AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re a cruel king to tease me like that,” I whisper back.
“You have no idea what I plan to do to you, little flower.”
My core clenches and fiery lust shoots through the bond. I bite back a goofy grin. “I think I have an idea.”
* * *
Zyla and Callumare waiting for us when we arrive at the castle. She races toward us, and I squirm in Orcus’ hold until he grudgingly lets me down. Bursting into tears as I run, I release the last of my anxiety and crash into her. Together we stumble and she laughs, hugging me tight as I clutch her like sand slipping through my fingers.
“I was so worried.” I pull back and look her over. “You’re not hurt, are you? I’m so sorry, Zyla.”
“I’m fine. I’m glad you are too. I was worried I’d never see you again.” She swipes at her cheeks. “But here you are.”
I hug her again, and my gaze connects with Callum’s. Zyla told me how much he hurt her. I scowl at him. If he so much as causes her to break a nail, I’ll find a way to ruin his life. His lips press together and he nods at me, shifting his focus to Orcus who is approaching him.
“I’m exhausted,” I confess. “Can we go inside and make some tea?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Zyla says with a laugh. “I have so much to tell you.”
We turn and head into the courtyard. Callum and Orcus trail after us, followed by a flood of monsters. Orshana breaks away from the younger sisters and races to Orcus, searching the crowd. She spots Orlena and releases an audible gasp, but then she keeps looking. Her gaze jumps over face after face before flying back to her son’s. He grimaces.
This isn’t just his truth to tell. “I’ll be right back,” I tell Zyla and join my mate.
Orshana spares me a glance and a nod before focusing on Orcus. “What happened?”
Orcus opens his mouth to respond but all that comes out is a strangled sound. My chest clenches. She may hate me for what I’ve done, but I can’t let Orcus take on the burden of telling his mother that his father is probably dead.
“I made a deal with the furies.”
She turns to me. “What deal?” she asks softly.
I want to look away. I don’t want to see how upset she’ll be. I may be a coward in a lot of ways, but I can’t be with this. She deserves to look me in the eye when I tell her what I’ve done. “I offered a trade. We gave the furies justice in exchange for peace.”
She rubs her chest. “Justice?”
“Mom,” Orcus manages, but his voice cracks and her face scrunches in confusion. “He’s done something, hasn’t he?” Her gaze bounces between us. “What did he do?”
Orcus takes a deep breath and tells her everything about that day. Her hand moves to cover her mouth and her eyes mist. He tells her what the king had done to Zyla and what he did to me. Her face shatters with each painful truth, but she doesn’t try to argue. Orshana knows who her mate was.
“I’m sorry,” Orcus says with a sniff. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Hurt me?” she asks, cupping his face. “My sweet son, you did nothing wrong.” She gives me a pointed look. “And neither have you.” Sniffing, she shakes her head and drops her gaze. “I knew what he was capable of, but I never thought he’d do something like this. I never thought he’d hurt our family and our people. I’m the one who should be sorry. The moment I knew how horrible he could be, I should have taken you kids and left.”
“No, Mom, you’re—”
“Orcus,” she cuts him off. “I should have left the first time you came back from training barely able to walk and covered in bruises.” She pinches her eyes shut. “I told myself that this is what we do. This is what his father did. This is how warriors are made, but I… I was wrong. I cannot tell you how much I’ve regretted everything I let him do to train you.”
My chest aches for her. To live with that guilt… it would suck.
“I don’t blame you for anything,” Orcus tells her. “Warriors do train hard. Did he take it too far? Yes. Was that your fault? No, and at that point, you trying to leave with us would have been more dangerous than staying. If you tried to leave with his heir, he would’ve killed you for treason.”
She nods. “I know.” Her voice is thick with emotion.
“You deserve a mate who loves you.” He hugs her and she releases a quiet sob. I slip away to give them space, knowing right now Orshana needs her son more than I do. Orlena is with the princesses and based on the stricken looks on their faces, she’s telling them what happened.
They’re all going to resent me some day. Today, it made sense, but eventually, I’ll be the woman who gave up the king to save her own ass.
Zyla threads her arm through mine. “How about that tea?”
