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Until now.
Hiram and Marcus are rigid and wide-eyed. Their racing heartbeats vibrate my shadows that are wound around them.
Theo looks at me with soft eyes. No fear or anger to be found. He sees me. Not the monster I’ve always been. Just a queen keeping her guards from hurting the man she’s madly in love with.
“I hope you have all of it out of your systems because this ends here. No more petty arguments. No more standoffs trying to prove who’s the broodiest of you all. It’s done.” My guards flinch against the shadows while Nyx and Theo remain calm.
I set them all back on the shore, recalling my shadows to their well.
“Shall we?” I stretch a hand to Theo.
He smirks before taking it. I lead us out of my ruined paradise, with Nyx, Hiram, and Marcus trailing behind.
We make our way to the back entrance of the Keep in complete silence. I push open the doors without acknowledging the guard on duty and halt in front of the iron bars of Theo’s cell. My slow-burning anger causes my shadows to hum under my skin.
Hiram and Marcus don’t make eye contact as they wait by the back door for me to leave. Nyx leans against the wall behind me.
“Get lost, Nyx. I’ll meet you in the council room.” I look over my shoulder at him, and he shakes his head.
His predatory gaze fixates on Theo. “Not happening after all that.”
I shake my head in irritation. My shadows shoot from me in waves, creating an expansive wall around Theo and me. Nyx growls on the other side, but it’s barely audible. Theo stares at the black mass surrounding us, a flash of panic in his eyes. I grab his hand, bringing his attention back to me. His face lightens with a small smile curling his lips.
“I’m sorry about tonight,” I say. Theo’s hand cups my cheek as his thumb rubs my bottom lip.
“I’m not. You gave me the best birthday gift.”
I fist his shirt and pull his lips to mine. He holds my face in his hands as he kisses me, slow and steady.
He pulls away and scans my face before leaning his forehead to mine.
“Don’t kill your general tonight. Even if we both want to,” he states.
A sharp laugh escapes me at Theo’s words because I’m debating on Nyx’s punishment, and death is on the table.
“I can’t make any promises. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” Taking one more look into those honey eyes, I give Theo a kiss on the cheek and step back. He bows his head to me as I drop the wall of shadows. Nyx stands at my back where the wall came down.
My smile falls as I turn and make my way to the council room. Nyx trails behind. We don’t speak for the rest of the walk.
Chapter 33
Lily
Before the council room door clicks shut, I’m turning, ready to unleash my anger on Nyx. “What is wrong with you? Why do you continue to put yourself between Theo and me?” I demand. He stares down at me with cold, narrowed eyes while stepping into my space.
