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In all honesty, I thought he would probably be relieved that I wouldn’t have memories of watching him end my torturers’ lives. Though I had needed closure, I didn’t need more fuel for my nightmares.

The peaceful night I’d spent in Espen’s bed had me craving more of the same calm rest—and I wouldn’t get that with more bloody images running through my mind.

“You didn’t want to stay?” I asked Lavee, changing the subject.

“I’ve already seen more than enough death in my life.” Her smile had faded too, and her expression had grown wistful. “I’ll fight for my freedom and the people I love with every ounce of my energy, but if I’m not needed in a fight, I won’t be anywhere near it.”

I remained quiet, knowing that was the best way to give her room to talk to me.

We continued to walk, our footsteps silent on the stone that lined the city’s streets. The sounds of laughter and the smell of baked goods that I associated with happiness seemed to permeate every inch of the city, and it made me feel safe. Maybe it even made me feel a tiny bit happy.

“You lost your family when the kings started fighting. I did too.” Lavee’s voice was still quiet. “We lived in Laith’s part of the court. He was never violent; he has a way of making people very enthusiastic about putting their life on the line for him. In that way, he’s a lot like Namir. They can both convince anyone to do just about anything for them, which is a dangerous trait for a king to possess. Laith couldn’t control his magic when he first inherited it, and there was a massive explosion. The darkness swallowed them whole, its power too much for any of us to fight. I only survived because I had more magic in my veins than they did.”

My chest tightened. “I’m so sorry.”

“It led me to Namir’s court, and to Jesh. As much as I miss my family, I am grateful that I survived to see this day.” Her hand landed on her slightly-swollen abdomen.

She didn’t seem to be growing as round or as fast as Diora was, but I knew that different bodies carried babies differently.

“That is a feeling I can certainly relate to.” My words were quiet. “It hurts to be the survivor, but now… well, I’ve discovered that there is still joy to be found in surviving.”

“Exactly.”

We continued walking, and things were easier between us. I felt a connection to Lavee that I hadn’t felt with another woman since I lost my sister—and I was grateful for that. I wanted to feel that with Diora and Vena, too, but the relationship was just different. Maybe in time, I could get to that point, though.

We parted ways when we made it up the flight of stairs that led to Lavee’s room. The tile was warm beneath my feet as I headed up the silent staircase, and a feeling of peace relaxed my shoulders more and more as I went.

I was free.

The danger had passed.

I opened the door to Espen’s room softly, and froze in the doorway when my eyes landed on the room’s invaders.

Chapter18

“Vena,”I breathed, my eyes latched onto her soft, slim form. “Stars. You’re here. How did you—”

My gaze flicked to the man at her side.

Though his hair was thick and long, like Namir’s rather than Espen’s, there was no mistaking the resemblance to his brothers.

A wicked grin stretched his lips. “Akari, is it?”

Shit.

I started to take a step back, gathering my magic in my palms. My fucking hair was probably glowing again, but for once, I didn’t care.

“He’s changed,” Vena said quickly, smacking Laith lightly on the bicep just before she stepped in front of him and physically protected him with her own body. “You’re not in danger. We’re here to surrender.”

To surrender?

What the hell?

“I’m going to need a better explanation than that,” I said, trying to remain steady despite the loud pounding of my heart.

“I fell in love with this bewitching creature, and she’s not willing to mate with me unless I give the throne’s magic to one of my brothers,” Laith drawled, his arm sliding around her abdomen and dragging downward. She clapped it against her pelvis, and he let her pin it there, even as she tossed him a dirty look over her shoulder.

“He invaded my mind and relived the torture and abuse I experienced, and in the process, decided he doesn’t want to hurt anyone else.” Vena corrected him, looking back at me. The way she held herself was confident and comfortable, and so much calmer than it had been the last time I saw her. That alone would’ve been enough to convince me, but she added, “And I refused to consider him anything more than a friend unless he gives his magic to one of his brothers. The throne’s portion of dark magic is too wild for him to control. I think everyone in the whole court will agree with that.”

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