Page 48 of Ruthless Monsters

The fallen prince dips his head in acknowledgement.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see you, but why are you here, Mason?” Blake asks, and I know she’s picked up on the same thing that I have. The prince is giving off a strange energy that’s making me feel on edge.

Mason’s expression hardens, and once again, he looks more like the male we met in the prison. He hesitates before explaining, “A scout has returned from The Haven. Preparations are almost complete for King Celzar’s royal wedding, which is being held in the palace tonight. Invitations have been sent out across the city.”

Blake takes a step back. “What? But that doesn’t make any sense. Why would Celzar send out invitations when I’m no longer his captive?”

Mason’s face is grave. “Because he knows me too well. He’s been searching for this rebel camp for years, and he knows he may never find it. So he’s decided on a different approach to reclaim his bride. Blake, if you aren’t there in time to complete the marriage ceremony, my sister, Princess Nerelia’s life will be forfeit.”

Rage flows through me, and I try to access my power, dipping my head slightly as pain shoots up my body. “Blake can’t marry him,” I say simply.

Alaric’s eyes darken with the promise of violence. “She’s not going anywhere near him.”

“There’s nothing Celzar hates more than looking like a fool,” Mason replies. “He promised The Haven a royal wedding, andhe intends to give them one. He also knows that using Nerelia is his strongest move. She’s the rightful ruler, and the only other family I have left. But...” His gaze goes to Blake. “I agree that our mate shouldn’t go anywhere near him. I only came here to tell you to keep her safe.”

“Wait, what?” Blake’s jaw slackens. “You’re joking right? You just said Nerelia is your sister, and the rightful queen. Of course, I’m going.”

Shade squawks and flies over, settling on Blake’s shoulder.

Mason straightens, a severe expression on his face. “My warriors are readying themselves as we speak. I’ll confront my brother alone. When he’s defeated, I’ll come for you.”

“When he’s defeated?” Annoyance flickers in Blake’s eyes. “You mean when you’re all dead? You and your warriors are all cuffed just as we are. What makes you think you can win against him? There’s a reason Celzar rules your kind.”

“I won’t let my sister die,” Mason replies.

“Then let me go,” Blake retorts. “Because you turn up without me and she’s as good as dead.”

Mason pulls Blake into his arms, and she doesn’t fight him. “This isn’t just about you,” she says, her tongue darting out to wet her lips as she stares up at him. “We all need this. I’m your best shot at defeating King Celzar and you know it.”

“You’re also my mate, something that I never dreamed was possible,” he says softly. “I won’t let him take you from me as well.”

Before Blake can protest, Alaric growls, “Listen to him. This isn’t our fight.”

She frowns, not looking the least bit impressed by his comment. “Celzar is the reason the witches came to Seral. Itisour fight. Besides, this might be the only way to ensure we can remove these cuffs and get back to the surface.”

“The king wants to steal your power, gorgeous,” Nate reminds her, but it’s obvious Blake has already made up her mind.

“You can either stay here or come with me, but I’m going,” she says as she pulls on her boots. “Now, where the fuck can we get some weapons?”

“There’s no point arguing with her,” Dante drawls, rising from the bed. “There’s a reason she’s lasted against the cutthroat demons of our realm.”

Mason exhales, nodding. “Fine. Then we do this together.”

Blake braids her hair quickly, and gulps down a glass of water. “I’ll attend the wedding,” she says, placing the glass back on the table. “The rest of you can figure out how to get us out of these cuffs. A servant in the palace revealed that after the wedding vows are complete, there’s a brief moment when Celzar will unlock my cuff so he can feed on my power. I just have to be faster than he is.”

“And if you’re not?” Alaric asks.

“Then I guess you’d better be good little mates and kill him before he kills me,” Blake says with a wink, though from her stubborn expression it’s obvious she has no intention of letting the king take anything from her.

“Well, then,” Nate mutters, and cracks his neck. “Let’s go spill some blood.”

Chapter

Twenty

~ Princess Blake ~

Thirty rebels march with us as we make our way through the tunnels and away from the rebel city. Mason walks beside me with Dante and the others at the head of the group, and the prince’s eyes are steely and focused, his brows furrowed in a determined frown. There was no way I was staying behind at the camp while my mate went to face King Celzar alone, but now I wonder whether we can pull this off.

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