They were taught from an early age that a good match was the only thing for a woman to aspire to in life. I had believed that lie as well, up until I actually got married, that was. I was considered one of thelucky ones. One of the ones who received a soul mark by the grace of the gods—and had the good fortune to find my mate quickly.
And he was the king of Day Kingdom no less! Oh, I’d been so overjoyed. My entire family was. As a cousin of House Bathala,the ruling family of Dawn, I’d always wished to find a way to gain more power. I’d grown up looking at it from a distance, and ruing the fact that a chance twist of fate saw my despicable cousins upon the throne, while I was left with nothing.
My father had told me that good daughters don’t have ambition. They don’t reach for more than they’re given.
But I had never wished to be a good daughter.
I wished to carve my own path. While my father wished to use me to take power of his own—the hypocrite. When men wanted more power and schemed to get it, they were considered smart and politically inclined. When a woman did it? We were overreaching, not staying in our place.
I had hoped my husband would be different. As my mate, I’d assumed he’d understand the desires of my heart and see them accomplished with a smile.
What a fool I was.
I learned my lesson quickly. I’d managed to find ways around my husband though, playing the delicate queen, all the while scheming to achieve some semblance of power in Day.
Until the Oracle.
Until the prophecy.
Everything I did now, it was for her.
I spent years slowly working to get others on my side. Some scorned me for not giving Aelius atrue, god’s blessed heir to the throne. There was only Arien in their minds, and that’s how it had to stay—for now, anyway.
But I worked hard, as did my son, to ensure the court split down the middle. I knew not all would follow a woman, so this was the safest bet. When the time came, and I knew it would, they would be ready. Aelius hadn’t the faintest idea what was going on in his own court—exactly as I’d intended.
Once, I would have relished having so much power over this kingdom. Now, I just longed for her to be here.
Everything I did, I did for her—my daughter, my heir.
Waiting for Soren to return was excruciating, my nerves rising the longer it went without him returning. When a knock came, and one of my guards announced Soren’s presence, I stood quickly—wanting to shoot up out of my seat, but forced to maintain my royal air.
“That will be all today, ladies.” I smiled demurely at my ladies. “I’m afraid we’ll have to cut this short.” Despite my efforts, only about half of them were loyal to me. My husband continually put his own people around me, and I couldn’t let them find out what I was up to.
Soren stepped into the room once they’d departed. So human, so young—I’d seen him on Placement Day, desperately panting after her. I knew immediately I had to get him on my staff. It was a blow that she hadn’t assigned to Day, but not one we hadn’t expected. It didn’t mean we couldn’t bring her here.
We had to. But as Soren entered alone, my heart dropped, my hope flickering out like a candle in the breeze as my posture wilted like a flower in despair.
“My Queen, I’m sorry.” Soren dropped to one knee, bowing his head. “She doesn’t want to leave Night Kingdom. I wasn’t able to get her past the magic Prince Cyrus had in place, but King Calix showed up to rescue her. They seemed—close.”
The jealousy he was trying to hide was ridiculous, though understandable. Still, this was something I needed to figure out. “Rise. What do you mean she wanted to be in Night?”
My tone left no room for misunderstanding. I didn’t care how uncomfortable he was, I needed the full report. Soren sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stood.
“She claimed that they aren’t monsters, that King Calix isn’t what we believe.” Soren stated hesitantly.
I snorted, not a very queenly thing to do, but still—the man had gone mad 20 years ago, suddenly shutting down his borders,letting no one in. Not even trading! Then, the attacks started. He never attacked Day, of course. He’d never risk the scales balance in his own kingdom tipping to the wrong side. But it seemed obvious he was trying to conquer the continent.
At least, that’s what we’d thought at first. Only, he killed random Fae, took humans, and ran. As Soren explained what she told him, I let out a shaky breath, slowly sinking into my chair as I took the information in. If this was true, then she was safe.
Safe.
My head dropped as I shook, relief more potent than any I’d ever known filling me. I still needed to meet her soon, but this was wonderful news. Though we’d have to deal with Calix’s plans later. Hyperion, what was he thinking?
“I stayed in the tunnel, listening to the battle between King Calix and Prince Cyrus. I knew you’d want the full report, and I saw—” Soren gulped, and my nerves ratcheted back up.
“What?” I demanded.
“Prince Cyrus slit her throat.” Soren struggled to get out the words, his voice hoarse and his eyes haunted. I brought a hand to my own throat, horror clouding my vision as my heart broke into pieces. I opened my mouth, but Soren rushed to speak over me. Normally I’d not allow such behavior, but now—
