Isaiah went to open his mouth when I raised my hand, cutting him off. I wasn’t scared of them. The only reason I didn’t punch Kaden in his fucking mouth for speaking to Dianna the way he did was because I didn’t know if it would hurt her with the bond.
“I see how you look at Imogen, how you care and want to be around her in that cell below the palace,” I said. Isaiah’s jaw clenched painfully tight. “Do you truly think when she regains her body, she will look at you as anything but the cruel blood general? We all know what you have done to earn that title.”
He stared at me, the sound of the various machines loud in the silence between us.
I chuckled, rocking on the balls of my feet. “Both of you act like the world cursed you to be the realm’s biggest dicks, but did you ever think that maybe no one wants to be around you because you pushed people away in the worst way? You’re alone, not because the world hates you … Wait, actually, it might be for that, but I think it’s more. You don’t change. This bond had to be forced between you three for there to be even an attempt. I pity you both. I’d hate to die alone like that with no one around you who’d truly care because you have given them no reason to. What a waste,” I said, crossing my arms. “I may be Ig’Morruthen like you, but I would never choose to be the monster.”
I waited for a smartass comment or snarl, but none came from either of them. Even with the disguises, both reacted as if my words had some merit. I know my anger came from my defensiveness of Dianna and my distaste for them. I didn’t think it would have any true effect, but they met each other’s eyes and looked away as if they had felt the sharp edge of those words before.
“I think.” Kaden finally said, nodding toward Isaiah. “We need to finish what we came here for.”
Neither spared me another glance, and I hoped my words cut. I may joke far too much, but I saw everything. I picked up cues others thought I was blind to, and I knew I wasn’t wrong about either of them. They went in different directions, leaving me standing in the center of the room. I adjusted the front of my overalls and started toward a group of workers gathered around some crates. One by one, they grabbed what looked like heavy sheets of metal before descending a wide stairwell. I waited in line for my turn, and after hefting a few, I followed the young man in front of me, his wings tucked tight against his back.
Sparks flew as I descended the wrought iron stairs to the lowest level. The men shouted orders back and forth, handing off the sheets of metal to the crew welding them in place along the walls of the ship. I kept my eyes low, making trip after trip up and down the steps.
I took my time, trying to figure out what they were repairing, knowing we wanted whatever had managed to damage it on our side. But once I drew closer, I realized they weren’t fixing anything. They were reinforcing. She hadn’t taken this ship into battle … not yet.
Whatever Nismera’s ultimate plan was, she hadn’t set it in motion yet, but I suspected it would come to fruition soon. Gods, if she unleashed this monstrosity, it didn’t matter where it went. It would succeed. This wasn’t just a massive warship, but also a dock. Milani could discharge thousands of soldiers. They would descend upon a territory and own it in minutes. It wouldn’t be war, it would be annihilation.
64
SAMKIEL
Warm light filled the elegantly decorated hallways. I’d quickly come to realize this wasn’t her warship, but Milani’s actual home. Ennis entered the dining room right on my heels, closing the doors behind us. The scent of breakfast made my stomach growl, but I wasn’t here for just food. Milani had sent word that she finally wanted to talk about peace. I just hoped that it wasn’t another ploy to manipulate me into her bed.
Guards stood against the walls, silent and staring straight ahead, but alert. One thing you could always count on with Milani was that she loved her luxuries. Soft music floated from hidden speakers, and fragrant flowers created a colorful centerpiece down the length of the massive table. Sunlight spilled in, creating an illusion of paradise. Small birds chirped, flying through the gaudy floral chandeliers before darting out the open window.
It may have looked like paradise, but I knew the snake she truly was. Milani’s father had taught her that the only thing that mattered was power, and she had learned well. Their family motto had always been power above all. She was a high-born heir of her realm and would let no one forget it. At one time, I thought we may have had something in common, both of us born into royalty with responsibilities neither of us had asked for, but after one conversation with her, I’d known how wrong I was.
Milani smiled at me, Ennis sitting at her side like the noble hound he was. His white shirt looked like someone had painted it on, revealing and highlighting every plane and bulge of muscle. The gold trim matched his intricate headpiece, and I was so tired of seeing the color that I considered banning it from the realms.
“Kiely!” she squealed, and gods above and below, I remembered how much I hated that nickname. I had to stick to the plan. I repeated the mantra over and over in my head. Stick to the fucking plan.
She rose from her chair and ran to me, her arms tossed wide as if I were a long-lost lover returning from war when I’d just seen her the day before. Her too-tight white dress rode up her thighs, the small train swishing against the floor with every step. She wrapped her arms around me, the large feathers decorating her bodice stabbing me. I kept my arms at my sides, refusing to hug her back.
A spark of white-hot fire seared my nerves as Ennis pushed the button, igniting the collar at my neck. I cursed and glared at him over her head. He smirked and nodded toward Milani expectantly. Reluctantly, I wrapped a single arm around her. It was loose, but it seemed it was good enough for her. She pulled back with a bright smile, ushering me to sit. As soon as I did, she dragged her chair next to mine, the legs scraping loudly against the floor.
“Good morning,” she chirped, clapping her hands. “Did you sleep well?”
I wished. Although I got to see Dianna, we couldn’t risk being together, afraid they would be able to scent her on me. So kissing was fine, but anything else could have damned our mission. So, after she left, I climbed into the shower and took care of myself before scrubbing to remove her faint scent.
“I slept well,” I said, trying to keep the exasperation from my voice. “You?”
She tipped her head thoughtfully and stood up. I tensed, not missing the change in her expression. “Hmm. I slept okay. I couldn’t help thinking about what you said about peace, and truly, I want that, too.”
My brows furrowed. This was unexpected, but I was no fool. I did not trust this change for a single second. Milani was intelligent, but not skilled in manipulation or tactics, and she was anything but subtle. Her strengths lay in science. She mixed compounds, created deadly poisons, and had created those damn sonic weapons that brought both gods and monsters to their knees. She had always had the talent. All she had needed was a helping hand to show her how it could all be utilized. Her father had shown her mechanics, and in my foolish youthfulness, I had shown her how to convert energy.
This sudden attempt to convince me she’d had a change of heart didn’t fit who I knew her to be, and it made me extremely nervous, especially after I had not conceded to her demands. Something was wrong. I just couldn’t see it yet.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I said apprehensively. “Where shall we begin?”
She placed a hand over her heart, feigning innocence. “You know, I always wished to be like my father. He ruled our entire city before the volcano swallowed it. Now, I have it all, thanks to you.”
I blinked. “I didn’t tell you to build warships.”
She wagged a finger at me. “No, but you did teach me how to survive. Same as Nismera. You have to be the biggest, the baddest, because if not,” her hands came together in a clap, “anyone could challenge you. That’s what you did.”
My brows furrowed. “No, I didn’t.”
