I might enjoy the uniqueness of it all if it weren’t for the location. My captor doesn’t need to confine me to a jail cell or a dank dungeon. Allowing me to roam free through his sky-high city is torture enough. Not that I would step foot outside of Zek’s palace and risk plunging to my death. Besides, I have no reason to leave the comforts of these walls. It’s not like I can scale down the trees and run. The only way out of here is on the back or gripped in the talons of a shifter. And if I did make it to the ground, I wouldn’t make it far. The seaside village is swarming with seedy characters. Allaji mingle with Outlanders who are loyal to no kingdom and claim the sea as their home. The minute Zek realized I was gone, a bounty would be placed on my head. I wouldn’t make it to the shoreline before every being on the ground set out to hunt me.
A knock fills my quiet room, followed by the soft melodic voice of the servant Zek has assigned to care for my every need. “It is time, Your Majesty.”
I roll my eyes at the title and set my book aside. My quarters are fit for royalty with their oversized dark wood furnishingsadorned with hand carved vines and flowers. I sleep on the finest satin and my body is draped in expensive silk. My captor parades me around his court with sparkling jewels of red, blue, and green around my neck, but I’m not a queen. The Allaji use my formal title to humiliate me and remind me of what I’ve lost.
Zek coveted a crown and title. He lied, stole, and killed to earn his place as the Allaji king. Nothing is sacred to him, and he assumes that, like him, I cherish those things too. But I don’t. Family supplied me with adoration, friends showed me loyalty, the people of my kingdom made me strong, and my parah offered an unbreakable love. I never found my worth in precious metals and power. The things I treasure the most are far from his grasp and protected by the treaty he made with Esmeray. They’re the reason I obey Zek’s demands and endure his constant taunting.
I arrange the emerald silk wrapped around my upper torso, making sure that my breasts are secure inside. A big jeweled brooch in the back holds the delicate fabric in place, leaving the excess silk flowing down my spine. From the same material, I fashioned a long skirt that leaves the entirety of one leg exposed. My attire feels so minimal, yet it’s more than what most wear in the Allaji court.
With my head held high, I open the door to my quarters and find the Allaji assigned to fetch me. Holly looks me up and down with golden eyes, pausing on the tiara perched upon my head. Her eyebrow cocks and lips curl as she takes in the emeralds and dangling diamonds—my newest unwanted gift from the Allaji king. Her expression says it all. She wishes Zek showered her with presents. So do I.
She flips her hair over her pale shoulder, and her fluffy, russet fox tail sways behind her. “You look nice compared to what you wore yesterday.”
I pull my mouth into a bright, fake smile and say, “Thank you. Your back-handed complaint almost has me believing you’re not a bitch.”
“One day, the king will grow tired of you, and when that day comes, I’m going to rip you to shreds,” she says as if she’s unfazed by my comeback.
“It won’t change the fact that he doesn’t want you.”
She narrows her eyes and growls as I push past her.
The last thing I should do is provoke her into a fight. I won’t win. She can transform into a massive fox, and I have no power. Not that I believe the Eporri will work for me anymore. I’m no longer the queen or the heir to the crown. And even if I was, I could only call upon the gifts of my people. The stone in my leg is dead weight.
The manor hallways are mostly quiet as I stride toward the throne room with Holly on my heels. Tapestries woven into landscapes line the walls and pedestals showcase marble statues of predatory animals. The staff have pulled the golden drapes back from the windows, allowing the late morning sun to light the way. Unlike the lavish décor of the palaces in Pliris, which were made by my people or traded with neighboring kingdoms, these items are stolen. It turns out that the Allaji not only find no problem with stealing people, but they also encourage ransacking merchant ships.
Every step my bare feet take on the wooden floor sounds like the rhythmic beat of a battle drum. It only makes sense that my mind believes I’m marching to war. Dealing with the new Allaji king every day feels like a battle. I fight to keep him from getting inside my head. Although, some days he gets the upper hand and wears me down until I’m on the verge of tears. I’ve considered surrendering to him, falling to my knees and declaring him my king, but then the image of my true king flashes in my mind.
Even from the other side of the continent, Kyron offers me strength. The bond I share with my parah has diminished in the past weeks. I don’t feel the excruciating ache I once did when we chose to go our separate ways. This time is different. The all-consuming pull that tethered us together is weak. I’m scared that it will snap at any second, but then I remember it’s nothing compared to the love I have for him. Parah or not, he is the one who holds my heart, and no force in the universe can change that.
Two burly guards stand watch outside the throne room doors. They don’t so much as spare me a glance as Holly and I move closer. I tilt my chin up and stare past them to the likenesses of vicious shifters carved into the door. The Allaji people take special pride in their history, etching it into their buildings, tattooing it on their skin, and teaching it to their children. The acts of this kingdom make them morally bankrupt, but they have no shortage of pride.
As if they are synced, the guards grip the golden handles and pull the doors open, revealing the room beyond. It’s packed with shifters waiting to bring their grievances to the king. Holly and I move through the crowd, my exposed skin brushing those around me. Most wear loose-fitting pants or scraps of sheer material. The Allaji may all look different, but they share one trait in common—each of them shows a sign of their animal counterpart. It’s impossible to forget that I don’t belong here.
Holly and I reach the steps of the natural wood dais. Sunlight shines through one massive window, the rays showcasing the throne in the center. The chair’s arms and legs are carved into intricate vines, and the detailed image of a hawk’s head adorns the top. It is rustic, yet beautiful. A perfect representation of this kingdom.
I clasp my hands in front of me, ignoring the sneers and snide remarks whispered behind me. The Allaji consider me theenemy, the queen who would rather watch them starve than offer theassistanceof my people. It turns out the promise Esmeray made left quite the impression on them. She won their admiration when she signed into a treaty with Zek, ending the Allaji attacks on our kingdom and awarded him my people to work his fields against their will. When they learned I killed her, they believed I sentenced them to death by starvation. They don’t hold back when reminding me daily of their hatred in one way or another.
With several deep breaths, I attempt to block out their words. They see my actions as a direct offense against them, but I know it was an act of love. I would do anything to keep Kyron safe, including falling from grace. In the end, I find peace knowing Esmeray is dead.
My heart stops racing and the anxiety rising inside me dissipates. I exhale a long breath, letting calmness blanket me.
My efforts are short-lived.
The set of doors to the side of the room swing open, and Zek enters with his speckled hawk wings framing his body. His tan trousers sit low on his hips and every hulking muscle of his arms and chest is on full display. Dark blond curls brush his shoulders and resting on top his head is a golden crown fashioned to look like leaves. The crown symbolizes his status as king, but it’s the jagged green stone hanging from his neck that makes him the most powerful being in this room.
The shifters take a knee, and I follow their lead. They don’t bow their heads. No, they proudly hold them high as their king climbs the steps of the dais. Zek lifts the stone from his chest for everyone to see, his wings unfurling in a dramatic display. The Theria is the Sacred Gift the Statera bestowed upon the Allaji ruler. Zek now holds the ability to shift into the most powerful beast on air and land, and his people recognize him as such.They pound their fists to their chests two times in a sign of unity and respect.
My hands remain at my sides.
Zek tucks his wings in until they vanish and sits upon his throne. His electric blue gaze sweeps over the room as we remain bowed and silent. When those around me shift to relieve the pressure on their knees, a smug grin consumes Zek’s face. The asshole enjoys the power play. The people here would kneel on the hard floor for days if he ordered it, eager to please their new leader.
“You may rise,” he coolly says.
As everyone stands, the king’s attention turns to me. His face lights up like a child excited to play with his favorite toy. “Raelle, my pet, you look stunning in yourqueenlyattire. Come sit with me,” he says, patting the arm of his throne.
I fight not to roll my eyes as I move beside him. Resting my ass on the edge of the chair’s arm, I fold my hands onto my lap. The reverence shown when the king entered transforms into amusement. I stare past the crowd to the wall in the back of the throne room. I won’t let these people see me cower.
Zek slides his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to his side. His fingertips bush back and forth along the tender flesh running down my back. The simple gesture is meant to trigger the memory of the only time I retaliated against him. He had placed a possessive hand on me, and I didn’t hesitate to slap his face and spit a few choice words. I can’t recall if my hand stung after I hit him, but I will never forget the Allaji angrily chanting for blood. I’d disrespected their king, and he had to assert his dominance over me.
