Page 90 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

Between the six of us, we quickly dismantled the remaining three monsters, until all that remained were piles of flesh around us.

“What in the actual fuck were those?” Luce’s chest heaved.

“I don’t know, but can we discuss them later? When we’re inside the confines of the palace?” Kara's face had a greenish tint to it as she looked away from the piles of flesh.

We all nodded in agreement. I brought flames to my fingertips, intent on burning any evidence we had been here, but stopped before I let the sparks reach the bodies.

“We should keep one.” They all gave me a curious look. “We have no idea what these are, the only way to find out is to bring one with us.”

“She’s right,” Luka agreed.

“Nico, help me carry one.” Nico groaned but followed Luka as he searched for a beast that was mostly whole.

They carried the beast between the two of them, receiving questioning looks from the guards at the gate when we returned.

“Get him to the dungeon.” Luka directed two guards once we entered the palace. “But keep this from my grandfather and Lorenzo. Got it?” The guards nodded before departing with the corpse.

“What now?” I asked after they departed.

“Sleep.” Luce yawned, as she leaned against the wall. “Sleep first. Talk in the morning.”

“She’s right,” Declan agreed. “Let’s all get cleaned up, get some rest, and we can figure out what those monsters are in the morning.”

We all mumbled our goodnights before heading in our separate directions, Luka by my side as we headed for our rooms.

My legs wanted to give up as we ascended the stairs.

Goddess, I was more exhausted than I had realized now that the adrenaline had worn off, but I paused when I made it to my door. Luka did too, resting his head against the frame.

Blood coated every inch of exposed skin on my body. It itched where it was dry, but still, I didn’t open the door.

I wanted to ask him to come stay with me. I wanted the comfort of him sleeping beside me after tonight.

I turned toward him. Trying to work up the courage to ask him, I knew if I asked him he’d stay.

Just this once.

“Goodnight, Lennox.” He sighed before he disappeared into his room, closing the door behind him.

35

LUCIANA

As tired as I was after the events of the night, I couldn’t sleep.

I slept for a few hours after we first arrived back at the palace, but after I awoke I couldn’t fall back asleep. My wind whirled with too many questions. Too many theories.

There was so much to do and too little time to do it.

That’s how I found myself decoding the second half of Hecate’s book until the sun rose.

I had still failed to uncover anything helpful, but I was getting faster at decoding the book. I rewrote everything I translated, that’s what took half the time.

If only I could uncover a spell that could transcribe the book for me, wouldn’t that be helpful? But I wanted to get as much done as possible before I had to leave back to Arcadia this afternoon. As much as I wished I could stay here, I still had duties to attend to, duties my mother would not let me abandon much longer, no matter the circumstances.

So this afternoon I’d say goodbye to my friends and transport back to Arcadia to continue to prepare for a crown I had no interest in.

I’d much rather continue to spend my days lost in ancient witch texts.

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