Page 46 of A Flame of the Phoenix

“No.” A dark voice of sin and seduction eased around the room as if it were crafted from the darkness. “I do.”

Dakodas glided from a pool of shadow and stars. Zaiana bit down on her cheek at the sight of it and the unwelcome feelingsit stirred within her to remember the touch of such dark beauty from Kyleer.

Malin stepped down from the dais, his sword raised, and something feral widened his eyes and locked his jaw before his blade came down without hesitation on one of the guards. It wasn’t strong enough to behead them, and the fae choked on blood that echoed gargling sounds around the hall as Malin shifted his evil intent to the fae beside him.

Izaiah advanced two steps with livid fury, targeting the prince as he drove his sword through the chest of the next.

What overcame Malin Ashfyre was the snap of something he’d been clinging to the tether of for some time, and maybe…Zaiana could relate in that moment.

Being undermined.

Overpowered.

Undervalued.

As Malin killed the final guard—slitting his throat—his chest heaved, and Zaiana recognized the cloud of fury and resentment that started to disperse in his caramel eyes at the realization of what he’d done.

The ground pooled with so much blood that Zaiana shallowed her breathing against the craving to drink. She flicked her sight to Maverick, who strained with a dark stare at the fallen bodies. His lust for blood would always be a far more primal instinct than hers as a Blackfair—the insatiable curse of the Transitioned—but she commended him for his restraint when he didn’t cave and seek out the closest human.

Dakodas appeared before Malin in a stroke of shadow, gripping his chin to lock his stare. Everyone stood still, unknowing of what her reaction would be at his display of carnage.

Zaiana didn’t expect Dakodas to smile wickedly. She’denjoyedit. Death. As the maiden of it, of course she would.

She wondered if even in this realm Dakodas might feel power from the passing of souls.

“I have been waiting for you to break out of the shadow your uncle placed you in. I knew it was not a mistake convincing Marvellas to give you this throne,” she said, admiring the prince’s blood-splattered face.

Malin was coming back to himself, his eyes turning wide as if he were only just acknowledging the new soul-tarnishing act he would harbor for the rest of his days.

Zaiana followed Tynan’s attention to where Izaiah seemed to be restraining his impulse to lunge at Malin.

Izaiah reeled himself back slowly. Masterfully. Slipping into a mask he knew how to wear like several others. She didn’t like him. Worse, she despised the fact she still owed him a debt when he’d been the one to make sure Amaya and Tynan stayed alive in their captivity by bargaining with him.

“Dakodas.” Zaiana spoke boldly.

The Spirit’s attention slipped to her, dropping her hold on Malin along with the smile she wore for him.

“I came to find out where I can best serve.” She would take anything. She needed something to keep her mind occupied fully.

“Are you sure you are at your best strength to take on anything asked of you?”

Dakodas was almost goading her. Testing her.

“Yes,” she said.

“Good. I worried for a moment you would be of no use to us any longer.”

“That won’t happen.”

Zaiana forced down the unease in her stomach at the secret she harbored. Shewouldbe of no use if they discovered her magick was silent. Her fingers flexed subconsciously, as if a spark might touch her fingertips at any moment.

“Be that as it may. Your recent failure against Faythe Ashfyre has left me doubtful of your capabilities against her.”

That name seemed to be Nether-bent on haunting her until one of them was in the grave.

“If you send me, I will capture her.”

“Marvellas already has a plan for that.”

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