Page 81 of The Coven of Ruin
“What are you doing?” Trista gasped out, looking up at Prince Roan.
Without looking at her, he replied, “I should be asking you the same thing, traitor.”
Traitor.She closed her eyes as she heard Grae threaten a guard behind her. They had walked right into a trap.
“Roan, what is going—” Nero’s voice cut off. Trista looked back at him.
Prince Nero, Ares, and Grae were surrounded by five mages and were shoved bodily toward the dining hall’s center. They could easily break away, and she didn’t quite understand why they didn’t. But it was Nero, his cobalt eyes haunted and desperate, that caught her attention. Following his gaze, he was staring at the mage she didn’t recognize.
“Dom? How?” His throat bobbed, and he took a tentative step forward, only for a guard to roughly pull him back.
And Trista could see it now, the resemblance. Except where Prince Nero had rounded cheeks and honest eyes, his brother was all harsh angles. Lean with his long, dark blonde hair tied back and a finely decorated sword on his hip, he looked like a prince that would rule an iron throne.
The true Iron Prince looked his brother up and down, a cruel smile curling his lip. “Brother,” he said in greeting.
“You’re alive,” Nero breathed. “You’re here.”
Prince Roan shifted his weight, clearing his throat. “You stand accused of treason.”
Trista stood, her knees aching with the movement. They were going to slaughter them.
“We were all there, you cowards.” Igen struggled to his feet, peering out into the hall, speaking to the coven leaders who lingered in the back. “I should have known, boy,” the Majus spat, turning his attention back to Prince Roan. “There’s always been something off about you and—” Igen’s words were cut off by a swift swing of a blade from the elder Iron Prince. His head landed in front of Trista.
Backing up, she was roughly halted by a guard. When she struggled to get out of his bruising hold, his grip tightened to the point that she cried out.
A low growl of warning sounded behind her.Ares.
“Dom, you support this? You’re part of the Legion? I don’t understand…” Nero’s voice was full of betrayal and then dawning enlightenment. “You. It was you that orchestrated all of this. Father’s illness, bringing everyone here, the Witch King.”
“It’s nothing personal, little brother.” Dom stepped forward, resheathing his sword and kicking Igen’s head out of the way as he moved closer to Nero. “But if you thought I would leave the coven to you…” He clucked his tongue and shook his head before continuing, “Well, you’re more naïve than I thought.” His eyes were a shade deeper than Nero’s, filled with something darker. “You just haven’t theheadfor leadership.”
“Why do this?” Nero’s question was sorrowful.
“You and father are both the same. You can barely see what is right in front of you. And you’re soft, incapable of doing what needs to be done. That softness is a weakness, a disease. And the only way to stop it from spreading is to cut it off.” The elder Iron Prince made a hacking motion against his forearm.
Then the prince’s gaze flicked to Ares and Grae, who stood behind Nero, their arms seemingly locked in place by the surrounding kingsguard. “You are quick to condemn me for my actions, but these are definitely not iron generals. Or mages at all, as I understand it. Who haveyoubeen conspiring with?”
“Why don’t you come closer and find out,” Ares said evenly.
Grae laughed darkly beside him.
Dom’s eyes narrowed, his nostrils flaring slightly as he weighed the challenge, but then he forced a smile to his lips. “There will be plenty of time for introductions.”
Quick footsteps echoed off the walls as someone approached. Trista forced her eyes to focus on the new arrival. A kingsguard advanced, slight in form, and stood between Prince Roan and the group of prisoners. Removing their ornate helmet, black glossy hair fell from its hold.
“I will not allow this to continue,” Princess Rianne declared, her fiery gaze on her twin brother. “You murdered our father and make a mockery of justice. You’ve schemed and plotted, but you will not win.” She drew her blade, her hold steady.
“What is it with the youngest siblings getting involved in royal business? Do you not know your place?” Dom asked as he returned to Prince Roan’s side, unbothered, his boots leaving bloody prints behind.
Princess Rianne spoke through gritted teeth. “I’m actually the eldest by seventeen minutes and the rightful heir. I should be Witch King.” She held her sword up, tracking Dom’s movement. “My father, wanting to keep the covens safer,choseRoan. And that cost him his life.”
“Too bad that the only two people who could corroborate that are dead,” Dom said, a look of feigned sympathy on his face.
“That sounds like sedition, Princess,” Pavon added, “and treason.”
A loud ‘thwack’ and the sound of creaking wood echoed throughout the dining hall, causing even Prince Roan to look at the entryway with concern.
“Capture them and bring them to the Underkeep,” Prince Roan finally ordered. “He wants them alive.”
