Page 117 of Of Realms and Chaos

“You cannot possibly expect me to wait. Tell me whatever it is. I am not some mortal child who needs to be protected.”

Though I did not use my magic on her, the princess did not hesitate a second time. Her eyes fell downwards as she spoke, more sorrow than I expected coating the air, blanketing us both in pain.

“Fine, but when that prince of yours comes, remember that you made me tell you.” A deep breath, one that only further cemented how serious this would be, and then she spoke. “After you left, the demons attacked Isle Shifter. Hundreds died, and Bellamy was badly hurt.”

An answering gasp of horror was all I could muster. My chest constricted as I pictured the hundreds of dead bodies, my body alight with worry that burned like flames. It required every ounce of my control not to picture Bellamy’s body among them. He was safe. He had to be.

“Both Shah and Trint have received threats, giving them one final chance to stand down. Neither agreed, and Trint was able to gain the support of King Mordicai, ruler of Heratt. Soldiers have been continuously portaling into Eoforhild.”

I did not speak, instead focusing solely on the still-heavy feel of her mind. She was radiating fear and sorrow. The worst part had still not been revealed. She cleared her throat, her hand running through her golden ringlets.

“The fae…they went silent for a while. Henry was fairly sure that they would outright attack, but, um, they did something else.” I nodded, waving a hand for her to go on. She sighed, rubbing her hand across her face. “They killed the wraith—sent his dismembered body to Prince Bellamy in a box.”

No.

No, no, no, no, no!

How had so much death befallen Alemthian in so little time? Luca, sweet and brave Luca. I had not even gotten to really know him since that first day we met on the way to my low level room. I thought of his blonde hair and young face. Of the way he radiated quiet strength, wiser than his years. Cyprus had told me stories of his best friend, the male who always kept him in check.

Bellamy, who likely had been imagining the worst happening to me, was also facing the loss of his soldiers and one of his Trusted. The beings who he considered family. Letting my back hit the wall, I slowly slid down, sitting before I fell. So much death. An unbelievable amount of loss.

“I told you it would have been better to hear it from your prince. He will be on his way soon.” Genevieve, in her stunning cream gown, sat as well. We remained there in silence for a while, wallowing in the horrifying reality of what was coming. This would be the least of the blood spilled.

“You have to see how dangerous what is coming will be for you. Do you think that the fae royals will not use you all as pawns? Every mortal soldier will be placed on the front line, used as a defense while the fae fight from behind. You will be used as a shield, Genevieve. Do you not fear death, or are you all simply that ignorant?” My voice broke, choking on the final sentence. The pain tried to take hold of me, to remind me of how much easier it was to sink rather than tread water.

Winona, Pino, Haven, Luca, me. Each a reason to not be heartbroken but furious. My hand touched my empty sheath, remembering what my now-confiscated dagger said.

I am vengeance.

“Of course, we see that! We backed ourselves into a corner when we agreed to that stupid marriage. All I want is my brother back, and I will not have him until we follow through with our end of the bargain. We must fight, and we must win. If that means slitting Henry’s throat or gutting your precious prince, then I will do it. Do not underestimate what horrors I will commit for my family.” The threat in her voice as she seethed was evident.

For the first time since I arrived in Maliha, I realized that I was in Sterling’s home. The grimy and wicked feeling I expected from this castle was absent, even in their dungeons. It made the entire family more real, like people rather than the villains in my imagination. That hurt more, seeing just how much they had at stake too.

“Then why is Bellamy on his way? Surely it was not your parents who told him of my presence here.” If Genevieve saw my words for the trap they were, she did not show it. Her hesitant mood was long gone, replaced by a fiery need to scold and berate me.

“He is not on his way yet. I plan to tell them so they can get you out of here. You might be a useless bitch, but I would prefer not to see you hanging from the gallows. Plus, I have a feeling you would manage to kill a lot of people before you finally stopped breathing.”

My laugh was heavy, like that of someone resigned to their end. And, in a way, I was. Because this had officially become the easiest plan to date.

“Genevieve, you will not be telling them anything.” Her head whipped towards me, brow furrowed and mouth slightly open. She would make a great queen one day with that distrusting mind of hers. “Tell your parents that I want to speak with them.”

***

My once beautiful and vibrant dress had become a torn, dirty, mess of cloth and flowers. Genevieve had offered me a rag with water and soap to clean off my skin, but nothing could save the gown. Still, I held my head high as the king and queen approached my cell.

King Lawrence’s soft brown hair and pale skin were bland in comparison to Queen Paula’s wild golden curls and cream complexion. She looked every bit the royal she was in a stunning white and forest green gown, the layers crossing and twisting together, while he did not make any sort of impression in his black trousers and matching green tunic. Atop their heads were crowns of gold, green and blue gems dotting them.

“Princess Asher, it is so nice to finally meet my future daughter. Though, if I am being honest, I did not expect to do so with you in my dungeons. Which is made all the more peculiar seeing as you were supposed to be in your realm. With my son.” Lawrence’s commanding and unfaltering voice made up for his plain appearance. He seemed to radiate power as he spoke, a force demanding attention.

“Well, then it seems we are both surprised by this turn of events. Fortunately, I do not plan to stay long. In fact, I think I am about to solve all of our problems.” I tried to smile, to exude the cocky confidence that Bellamy always seemed to possess, or even my own version of that, which I had mastered over the last few months. With any other ruler I could have done so, but being in front of Sterling’s parents made me want to crawl into a hole and hide. There was no surety to be found within me. The ground beneath my feet hummed, as if ready to rise and suck me in—as if to remind me that I was nothing within these walls.

“Do tell us how you plan to accomplish such a feat,” Queen Paula said, the corner of her lips twitching upwards slightly before she was serious once more. Genevieve was beside her, looking nervous as her eyes bounced from me to the hall on her left. I did my best to not look in the same direction, focusing in on Lawrence and Paula. I could feel a pull towards it, as if my body itself was begging for me to peek. When I shook my head and opened my mouth to seal my fate, the reason for Genevieve’s unease made itself known. Or rather, himself.

“Oh, yes, I am also quite interested in what the princess has to say.” His raspy drawl was both a relief and a problem, because he would not like what I was about to offer.

No, he would hate it.

All four of our heads snapped in his direction, watching as he strutted forward. He was wearing all black save for the red cloak, his long-sleeve tunic and trousers form-fitting. Three buttons were left open at the top, revealing the magic coursing through his veins as it writhed within him, slithering up his neck like snakes on the hunt. “Especially since she so desperately did not want me to know.”

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