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Kellen
Kellen’s heart stilled.
His breath caught in his throat. His father, his own father, bowed in supplication to the Dark Goddess who rode the wind far above them.
The traitor came from his own blood.
His people gasped, screams ringing across the square, but there was nowhere to go. Nowhere to run. Domnua appeared from the shadows.
They were surrounded.
Unless he could lead his people through the tunnels, which was a dangerous endeavor with so many of them in such a small space, and only a few paths ending in exit points. Plus, who was to say that Domnu didn’t have those exits covered? If she’d been working with his father, then she’d likely know every entry point to the castle. Fury roiled in his stomach, along with a bone-deep sadness. The man he’d thought was just grieving had been revealed as a bloody traitor. Betraying his own son, forsaking his own people, leading them all into darkness.What the hell?
“Father…how could you? What were you thinking?” Kellen demanded, pulling Raven tight to his side as Domnu drifted slowly to the ground, his people drawing back, pressing themselves against the walls in a bid to get away from the Dark Goddess.
“I was thinking how weak you were.” Devlin laughed. “And how our people needed a steady hand. The guidance of our one true ruler.” He bowed his head as Domnu approached, a smile hovering on her face.
She was starkly, horrifically beautiful, all sharp angles and icy eyes. Her dark hair writhed around her head, a nest of snakes that snapped at the people she passed, and she wore a dark gown of leather and lace.
“It doesn’t have to be so hard, does it now?” Domnu all but purred, arching an eyebrow at Kellen. “Swear to me your allegiance, and your people will be saved.”
“Never,” Kellen said, gritting his teeth. “My father may betray his son, but I will never betray my people.”
“Families are…difficult, aren’t they?” Domnu tapped a finger against her lips as she prowled among his people, smiling as they shrunk back from the snakes that hissed at them. “Take my darling sister. She’s been nothing but a thorn in my side for centuries now. I suppose celebrating the holidays has been a touch lonely without her, but we do the best we can when we lose people we care about, don’t we?”
“You care about her? About Goddess Danu?” Kellen’s eyes widened at Bianca’s question before he remembered that this wasn’t her first time facing off with the Dark Goddess. “Why do I find that so hard to believe?”
“Speaking of thorns in my side…” Domnu grimaced as her eyes landed on Bianca. “You again. You do seem to be quite resilient, don’t you? Even for a human. I suspect you’ll make an excellent addition to my army.”
“Not likely. I’m horrible at taking orders.” Bianca grinned cheerfully, and to Kellen’s surprise, Domnu laughed. It wasn’t a cheerful sound. No, it was more like babies screaming in the night, and it sent a shiver down his spine.
“Noted.” Domnu strolled forward until she stood directly in front of the group who stood on the platform, and Kellen was certain she was going to address the king. Except her eyes weren’t on Callum.
She’d stopped in front of Raven.
The expression on her face shifted, morphing from one of abject evil to warmth. Well, as warm as a Dark Goddess of the underworld could be. Even the snakes that coiled around her head calmed, ceasing their hissing noises, and turned to blink curious eyes at Raven.
Kellen didn’t know what was about to happen, but he didn’t like where this was going. Shoving Raven behind him, he stepped forward, but before he could do anything, Domnu spoke.
“As I mentioned, family can be complicated. Nevertheless, we’re all connected by our blood, aren’t we? And in the end, it’s the blood that binds, isn’t it? The time has come, daughter, for you to join me as we step into power, together.”
A roaring sounded in Kellen’s ears, heat racing down the back of his neck, as he turned in what felt like slow motion at Raven’s gasp.
“No,” Kellen breathed. It was too much. First Alistair, then his father, and now…now his fated mate had betrayed him as well? Rage flashed through him, like a hot knife slicing through butter, and Callum grabbed his arms before he swung at the goddess. She laughed, delighted at his anger, and lifted her chin at him.
“There you go, you silly little Fae.Feedthe anger. Let it fuel your blood. It’s what I thrive on the most. In anger lies power.” Domnu smirked before turning back to face Raven.
Her daughter.
Now, as Kellen struggled for breath, and Callum and Seamus held him back, he watched the two women study each other. His heart sank. Seeing them like this, in silhouette, he could see it.He could see it.
Mother and daughter.
Of the same blood.
It sickened him, that he’d claimed her, that he’d let her into his bed. All this time she’d played him, just like his father had, and now the Fae would die because of their evil.
“Daughter. You’re looking well.” Domnu looked Raven up and down and sniffed. “Though your wardrobe could use an upgrade.”
