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Raising a trembling hand, I touched his forehead. “Maybe there’s a way to bring him back.”
Sebastian’s lips parted, his sigh louder than it needed to be. “I’m sorry, love, but there’s nothing we can do for him now.”
My mom gave me an imperceptible nod as she blinked back tears.
I breathed fast, deeper, but nothing helped. I dug my nails into my palms until the beds bled, leaving half-crescent marks of crimson.
My mom’s cracked voice broke the silence. “He’s at peace, sweetheart.”
I let out a resounding howl behind my lips, holding onto my stomach as bile bit up my throat, my head throbbing. Another growl of a scream vibrated through my core, a sound I didn’t even know I could make, as I grabbed Draven’s stiff hand. I wanted to bring him back, for him to spar with me like he used to. I hadn’t let it in properly until now.
Grief came in waves, and this one was the biggest, drowning any resolve I had into the depths of a pain I’d never felt before. Draven was always there through every part of my life, a light in my darkest moments, and now that was forever extinguished.
The laughs we shared echoed in my brain, chilling me to the core as I became lost in memories of someone who no longer existed. I couldn’t survive it. Breath barely escaped as I clutched my stomach harder. Chills spread through my torso, shivering me until my teeth were chattering.
I shook my head, as if to scatter the memories, searching through the sheet of shock desensitizing me from shattering into a thousand pieces. “Kalon,” I choked on his name. “He has to die.”
Sebastian crouched at my side, his hand on my arm, bringing a hint of comfort to the pain searing in my chest. “He will.”
His promise brought me to my feet, anger fueling everything as I turned to my mom. “Burn his body. Don’t leave him to the bugs.”
“We have nothing to do that with, honey,” she admitted. “I will bury him. It’s okay, it’s his body. His soul is safe.”
I couldn’t stand to look at him a moment longer, not even to say goodbye. Sebastian grabbed my hand, and I held back a desperate scream, refusing to believe any of this was real. “Take me back. Now.”
My mom nodded at him, and Sebastian’s wings extended. I pinched my eyes shut as he took me in his arms, lifting us out of the forest and back to the castle. Thoughts of torturing Kalon carouseled in my mind, my only reprieve. I let out the sob quaking softly behind my closed lips and rested my head on his chest. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Draven yet, not until I destroyed the one who stole his life from him. My magic thrummed with ancient power, as if in agreement.
TWENTY-NINE
Sebastian
Kalon’s face split into a mocking grin as Olivia failed to contain her hatred in front of her father. If I didn’t think they’d kill her for it, I’d help her carve out his heart here and now, but she couldn’t be implicated in his death.
We’d called the meeting with them both after returning and discussing our plan with Erianna, Zach and Ravena. Now it was time to put on the act of our life. “Your Majesty.” I sank into a deep bow at the waist to Sargon, then slowly rose, looking around the office where the latest meeting was being held. “Thank you for seeing us.”
A map of Sanmorte laid out in parchment was held in place by paperweights. Next to it, a larger map of Asland showed all the territories. On them, little painted figures representing armies and weapons for both countries. They were preparing, in case the betrothal between Niall and Penelope didn’t work out.
Sargon walked to the frosted windows overlooking the falling night. The snow keeping the world from falling completely into darkness, reflecting the moon and coating everything in a luminescent gray. “If this is about Kalon, he will not be punished for killing Draven. He was defending himself, not that it matters. Your friend was a mortal. We do not lock anyone up, especially a family member, for killing one of them. He would still be alive if you had turned him as I suggested.”
Olivia’s fists balled, and I lightly touched her shoulder, sharing in her rage, but knowing I needed to keep her calm. I had to protect her, even if it was from herself. Fighting needed to be sly in the political world. “Neither of us would wish to bring any embarrassment to the royal family.”
Sargon’s green eyes narrowed, and he looked at his daughter, who eventually gave a quick nod. “Then why are you here?”
“To make things right.” I clasped my fingers with Olivia, letting her know it’s okay, opening myself up so she could feel my emotions.Trust me.“We know it was not Kalon’s fault for defending himself against the Draven. Clearly he felt threatened enough by Draven’s great mortal strengths if he felt the need to rip out his heart. So for that, we cannot blame him. If I were in such danger, I would have done the same thing.”
Kalon sneered, and I kept the snide smirk from lifting my lips. Olivia rubbed her thumb over my finger, and my heart stuttered. I continued, “There has been a lot of bad blood, and things have been said that we both regret.”
Sargon turned his attention from the drifting snowflakes outside, back to us. “You mean she said.”
I side-eyed her, and her chest rose with a deep inhale. She pulled her free hand through her loose curls, pushing the unruly strands away from her face. “Yes, I said some things. Like I said before, it was a mistake. I meant it. You’re not only my father but my king, and I’ve had time to reflect.” She let go of my hand, stepping closer to him.
There was no denying she was his daughter. I was surprised he didn’t recognize it when we first came to the castle, even with the dyed hair. They looked at each other with the same olive-green eyes, sharing their hesitant expressions. Her cheeks dimpled the same way his did when they smiled. Even their walk was the same.
She cleared her throat, her trembling fingers steadying as she placed her hand against his chest. I watched Kalon’s lip twitch, his thin eyebrows deepening into a frown. “Father,” she whispered his name so lovingly, I had to wonder if it was really an act. “We were ripped away from each other before I could even know you. I never told Mom this, but I resent her for it. Things have been distant between us, and I want us to be closer. I blame her for all of this,” she said, holding back tears as they gathered in the corners, her voice quaking with a sob. “If she hadn’t taken me away, I would have grown up here. You would have taught me how to be a princess. I’ve made so many mistakes because I don’t know this kingdom, and now—” She stumbled over her words. “Draven is dead because he was brought here. If we never went to Baldoria, then I wouldn’t have met him. He’d still be alive.”
His lips parted, eyes widening as he slid his gaze over her features. She said all he wanted was to be loved, but he wouldn’t believe it. Now I saw why she was blaming her mom; a common enemy, someone to place the responsibility of his failings on. I smiled, adoring how smart she was. Sargon squinted slightly, his hollowed features softening. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine,” she said, and wiped her nose on the back of her sleeve. “I’m just so angry at her, and I’ve been confused by everything the gods said. Especially considering they aren’t even here, they don’t know what’s happening in our world. How can they know what’s best for Sanmorte? They were setting me up for failure and I feel like an idiot.”
