Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked, #2) (114)

“Every villain thinks themselves the hero. And vice versa. In truth, there’s a little villain and hero in each of us. Depending on the circumstances.”

I glanced around the circular chamber, my attention pausing on the carved skull. “I’ve been trying to solve a riddle. About a key that doesn’t necessarily open a lock. And seven stars and sins, and the angel of death.”

“You seek the Temptation Key.” Celestia heaved a great sigh. “I can tell you this, Daughter of the Moon, you have already found it.” I whipped my attention back to her. “If I were you, I would reconsider. Once you march down this path, there is no returning from it.”

“Whoever killed my twin should have thought of that.” I stood. “Is the Temptation Key here, in House Wrath?”

“It is dangerous. Divine objects… they are not to be taken lightly.”

“But it is here.”

Celestia pressed her lips together. It was enough confirmation for me. I thought back to my conversation with Envy, when I’d mistaken his ramblings for drunkenness the night we’d had truth wine. He’d mentioned not all keys appeared the way one typically thought they did.

Blood was the key to unlocking demon magic, for example. So with that in mind, there were no limits to what might actually unlock the Triple Moon Mirror. The Temptation Key might be an elixir, for all I knew. And yet… something toyed with the edges of my memory.

If Wrath had a divine object and wanted to keep it hidden, there was no safer place than in plain sight. Wrath made the obvious questionable, casting doubt. It was the same way he’d acted when I’d first called him Samael back in Palermo.

I doubted he’d keep the Temptation Key in his bedchambers. Which led me to believe the key was in one of two places. His personal library, or the weapons room.

I stood, ready to rush off and tear them both apart if I had to.

Celestia snagged the sleeve of my gown, halting my exit. “If you do this, prepare for consequences that will be out of your control.”

“Very little is in my control now, matron. The only thing that will change is I will finally know the truth.”

Celestia dropped my arm and stepped aside. I wasted no time racing to the weapons room. I’d half-feared Wrath would be there, working off excess emotions after our conversation. It was silent, empty. I hurried through each portion, running my hands over every gold design, searching for any secret compartment or object that might be a key.

I halted in the back of the room near the serpent mosaic. Like the first time I saw it, I swore there was something familiar about it… my mind raced, searching for a memory.

“Blood and bones.” I gripped the roots of my hair and gently tugged. “Think.”

I’d seen it before. I would bet whatever was left of my soul. If only I could—

“Devious demon. You’re brilliant.” I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming in glee. “I’ve got you now.”





I stood over Wrath’s desk and picked up the serpent paperweight.

Or what I’d originally mistaken for a paperweight. Turning it over, I studied the ridges and geometric design with a different eye. It could certainly be a key. Given the shape, it would fit on top of a hand mirror nicely. And it would explain why Envy had shared this information.

Without an invitation to House Wrath, he would not be able to search the castle himself. Showing up outside in the garden for a minute or two was one thing, but strolling through Wrath’s personal library would be another. Though, knowing Wrath, he likely had the interior warded to keep his brothers out. None of that mattered.

I held the Temptation Key to my chest, feeling the first pangs of hope. I wasn’t sure why Celestia worried so much about touching a divine object. Thus far it only gave me peace. Joy. After all of the starts and stops, this was a tangible lead. A true thread to tug on. Now all I had to do was locate the Triple Moon Mirror. And, armed with the key, I had a new plan forming.

Back in my personal suite, I pulled out my notes and a pen. If I could just figure out the enchanted skulls message, I would have a direction.


Enchanted skulls

Skull one: Angelus mortis lives. Fury. Almost free. Maiden, Mother, Crone. Past, present, future, find.

Skull two: Seven stars, seven sins. As above, so below.



I tapped a quill against my lips, staring at the notes, willing the answer to manifest itself. The first skull’s message was a little clearer now. I was positive it related to the Triple Moon Mirror and its ability to see into the past, present, and future.

It was the second skull’s message that I kept getting caught on. Knowing what I did now about the seven stars being another name given to the Seven Sisters, and the fact that Envy was interested in locating them, I wondered…

I sucked in a sharp breath, distracted by a new thought. If Wrath kept the Temptation Key in plain sight, then maybe he’d done the same thing with the Triple Moon Mirror. Maybe he couldn’t tell me anything about the curse, but he’d tried to help in a subtler way.

The case Envy had would fit a hand mirror. One such mirror had been gifted to me before I’d left for House Envy. Hope had me clutching the key and racing into my bathing chamber, pulling out the gorgeous mirror from where I’d kept it in the vanity. I’d admired the etching on the back before, but hadn’t considered it might be more than a pretty design.