Page 119 of A Throne of Blood & Vengeance

Probably because I’m sharing the mind of a snake. It’s my first time doing this, so I'm still figuring out the quirks.

The snake started to curve back towards the bars as I felt its interest in the bird renew. Gently, I tugged back.

Stay. Just a little longer, I promised.

A chuckle rumbled through my mind, and the snake’s head turned back towards the crown.Of course this is the beast you would choose.

It wasn’t a choice, actually,I admitted.This slithery friend just happened to be the creature closest to you.

No.The crown’s amusement danced through my mind. Our mind? I wasn’t exactly sure if the snake understood amusement.Your bloodline has long been associated withslithery friends. The last true Seelie King—your grandfather—was known as The Serpent King before he was banished to Lunaria.

Oh.It was strange to think of a grandfather in general, let alone one that had been Fae—and the Seelie King at that. There weren’t a lot of multigenerational families in Lunaria. I was a fifth generation Moroi, and it wasn’t until the fourth generationthat the Moroi themselves had stabilized and stopped turning Strigoi every time something looked at them the wrong way.

You came back, the crown whispered.

I told you I would.

I know those . . . rangers, I believe you call them . . . were your friends. You begged me to help, but I . . . There was nothing I could do.

The crown had thought I’d completely abandoned them because of what had happened with Adrienne, Emil, and Nyx, but I’d heard their sorrow that day—felt it. The crown had monstrous magic . . . but they didn’t want to be a monster.

Talis, I thought softly.

I . . . I do not know this word.

When I was growing up, my parents were often busy, but we had one tradition. Once a month, we would sneak up onto one of the rooftops at House Harker to watch the stars. I actually knew most of the constellations because a friend taught me, but I never told them that.

For a second, I felt my connection to the snake waver, as if the emotions were too much for it. Vail had been the one to point out and name every star in the night sky. His parents had been just as busy as mine. For a long time, it had just been the two of us. Before life had torn us apart.

But I still listened with rapt attention as my father pointed out his favorite star every time, I continued. The crown didn’t say anything but I could feel their presence.It wasn’t the brightest star in the sky. Some nights, it was so dim, you could barely see it. Most of the constellations have Fae names, but this one had been named in the common tongue by the humans who had lived here. Talis. Their word for hope.

Talis, the crown said slowly, as if tasting the word.I like it.

Good.Because I think it would be a good name for you.

Another beat of silence.I have existed for a long time . . . belonged to your family for generations. Nobody has ever thought to gift me with a name.

It’s a new dawn, Talis. Perhaps it’s time we change things.

I then told Talis my plan and what I would be asking of them. What they would have to sacrifice.

Yes, they said immediately once I was done.But I have one request . . .

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Vail

“Rynn, calm down,”I tried again.

“You calm down!” the lycan screamed from where she stood on top of the table.

“Little help?” I growled at Draven, who was leaning against a table on the opposite side of the room with a curious look on his face as he stared at Samara—who was very much still out of it—and the three-foot badlands viper coiled up in her lap.

The serpent had a thick body and a triangular head. Its scales were a mix of white and a light tawny brown that allowed it to blend in well with the badlands’ arid surface.

It was also highly venomous. Not enough to kill us, but enough to make us hate our lives for a few hours.

I hadn’t attempted to tear the thing out of her lap because it seemed very calm, and I was worried about startling it.

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