Casaan laughed, a cruel sound that echoed around the room as my father’s eyes slid past the heir of Ruby to lock on my mother’s. Both looked horrified, and I knew at that moment that, even despite their wounds, their only concern wasme. Tears flowed ever faster from my eyes as pain consumed me, but my anger kept me standing, kept me watching, and prevented me from falling into a pit of despair.
“Oh yes, a little prophecy gifted to my father.” Casaan smiled widely. “If a single member of House Marit lives, my father will fail to take the throne. Should your house fall, however.” He shrugged casually, “Then his path is assured.”
“All Hail High King Carnelian.” One of the men in the background cheered, prompting whoops and cheers from the other men.
My blood turned to ice in my veins.
“All hail the High King.”I’d heard one of these men say that night as I hid within the closet. I thought it was straightforward. Simple. The High King was to blame for this tragedy that had befallen my family.
Azurill was innocent.
My mind spun in so many directions, and I didn’t know how to process any of them. Watching as my parents were killed, as Casaan left and gave theothers an order to clean up and leave no witnesses, didn’t help with my clarity of mind either.
It was a horror show. All of it.
What I didn’t understand was why Azurill had seemed so guilty when speaking of my family, but as my vision turned silver again, I wondered if perhaps I was about to find out.
When the fog cleared, I was greeted by the sight of Azurill standing over a field of bodies. I recognized a few of them, men who had participated in the murder of our household. So many lay dead before me, and I couldn’t help my mouth from falling open at the grisly sight.
Azurill himself was shirtless for some reason and completelycoveredin blood. It was so wrong to feel myself grow wet at the sight. He looked like a wild animal, bloody from head to toe, and with a crazed light in his eyes…but he’d killed the men who helped kill my family. He’d brought the vengeance I had been aiming for all this time, years before I had ever met him.
“Azurill. It’s time to go.” Balthazar walked up to him, wiping blood from his forehead.
“These men were pawns,” Azurill spat angrily, shaking his head. “They can claim what they like, but I know this was no robbery,I know it, Zar. No one kills an entire household just to rob a lord.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Balthazar reassured him carefully, putting a hand on his shoulder. “But this is not the way. Not for the king. I doubt anyone will shed a tear over an entire crime ring being wiped out, but this isn’t who you are.”
Azurill’s eyes seemed to clear, and I only noticed as they returned to their regular hue that they hadn’t been teal at all, and I wished I’d paid more attention to see what in Tartarus they’d looked like. He looked down at the bodies arrayed around him with clear despair as he staggered back, hanging his head. “Fuck, what have I done?”
“Nothing we ever have to speak about again,” Balthazar promised, gulping as he looked over the carnage Azurill had somehow wreaked singlehandedly.
It didn’t make sense. It looked more like a Fae had done this. While Elves were strong, we weren’t as strong as they were. This looked like someone had ripped through these men. Azurill carried no sword in his hand, no weapon that could explain their state. What in the Otherworld had he done to them?
The silver smoke returned, and I swore to myself, wanting to know more. But the potion, the magic, the gods, they were running the show here, and I was helpless to do anything but be taken along in its wake.
Azurill was right about one thing, though.He didn’t get everyone.
Vengeance was still possible.
I knew it would be difficult. With Ula’s life in Carnelian’s hands, I would have to play this very carefully. But a smile came to my face as I thought of what Casaan had said.
With a member of House Marit alive, Carnelian would fail to take the throne. Which meant one thing…
Iwas the threat hanging over Carnelian’s head.
And whether he’d figured out I lived and sought to manipulate me to ensure his rise, or if he planned to kill me at the end of this, his plans didn’t matter, because I would see the end of House Rousseau the way he sought to end House Marit.
I would avenge my parents and everyone who died thanks to one man’s greed for more than he was given. I would be the knife in the dark coming for the lord’s neck. Or perhaps I would stick it through his chest to return the favor his thugs paid my mother.
The silver smoke cleared, and I found myself sagging into Azurill’s arms. I was panting, and my entire body was shaking uncontrollably as he staggered and then brought us carefully down to the floor.
“Jac, what’s wrong?” Azurill asked frantically, concern and panic fighting one another for dominance in his voice.
All I could do was whisper, my shaking hand coming up to clasp his, “I was wrong. Everything’s changed now.”
“What’s changed? What did you see?” He asked quietly, forcing his anxiety back to be there for me, and it made me appreciate him even more. I smiled up at him, stroking his tan cheek.
“I saw the truth. I know now I was wrong, and that everything must change.” I said quietly. “I know…” I struggled with my next words, the admission taking much from me. “I owe you the truth as well.”
