“I want to be different. I want to give people a chance to change. We all pick sides; some of those decisions are made in fear, to protect our family members.”
A slow grin spreads over his face, the kind a father wears when his child has made him proud.
“The men with Galen are my spies. They will aid when we ambush him.”
“You’re staying here.”
He reels back in disgust. “Absolutely not.”
“It’s an order. I need you here. Inside the walls where your mate is and mine.”
“You list my mate first. You put my happiness over yours,” he mutters. “That’s why Everett picked you.” Steal rasps as he pullshis sword out. His knees hit the floor as he makes a warrior’s bow. “I pledge my life to you, Titus.”
This isn’t right. “Do not bow. We breathe and bleed the same. We’re equal. Stand on your feet. Stand as I do.”
He does. I grab his hand, shake it again, and my flames cover the grasp.
“You need to know something before you seek Galen out.” He says as a crease digs into his forehead. “I remember Galen before he wore that specific crown on his head. He was a decent fighter, even though his father never let him step into a real battle. He made thorny vines that would hurt if you stepped barefoot on them. But once he got that new crown, the vines changed. They grew into walls so thick that multiple swords were needed to chop them down.” Adrian taps his head. “It’s his crown; it’s different. A vampire smith didn’t make it, but rather a mage. I think he did something to it. You know mages can store their magic in items. I think his crown works a similar way.”
“Vampires can’t store magic as mages do.”
“I know, but I think his crown helps amplify his magic. It’s a conduit. He can make his vines stretch for miles. No earth magic user can do that naturally.”
I think about Selene’s training field, surrounded by a cage of vines. Did he do that in one day?
“I suggest you knock that crown off his head first, then you tire him out. It’s not going to be easy. When the guards see you, they will know it’s time. Trust me. It’s you and three dozen men against Galen, but it’s still going to be a battle.”
“Time is on my side.”
Adrian begins to smile as he walks to his door. “I thought you could use another weapon.” He pulls the door open. “I intended to tell you when he got here. He was due in two days. He got here early, reporting a smooth journey that sped up his trip. I wonderif Everett employed more spies to guard his route. It seems Everett knew you’d be needing him tonight.”
I stagger back when I see who is on the other side. “What the fuck?!” I gasp.
Chapter
Forty
Titus
“What the fuck?!” My smile practically splits my face as I stride forward.
Ryker’s arms open like thunder, swallowing all my senses. His hug is iron, never wanting to let me go. He smells of a long journey battered by hail-force winds.
I move back, cupping his face to study him. His short silver-blonde hair is windswept and dirty, suggesting days of travel. Two arms, ten fingers, two legs, and those eyes of such a rare color, blinking with life, narrowing with a hint of anger that I left him out. I hug him again. “You’re safe,” I breathe. I glance at Adrian and voice my thanks.
“I’m insulted. Did you think I wouldn’t survive without you?” Ryker flashes his fangs as he smirks. He steps inside Adrian’s office and closes the door.
“What are you doing here? Where are Cyrus, Nero, and Ember?” I press, still feeling the reeling effects of disbelief.
“Still in Lunestra. I did not inform them I left. You know them.” His violet eyes shift as they check me for new injuries. “I knew something had happened after you killed Everett. I’m pissed you only trusted Tristen with this secret.”
“I didn’t want to risk you and the others.”
“That’s not your decision to weigh. We’re a family; we vote.” He holds up his hand. “I know you’ll tell me everything, but first we have a king to kill.”
With his arms crossed, Adrian leans on the wall and says, “I met with your family during their trip to Lunestra,” he shrugs.
“It should have been you who told me.” Ryker lowers his chin and glares at me. Sometimes his eyes look more like violet thunderclouds than streaks like the rest of us have. “I was never on Galen’s side. I fought for our family. On my march to Lunestra, I felt something was off. The other men kept their eyes on us, as if they were waiting for something to occur. Adrian showed up and told us his plan.”
