“All animals actually. It’s like they can understand me.”
She nods, exhaling. “We all need to catch up when we get home. Go over this ‘gift’ nonsense once and for all. I was going to speak to all of you when I next visited the dance circle, but Father had sent you away before then.”
I’m about to ask what her gift is when three more figures sprint down the hallway.
My hand grips my sister’s until I realise it’s Blossom, Eden, and…
“Kasimir is here too?” I blurt at Ami.
She chuckles, relieved. “As if he’d ever let me go anywhere without him.”
“Don’t you dare run away from me again, Ruby.” He pulls her into the tightest hug. “I let you out of my sight for one second and then you’re gone. When I heard you screaming?—”
“I’m fine,” she insists, stepping out of the hug to smile at him. “I used my dagger just like you showed me. Look.” She points at the dead guard on the floor.
My stomach rocks at the sight of the still-growing blood puddle, while Kasimir just pats my sister on the shoulder, grinning proudly. It’s easy to forget how completely psychotic he is when he looks that good. Based on how unfazed Ami is that she just killed a man, perhaps his psychopathy is catching.
“I’m so glad you’re safe.” Blossom pulls me into a hug.
“Did they torture you?” Eden pales.
“Oh yes, it was awful,” I sigh dramatically.
Ami rolls her eyes. “She’s lying.”
“How do you always know—” I’m cut off when the distant boom of an explosion rumbles through the walls. “What the hell was that?”
“Dahlia, listen to me.” Ami grasps my hand. Her voice is frantic. “We don’t have much time. Do you want to stay with Tauren? If you decide to leave him, we’ll take you back to Father’s palace or you can stay with us in Night Alley – wherever you want to go. Kasimir and I will protect you.”
“Us too,” Blossom says with Eden. “We’ll keep you safe. Always.”
“But if you decide you want to be with Tauren, with your…husband,” Ami struggles to say the word, “then we’ll take you upstairs to him now and we’ll all travel back to his castle together.”
“The choice is yours, Dahlia,” Kasimir adds. “We’ll respect your decision either way.”
I don’t even need to think about it. Another explosion shakes the walls, the torchlight flickering as I reply, “The demon castle isn’t my home yet, but I think I want it to be.” I squeeze Amaryllis’s hand. “Take me to Tauren please. To my husband. Before whatever he’s doing to this palace kills us all.”
41
TAUREN
I’m inside the palace grounds before the rubble hits the grass.
“Tauren, wait!” Kennix calls, but I’m already taking out the guards swarming the manicured lawn. I use my magic to make one go flying, another takes a dagger to the chest. The second the salt barrier has crumbled enough for my soldiers to join me, I’m sprinting inside the palace, leaving my men to battle Elheart’s outside.
Let’s face it, though. The men Elheart paid to look pretty outside his palace are nothing compared to my demon army. And I’m not the only guy here who was pissed when Maeve disappeared. I can still hear Kennix’s furious snarls as I sprint down the marble hallway.
I’ve no idea where I’m going, but I couldn’t care less. There must be a way down to the dungeon through one of these doors. I’m sure that’s where she’ll be. Elheart wouldn’t take kindly to his bride escaping from him. He’d throw her somewhere she’d never be able to break free from. But if there’s even a single scratch on her perfect skin, I’ll give it back to him tenfold before I finally murder the bastard myself. Nobody touches what’s mine.
The hallways are completely deserted. All the nobles and servants must be hiding in bedchambers while the battle rages outside. I spend another ten minutes running down long sunlit corridors before I catch a glimpse of her black hair.
Heart pounding, I drop my weapons. “Wife,” is all I manage to say before I sprint to her side, push her against the wall, and kiss her like I’m dying of thirst and she’s a glass of cherry wine.
“Tauren,” she moans against my lips. Her hands dig into my hair and my shirt.
“Are you alright?” I rasp. “Did he hurt you? I’ll fucking torture him if he?—”
“I’m fine now. I promise.” She presses her lips against mine.
