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At the mercy of a world that wanted to crush me.
I’d use my power to build something better, something glorious.
As if it understood me, my magic hummed in agreement.
2
ANARIA
When we crested the top of the road, I blinked in stunned awe.
Nestled at the foot of the Fang Mountains, Nightcairn Castle rose from the shifting mists of the forest like a lonely sentinel. With two black, monolithic towers looming above a thick canopy of pines, the jaw-dropping castle watched over the silent forest like a blackened silhouette, an impossible structure of fanciful turrets and arched windows.
The building seemed too delicate to be made of stone, every last inch decorated with intricately carved details and leering, wolfish gargoyles with long, curved fangs dripping with moss.
Twisted vines stretched to the tops of even the highest towers, as if the forest was trying to devour the castle as quickly as possible.
But the place was hauntingly beautiful, in a dark, ruined way.
Like we’d stumbled on something lost and forgotten.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. Apparently, my father has let it go,” Tavion murmured, that touch of apology softening his tone, though I didn’t know why he kept bothering. I could care less how much money he had, or how devastated his family home was.
This was a huge waste of time.
“Let’s hope we won’t be here long.” Out of habit, I reached down and rechecked the knives in my boots, then the iron bands on my arms while the carriage made its final turn in front of the castle.
“Zor and the army are a full day ahead of us now,” I reminded him gruffly. “We don’t have time to waste on pleasantries.”
I was still exhausted from our battle with Solok two days ago, though my magic was slowly refilling, hopefully in time for me to face whatever lay ahead.
I couldn’t believe we’d squandered so much time on this farce, just to convince the king I actually wanted to meet my husband’s family.
If the rest of the Montgomery clan were anything like Tavion, they could rot, for all I cared.
“I’m not planning to stay. We’ll be back on the road in an hour, with luck.” But Tavion never took his eyes off the castle, gravel crunching beneath the carriage wheels as we rolled to a stop in front of the grandest staircase I’d ever seen in my life, leading to a massive set of wooden doors.
“Good. How will we know when Crux and Lyrae leave?” I muttered before swinging the door open, ignoring the footman scrambling toward me. I jumped out, my stiff legs and back locking up the second I hit the ground. But gods, it was good to breath air that wasn’t clogged with dust and dripping with Tavion’s musky scent.
This air smelled clean, filled with mountain winds and pine sap—cold and crisp.
I took a moment to drink in the view. Then Tavion had to ruin everything by opening his mouth.
“Don’t worry your head, wife. I’ll take care of the trespassers.” Tavion landed lightly beside me, the frantic footman setting the step down a moment too late. “I grew up in these woods.” His wolfish smile revealed too long teeth. “I’ll send them home with their tails between their legs before nightfall.”
I snorted, but took the arm he offered, the back of my neck prickling at the sensation of being watched.
“Then let’s make this convincing enough they fuck off back to Blackcastle,” I muttered.
* * *
The castle was lovely—notthat I’d ever tell Tavion—a mix of black marble and dark wood that gave off a distinctively masculine vibe. Aside from a few tapestries, there were no paintings, or much color at all, except for an intricate blue and gold coat of arms inlaid in the center of the foyer floor—a ferocious wolf’s head intertwined with a blue flame, the inset sapphire mosaic beneath my feet dancing with an inner light.
This was the kind of money the Descendants dreamed of, luxury beyond measure, even though everything was slightly ragged around the edges. Far from bringing this place down to earth, the worn edges of the furniture spoke of hands lovingly stroking family heirlooms, of home and hugs and laughter.
Experiences I’d never had, never thought I’d missed…but I blinked from the unexpected pang tightening my chest.
Tavion was a right bastard most of the time, but at least he had family. For the first time since we’d begun this ridiculous trip, curiosity stirred inside me at the prospect of meeting his people.
