Page 80 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Kallie’s blood buzzed, her power coursing through her.
"All you ever cared about was my ability, and you turned it against me. You manipulated mymind!" Kallie’s voice shook, but she did not relent. "You’re right about one thing, though: I no longer have a claim to a crown. For years, I have been chasing a hunk of metal. An accessory shaped and crafted, given some artificial authority because of the symbol it provided to the people. A crown means nothing when you have no one to share it with. When everyone around you either fears you or hates you.
"I may be without a crown, a kingdom, or even a penny to my name, but I at least can walk out of here with my mind intact. I can at least walk out of here knowing I didn’t sacrifice my soul in order to achieve my goal."
She thought of Graeson and Ellie behind her.
She thought of Terin and Esmeray in Pontia.
She thought of Dani, her belly growing bigger and her and Fynn’s child growing stronger every day.
The innocent lives across the seven kingdoms, who were suffering and would continue to suffer if the war went on.
Myra, who had lost her brother to madness.
The numerous guards Kallie had sacrificed in order to further Domitius’ plans.
Graeson’s mother, who had lived beneath the marble castle for almost two decades.
She thought of the father she never got to know.
She thought of Fynn in the Beneath and the promise she made to him.
Enough wasenough.
Kallie knelt before Domitius, pressing the tip of her blade against his heart. "You have taught me many things. You taught me to fight, to wield my gift, to hold a sword. You turned me into a weapon. It is only fitting that the same weapon you forged years ago is the one that becomes your undoing."
But as Kallie went to drive her dagger through Domitius’ cold, black heart, she hesitated as a coy smirk rose on his face.
And that hesitation cost her everything.
Chapter 32
KALLIE
"Drop the blade."
Kallie’s grip unfurled around the hilt, and it slipped from her hand. The dagger bounced on the ground, then fell flat beside Domitius' knees. She tried to move, tried to snatch the dagger. But she couldn’t. Her limbs were too heavy, as if dozens of weights were tied to the ends of them, cementing her in place.
Domitius smiled as he stood, the curve of his lips sinister and victorious.
"Kalisan—" Graeson started, but his shout was cut short, as if the words were shoved down his throat.
In the corner of her eye, Kallie saw the masked guard hold out his hands, his stance widening. Before she could see what the guard was doing, Domitius snatched her by the chin.
"We could have been spectacular together," Domitius said, his fingers digging into her cheeks as he forced her head up. His lip curled in disgust, and he shoved her face away. "Now, turn around. I want you to see what happens when you betray me."
As if her legs had a mind of their own, Kallie turned, obeying Domitius' command.
What was happening? Why was she listening to him? Why did she drop that godsforsaken dagger? This was not the plan. Domitius wasn’t her. He couldn’t?—
Kallie choked on a gasp as she stared at Graeson, Ellie, and Lysanthia in horror. Her breathing became shallow; her heartbeat stuttered.
It wasn’t possible.
She had to be wrong.
But before she could process the truth staring her in the face, Domitius spoke.
