Page 6 of Vicious Is My Throne

He wouldn’t go as far as to say we were riding into certain death, but after Zephryn’s latest report last night, we knew this would be a dangerous journey. And Zorander Vayle took our safety very, very personally.

But Corvus and the Oracle had to be stopped.

The question was, how?

We only had clues and rumors and hints, too vague to be of any real use. But there was one place we could go where the visions did not lie. Where we could see the truth with our own eyes. A dangerous, awful place, but…

The truth lay down in those tunnels.

The Oracle had practically admitted the answers were there, talking about destroying the chamber and keeping secrets hidden forever.

I knew that somewhere, trapped within those skulls, in those memories of the past, we would find the answers we needed to kill a god.

I closed my eyes, letting warmth kiss my face. A few glorious days at Nightcairn, then we’d head into those tunnels one final time and hope those ancient skulls held the key to saving this world.

But guilt weighed me down, especially when I looked out over the bustling city. “Maybe Zor’s right. What if we waited a few days?” I murmured. “Until things are more settled?”

“We’re of little use here.” Raz’s voice was quiet as we looked out over a bustling Blackcastle. “We’ve done all we can for these people, but what comes next…only we can fight this battle, Anaria, abhorrent as it is for me to say that.”

Because all the rebuilding in the world didn’t matter—not really—if Corvus and the Oracle continued to suck this world dry.

We were, in essence, wasting our time.

“Nobody else can face Corvus.” Raziel’s tone took on that lethal edge he only used when he was under extreme duress. “I don’t like saying that.” He grimaced as if he tasted something foul. “But it’s the hard truth. This is up to us. We’re leaving the city in good hands, and that’s the best we can do.”

Torin and Zephryn emerged from the Keep’s doors, hands raised in goodbye. Simon was already soaring overhead, a speck against the gray sky. “He’ll fly with us for an hour to scout for signs of blight, then turn back when it’s too dark for him to see,” Raz explained quietly, watching the clouds swallow him.

“I hope we see this place again,” I added. “I made myself a promise once, a long time ago.” I stared up at the Keep’s walls, solid enough to withstand any storm. “I promised myself if I ever had any power, I would free every slave and make this world a better place.”

“You’re off to a great start. Two kings down, two gods to go.” Raziel winked, but behind that humor was a bleakness I couldn’t stand.

“No one can do this except us,” I repeated, wishing it wasn’t true.

“I know, princess. Zor knows too, just give him some time to work through his guilt over leaving the city unprotected. That’s all this is. Guilt and anger. Maybe we’ll run into something in the mountains we can kill.”

“If Corvus’s magic doesn’t catch us first, there’s sure to be some stonewraiths. Or Howlers,” I suggested, half-jokingly.

“Now you’re thinking. A bit of hand-to-hand will snap him out of this.”

“Anaria.” Sophie flew down the steps, a bundle tucked beneath her arm. “Wait. My queen, wait.”

I wheeled my horse around and trotted back to her, leaned down, and caught her in a hug. “I didn’t think I’d see you today. But I’m glad you’re here. I don’t know when we’ll be back, but if you need anything, ask Torin.”

She grinned and shoved a box into my arms. “Martine just finished, and I barely got here in time. She wanted to make sure you got this.” I flipped open the lid and lost my breath.

“But…how?” I swallowed hard. “I already have my leathers.”

“This is an extra set. Commissioned by the general,” she whispered, her eyes riveted on Zor’s ramrod-straight back, his shoulders stiff as he whispered to Tavion.

Sophie lowered her voice. “Martine said General Vayle made some modifications to the design but insisted you have them in time for leaving today. I ran the whole way and almost didn’t make it.”

One glance back at me and Zorander’s harsh expression softened, his gaze warming as his eyes dipped to the box I was practically crushing in my arms.

And the smile that curved his lips—I melted inside.

Sophie sighed, a dreamy look in her eyes as she gazed at my four males. “Have I ever told you how lucky you are, Anaria?”

I could barely get the words out, but I managed, “I really am, aren’t I?”

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