Smiling sadly, he nods. “I know. Your mother did the same.”
Before I can ask, my body jolts, hearing the bestial roar of Kaden’s monster from the top of the castle. He stalks to the edge, his father’s back to us.
The crowd waits, bated breath, the air thick with dark smoke, flames, and tension. Like a monster of the night, Kaden growls, fangs clashing as he surges forward and grabs Zelos’s neck, hanging over the edge. There’s a brief pause before he growls, an exchange before he hurls Zelos from the top.
No one stops him. No one helps the king. We watch him descend in silence, his body hitting the ground with such force, it quakes beneath our feet.
Kaden roars again, something horrible and grotesque and I shiver, mourning what he sacrificed to do this, and what this means now.
Zeke sighs, falling to one knee as if pained to do so. “The king is dead. Long live the king.”
It’s said as a broken promise, as if he too, knows the journey now will be harder, longer, and more desperate. One by one, those left standing kneel, bowing to the monster who now reigns.
Epilogue
Staring at the ruins of the castle, I tighten the bag on my saddle, Kaden standing close beside me.
It’s only been hours since the castle fell, the palace still smoking in sections, but we need to hurry. Fenrir walks up next to me, Kaden growling at him in warning.
He’s still a beast, but for some reason he’s tame with me. He can sense who I am and what I am to him, but he doesn’t speak. Our bond is weak as the curse muddles it and I yearn to feel it again—to feelhimonce more.
Placing a gentle hand on Kaden’s large arm, I smile softly. “It’s okay. He won’t hurt me.”
Fenrir side-eyes the beast, asking, “Are you ready?”
“Are you sure your mother will know what to do?” I hold the book close to my chest, the cover’s rich leather stark against my blood splattered tunic. For some reason, only I can handle it. I’m not sure what to make of it.
“My mother is one of the strongest Fae in the world. She’s ancient. She’s seen many things, fought many wars. She’ll know how to reverse the curse.” Fenrir moves close, but Kaden takes onemenacing step toward him, and he freezes. “Kaden is the favorite son she wished she had. She’ll begSolaherself to save him if she must.” There’s a drop of bitterness in his tone but I ignore it.
Hope flares in my chest. Hope that we can save my mate. And hope is in short supply, so I hold on to it with white knuckles, refusing to release it.
Fee stalks up the hill, dragging a bag behind her. It’s filled with what little wasn’t destroyed in the fire. We’ll need clothing and money and a few weapons to traverse the lands to Fenrir’s home.
My necklace swings in her palm.
“I’m not wearing this,” she blurts out, shoving the gem at me. I gave it to her when Kaden finally left the palace roof and I had to chase him into Crow’s Foot Forest where he sought sanctuary. I didn’t want to lose it—it’s too precious to him and our future. “I’m only securing the palace while you help my brother. I am not the heir.”
“Understood.” I secure the necklace around my throat, the heaviness a reminder of who I am. Who I will be. Of the responsibilities I now have. I am a Queen—or will be, once Kaden reverts to his Fae form and we assume the thrones.
Will I be able to handle it?
“I don’t want the throne.”
“I know, Fee.”
“My brother will be king. You’re the queen.”
“Fee,” I sigh, “Iknow. It’s alright.” I would never expect her to make a power grab during such turmoil. Fee was raised to be the heir, a role she never wanted, and will fight to keep Kaden in power, because she believes in him.
Stiffly, she pulls me into a quick hug, with a harsh slap on the back for good measure and I wince.Gods, she’s strong.“Good. Just come back.Bothof you.” That’s probably the most emotion she’s ever showed me. Strangely, my eyes tear up.
She shoves me away, moving over to her brother, lookinginto his face. She doesn’t speak, but she seems to be telling him everything she can’t with her words.
He lifts a claw, chucking her chin and she snorts, loudly. It sounds like a broken sob.
My heart hurts for them. The siblings are close—born from trauma, pain and loss. Taking him away feels like another blow to Fee’s resolve.
I will bring him back.
