Page 86 of She Who Holds My Wrath

I am not alone anymore. I know I wasn’t before, not entirely. But I felt it. But now? I have my king back. And the numbness that carried me this far—it’s gone. Replaced by something far more dangerous. Something catastrophic. The Divine Six have no idea what they’ve just unleashed.

“I will,” I promise Aran. My voice is no longer numb and lifeless. It’s steel. “I’m going to burn them all to ash.”

Korithax’s hand finds mine, his fingers lacing mine like they never left. Our bond pulses once in a shared vow. A promise written in fire and shadow and blood.

Let them come. Let them meet my wrath.

Chapter 32

VELENTHA

Twenty-Four Hours Earlier

The candles in my chambers have burned low, thin columns of wax bending like wilted flowers as they burn down to the core.

But I cannot bring myself to snuff them out. Their shimmering light makes the shadows pulse across the dark stone floor, each flicker trembling in time with my erratic nerves. My hands won’t stop shaking, and my pulse hasn’t slowed since the leyline nearly tore itself apart. And my thoughts… my thoughts are like wildfire, refusing to settle, spiralling out of control at the thought of what I need to do. What I should have done so long ago.

I can’t stop pacing the length of the room, my bare feet whispering over the cold onyx tiles. My skin still hums with volatile magic, the barely noticeable gold cracks of light webbing along my wrists where the ancient line burned me when it had threatened to consume me whole.

I should rest. I should lay down and try to calm my breathing and my erratic heartbeat. But it feels impossible to even consider it, because the weight of what I have to do is pressing against my ribs, so sharp and heavy that it is hurting my very being.

Footsteps echo before the door creaks open, the familiar sounds of his stride soothing me for just a fraction. Aran slips inside, closing it behind him with a soft click. He looks exhausted, his hair tousled from running his hands through it a hundred times. Even his usual pristine suit is wrinkled. But when his eyes land on me as I frantically pace up and down with a tremble to my bones, they fill with something far heavier.

“V,” he breathes, stepping towards me as he removes his jacket. “What’s wrong?”

My aeshira. He always knows, always cares, and always sees far too much.

I shake my head quickly, forcing my feet to keep moving as I continue to pace. “It’s nothing. Just… the leyline backlash. I’ll be fine.” The lies taste bitter on my tongue.

“Don’t,” he murmurs, stopping me in my tracks.

He drops his jacket to the floor and closes the distance before I can retreat, before I can put any form of space between us and hide. His hands come up to cup my face, warm and steady in a way that can always ground me. In a way I don’t feel I truly deserve anymore.

“Don’t lie to me aeshira.”

My breath stutters. I close my eyes, leaning into his touch. Some days, I truly wish he didn’t know me so well. His thumb brushes my cheek, in a gentle, caring caress. The kind that’s devastating in its softness.

“Tell me.”

I can’t. When I open my mouth, the words fail me. Rising, choking, and dying before they ever reach my lips. My throat tightens, tears burning behind my eyes, blurring everything until he’s nothing but a shape and warmth. I shake my head instead, and something inside of me breaks.

Pure need takes over, my body desperate to ignore the raging war battling inside my brain and heart. I surge forwards, pressing my lips to his with a desperation I’ve never allowed myself to feel. He startles for only a heartbeat, then melts into me, arms circling my waist, and holds me like I’m slipping through his fingers.

The kiss deepens. It’s slow, aching, and threaded with a sorrow I’ve yet to speak aloud. His hands slide into my short, raven hair. Mine fist in the fabric of his shirt, desperate to pull him as close as possible. Our breaths tangle, our bodies press together, and for a fleeting, fragile moment, everything feels normal. Like we still have time. But we don’t. Not anymore.

He makes a soft sound against my mouth, but he doesn’t pull away. “V…” he breathes, my name unravelling between us as his hands tighten at my waist.

I press into him harder, swallowing the question I know is forming on his lips, pouring everything I can’t say into the way I touch him. His body responds instantly, his length pressing against my stomach in a way that has me clenching my thighs together in a desperate search for friction. His hands slip beneath my clothes, palms scorching against my skin. I shudder, committing every detail to memory: the ragged hitch in his breath, the rough glide of his fingers, the low groan of my name vibrating against my mouth.

My hands tear at his shirt, the buttons skittering across the floor as I push the fabric down his shoulders. I pull back just enough to drink him in. Gods, the sight of him. The way his body is honed. Lean, powerful muscle carved across his chest, strong shoulders, and that defined V that slips beneath his waistband with a dusting of dark hair that makes my mouth water. My silver eyes clash with his emerald ones, his pupils blown so wide, only a thin ring of green remains. His chest is heaving, heavy breaths blowing out between his swollen lips as he stares at me with such intensity my stomach clenches.

“Ruin me,” I whisper.

His eyes flash with dark promise before he’s on me again, his hand fisting the back of my hair so tightly, I whimper. In one swift movement, he rips my slip dress from my body, leaving me completely bare to him. He catches my lower lip between his teeth, nipping sharply as a desperate moan spills from me. My nails rake down his chest and abdomen, stopping at the waistband of his trousers. I reach for his belt frantically, but his large hand closes around my wrist, stopping me.

“No,” he growls, his voice low and rough. “You said ruin you. So let me, aeshira.”

I manage a single, breathless nod. He bends, sliding his hands under my thighs to lift me off my feet. I wrap my legs around his waist, kissing along his stubbled jaw, grazing my teeth over his racing pulse as he carries me towards the large bed against the far wall.