Cassia always had an air of mystery that shrouded her, but I never questioned it or her. When she found me all those years ago, I thought my life was over, yet she raised me as if I were her own. Even when she acted strangely, like now with this fuckingwound, I knew she had her reasons. I’ve trusted her all my life, and I wouldn’t stop now.
Pulling the vial out of my pocket, I placed it in her hand. “At least take this if it gets worse. I’ll be very angry with you if you die, Cassia. I mean it.”
Cassia laughed weakly, tucking the vial into her dress. “I saw Sybil learned how to break the bargain.”
“Yesterday,” I said, nodding.
“Good,” Cassia breathed. “Good. Now, leave before someone finds you here.” Snorting, I stood and opened the cell door. I was about to leave when Cassia called my name. “Keep meeting Soren to yourself. There are games afoot, and things are about to get interesting.” With a wink, she waved me goodbye before settling back down in her bed.
Chapter 38
Ambrose
Glaring at the door, I watched it slam shut as Sybil left, being rushed out by that insipid dog, Samian. I didn’t miss how he stayed close to her side, their hands brushing at times, or how she smelled of him when she entered the room. It made me seethe to see her being touched so casually by anyone but me. She wasmine, no matter what that fucking voice whispered in my mind. I owned her, and after this execution, I would remind her of that.
Arianna rose from the chair and knelt before me. My gaze cut to hers as I held back a snarl. The pain in my head was becoming worse each day, and her voice felt like nails clawing through my skull.
Reaching her hand toward my face, I jerked my head away. Arianna frowned but let her hand drop to my arm. “Would you like to rest, my king?”
“No,” I spat, taking a deep breath to calm myself. The fucking voice laughed, the cackling loud and piercing, making me wince. “We still need to finalize the plans for tomorrow. Call for Hale and Evander. I need to discuss something with them.”
Arianna flashed me a sweet smile, though her concern filled the air. I pulled the emotion into me, letting it fill meand replenish my magic, hoping it would ease the throbbing. However, a sharp pain shot through my head, trailing down my neck. Forcing my face to hide the spasm, Arianna leaned down, pressing her lips lightly to mine, oblivious to what was happening.
My eyes lingered on her as she moved toward the door, my skin feeling like ants crawled beneath it. I waited until it closed shut behind her before I lurched from my chair, shoving the documents off my desk with a roar. The papers fluttered to the floor as my breathing became erratic, my chest heaving as I bent over. I fisted my hands in my hair, pulling at the strands as another strangled yell tore from my throat.
The voice laughed, the sound torturously echoing in my mind.She’s not yours. You’re losing control of her. Did you ever truly have control over her? Poor little half-seelie, fated to destroy all he touches, fated to fail just as his ancestor did. What will you do when you break? Where will you hide while they all laugh and ridicule you? She’s not yours, and they allknowit.
“Shut it,” I growled viciously. My body shook with unbridled rage. “Shut the fuck up!”
Grabbing my whiskey glass, I hurled it against the wall and watched the brown liquid dribble to the floor. My breathing came out in harsh pants as the pain sliced through my head once more. I leaned against my desk and closed my eyes. Ice splintered across the wooden surface, but I let out a sharp breath, drawing my magic back to me. Now wasn’t the time to lose my control. I needed to focus, not to get distracted by the racket haunting my every fucking moment.
Straightening myself, I let out a long, steady exhale and ran my hands through my hair, putting a restraint on my temper. I walked over to the drink cart, pouring myself another whisky. I took a sip, letting the burn help bring me to my senses. Sybilstill had the mark of our bargain. I could still feel my command over her in my soul. She was mine, no matter what that motherfucking voice said.
The door opened, the sound pulling me out of my thoughts as Arianna strode back into the room, her hips swaying with every step. Standing behind me, she brushed her hand down my arm, moving to my side when Hale and Evander came in behind her. Their caution was strong, mingling with the pride that wafted off Arianna, though each of them ignored the whiskey splattered on the wall and the shattered glass on the floor. My office was in disarray, but they acted as if everything was spotless and in order, as they fucking should.
My glance bounced between the twins as I studied them both, looking for any hint of faithlessness. After the meeting where I lost control with Lord Vito, I’d been on edge. My trust in who my allies were was quickly crumbling as everyone’s trepidation grew in my presence. Was it from their being afraid of me, or was it because they were stabbing me in the back? Fear seeped out of Evander at my perusal, but Hale stood straighter, letting free his eagerness to show that he remained by my side.
“I need you both to keep a close eye on the palace today and tonight. Search for anyone who shows a sliver of being on the rebellion’s side. Have them arrested on the spot. I will allow nothing or anyone to get in the way of tomorrow’s show. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the twins murmured together.
“Good, you’re dismissed.” I waved them away, turning my back on them, but stopped when I felt Hale still standing in the room. Slowly twisting back to him, my nose curled in a snarl. “What are you still doing here?”
“I have a message from Lord Zephyros,” Hale said, keeping his face blank. “He wishes to meet you.”
“Tell the blasted seraphim that he can wait until after the ball,” I growled, my teeth gnashing together. “I don’t have time to listen to his fucking complaints.”
“I will let him know.” Hale bowed. He backed out of the room, leaving me alone with Arianna.
“Would you like me to get more of your medicine?” Arianna murmured, her eyes finally glancing around the room, taking in the mess around us.
“Later. I need to check over the plans before tomorrow.” Exhaustion hit me hard, but I couldn’t stop, not when I was so close to getting what I’ve wanted since I was a boy. I needed to see the Seelie Court fall, and all the beasts within it.
Arianna puffed out her bottom lip and moved her body closer to mine. She wrapped her arms around my neck, staring intensely into my eyes. “I can think of another way to help clear your mind,” she said, her voice becoming low and sultry.
“I said later,” I growled, roughly pulling her arms away from me. “Go check in with Daelan and make sure everything is in order on his end.”
I pushed her away and moved around the desk, settling in my seat. Arianna’s shoulders fell, her lips dipping in a frown. Sorrow filled the room with her dejection, but she bent down, gathering the papers on the floor. Setting them neatly on my desk, she came up to me, pressing a kiss to my cheek before quietly leaving the room.
