“Tonight, for as long as you need, fall apart. I don’t think that makes you weak, it makes you strong, knowing when you need a break—knowing when you need to the time to break down, to breathe, that makes you so fucking strong, Lennox.” He kissed the top of my head. “Don’t get me wrong, I know you’re entitled to get revenge first, but Sweetheart, I will fucking fight you for it. I will delight in seeing those monsters die for daring to lay a hand on what is mine.”
The voices of my people rang out from behind the closed double doors. They were all gathered, waiting for me in the front courtyard. Ready to welcome their High Queen back home.
But the speech I had planned was more than a welcome home address.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Luka asked as he pulled me to his side. His hand rested on the marred skin ofmy bare back. The dress I wore was backless—an intentional choice. I would not hide my scars today.
I nodded. “As ready as I can be. They need to know. I need to get them on our side, this is the only way how.”
My speech would be recorded and sent to the heads of every court in Lethenia for them to share with their own people.
To share what I had endured.
I would use what they did to me as a weapon against them.
Luka and I had discussed it at length. He listened while I debated back and forth with myself on what I wanted to do the day after my breakdown.
Ultimately, I decided the memories could only hold pain if I allowed them to. By letting them out I was releasing them, setting myself free from the pain. From the torture.
I knew when I woke up I needed to share with my people what I had been through. They needed to know. They needed to know what they were fighting against.
Why we were fighting.
The golden crown resting on my head felt heavy as we waited behind the doors. My crown was a twin to the one Luka wore on his own head, another reminder that I wasn’t in this alone.
He’d be by my side the entire time.
I took his hand in mine, squeezing it tight before nodding to the guard.
The doors opened and I squinted against the sunlight as Luka led me out onto the balcony.
22
LUKA
The crowd roared at the sight of their High Queen, the sound shaking the ground as we approached the railing. Lennox and I waved before resting our hands on the golden balcony while we waited for the crowd to settle.
The people of Alethens had shown up in earnest for their queen. The entire curricular courtyard was packed with people, and they spilled out onto the bridge and down the road that led to the palace.
Nico and Declan filed in behind us, taking place to the right of us, Kara to the left on her own until Lennox announced Nol’s homecoming.
After several minutes, Lennox raised a hand, and slowly, the crowd quieted as they waited for their queen to speak.
“People of Lethenia.” Lennox began.
“I stand here today, your High Queen of Lethenia, alongside your High King, my husband and mate, Luka Rossi.” I squeezed her hand as she continued.
“We stand here today, a united front as I explain my absence over the past months. What Luka told the continent was true; I was being held captive by the Panateia.” Murmurs rang out, but Lennox continued.
“The Panateia are a vicious organization; they aim to rid the continent of vampires. In their pursuit to do such, they have been taking innocent vampires from the streets of Cel Nox, from all of the Blood Court, and doing experiments on them in the form of spells. These experiments have either led to these innocent people’s deaths, or they have been turned into vicious Dhampirs, the very beasts that ravaged our city the night of my and your High King’s wedding. During my capture, I also learned the Panateia are now working with the Vanir, the rebel vampire group who have been trying to kill me and my sister for years. The people responsible for the deaths of my parents.” The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as they comprehended Lennox’s words.
“There was, however, one silver lining to my capture. I found out my brother, Nol Adair, is still alive.”
Cries rang out from the crowd. “The Vanir did not kill him that night, instead they took him to use as a bargaining tool. They later gave him to the Panateia to seal their alliance.”
The doors behind us opened again, and Nol came out, waving to the crowd before moving to stand by Kara, who linked her arm through his. He was dressed finely, his white suit had accents of gold, matching the rest of us, all dressed in a variation of white and gold, representing us as a united front. Both Kara and Nol wore simple crowns made from bands of gold on their heads, a simpler design than the matching ones Lennox and I wore.
The crowd was ravenous at the sight of Nol, but Lennox continued, her voice rising above the chaos.
