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It didn’t matter anymore. The oath I made to my people - that I would restore us to our rightful glory - shattered the moment we brought her into our den.
I replaced it with a new vow.
She was our mate. She was my love.
And I would find her again.
TWENTY-ONE
Ruby
It was only when the gates of the Crimson Palace came into view that Jasper spoke.
The moment we passed through the barrier that divided the forest from the Obsidian Realms, I gave the order. The two knights loyal to me turned on the hunters and killed them both.
“They had families,” he said quietly, disapproving. One knight rode in front of us, the other behind, wary of any demons that could follow us alongside the other barrier that lined the path to the palace.
“And they shall be well compensated,” I said, refusing to show remorse. Any who knew the location of the cave could come back for my wolves, and I would not put them at further risk.
Jasper was silent again, but I could feel his discontent. It clashed with the sweetness we had shared earlier, when my mate lay bleeding against a tree and I blocked our bond. Then, like a coward, I ran, destroying our happiness, ensuring I was dead to them.
And tore out my own soul in the process.
Every part of my body ached. I had to force myself not to collapse to the ground and scream. The loss vibrated through me. I would have surrendered to the pain if riding the horse wasn’t a priority.
“Princess,” Jasper started, turning to me, “the wolves-”
“Never mention those wolves again,” I hissed, my anger spilling out, my compulsion burying deep into him.
His eyes widened in fear, taking on the glassy tone that shifted across any who fell under my magic. It was gone as soon as the compulsion settled, and his face darkened as he shifted his focus to the path ahead.
I had promised never to compel him, trusting him to always follow my command, but I was too devastated to maintain my dignity.
If his trust in me broke, I would be torn, but I could not afford to falter after everything I had been through.
The golden gates opened as we arrived. They knew we were coming. Servants met us the moment we entered the great marble courtyard, adorned with white columns, glittering fountains, lush with twisting vines and red flowers. We dismounted, and another finely dressed servant, more rotund than the others, rushed towards us, panic etched on his round face.
There were no questions about the blood that stained the knight’s uniform. The servant simply hurried us through the entrance, demanding we make haste.
It was only when I entered the palace, driven through the ivory corridors built of blood and bone, that I realised how strong my scent was.
It was not only my scent wrapped around me. It was theirs. The wolves I had abandoned in favour of my people, who were the reason I could barely walk as I kept firm the wall that stopped the bond between us.
“I need to change,” I told the servant. I could not meet the Grandmothers like this, wearing nothing but a shirt. It was too telling of what had transpired between my mates and I.
“There is no time, princess.” The servant’s chin wobbled as he spoke. “We have already made preparations for your ascension. Once the Grandmothers have approved you, you may change.” He urged us through a maze of corridors until we stood before doors larger than any I had seen in the Carnelian Palace.
“Princess.” The servant bowed before stepping back. Two finely dressed Vermillion Knights stretched open the doors whose tops soared above to the cathedral within.
And there, seated at the far end of the hall, were the three women I had been fighting for years to see. White marble floors, alabaster sculptures adorning the room, a blood red carpet leading from the door to three thrones. They reigned high on a pedestal, silk curtains draped behind them, male and female sacrifices of all species crowded around them, willing to share their blood if only for their touch.
I could feel the Grandmother’s judgment already, but I would not waver, no matter how imposing they appeared. Though the arching ceiling of marble served to intimidate me, it only reminded me of the cost of what I was fighting for.
I threw a look to Jasper, who nodded with encouragement, stepping back to join the other servants, his body relaxing, our goal so close to hand.
A tremor of fear caught me as I strode forward, fixing my eyes on the three women who would decide my fate.
I was still concerned the Grandmothers would sense it, that they had a hidden way to discover my virginity was no longer intact.
