Besides the royal wing, the upstairs hallway leads to the balconies that overlook the rooms on the main floor. The four of us move as soundless as wraiths gliding over the granite floors. At the throne room balcony, we pause again, listening. Two voices bounce off the walls, not even trying to be quiet.
“I watched them come inside. The prince and his guards are here somewhere. We just need to make sure they don’t leave before the king returns.”
The first male’s voice is unfamiliar, as is the one that responds, “The king should be back any time now. Let’s find the bastards and have them waiting here for his return.”
“Don’t be an idiot. They would take great pleasure in killing anyone in their path right now. Look around you!”
It’s silent for a moment before the second male lets out a bark of laughter. “Well, I think he will thank us. We secured his throne. He’s now the king of Daminae.”
The words chill my blood. It never crossed my mind that I’m now the king. It’s the last thing I ever wanted—every fiber in my being rebels against the idea.
The four of us inch away from the railing and huddle together.
“I say we go down there and slaughter them both,” Liam offers quietly, and I nod in agreement.
“We need one alive to question,” Thom whispers, trying to reason with us. “If their king returns soon, we have to make sure we are gone. We aren’t ready to fight.”
Corren eyes both me and Liam seriously. “Thom’s right. We don’t know how many soldiers they have with them. We should call the legion and organize before we do this.”
I ignore both of their logic. “I’ll try not to kill them both.”
Thom rolls his eyes and cracks his neck. “Fine,but let me at least talk to one first before you rip his heart out.”
“You get one minute,” I say, and he minutely shakes his head.
The four of us creep down the stairs toward the throne room. I peer over my shoulder at my friends before kicking the door open. The males yelp as we burst into the room with blades drawn.
The taller of the two lunges first, hurling a gust of air in our direction.
We’re able to dodge it, and before the male can use his magic again, the wrath that has been so eager to explode from inside me pours from my hand. My shadows seize the male, and a strangled scream is the only sound he makes as the darkness flows inside him, into every cell, vein, and fiber of his being. I clench my fist and cause them to constrict, shredding him from the inside. His eyes flare before rolling back in his head. When my magic leaves his body, he falls to the floor with a heavy thud.
Thom has the other male at sword point on the floor, pleading for his life. Liam and Corren’s heels pin the male’s wrists to the ground.
“Who do you serve? Who did this?” Thom seethes as he leans on his sword, a pinprick of red blossoming beneath the tip.
But the male only blubbers incoherently, snot and spit running down his face. I’m ready to end the sniveling male when a familiar voice cuts through the room. “If you are unsure who to thank for your new crown, wonder no more.”
It’s not possible. There is no way he is here.
Reluctantly, I turn toward the voice and find Niethal standing in the doorway, grinning.
My mouth gapes.
How?
Niethal’s grin grows sharper. “I believe the words you’re searching for are ‘thank you.’ But do not be mistaken. I will holdyourgratitude as debt.” He strides into the room, standing on the far side of the dais. “You owe me for your new crown,KingThorne.”
My hand tenses on the grip of my sword. “I’m going to kill you.”
He snickers. “I imagine that’s the closest I will get to a thanks from you. Fine, we can do this the hard way.” With a flick of his wrist, Selen guards flood the room, nearly fifty by my count.
In all the commotion, Thom’s blade must leave the guard’s chest because the male scurries to rejoin the Selen ranks, but as he’s crossing the floor, a gurgle escapes his throat. In the matter of a breath, Niethal appeared before him and shoved a dagger into his chest. Blood seeps over the guard’s lips, and a wet cough splatters the droplets onto Niethal’s face. With a scowl, Niethal twists the blade and the guard’s shoulders slump before crashing to the ground.
“I have no need of cowards in my service.” Niethal wipes the splatter from his face before turning toward me. “As I was saying, we can do this the hard way, and believe me, nothing would bring me more joy than ending you and your friends. But you are more useful to me alive—for now, at least.”
I sneer at him. “I will never work with you. Not after this.”
His gaze flicks upward, and he scoffs. “You will realize what I did was a gift. One you will eventually come to appreciate.” He steps forward, and his guards follow. “Youwillwork with me.” He says it matter-of-factly, and my pulse pounds in my ears.