Page 93 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

Why didn’t Olexa get to them faster?

Where were Olexa’s remains? Where had the vampires found her and reduced her to shreds?

Vicious sobs wracked my body as I watched the shreds turn to ashes.

“I’ll love you until the stars turn to dust.” I choked out between sobs. “Be at peace.”

I focused on the burning center of the flames as my vision grew darker until my legs gave out from beneath me and I gave into the darkness.

I twisted and turned in my bed as the memories assaulted me.

One after another.

They appeared so vivid. I could smell the burning flesh as ifit were occurring in my bedchamber right now and not on that night three years ago.

Three years.

Tears stained my cheeks and the pillow beneath me. I couldn’t stop them from coming.

It had been three years since I last laid eyes on my parents.

Three years since I had seen my brother’s smiling face.

Three years since my life was torn apart.

Three years since I had become the High Queen of Lethenia.

Three years of suffering and I still felt like I was back there that night, experiencing it all again.

I never slept on the anniversary, but I usually had methods of distracting myself.

The first year I had ventured into town and drunk myself into a stupor before falling into someone’s bed, only to awake to a startling nightmare.

The second year I crawled into Kara’s bed. Holding her tight as we both shed silent tears.

But she had left two days ago, Luce transported her back home before returning home herself.

So tonight I was at a loss. I itched to get out of this room. To take to the streets in search of blood. But I would be stupid to go out this late by myself after our encounter with the Dhampirs the other day.

I reached for the empty glass on my bedside table, moving across the room to fill it again as I wiped the tears from my face with the back of my arm. Even the alcohol was failing to aid my sleep or calm my racing thoughts. My magic pushed and pulsed against my skin as the memories continued to berate me.

The idea I had been debating flickered across my mind again. It was still early in the night—it would be a long night ahead of me if I couldn’t manage to relax at all.

I threw back my drink, relishing in the burn as it slid down my throat.

What did I have left to lose?

Nothing.

Everything.

I could however gain some comfort, maybe even sleep.

I poured myself one more drink before I headed towards the door.

My bare feet were silent in the hall as I padded towards the neighboring door. My hand froze over the knob.

My heart hammered. If I went in, there was no going back.

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