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I wouldn’t have. But, now I had no choice. Exactly as Lark planned.
Gods, I hated him. And loved him. My fool, who was about to save the knight, and the world. And if I let him, he’d die for it. Because that was who he was. The most heroic of us all.
CHAPTER49
Lark
Echoes of a massacrehaunted Razak’s tower. I passed a bloody handprint on the wall, a dried pool of blood on the floor. Death’s smell hung in the air. The story had been left on display for all to see. A few terrified aides scurried out of our way like insignificant bugs. None of the other staff remained, having either fled or been killed.
The Court of Pain couldn’t function this way. But Razak had never been interested in running the court, or its cities. He cared nothing for his people, only himself.
Razak’s tower had become a tomb for those who had attempted to stand against him.
Was this what had happened in the buried palace beneath Justice? Did an ancient king fall within its halls? Dallin himself, perhaps? Was the same story painted on its walls doomed to repeat again here? I hoped, this time, to change its ending.
“I have a gift for you, dear brother,” Razak said, sweeping down the corridors as though nothing about the sprays of blood on the walls were unusual. “I prepared it for your inevitable return.”
Moments ago, he’d shattered my violin, and I’d knelt to him, claiming to bring him news of an imminent invasion. Since my display in the streets, he feared killing me, but Razak had worse weapons than death at his disposal. He wouldn’t take my passion, like he had Queen Soleil’s; he didn’t want me docile and obedient. He never had. I’d likely be punished for my betrayal.
The gift would not be a kind one. He could fuck me, cut me—none of it mattered. Just so long as hetrustedme. I was about to face the ultimate test, and my final act. All the lies, the acts, and the years of smiling and dancing and performing for the enjoyment of others—everything had led to this moment.
“I assume you have a plan? Your reason for being here?” He glanced over his shoulder. “As you have returned of your own free will. That sharp mind of yours will be plotting. Do you assume I’ll welcome you with open arms after your stunt at Justice, hm, if you pretend to be docile?”
“I am always yours, dear brother. Even when it does not appear that way.”
“I almost fell off that fuckin’ bridge! If you truly wish to stand at my side, then your behavior says the opposite.”
“All of that was necessary to fool Arin into believing I despise you and love him. Lies, I assure you, Razak. All lies.”
He chuckled, then muttered, “TofoolArin… Such a shame you didn’t bring Love’s prince with you. I’d have you cut him from his balls to his chin, and then we’d see where your loyalty truly lies. No?”
“You will have him, Razak. They treated me as though I were a prince. I attended every meeting. The information I have will guarantee you’ll see him swing from the hanging tree.”
He stopped, spun, and stared into my eyes. And I stared right back, calm, controlled, the truth in my eyes, on my face, hidden in my hint of a smile. Razak had the elusive power to yank out our will, he had Pain’s crown hooked into his scalp, and now he had Love’s crown too—my gift to him. But Razak wanted Arin writhing in his hands, wanted to breathe Arin’s last gasp into his own lungs and watch the light snuff out of Arin’s eyes. I peered into my brother’s eyes now, and I knew how much he yearned for Arin’s death, because that same yearning lived and breathed in me. He’d relish Arin's death, the same as I’d relish his. All that remained was to see whose story ended first.
“I want to believe you,” he admitted. “But unfortunately for us both, I know you.” He waved a finger. “We were always meant to be together, you and I.” His glare softened, gaining shallow warmth. Above everything, Razak desperately wanted to be loved. I’d have to prove my love for him, in every despicable way.
He breathed faster, anticipating what was to come—nightmares in the making.
I was ready. This was all fantasy; none of it was real. Another dance, another lie. I was Zayan, and I loved my vicious, despicable brother.
He turned away and marched onward, cloak bellowing. “I admit, I may have wandered off the path somewhat. It’s difficult to remain grounded with this gift of power in my hands.” He looked down at Love’s crown swinging from his fingers. “Knowing I can crush a soul with just a glance. You have no idea, Zayan. The power, the rush! It’s as though their every death feeds me, makes me stronger.” He laughed again. “I’m aroused just thinking it. I want to share it with you, shareeverythingwith you, but you must understand, Zayan, your lies are slippery things. I cannot merely trust you without proof. I’d be the fool, in that case. Not even with this gift of yours.” He raised Love’s crown. “Prove your love, convince me, and we will rule the shatterlands together as one.” He stopped outside a door like any other we’d passed by and turned to focus on me. “But betray me, Zayan, and I will burn this world and everyone in it, starting with Arin.”
“I am yours, Razak. I’ve been yours since the day you saved me from the hanging tree. Body, soul, and mind. Whatever it takes, I will prove it. We’re brothers…” I dared reach for his face and found his cheek cool, soft, and damp under my fingers. “I love you.”
“Such pretty words.” He searched my eyes for the truth. All that power, a whole city and court on its knees around him, and he was just a man who wanted to be loved. “It remains to be seen if you stand by them.”
He opened the door and a wave of coppery air washed over me, mixed with the sweet scent of sex and sweat. I blinked at the man suspended from the ceiling and slammed mental barriers down, keeping the horror far from my expression, but it twisted and lashed inside me. I smiled and stepped into the nightmare.
Theo hung naked by his bloody wrists from leather straps fixed to the ceiling. His flash of red hair matched at his crotch. His chest indicated he was breathing, so by some miracle the lacerations shredding his chest, back, and legs hadn’t killed him—yet. Those cuts, they were so like the ones I bore.
“You see—” Razak strode over to him. “—you weren’t here, and I needed someone. I knew of a girl in the court of Love who’d survived, a dear friend of yours. I had planned to find her, but then this one revealed how you’d been close during your time in Justice, and he was the far easier catch. So really, this display is your doing, Zayan.” He gripped Theo’s hair and lifted his head. Through the blood and bruises, recognition sparked in Theo’s eyes.
I’ll teach you to dance, I’d told him.
We’d met briefly, but in doing so, I’d sealed his fate. He’d saved Ellyn’s life by admitting he knew me. So brave, so foolish.
Razak watched my face for any twitch, any sign that this was anything other than a wonderful gift. I laughed a sickening chuckle, approaching them both. “I’m almost jealous. He had all your attention, brother, while I had none.”
