I pulled the blanket over my face to try to drift off to sleep, telling myself that I was being ridiculous and that no one would be foolish enough to break into our home—I also would have heard them.
Yet still, the feeling remained.
I shoved the covers off and looked at Jace, who remained sound asleep beside me, appearing as peaceful as ever.
Blowing out a breath, I rubbed my eyes before glancing around the room, but all I noticed was that the door was still closed, and everything else remained untouched.
I was about to tell myself I was losing my mind when my gaze caught on the corner of the room, where anotherworldly shadow lingered—one that I had grown accustomed to over these passing weeks.
“Veli,” I grumbled, annoyance filling my tone. “Veli, what in the realm? This isn’t funny at all.”
Silence answered me, but the shadows swerved, as if working to cover something—or someone.
“Jace,” I whispered nervously, but he didn’t stir.
I leapt up from the bed, my gaze locked on the corner where the shadows swirled, their darkness appearing more smoke-like than they had a moment ago.
“Who are you?” I asked sternly as I clutched Jace’s shirt to my front that I had worn to bed.
Nothing answered me aside from the mocking wisps of darkness.
“I am Elianna Valderre, Heir of the Realm, and I demand that you present yourself to me at once and state how and why you are in my home.”
“Jace,” I sent down the bond. “Jace, wake up.”
“Heir of the Realm?” A wicked, bone-chilling voice that I recognized all too well echoed, and my lips parted as it reached my ears.
Idina stepped out from the cover of the shadows, their remnants swirling around her figure like wraiths.
“It is a bit presumptuous to be declaring yourself as such with no proper declaration from the prior king. Do you not agree?” Her head tilted to the side in a predatory manner.
“How did you get here?” My lip curled back into a snarl as my eyes followed her movements.
“Ah, yes, well…you are not the only queen that has acquired witchesand their use of magic.”
“I have acquired no one and nothing. People stand by my side because of what they believe is right. I didn’t obtain them as if they were objects to barter for. They are myfriends.”
A wicked cackle left her. “Friends.” Her eyes drifted to my husband, who remained asleep in our bed. “Is that what this mortal filth is that you lay beside?”
My steps carried me to block her view, shielding him from anything she might try to do. “You will stay the fuck away from him.”
She tsked and her eyes wandered around the room, taking in the sight of the space—her eyes caught on the gown that remained on the floor at the foot of the bed.
My heart was beating so fast I thought it would burst in my chest.
“Jace, if you can hear me, do not move,” I warned.
Finally, a stir from him down the bond.
“Lia?” His voice sounded groggy with sleep, even as it filtered through my mind.
“Do not move. Do not stir. Just remain as you are.”
His eyes flew open, and I felt the panic that rumbled through him.
“Close your eyes, Jace. Let me try to show you, but you can’t react because I don’t know how deep this magic goes.”
I felt his body tense. “Lia.” His voice was stern. “Who the fuck is in here?!” he demanded, but I ignored him.
