Page 152 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Marvellas’s delicate brow pulled together, and her sight tore from the flames to Zaiana. “That is not part of my plan. The only time the dark fae are more powerful than the fae is when they consume human blood. That’s too volatile and uncertain for my world.”

Zaiana was slammed with confusion, trying to recall where the rumor about her plan for the royals began if it wasn’t true. Then the question arose: Why would she curse her kind to be unfeeling soldiers without hearts?

“Then what is your endgame?”

“The humans are greedy and weak—I plan to annihilate them all. Then I will replace every royal except Faythe Ashfyre. She is too powerful and will bend for me. The others…they may have strong abilities too, but if they get in my way, I won’t hesitate to cut them down. I have plenty of very powerful fae loyal to me that could bring a new reigning name for all the kingdoms in my empire.”

Marvellas told her this with such confidence, as if that future was already set.

“What about the dark fae?”

“They will still serve a purpose. Once all the humans are gone, I will have to put down those who become too savage from the overindulgence. The rest will find use in other ways.”

Use.Zaiana’s bones began to shake. Her very core repelled everything Marvellas spoke of.

The Spirit added, “You have nothing to worry about. Your future is very triumphant—we’ve made sure of it.”

“We?”

Marvellas cocked her head, a hint of a smile at the corner of her red mouth. “Sometimes I look at you and think I made amistake in letting the masters raise you. There was a moment of weakness where I…” She stalled, considering her next words.

Zaiana’s skin grew too hot. “What do you mean?” she asked desperately.

“I thought you could replace what I lost with Aesira. But it was too soon, so I gave you to them.”

“You’re not my mother.”

Marvellas chuckled lightly. “No. Your mother is dead, and your father would have killed you too…until he saw your eyes. The purple color that foretold the power you would come into. His legacy would live on.”

“My father…” Zaiana choked on the word. “Who?”

“I think a part of you has always known, child.”

Zaiana stood abruptly. Her breathing heaved out of her, but she didn’t know what she wanted to say.

“I have no parents.”

“Good. You have become stronger than anyone could have predicted just on your own. We are creatures of darkness, Zaiana. We were born to be alone.”

She couldn’t stop the rush behind her eyes, and that infuriated her. Zaiana’s blood trickled in her palms, but the pain wasn’t enough to stop the emotions battering the vault within her.

“May I leave?” she ground out.

Marvellas gave a single nod, and Zaiana turned, marching for the door.

She wanted to claw free from her own mind, but there was no escape. She needed something to overpower the weak feelings flooding through her body.

Zaiana didn’t acknowledge the destination her storm was marching her to until it was too late.

She didn’t let herself get closer to the cell that held Kyleer. Zaiana had avoided coming down here for days, even though hernights kept her restless with the itch to justlook.To see where he was being kept and what provisions he had.

He sat alone in this cellblock, and Zaiana stayed in the shadows down the hall. He gave no reaction, so she believed she remained hidden. Spying was one of her greatest talents. She couldn’t understand why looking at him calmed her. Knowing he was breathing and within reach allowed her mind to stop raging for a moment.

Making herself known to him might break that peace she was desperate to hold onto just for a while longer. So she breathed the faint scent of him from where she stood. Once, twice, three times. Then she left.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Faythe

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