” I held up my hand, showing the new tattoo. “After we…”

A smile flickered at the edges of his lips. “You consummated your bond at Greed’s House of Sin. I’m surprised Wrath lost control at a rival court. It’s something he’s vowed to never do again.”

I glanced away, thinking of the events that had led up to our impromptu lovemaking. “Part of Greed’s castle collapsed; Wrath’s emotions were running a little high.”

Envy’s bark of laughter drew my attention back to him. “I imagine my dear brother and his temper had something to do with that. It would certainly explain why he’d claim you right then and there. Well played, little Shadow Witch.”

“I hadn’t intended for that to happen.”

“Once something is put in motion, we rarely have control over the outcome, no matter what our initial intentions are.”

Envy leaned back, elbows propped on his knees, hands clasped casually in front of him. His shirtsleeves were rolled to his elbows, showing off surprisingly corded muscle. There was a warrior lurking under the practiced sneer and air of disdain he wore like armor. His dark hair was tousled and out of place, but it only made him seem more indolent. More regal.

It wasn’t the first time he reminded me of what he truly was: a fallen angel. Before I knew that, I used to think he looked like the sort that had a broken halo, which was fitting enough, but now I recognized it as a broken heart.

His emerald gaze flicked to mine, a warning flashing deep within them. “Do not mistake boredom for friendship or charity.”

“I wouldn’t call it friendship or charity.” I smiled a bit sadly. “I’d say kindness, but you’d bite my head off.”

Annoyance radiated off him. “I’m many things, but kind isn’t one of them. Selfish? Definitely. Anything I say benefits my true goal in the end. Never forget that.”

“You know,” Vittoria said as she strolled into the corridor outside our dungeon, “what’s truly pathetic is, I think you actually believe that.”





NINE


My sister stood outside the cell, looking cold and ruthless in her frost-blue gown. Her humanity was gone, but I struggled to believe there was nothing of it left. Even if it was buried deep, deep within her miserable immortal soul. Her gaze shot to me. “You reek of hope. It doesn’t suit you, sister.”