“Why? You don’t need it anymore. Not when you’ve already lost everything.”
Her knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, her breathing ragged. The pull intensified, and her essence slipped through his fingers like water. But then, just as he was about to take the final piece, his magic recoiled. A sharp, searing pain shot through his arm, and he snarled, yanking his hand back as though it had been burned.
“What the—” He growled.
“Don’t bother.” A voice, smooth and laced with arrogance, cut through the tension. “She’s tied to me.”
Raja’s head jerked to the side, his crimson eyes narrowed as a portal shimmered and spat out its passengers. The elf stepped through first, his long, dark coat flaring behind him like he’d rehearsed the motion in a mirror. Every step oozed arrogance, his chin tilted just enough to make Raja want to smack it down. Behind him was a hybrid—taller, broader, and far more interesting. The power of Cain clung to the hybrid like a second skin, faint but unmistakable, and Raja wondered briefly why someone of such potential was followingthiself.
Raja crossed his arms, letting his disdain coat every word as he spoke. “And who are you supposed to be?”
The elf inclined his head, a smirk tugging at his lips as if he’d been waiting his whole life to introduce himself. “Felspar.” He was smooth and annoyingly self-assured. “Older brother of Thalion, rightful heir to the elven throne, and, most importantly, the one who owns the blood oath binding her to me.” He gestured lazily toward Celise, who was still half-crumpled on the ground, more interested in catching her breath than participating. “So whatever you’re doing to her? You’ll have to go through me first.”
Raja raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You seem awfully proud of your pedigree for someone who’s clearly not sitting on a throne. What do you want with her?”
“It’s not her I want,” Felspar replied, his smirk growing wider. “It’s Thalion. The throne is mine by birthright, and I intend to take it back.”
Raja tilted his head, his lips curving into a slow, predatory grin. Supernaturals and their family drama. “Oh, this is going to be good,” he mocked. “Do tell, Felspar. Why did you lose your right to your throne? I’m guessing you were kicked out of your realm by Daddy?”
Felspar’s jaw visibly tightened, his smirk faltering for the first time. “That’s none of your concern.”
Celise, who had finally pushed herself to her feet, leaned against a nearby shattered light post and arched an eyebrow. “Oh, but itisour concern,” she said, her voice lilting with amusement. “You’re asking for help, and I, for one, love a good origin story. Don’t you, Raja?”
It amused him that she was attempting to align herself with him. As if that would save her. He’d play along for now. This new turn of events with the elf in question was amusing enough to let it play out. Then he’d kill her. False hope was entertaining to him, and now that he was free, Raja wasn’t about to deny himself anything that brought him pleasure.
Raja chuckled. “I do. Especially when it involves an elf with a superiority complex. Come on then, Felspar. We’ve got time.” He gestured around them, the bubble of magic he’d created shimmering faintly. “It’s not like anyone’s leaving. And Celise is going to try and keep me distracted as long as possible in hopes of keeping her pathetic life. Share. Get it all off your chest.”
Felspar’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze darting briefly to the hybrid at his side. The hybrid said nothing, merely shrugging as if to say,This is your mess, not mine.
“Let’s just say my father and I didn’t see eye to eye on certain … personal matters,” Felspar said carefully, his tone clipped.
Celise laughed softly, her dark eyes gleaming. “That’s vague enough to mean anything. Did you knock up one of his many consorts, or was it something even juicier?”
Felspar flinched and then blanched, his face going white and then red with something that looked a lot like embarrassment. This piqued Raja’s interest even more. What had the elf prince done that would cause him shame? With the superiority complex he seemed to have, it must be something good.
Raja leaned forward slightly, his grin widening. “Oh, it’s juicier. Look at him. He’s practically choking on whatever secret he’s trying not to tell us.”
Felspar’s scowl deepened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Drop it,” he said sharply.
But Raja wasn’t about to let it go. He decided dangling a carrot in front of the horse's mouth would help loosen his tongue. “How would you feel about getting my help, elf? I could take care of your brother. I’m sure he’s saturated in power.” Raja knew the words would be a knife in the brother’s back. He wouldn’t like being reminded that he wasn’t the powerful brother. He was, in fact, nothing. “I’ll ponder taking care of your problem. Consider this part of the payment.”
Celise laughed, the sound saying she was clearly enjoying Raja’s attention being focused elsewhere. “Come on, Felspar. We’re all friends here. Spill.”
“I said drop it,” Felspar snapped, his voice rising slightly.
“Oh, now Ireallywant to know.” Raja’s amusement was growing. He folded his arms in front of him and lifted a hand to tap his chin. “I’m in agreement with Celise. You slept with someone you weren’t supposed to. Someone that daddy dearest cared enough about to banish his oldest son from his kingdom. A concubine wouldn’t be that important.” Raja considered the options and reflected on what he knew about Ludcarab, the former king. He was an evil bastard. Evil enough that he wouldn’t end up in Raja’s realm. “I can’t remember, considering I’m a little old, but do you and Thalion have the same mother?”
“They do,” Celise confirmed.
Felspar flinched, and Raja’s grin turned absolutely wicked. “Bingo.”
Celise clapped her hands together, more laughter bubbling out. “Oh, my goodness. You didn’t? How did this news not spread? Supernaturals are the worst gossips. Your father must have locked this information down tight.”
Felspar’s glare could have cut through steel. “It was my sister,” he bit out, his voice cold and defensive. As if that somehow was less abhorrent.
The air stilled for a moment, and then Raja barked out a laugh. “Yoursister? Oh, that’s rich. Why her andnotyour mother? I mean, why stop with your sister? Was your mother not as pretty or desirable? Or did she not want you?”
Felspar’s hands fisted as his jaw clenched. “My mother was stunning. I was her favorite. She would be livid that Thalion was the one who took the throne.”
