“No!” he screams, running at us and skidding to his knees. “No, no, no,” he cries, pulling Momma into his lap.
Hours later, I awaken to Del staring at the tears running down my cheeks.
“Not a good one for you, then,” he says.
I can barely speak, my throat dry from screaming, like someone poured sand down it.
I swallow. “No,” I croak.
Emmanuel stirs, laughter bubbling from his chest.
At least one of us had a good night.
“The curse of the vampire,” Del whispers and gives me a soft smile. “I’m sorry I can’t get us out of here,” he says, shifting to sit upright, muscles glistening with sweat despite the chill. “This isn’t a place for a queen—”
“I’ve been in plenty of cages in my life,” I tell him. I don’t have the energy for his apologies or sympathy after my dreamwalk.
“The fuck have you been through, woman,” Del spits.
My gaze meets his, and I note the glisten in his eyes. It wasn’t a good dreamwalk for Del, either, it seems.
“My fair share,” I say, although it has nothing to do with the cages I’ve been in.
I curl in on myself to sit up and let my legs extend in front of me, drooping over them with a sigh.
Em tosses us the keys to our restraints, and we unchain ourselves.
“It’s daytime. Aurelia and Samantha are in Prosperity by now, or at least sheltered in Death,” I whisper.
“Your stronghold names could use a little work,” Del says.
I huff, appreciating his attempt to lighten our mood. “I was too busyrulingto spend time on frivolous matters,” I say, a small smile playing on my lips.
“Well, exactly how are werulingGoreon?” Emmanuel growls from next door, repeatedly throwing his blade at the lock to no avail.
“Once Second and Charlotte are back, we’ll take the castle, quickly and quietly,” I say.
Del unleashes a grateful smile. “I knew you were the way out of this hell.”
I consider the second of Goreon for a moment, an unlikely ally I never saw coming. “You’re not the only one who thinks that,” I say, heart wringing in desperation to keep my promises and bring peace to Goreon.
Del smirks. “Your people have faith in you, and so do I. And while Nerian sleeps off his hangover and Balor gives his morning orders to the human guards before his rest, I owe you a Goreon secret.”
“Will it help us win?” I ask, my eager gaze homed in on his face.
Del’s eyes flash. “This one will.”
CHAPTER 20
KADE
Two Hundred Years Ago — Goreon Kingdom
AN ARMY OF HUNDREDS waits for us in the throne room.
A sea of vacant eyes fills the enormous hall, bodies outfitted for war.
My eyes dart to the end of the hall before chaos breaks. The king and queen aren’t here, but the dais isn’t empty.
