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I tilt my head, and he smiles sadly. “I was imprisoned for a very long time, and it messed with my head. Cora washed my soul clean. She accepted my scars and kissed them better, so yes, I know what you mean about being saved.”
“I think Kaito was a prisoner,” Weyland offers, and we all turn around to see him. “He confessed some things to me once, but from what I understood, the king created him and kept him locked away until he escaped.”
“I will speak with him,” Zetros offers, “to see if I can help in any way.”
“No wonder they get along so well,” Rook murmurs, his shadows sliding across my skin, but I’m used to it by now. Grim glares at him the entire time though.
“True, they were both prisoners.” I nod, finally understanding. Although we all have a bond, the one between Kaito and Kai seems deep, and now I know why.
“If it’s true and humans are hunting monsters,” Grim finally says as we lapse into silence, “then a war is brewing.”
“It is,” Rook replies. “I feel the death that awaits in the shadows. This will only end with a battle—a battle for this land’s soul.”
“Then we must prepare. We must be strong enough,” Razcorr adds as he and Weyland tread closer.
“No matter what, Cora and Kai are to be protected.” Grim looks us all over as he sits up taller, every inch the king, even without the crown or throne.
We all nod. “Agreed.”
“They won’t like it.” Rook smiles. “They are fighters.”
“They are all that matters. If we lose them, we die,” Grim snarls.
“Oh, I can’t wait for the bloodshed,” Bracken murmurs, and we all turn to him before sharing a look.
“We’ll discuss it with our mates,” Grim states as we lapse into silence once more.
A bond stretches between us, the monsters who love two great women.
Two women we can’t afford to lose.
Suddenly, there’s a bang that echoes through the castle. We all turn as the door opens, an annoyed Kaito standing there with a hulking orc at his side. “Found the orc,” he mutters as we all burst into laughter.
Chapter
Fifty-One
KAI
Isink deeper into the water, watching the fragrant ripples close above my head. The bathing chamber is bigger than our old house, with a black tub large enough for me and my monsters. Cora hustled me in here and filled it for me with a wordless look. I open my eyes and see dirt and blood slide off my body until I feel somewhat clean. The door opens, and Cora bustles in from the chamber beyond with some garments draped over her arm.
When she sees me, she stops and swallows hard.
I tilt my head back, wondering what’s with her expression. I have been waiting all day for her anger or resentment, and I haven’t gotten it. She has been kind, loving, and glad to have me back. All my worry and anxiety were for nothing.
It’s like old times again, except now we’re in a castle.
She blinks, turns away, and clears her throat, and I swear I see tears sliding down her cheeks, which makes my heart clench in pain. “You look beautiful,” she says as she moves closer and sinks gracefully to the floor, resting her chin on the side of the tub.
Leaning over, I wipe her cheeks clean, and she presses her face into my palm, sighing as she closes her eyes.
I lean my head onto the tub’s side, watching her. My gaze roves over my sister’s face. She has grown, that’s for sure. Gone is the Shadow Land’s girl, and in her place is a true queen.
“Let me help you.” She grabs the soap, and I relax as she washes my hair for me. When she’s done, I stand and step from the bath. I dry off with a towel before she helps me into a simple, floor-length gown.
The devastating emerald green shines against my skin, the fabric soft and silky. The top is covered in lace detail, and the billowing sleeves are almost sheer. “Perfect.” She smiles. “I knew there was a reason I bought this one.”
Nodding, I tug at the dress, feeling the softness as I follow her into the bedchamber beyond. She pushes me onto a waiting stool, and I let her brush my hair like she did when we were kids until she steps back and nods.
