Page 72 of Of Darkness and Fire

My blood was boiling.No, Eva was fucking mine and I would die before I let her marry that worm. There was no way in hell… Nah, over my dead fucking body. I nudged Kalen in the side, and he nodded his head, signaling he’d already been paying attention to the gaggle of ladies. If they really were giving a royal announcement, the sentry presence would lessen by the gates and move to the city proper in order to guard the palace. They would be on high alert, though, which meant it was certainly risky. If we could get in, then maybe… just maybe I could get to her. It was a chance we had, and I was willing to fucking take it.

We closed down shop quickly, rushing the ladies away to their utter disappointment. I wondered how many guards would be in the crowd walking around. We should be able to blend in well enough without being noticed. We were big guys, so we’d need to take extra care not to stand out. I nodded toward a group of guys walking in and we tagged along with them without earning a second glance. I wasn’t foolish enough to think we would get away with taking Eva back, but if I could see her or talk to her… Fuck, I didn’t want to let myself hope. But I needed her more than I needed the air I was breathing. I needed to know she was okay.

We stood amongst the crowd, and I held my breath as I waited for any sign of her. The trumpets cried out, and all eyes snapped to the balcony in front of us. We were standing in the circular courtyard, crowded in like cattle waiting for the slaughter. That’s what it felt like, anyway. I knew this announcement would make or break me. The chance to shatter my heart into a million pieces was a moment away. The double doors snapped open as guards led a group of people outside. I saw a glimpse of her hair before she came fully into view and the sight knocked the air out of my lungs.

Fuck, she was just as beautiful as I’d pictured in my head every single night since she’d been taken from me. She was standing beside her father wearing a deep navy gown, her raven hair twisted into a braided bun that secured a golden circlet in place. Her lips were painted red and formed into a tight line on her face as she looked at her people. She was a godsdamn queen among us mere mortals, and I wanted to bow at her feet. She looked fierce. A warrior primed to takedown an enemy. Applause rang out as the crowd around us took in the royal family. For a split second,just a second, I was almost happy. It didn’t last though.

Because the longer I looked at her, the more I realized something was wrong with this beautiful creature. She was haunted,empty. A vessel that held nothing but fury and vengeance. A promise to crush those around her. But at the same time, there was no warmth or familiarity of the woman I loved. I couldn’t sense anything from her. There was only a shell of a being standing in front of me.

My despair only grew when I took in the figure that stepped up to her side.Fucking Damien. He walked out in matching royal regalia, placing a hand on her lower back.

What the fuck was he doing wearing the royal crest? That wasn’t typical for a damn soldier. My lip curled over my teeth as I snarled. I glanced at Kalen, unease settling over the both of us. We both knew what was going to happen before it did, but I prayed to the gods above that we were wrong.

“People of Helia!” the king boomed, raising his hands for silence to fall amongst the crowds. “Thank you all for coming together on this momentous occasion. It is a very glorious day indeed.” He smiled down at Eva. A smile that was so full of love and pride that it almost hurt my heart. That’s how a parent was supposed to look upon their child, but I’d never seen that look from my father. Not one single time.

“It is with great pleasure we appear in front of you today. It’s been such a long time since we had the opportunity to address you, but we stand before you today, your humble servants.” The crowd roared their approval at his words. I had to admit, even I was impressed. But her father had proven himself as a faithful king, loyal to his people, and he made sure they were taken care of. “It is my immense pleasure to announce that my darling daughter Eva, will begin the transition to take over her birthright and duty as your queen!”

Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd. It was easy to see how loved she was, and if it wasn’t for Damien standing next to her, then I would have been cheering right along with them. It filled me with pride to know that she was fulfilling her destiny, but it should’ve been me standing next to her. The rage that I felt knowing how it never would be, it hit me like a punch to the gut. I didn’t know what I was thinking… Being with her, publicly like this, it would never happen. Her people wouldn’t accept me, especially not when they found out who I was. Who I came from. There was no way to outrun my heritage, no matter how hard I fucking tried. It stayed with me, tightening around my neck like a noose, waiting for me to plunge off the deep end.

“Those that had sought to take her from us before have been eradicated. Their bodies no more than ashes on the wind,” the king paused and looked back to his daughter. I saw it in his eyes. There was a moment of hesitation before he continued. It was so brief that I thought I might have imagined it. “In light of that news, we plan to bask in the dawning of a new age. One that places my daughter at the forefront of glory and progress. It is my immense pleasure to announce that my darling daughter is engaged to be married to Captain Damien Carnell - a union that has been blessed by the gods!”

No, no, no! This was all wrong. I watched in horror as Eva and Damien stepped forward, his hand clutching hers to the point of obvious pain as he dragged her with him. He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a brief kiss to the back of it, as he led her to the balcony railing. She looked uncomfortable, whether from the iron clad grip or the kiss, I wasn’t sure. But I saw red.

She wasmine. No one else’s.

Time was moving in slow motion. Slow. Fucking. Motion.

And since when were Kalen and I dead? Pretty sure that since we were standing here, we were very much alive. So that begged the question - why lie? Didshethink we were dead?

The look on her face showed one of utter contempt for the man who was to be her betrothed. It was a look of complete and utter defeat. One that had me weak at my knees, begging the gods for a chance to make all her pain go away.

“Congratulations to my darling Eva, and my future son, Damien!” The king was beaming at his announcement. I was sure this was everything he ever wanted, but it was the beginning of the end of my world as I knew it. Kalen moved forward, placing a hand on my shoulder, but I shook it off. Rage was bubbling to the surface of my skin, and I grunted out in fury. Those in the crowd around us took notice of my outburst as the shadows rolled in around me. Kalen was begging, practically dragging me away, but I was rooted to the spot. I couldn’t take my eyes off my mate.

She was going to be married to someone else. Not just anyone, but a slimy disgusting bastard that didn’t deserve to breathe the air around her. Well, I would fucking end him. Before this war was over, I would see him dead beneath my feet.

The commotion around us had drawn attention from the royals on the balcony, but I couldn’t bare to look on anymore. It was obvious that we were drawing attention to ourselves and we needed to get out of here before we lost the ability to. My heart fractured as I gave one last glance at Eva, her eyes fixated on some point in the distance. It was an empty stare that proved how very wrong this situation was.

If she had truly loved Damien, as the king was insinuating in his declaration, she would have been smiling at those around her. Especially to her people, who she loved so fiercely. There would be laughter and love radiating from every surface, but instead… She was broken and beaten as if someone had tried to tame her wild spirit.

Kalen and I would be overrun soon. There was no doubt in my mind. Murmurs of realization from the crowd flitted around my head. Realizing who we were, and the fact that we wereverymuch alive.

He was trying to pull me away, but the shadows continued to grow and the panic in the air was causing my power to surge in its presence. It was fucking intoxicating, and after what had just happened, I was primed to destroy anything in my path. I had my sights set on Damien, but if I killed him right here and now, then I wouldn’t be able to seek the justice we deserved.

I don’t know what they’d done to her, but I made a vow with myself right here and now that I would avenge her. She was the only thing in my life that made any sense these days. I took a deep breath as I ran and pushed the mental image of her out of my mind.

With Kalen dragging me away from my mate, every instinct inside begged me to go to her. To take her in my arms and let her know everything was going to be okay. But I couldn’t. So, I called on the shadows to swallow the whole of my emotion, flipping a switch that meant I wouldn’t feel a fucking thing except for rage. A rage that burned so brightly, it was all I could see. I’d let it drive me and turn me into the man I needed to be. I’d make sure that I avenged my queen if it was the last fucking thing I did.