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I didn’t expect him to dress up, but he seems to have gone all in. The top of his outfit is black, and a spiked collar surrounds his thick neck, his shoulders accentuated by gold points before the sleeves run down his arms, his forearms covered in golden, ornate metal. The back of the coat floats down behind him, the underside the same red as my dress. What surprises me most is that his entire chest is on display. A gold dagger lies flat against his skin, holding the two edges of the coat together and pointing down to his sharp abs. His trousers are low slung, with a deep V almost exposing all of him, done in the same black, but the bottom changes to a red flame that ripples as he walks. On his hips, draped across his crotch, is a cross with a red jewel burning in the middle.

“Do we look good enough?” he asks, but his eyes sparkle as I lick my lips and run my eyes over them again as they stand side by side.

“You’ll do. We’ll get their attention, that’s for sure.” I cough, trying to clear my throat, but the voices that float up to us from outside are a reminder of what is going to happen, so I step back, all desire and joy fleeing.

I’m going to lose them tonight and maybe myself. I have to focus.

They step forward in sync, and my eyes widen as they reach for me. I don’t know if they sense my swirling thoughts or my strong emotions, but they don’t think. They act.

“I need to be strong, and I can’t—you make me weak,” I whisper, warding them off. “So not now, not even if it’s our last time. I won’t kiss you goodbye.” Taking a deep breath, I tip my chin back. “It’s the end of the road. Are you ready? Let’s finish what we started in Gehenna.”

Raiden looks away, Bram looks sad, and Torrin simply nods, while Emrys’s jaw clenches, but Kitt watches me with a searching expression, so I turn away and head for the door as their voices stop me, speaking as one.

“If it were death or you, we’d choose you. I wish this would end differently.”

“Me too,” I whisper before fleeing.

What is love without loss?

What is my life without revenge?

They cannot give up, and neither can I.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SIX

Idon’t want to be late to my own party. All eyes will be on me, but I have other plans, and I’ve waited long enough to put them into action. When I reach the ballroom’s frozen archway, however, I stop for a moment, mentally preparing myself for what is to come.

“Remember, you are not alone now,” Kitt whispers. “No matter what we will do to each other, you’re not alone. She’s wrong about you. You’re stronger than anyone in the world.”

His encouragement shouldn’t mean so much, but it does. Being seen and understood when the entire world turned their back on me means something, and my heart once again softens for them.

Nodding, I push the doors open and step into the ballroom, where everyone waits. The music stops, the band in the back right corner floating upon the ice stage nodding at me. The crowd of people, a sea of grey and blue, parts, and I stride through their masses to my mother’s throne. Sitting to her right is her mate, Bodhi.

He pales when he sees me, as if he didn’t quite believe I’d come. I aim a cocky smirk at him before focusing on my mother and inclining my head slightly as she stands. It’s a show of respect, but also a fake display that actually implies the opposite if you know what to look for, and it’s clear the court does as they gasp and whisper amongst themselves. My mother stands, tilting her chin back and ignoring that small act of defiance.

“Now that our guest of honour is here, we may begin,” she calls, clapping to end their chattering. “Tonight, we celebrate my daughter’s return. As many of you know, she was sentenced to Gehenna for her crimes, but here we praise strength, and after serving part of her sentence and doing what no other could—escaping—I am glad to forgive her and welcome her back to the family. Together, we will lead our people to a new dawn!” She offers me her hand, so I take it, then she tugs me to the space below her chair, but I step up to her side, tightening my hand on hers, letting some of my heat escape. She hisses and looks at me before forcing a smile, knowing she cannot move me without a fight. It’s another petty defiance, but I spent my entire childhood terrified of breaking her rules, and now, I don’t give a fuck. “Enough politics. Let us celebrate.”

The music booms back to life as the crowd continues their revelry, drinking, dancing, and talking. Their eyes, however, return to us continually to see what will happen next. Releasing my hand quickly, my mother sits, and I step in front of the thrones and turn my gaze to Bodhi.

“It’s good to see you again, Oriana,” he says politely. “I almost didn’t believe your triumphant return.”

“I bet. I wouldn’t want to either if I were you. Don’t worry, you’ll be seeing a whole lot of me.” I turn and stride through the room, heading straight for my men, who linger in the back. They have drawn the most eyes, but they ignore everyone until I arrive.

“Does anyone want to dance?” I ask.

“I am too big,” Torrin mutters. “I also don’t know how to.”

“I’d like to, but I don’t know how either.” Bram looks sad, so I grab his hand and turn, dragging him with me.

“That’s fine. I do. I’ll lead.” I place one of his hands on my back and hold the other in mine, then I start to move, leading him across the room in a slow dance. At first, he’s locked up and unsure, his eyebrows furrowed, but then he starts to get the hang of it, and his smile is bright as he watches me.

“This is fun!”

“I never would have used that word. I was forced into lessons my entire childhood. One misstep and I would be punished. No daughter of the great Draven will be unable to master skills,” I tease as I twirl him, making him laugh. “But you’re right. It’s fun with you. I guess it takes the right partner.” I spin him out again, and his hand slips from mine. Torrin catches him, and Emrys bows before me, taking my hand. He knows how to dance, although he’s hesitant and not using the steps I know, but we make it work.

Before long, Torrin taps his shoulder, and Emrys kisses my hand and departs. Torrin is too big to dance normally, and his cheeks heat in embarrassment. I can tell he’s going to leave, so I climb up onto his feet. “Just move and we’ll dance like this.”