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“I told you we’d meet again.” Her brown irises sparkle with mischief. She’s not wearing her crown but there’s something about her aura that screamsboss bitch.
I laugh and tuck the charm into my pocket, saving it for another day. “Indeed. You could have let me know what was going to happen,” I say.
“Part of knowing is a curse. I’ve conveyed the future before, but it caused more trouble than the original vision.” She shakes her head. “Vague guidance is the best I’m willing to give now whenever Hecate blesses me with a prophecy.”
“What happened?”
“She caused a war between the werecats and vampires, and the cats were nearly hunted to extinction,” Callum supplies.
Zyla sucks in a sharp breath and glares at him. “It wasn’t meant to go that way.”
“You told the vampires that their children were in danger if they continued to fight with the werecats and that they needed to end it.”
“And they were! There was too much bloodshed on either side,” Zyla tells me. “But apparently they took it as my permission to attempt to eliminate the werecats.”
“Maybe you should’ve been more specific. Like mentioning peace and love or something?” I don’t know the first thing about politics in this world but I can see how the vampires might’ve misinterpreted her message.
“She tried that too, but it turns out when the future is known, people still make the wrong choice.” Callum runs his hand up her arm. “You tried your best,” he attempts to reassure her. “And I was able to fix it.”
“Callum.” The way Orcus says his name is a warning the warlock doesn’t heed.
“What? It was easy. I just created a little sanctuary the vampires couldn’t get to and provided a safe place for the werecats to repopulate. My making the werecats disappear stopped the bloodshed.” He may not notice the clouds darkening Zyla’s features, but there’s a storm brewing, and he’s about to get struck by lightning if he’s not careful. “That wasn’t the last time I had to help her.” Dropping his arm around her shoulder, he pulls her against his body and beams at her.
This situation sounds really complicated, but one thing is absolutely clear. Callum is an idiot.
Zyla’s gaze narrows, taking his words as a jab, and she jerks out from under his arm. “You’re an asshole.” She storms away from him and magical fire crackles in her palms. Her shoulders heave as she sucks in a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself.
Callum’s face cracks, and a slip of an emotion seeps through that cocky façade, hurt, maybe regret, but he conceals it before she glares in his direction again.
“You should go. I’m going to make sure Daisy is settled. In time, I’ll return to the village. We don’t need you.” She pauses. “Idon’t need you.”
“So eager to get rid of me, Zy?” Callum teases, expertly hiding his true feelings as he saunters toward her. “If you want me gone, I’ll go.” He tugs on a strand of her blonde hair and heat flashes in her gaze but she doubles down.
“I want you to go,” she snaps.
Their relationship is so complicated it’s making me dizzy.
“Where’s my son?” a loud voice booms through the infirmary and cuts through the tension filling the room. Dread zings through the bond.
Great. Time to meet the parents.
* * *
The king oozesmalice and pride. My skin crawls and my hackles rise as he comes to stand before us. The king’s tusks are adorned with several golden cuffs. The opulent decorations might be beautiful, but I’ve learned too much about the ogre to admire him in any respect. The story Orcus told was horrible, but I have a feeling this ogre has done a lot more than accidentally destroy a village. A hawk like gaze cuts through the room, slicing through me on the way to Orcus who is rising from the bed. How Orcus doesn’t falter beneath that scrutinizing glare is beyond me.
Every instinct is telling me he’s not good, and I’ve learned to listen to my gut. I inch closer to Zyla and Callum, but Orcus notices and shakes his head. Soft, soothing sensations flit down the bond.
Apparently, I’m meant to stay where I am.
“I was told you were still injured,” his dad says, tone almost bored.
“He was, Your Majesty. The Grand High Witch helped heal his wounds.” Avery scurries to the side to keep from being kicked as the king steps toward Orcus.
Prometheus releases a tiny, petrified squeak.Scared.
The dragon is tucked behind Harald, a surprising turn of events, and the trull’s chest puffs with pride. I’m shocked, considering Prometheus has been taunting him. I also know without a doubt the trull will protect my dragon while the king is here.
Face to face, Orcus is slightly taller and a little wider than the king, but that’s not to say the king isn’t a giant in his own right. They’re both huge, and seeing two ogres together has my little human heart clenching in fear. Logically I know I’m not in danger, but there are predators and then there are prey. In the land of monsters, I’m the prey, and even though I’m Orcus’ mate, my body and mind refuse to let me forget that fact. I take a deep breath to slow my racing heart.
