Page 138 of A Throne of Blood & Vengeance

“Your life has turned out to be a waste.” Carmilla shook her head. “I suppose it’s only fitting that your death should be too.” She walked over to the pedestal, giving everyone a cool look before lingering on Roth. “You won’t be alive to see it, but know that I’m going to wipe your family and their House out of existence.”

Roth held her stare, orange lines bleeding through their hazel eyes like living flames. “You won’t be alive to hear it, but know that my family will get a good laugh when I tell them about your ridiculous claim.”

My loves and I smiled at Roth’s declaration.

For the first time since striding into the temple, a flicker of doubt showed on Carmilla’s face before she squashed it. With a dismissive sniff, she turned away from Roth to focus on the three beings standing behind my mates and slightly off to the side.

“Surprised the Alpha Pack has let you off the chain for so long, Rynn,” she drawled. “You never did know your place.”

Rynn growled, and her hackles rose. Talis had claimed being in her animal form would protect Rynn from the crown’s magic; the last thing we needed was my aunt taking away Rynn’s free will and using the Velesian as a weapon. Flanking her on either side were Ary and Aniela, both still looking a little pale, but thanks to taking a long drink from me earlier, they had a little more color in their cheeks, and more importantly, they were protected from the crown.

Them showing up hadn’t been part of my original plan, but we were lucky they had. It had taken a lot of blood to pull this off, and having two additional Moroi had helped considerably. Itwas probably the only reason my mates were standing and not unconscious downstairs.

Erendriel eyed the two Heirs from where he was still standing next to me, several feet in front of the pedestal. They’d spent most of their time sequestered in the hidden levels below and hadn’t emerged once since I’d summoned Erendriel. I could have come up with some reason for their presence, but it’d been simpler to just keep them out of his sight. We hadn’t wanted to give him even the slightest hint of underhandedness, and the more lies one told, the harder it became to keep them all straight.

The only reason they were above ground now was because I wanted them to bear witness to the Claiming so they could attest to what happened here today.

When the Seelie King’s gaze fell on me, I explained quietly, “It is tradition as part of the Claiming for other Houses to be present. Apologies. I should have introduced you sooner.”

“Any other change of plans you care to share?”

I gave him a close-lipped smile. “Everything else is according to plan. No other changes.”

He stared at me for a long moment, those ancient eyes searching for a hint of deception. “Shall we begin? You and I have things to do.” Without another word, he walked to the front of the temple to stand with his back towards the mass of darkness that were his wraiths before clasping his hands behind his back.

I suspected that if he truly thought I was going to lose, he would intervene. After all, he didn’t actually give a shit about the Moroi or my leadership of them. All Erendriel wanted was a way to get into all these secret rooms—and he needed me alive for that.

Turning away from the Seelie King, I moved to stand on the other side of the pedestal, facing Carmilla. “I, Samara Harker,Heir of House Harker and beloved daughter of Kasem and Mariona, issue a challenge of the Claiming. For not only House Harker, but also for the soul crown and the Sovereign House.”

Carmilla reached up and removed the crown from her head. Part of the tradition was to place something of significance from the party being challenged into the blood of the challenger. I’d had several plans in place if she’d tried to use something other than the crown, but since she hadn’t been prepared for this, she likely had nothing else on her that would work, and she knew it.

“I, Carmilla Harker, the reigning Moroi Queen and Head of both the Sovereign House and House Harker, answer the Claiming.” Slowly, she lowered the crown into the bowl of blood that was just deep enough to cover the Fae artifact.

You okay, Talis?

The blood is cold. You could have at least warmed it.

Duly noted that you prefer warm blood baths. Let me know when it’s done.

Of course, young queen.

Unlike with Erendriel, there was no hint of mockery with that title. More like a term of endearment from an old friend.

I dipped my fingers into the bowl and pulled them out to smear streaks down my cheeks. Carmilla did the same before returning to the center of the room. I glanced at each of the people I loved more than anything. They remained lined up a few feet behind the pedestal, all wearing matching tight expressions.

They knew what was about to happen and that they could not intervene. We needed time for the transformation spell to work on Talis, and that time would be bought with my pain.

Despite their tense faces, I felt nothing but love, strength, and confidence down the bonds. My mates were concerned for me and not looking forward to what was coming, but their faith in me was absolute.

I love you all.I pushed the sentiment down the bonds, knowing they wouldn’t hear the exact words but would feel what was behind them. Kieran met my stare, and even though we didn’t have that bond yet, we didn’t need it to know what each other felt. He was already my mate in my heart, and once we survived this, he’d be it in my soul too.

Then I squared my shoulders and moved to the center of the room. Without looking, I knew Erendriel watched me closely. His gaze felt like a heated brand, but it was the dark-haired woman with eyes that matched my own who took all of my attention.

I watched as Carmilla let her bloodlust rise until her purple irises turned a solid black, then her lips parted enough to display her fangs, and her usually well-trimmed nails shifted to sharp claws. The blood dripping from her cheeks was meant to show that, even with her bloodlust riding high, she was still in control of herself and not lost to our baser need to consume.

My own bloodlust had been simmering just beneath the surface, and with half a thought, I let it out all the way. I felt the instant my muscles strengthened, my body became that much faster, and the sweet coppery tang of the blood rolling down my face became even more intense.

Around us, the wraiths kept up their endless circling, ensuring Carmilla’s rangers couldn’t interfere. Silence fell across the temple. The only thing I could hear was the solid beat of her heart—and the split second it quickened.

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