“It was supposed to be my son!”
Laughter rippled from the basin, dark and indulgent.
“Always your son. Always the elves,” the voice mocked. “You hunt the wrong quarry. It is the human Ruakite who matters.”
Zeporah’s fingers dug into the stone, the pool trembling beneath her grip. The voice softened, coiling around her like smoke.
“Use Captain Seraphim to pay your debt with Tyra. And when he has served… take him quietly. The easiest prey dies in his sleep.”
Blood rose at the corner of her lip where she’d bitten down. Rage rattled her chest. She forced the words out, each one a blade.
“I want Viktor Seraphim.”
Her voice cut low.
“I paid dearly for his brother’s soul.”
The basin stilled, the reflection of her eyes burning red in the dark water.
Soon.
Chapter Twenty-Four
When the Halls Went Silent
In the hush of those halls, tomorrow’s storm was named.
The clash still echoed through the stone as Amerei slipped into the hall, her skirts whispering against Viktor’s boots.
He didn’t look at her—he couldn’t—not with Zeporah’s shriek splitting the stairwell.
“What is going on!”
The queen’s voice cracked through the corridor, echoing from wall to wall.
Below, Gabriel and Evander staggered in their staged fury—too convincing by half. Blood streaked Evander’s nose. Gabriel’s fist still trembled from the blow.
Zeporah descended a step, anger softening the instant her gaze found Gabriel. Her lips curved, voice turning rich with delight.
“Lord Feindoran?”
She tasted the name as though it might dissolve on her tongue, then smiled wider, decadent, savoring.
“Oh yes… Lord Feindoran.”
She stalked closer.
“It has been far too long since these walls tried to contain the virility of a true Draekenran elf.”
Amerei’s shoulders quivered, a laugh caught between disbelief and horror. Viktor fixed his eyes on the stone floor, fists clenched so tight he thought he might break fingers.
Zeporah swept a hand toward Evander without looking at him.
“Living among humans has softened you, child. But this one…”
She turned back to Gabriel, drinking him in with undisguised delight.
“This one is as pure and savage as the gods intended.”
