The scene goes on despite my terror. Lucien leans back as if to create space between himself and what’s happening. His upper lip curls, and I swear he’s sharing in my revulsion. I don’t know what it all means yet, but the look Lucien wears is a warning.
Alistair’s face drops. His trembling, terrified act vanishes just as quickly as Killian’s kindness did. He straightens and shakes his head.
“Fine. You’ve caught me. But it’s for the good of our kingdom, Father.”
The king raises his hand abruptly. “I have no desire to hear your lies. You’ve broken one of the foundational laws of Astreona, and in doing so, proved once and for all how unworthy you are of your royal name. You are to be exiled, and your brother, Lucien, instated as heir to my throne.”
Lucien whirls on his father, eyes widen with clear panic. “Wh-what?!”
“Youcannotdo that to me!” Alistair bellows. “I am your heir! Your firstborn! This is—”
“Quiet!” the king shouts. His voice moves like violence. Fast, fast, and then a heavy impact that settles over the room and starts to bruise. “This is how it will be. Alistair, I don’t ever want to see you near Brightbane again.”
Alistair’s hands curl into weapons.
“I’m sorry it had to come to this, Father,” he intones, blue eyes glinting for an instant before he shuts them.
I blink, and then the people wearing the thrall bracelets are glazing over, shivering, convulsing. Within the space of a moment, they explode into frantic motion, attacking everyone close to them.
Fangs flash. There are screams. Guards turn weapons on their captives.
Lucien bolts to his feet, watching the scene with wild eyes, and then runs to protect his father, the king.
But he’s too late. His father’s attendants have already turned on him, thrall bracelets flashing on their wrists. One of them fends off the loyal guards.Another draws a long dagger and swiftly beheads the king, face eerily dispassionate.
Lucien reaches his father just as it happens, catching the body as it slumps down over the throne, pouring blood. He howls in anger. Then he draws his weapons and strikes down the attendant who, I gather, acted not of his own accord.
In one smooth motion, Lucien snatches the Astreonan crown from where it fell to the ground, placing it on his head.
Suddenly, there are a dozen Luciens, each racing forward, sword upraised, in pursuit of Alistair. I’ve never seen Siphon magic like it, illusions so real and vivid, and visible to everyone at once.
It must be the crown amplifying Lucien’s power, I realize, and shiver.
I’m not the only one taken aback; the guards and attendants under Alistair’s control scatter and shout, confused by the convincing image of their prince attacking from all sides. Alistair barks orders at them, veins bulging in his face as he fights to maintain control of his unwilling army.
Here and there, I spot the real Lucien as he slaughters more of Alistair’s thralls. Lucien’s speed seems to have been buoyed by the crown’s powers as well. He moves so fast I can barely see him. He tears through their defenses with ease, cutting short scream after scream. Blood runs thick across the marble floors.
Alistair frantically summons more of his thralls to stand between himself and the line of advancing Luciens.
“You don’t want this, brother,” Alistair says almost gently, backing toward the door. “You and I both know it’s too much responsibility for you.”
He’s back to acting humble and misunderstood. How quickly he spins from personality to personality.
“You’re meant for a life of pleasure and luxury,” Alistair continues. “Give the crown to me, let it be my burden.”
Lucien stares directly at his brother, eyes like ice as he cuts down another two thrall warriors. “Not a chance, you sadistic asshole.”
Alistair’s face contorts in a snarl. “You will live to regret this, Lucien. I promise, Iwilltake my throne back. No matter the cost.”
And before Lucien can reach him, Alistair whirls away, vanishing out the door.
35
STARK
It happens in a heartbeat. One moment, Meryn is settling Lucien’s golden crown on top of her silver-white hair.
The next, she’s crumpled over, her stunning face slack.
