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I didn’t dare mentionaetra, though she was undoubtedly well aware.
Her fingers nervously twisted a tiny bit of fabric at the side of her figure-hugging gown. Decorated with ornate, silver beading woven into the tight fighting bodice that appeared to be strangling her breasts.
If anything, the sight made me all the more wary. She no doubt knew what she was doing. Or at least trying to.
“My father has fallen ill. With no King beside me when I take the throne, I have no doubt that members of my father’s court will make attempts on my life.”
Ah.
“I have asoulbound,female,” I grit out, nearly holding up the arm that was supposed to be covered withsoulboundmarkings.But wasn’t.
I was angered by both her attempt towoome and the fact that it reminded me mysoulboundwas someone who wanted nothing to do with me and did not share the ideals with which I would rule.
“Asoulboundwho would rather seek the company of another male…”
My magic slipped, eyes burning black and wings flaring at her harsh but factual words. Her lips parted in awe as she took in my true form.
“If this is your attempt at a proposal, you’re fucking miserable at it,” I snarled with barely restrained rage.
Her expression turned to one of compassion.
“I… I’m sorry. I just… I also know this pain. My ownsoulboundhas also sought another.”
My jaw dropped momentarily, but I quickly snapped it shut. In all my years, I'd never heard of such a thing. My scowl softened.
“Truly?”
She nodded, throat working on a swallow.
“It is one ofmanyreasons I sought you out.”
I shook my head as I tried to breathe away the phantom fist squeezing my throat.
“I have to return to myolana kah’hei.”
She nodded in understanding.
“There is one last thing.”
I piqued an eyebrow at her as my impatience reared.
“It’s about Zurie… She’s not who you think she is.”
My expression tightened.
“What?”
“Zurie is...Your birth mother.”
Chapter
Fifty-Nine
MAREINA
The dark red whorls of my magic seeped from me, writhing in anticipation. I seized what remained of my minuscule window of opportunity,willingmy sword into my hands as I lunged forward. Zurie, likely thanks to her already considerable power andaetraheightened senses, spun toward me just as my sword slid through her abdomen with no more resistance than butter. A gurgled cry tore through Zurie’s throat as I forced the blade up, severing her sternum into two halves until it reached her heart andwilledthe palladium collar to slip over her throat.
Shock widened her eyes. Blood dribbled from her lips, diaphragm, and chest. The words she rasped were unintelligible before she slipped off my blade and collapsed on the floor. I hardly noticed as Vesper rose from the bier where she laid, shifting back to her true form, and stared down at Zurie with wide eyes.
