“The High King and Queen, they killed him.”
I quickly dismissed the staff, claiming I needed time to grieve alone. I’d send word when I was ready for visitors.
Lennox and Luka might have gotten a step ahead of me, but just this once. It wouldn’t happen again.
I brought the severed head cradled in my arms to the crackling hearth.
Ever so carefully I set Lorenzo’s head in the fire, arranging him so I could watch as he burned.
They might think they had gotten the best of me, but they had no idea what I had coming for them.
59
LUKA
We’d all been on edge for the past few days since we’d sent our package to Adreona.
Since we sent Lorenzo’s severed head to Adreona.
Lennox’s plan was in fact insane, but it was the crazy we needed. Adreona deserved a taste of her own medicine.
I had no idea if she cared for Lorenzo, but I knew she cared about her title.
Her now nonexistent title.
There were many safeguards in place thanks to my grandfather in case of a situation like this. There was no way Adreona would get her hands on that crown now.
But we doubted that would stop her. She had a week until the new heir would arrive. We’d spent the last two days going over our new strategy. Our timeline had moved up significantly. Adreona wouldn’t wait for us to come to her any longer—not if the army might not be hers anymore.
According to our spies, their legion had left Cel Nox and started traveling west last night. Luce, Caterina, the wolves, and the Star Court's army were still on their way; that plan hadn’t changed, but we wouldn’t wait for them. Nico andthe wolves would still meet them, but at a new meeting spot that would bring them to us faster.
During our last meeting, Luce had filled us in on how her spell was going.
It was risky, but it might be the extra boost we needed. Everything was falling into place.
But today we weren’t worrying about any of that.
Today, we were sneaking out to meet Declan’s contact from the Blood Court.
It might be a trap, but it was a risk we had to take.
We needed any insight into Adreona’s army we could get.
Lennox had transported us several miles from our designated meeting spot along the river that intersected between the Blood, Mystic, and Twilight Court. Adreona’s army would be staying there for a day before continuing, giving our confidant the opportunity to sneak off.
The sun was setting on the forest as we silently made our way through—Declan was meeting hisfriendon the bank of the river.
Lennox and I would remain hidden during the meeting but would watch closely in case Declan needed us.
“How much longer?” Lennox shifted in her squatting position in the bushes we were hiding in, pulling her cloak tighter around her. “I’m freezing, and I can’t feel my legs from sitting like this.”
Declan said nothing, only pinned Lennox with a death glare that saidshut the fuck up.
Lennox rolled her eyes.
We continued to wait. So long I started to regret insisting we come along. Both Lennox and I agreed there was no way we were letting Declan come alone, and honestly, I’m not sure how she convinced the harpy to let us come with him.
I was starting to think he held a soft spot for Lennox.
