“Kira?” Riley—herbrother—crouched near her, gently stroking her back as if to calm her. “It’s okay. Let me help—”
“Nothing will ever beokay, don’t you get it?” She could barely get the words out, her throat swollen with unshed tears.
“Réomer?” Nicor stepped closer to them. “Trouble.”
Kira didn’t pay them any notice, her dull gaze on the red garden, her prickling fingers clenched.
“Anotherhumanfemale in the Citadel of Wra?” a strange voice chirped. “Do we fight to the death over her, too? I’m willing.”
She cast an apathetic look over her shoulder at the small group of striking-looking demons. Were there ever any ugly ones? Then again, how else would they lure unsuspecting prey to this world?
“Don’t say a word,” Riley warned. He rose to his feet and helped her up, keeping her behind him.
“She is my consort,” Nicor snapped, startling Kira out of her misery. “And claimed as such.” He pulled her to him. “Any who dares challenge me for her will face a fate worse than what Lord Réomer did to Móric when the idiot thought to claim his mate. Sincethisfemale is Lord Réomer’s sibling, you’ll probably have to face him anyway. Or their sire, Wrath. Your choice.”
The strutting demon stopped dead and hastily cut a low bow to Riley. “Pardon, my lord.”
Once the courtyard cleared, Kira shoved away from Nicor with a venomous glare, her agony finding a new target. “I’m not your damn mate. Grab me again, and I will…I will hurt you.”
“You are a little drama queen, aren’t you, princess?”
“Leave me alone!” she snarled. Tingles surged through her like lightning, and she flung out her prickling hands. Nicor went flying back to land on the ground, his dark hair now a vivid red, matching the color scheme of this horrible place.
Kira glowered at him, then frowned, her fury morphing into confusion. A tinge of the same color shimmered all over his body like silken threads, except she hadn’t touched him. Shock swept through her like a tsunami, crashing through her anger and pain.
Oh, no, no. What had she done?Howhad she done it?
Riley stared at her, surprised.
“Are you okay?” she asked Nicor.
“It seems I am…” He sat up and grimaced, trying to pull the threads off him…and failing, his fingers slipping through the misty tendrils. “Sort of. I didn’t expect this.”
Me either.This darn place was causing her abilities to become erratic. Just great.
“C’mon, let’s head inside before more of those idiots appear,” Riley said.
Kira stepped back. She didn’t want to go inside, she wanted to go home. But what would be the point? There was no hiding this legacy, not from Týr…
“You’re here, best to get this over with,” Riley said softly. He put a hand on her back, ushering her to a side entrance and into the gloomy castle. Swallowing hard, Kira pulled her mind out of her pain, needing to keep her wits about her. “What is this building?”
“Our sire’s fortress,” Riley said as they took the winding stairs up. Bright torches on the wall lit the dark stairwell. “You’re in the Citadel of Wra.”
Wide-eyed, Kira took in the surprisingly elegant place despite its rough, dark walls.
“Your chamber is on the top floor, one above mine. Our sire is on the third. No one’s allowed in here, so you’ll be safe.”
“So, he puts me that high up for myownsafety? It’s not like I’d be tempted to escape or any such thing, right?” she asked, her tone syrupy sweet.
“You wouldn’t want to try that here, princess—”
She spun to Nicor, tired of the damn name and of him mocking her. “What is your problem with me?”
Nicor held up his hands in a universal sign of peace, cutting Riley another telling look. “You need to get this explanation done fast. And one more thing, Kira?”
“What?” she snapped.
“Remember, I’m only thinking of your safety.” He hauled her close, arms banded around her, and kissed her firmly on the mouth.
