Page 23 of A Court of Darkness and Dragons

“She expected me to die quickly,” Theron croaked. “She told me she’s been conspiring with a Blood Fae leader. One who would grant her power beyond anything I could ever imagine.”

Zander glanced at me, horror etched in his eyes. I could feel Kaelith’s rage rising like a storm cloud in the back of my mind.

“Do you know who it was?” I asked softly.

Theron shook his head. “No. She didn’t say anything. But she spoke as if she already had power. Like she wasn’t afraid of the consequences.”

Meri stepped forward, still pale, but composed. “How did you survive?”

Theron’s gaze snapped to her, and for a moment, something cunning flickered there. “I take many antidotes on a regular basis. In case of courtly treachery. They weren’t completely effective, but…” He took a breath, deeper this time. “It seems they kept me alive long enough for you to find me.”

Zander crossed his arms. “What else did she tell you?”

Theron’s face twisted, and for the first time, I saw true grief beneath the arrogance. His throat worked as he swallowed hard.

“She killed Lady Belana.”

The silence in the room turned deafening.

“I wanted the crown,” Theron whispered, staring at nothing. “But I would never have killed my Belana. She was the most beautiful woman on the continent.”

His voice broke on the last word.

And in that moment, whatever bitterness I still carried for Theron dulled, just a fraction.

Because grief… genuine grief… didn’t lie.

Zander straightened, his shadows wrapping tight around him like a second skin. His voice was calm, too calm. “Theron is to remain in this room. Confined. No one is to know he’s still alive.”

I blinked, turning to him. “You want to keep it a secret?”

Zander didn’t take his eyes off his brother. “Until we know who else is involved… yes.”

Theron pushed himself up on his elbows, face flushed despite his pallor. “You can’t hide me away like some disgraced secret, Zander,” he snapped. “I have rights. I still have supporters.”

Zander’s mouth twitched into something cold. “Supporters who would sell the realm to the highest bidder. You conspired with Inderia, who conspired with a Blood Fae. You poisoned your own court⁠—”

“I didn’t poison anyone!” Theron barked. “That was Inderia!”

“But you would have stood beside her if it meant power,” Zander shot back, stepping forward. “Don’t pretend you didn’t know what she was. You just didn’t care. Not until it turned on you.”

Theron’s nostrils flared. “You’ve always been sanctimonious. Father coddled you because of your bond with Hein, because you smiled when they wanted you to. But I—I learned how this court really works.”

Zander’s fists clenched at his sides. “You learned how to manipulate, how to whisper, how to poison—literally and politically. That’s not leadership. That’s cowardice.”

“I would be a stronger king than Dorian!” Theron hissed. “He hides behind his honor. I would’ve secured the borders. I would’ve purged the traitors⁠—”

“You are the traitor!” Zander roared, finally stepping in, until they were almost nose to nose. “You betrayed the realm, you betrayed the crown, and you betrayed her.”

Theron flinched.

He didn’t have to ask who she was. The princes only shared one parent.

The silence cracked between them like a fault line.

Zander drew back a fraction, his voice low. “You’ll stay in this room until I say otherwise. If your allies come looking for you, I want them thinking you’re dead. Because if they believe that—maybe they’ll make a mistake.”

“You can’t control everything,” Theron muttered, but the fight had drained from his voice.