I almost can’t believe he would bring this up again. I rip my hand from his and don’t let him speak. “I’m not letting you do this alone.” My voice is pitchy, and I hate how it sounds.
"I need you. I wouldn’t dare not to have you by my side. I just want you, Lavinia, and Phil to stay back for now. Stay safe, and only come in when there is a clear opening.” He kisses me on the forehead, and heat spreads to my toes at his touch.
He and Lavinia lock eyes, and then he looks at Phil. “Keep out of sight,” he says to the three of us.
“Be careful,” I whisper as he pushes his way to the front of the formation. I reach instinctively for my dagger, double checking it’s still there even though I can feel the weight of it. The smooth stone is cool on my skin, and I press my palm against it.
Raiden
I'VE NEVER BEEN so happy to see the golden-haired fuck as I was just now.
He’ll either flush Invidia out of her chambers or show back up just in time to join us when we find her.
The great hall is dark and empty. Marble stairs line both sides, widening into a swirling curve at the ends. Upon the dais sits one single, empty black throne. From what I can recall, it’s not the same throne my mother sat upon during her reign, nor is it my father’s throne.
The idea that Invidia might have had them destroyed sends a sharp twinge to my heart that I do my best to ignore.
“Where the fuck is she?” The words slip from my mouth.
Baltas answers, “Probably ran for the hills after hearing you took out that demon thing. Congratulations! You’ve got your throne back.”
I seal my lips together, trying not to smile. “If only it worked like that.”
“Let me have my dreams!” Baltas jokes.
I move up the stairs on the left side of the room. Our footsteps echo, and our voices carry. If Invidia is nearby, she’s definitely heard us by now.
The door directly across from me on the upper floor blasts open, and my mate stands, eyes wild, on the other side.
“Arina?” No. She shouldn’t be here yet. Dread hits me like an ice pick through the gut.
She’s sweating and panting. Phillipa and Lavinia aren’t with her. What I find strangest of all is that I can’t feel her. It’s as though she’s blocked me out, stonewalling me. But I can’t understand why.
"She’s coming! You need to leave!" Arina yells across the room at me.
The moment she speaks, every other door in the room thrusts open on an invisible wind. The lanterns on the walls die, and the stench of dark magic burns my nose.
“You should listen to her,” Invidia's honeyed voice—my mother’s voice—is amplified, coming from all directions. My ears ring from the volume, and the pain in my head is as though someone has taken an ax and cleaved it in two.
“Or aren’t you as obedient as your father was once upon a time?” The voice is below me now.
The demon wearing my mother’s skin, hiding behind the facade for decades, the one I’ve come to vanquish, finally stands before me.
Before I can answer, Eryk and his soldiers burst into the room behind Arina, who looks around in panic as two of them grabher arms. I am frozen in place, too afraid Invidia will turn me to stone before I can reach my mate.
Arina is composed, and she does not fight them.
“What is this?” I demand, and Eryk looks down at his feet. The growl rumbles deep in my throat, threatening death with my words. “Let. Her. Go.” Fucking coward.
“Ahhh, yes. Just in time,” Invidia coos as she makes her way up the stairs to Eryk’s side.
She places a hand on his cheek and pats it twice. He flinches at the contact.
I fucking knew I couldn’t trust him, but I can’t believe he would put Arina in danger like this.
The demon turns her attention to Arina now. I never thought to consider what it might feel like to see my mate and my mother meet, but all-consuming terror would not have been on the list.
Invidia is reaching out to grab Arina's face, but before her fingers make contact, Eryk makes his move from behind. His pommel comes down hard on the back of Invidia’s head, and she drops to the ground.
