“Let me tell you a story, my dear Adelia,” Terym said coolly, just before wild blue eyes met mine again. “When I was a young man, readying to take my throne, my father decided the Great Divide was a mistake, that our lands weren’t prospering under a severed rule. So, he came to an agreement with Mortremon, withSiro.” He spat the other king’s name with derision. “They wanted to give up their rule, give it back to the Emyrdeis line. They thought together, our kingdoms would prosper as Galisordis.”
He spread his arms wide, as if encompassing the entire land while his face twisted in rage. Meanwhile, I felt as if I had been doused by a pale of cool water, my legs frozen in place. “They were going to give awaymybirthright!”
He paused a moment, chest heaving before his arms fell to his sides again. “Siro found the heir, the last in the Emyrdeis line. They were going to announce it all—to both kingdoms. I couldn’t let that happen.” That familiar maniacal grin spread across his lips. “I killed him. My father. Snuck into his room while he slept and slit his throat. I planned to kill the heir next, but Siro knew and sent him into hiding.”
Each word slammed into me with extreme force, and buzzing filled my ears, my legs shaking uncontrollably. The truth of his words suffocating. Terym’s voice turned deathly calm and the vibrating in his body stilled. “It took a few years, but I found him in the end, and do you know where he was hiding? Where Siro sent his salvation? Tomykingdom, some tiny border village where he worked as a wood carver.”
Hot tears stung my eyes, spilling over and burning my cheeks. The barely healed wound in my chest tore open.No.The smile tugging the king’s lips was feral. “I had him killed. Him and his whore wife.”
This couldn’t be happening.
It couldn’t be the truth.
I didn’t take my sister right into the hands of our parents’ killer.
No.
A sob escaped, and a stabbing pain pierced my chest like a knife over and over.
All this time, I suspected Mortremon was responsible. We were living in Torglea, why would we live here if the greatest danger laid in wait close by? Instead of running from the threat, I dragged my sister directly into the fire, and we were both burned beyond repair.
Shadows danced at the edges of my vision, the attack gripping my heart in iron fingers while I came to terms with the truth.
If Terym found out who Eleanor was, he would slaughter her immediately, whether he had his final wish or not. He wouldn’t allow her to live to challenge his throne.
The tightening in my chest eased. Thank Gods she wasn’t here, that she’d escaped.
I had to find her.
We needed to flee to Mortremon. We would be safe there. I was sure of that now. King Siro would offer us safety and shelter. He would help Eleanor ascend, and together, we could stop Terym from destroying us all.
My resolve banished the remnants of my panic attack, and I paid attention to Terym’s monologuing once more. “With this power, I can finally defeat him and take his kingdom as my own. My father was right about one thing, our kingdoms would be reunited, undermyrule.”
His cold eyes turned back to me. “I’m too close now for you to get in my way. Release him!” Spittle flew from his mouth, spraying my skin.
Everything Terym had done—killing his own father, killing my parents—it was all to gain more power. My parents died to protect the truth, to protect my sister. And it worked, he didn’t know another heir lived, I wasn’t about to change that.
What I would do was honor my parents’ deaths. Honor my sister, who was the true Queen of Galisordis, and I wouldn’t fail her again.
I would release Shade, but by the Gods, I wouldn’t break the seal of the prison beneath our feet. With him at my side, together we could stop this. Fight Terym. I could make a wish of my own, and we would escape together. Free.
Despite my resolve, my hands still shook when I pulled the lamp from my pocket. Although it was scolding, it didn’t burn my skin. I cupped the smooth surface, my palm still wet from the most recent cut.
Smoke sailed from the spout faster than ever before. His unique scent covered me like a warm blanket. So distinctly different to the purloe flowers filling the clearing around the ruined castle.
It washim. He gave me comfort and strength—it had nothing to do with the flowers.
Shade’s silver eyes burned into mine, then he examined my body thoroughly. Outrage filled those beautiful orbs when he took in my disheveled and bound state. It was a look that would send grown men running for the hills. Then he searched our surroundings, and his nostrils flared when he took in the men circling us, weapons drawn and trained in our direction.
Terym stared us down, arms crossed and tapping his foot. Shade’s expression turned downright murderous when he faced the king.
“What is this?” The menacing growl sent shivers running down my spine, not in fear but full of relief. I wasn’t alone. He would fight for me,with me.
Terym ignored him and watched me expectantly, waiting for the wish I would never make, to release an unspeakable evil upon this world.
“Wish for the seal to be broken, Adelia. Release them!”
I stood tall, bolstered with strength by the beautiful man at my side. Gone was the simpering girl who’d obeyed his every command.
