AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Zurie’s expression shuttered as she rose to standing, her gaze flicking to the crowd of people behind me.
“Leave us,” she growled.
If this female hadn’t been the bane of my entire existence, I’d have appreciated the fact that even a dank dungeon didn’t strip her of her pride. Thalia and myolana kah’heiremained exactly where they were, at my side. I could feel their magic, restless in the air, as they watched.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re no longer Queen.”
Her jaw flexed with anger, hands fisting by her sides.
“We have much to discuss, and it is not for outside ears. You wish to take the throne and rule as King?Trust no one. Not even your family.”
Whether or not she knew anything about me or the betrayal that had come to light, her words hit home.
“Vow that you will speak only the explicit and clear truth to me.”
Her expression cooled, lips pursing. “Gladly. Only if you make a vow in exchange.”
I huffed a dry laugh. “You’re not exactly in a position to make a bargain, Zurie.”
Instead of being cowed by the reminder, a knowing grin tilted her lips before she burst into an abrupt, sardonic laugh.”
“Oh, how wildly naive you are. You think I have no power because you’ve given me this little necklace?” A petite hand brushed a fingertip across the palladium collaring her throat as if it were a precious jewel. Large, blue, doll-like eyes took on a malevolent glint.
“I don’t need my magic to be powerful,my son. And you’d do well to not rely on yours either, no matter how mighty.”
I gave her a bored look.
“You’ve done a lot of talking yet have somehow told me absolutely nothing.”
A sly grin returned. “I willallowyou to take the throne. I’ll even help you rule?—
A hoarse laugh bubbled up and quickly escalated. Despite what had inspired it, it felt good.
Zurie scowled impatiently at me as I wiped tears from my eyes. My laughter oscillated repeatedly between a breathless chuckle and an unhinged cackle.
“Are you quite finished?”
Fate certainly had a sense of humor.
“You’ve destroyed an entire Kingdom. Committed mass genocide on multiple occasions… I just can’t help but find humor in the sheer delusion you must live in to think I would valueyourassistance.”
Like any genuinely delusional person, she didn’t even acknowledge the truth I’d just thrust in front of her.
“Whether you like it or not, you will need my help.”
“Give me one reason not to kill you, Zurie, because it’s all I’ve dreamt about for years.”
Her expression almost became wistful as she stared at me, gradually shaking her head as a sad smile curled her mouth. She sighed, suddenly looking as though a wave of bone-deep exhaustion washed over her.
“You’ll soon discover there are many reasons you need me…”
I frowned my increasing boredom. So many words yet so little meaning.
She gave me a sly and frustratingly smug look.
“Least of all being that I know where your father is.”
