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I leaned back and pulled my cloak in tighter.

Just like I’d said would happen.

The boys spread propaganda against Lux, against all the founders of this world, and formed an army in the shadows. It had probably been going on for years. There were surely people who saw Lux as too weak of a ruler, or perhaps too abrasive. Michael wanted power, and he played on that by dropping little tidbits over time.

Then we rose against Lux, making it clear that we had more power than he did, otherwise meaning that if Lux was weak enough to be overthrown, so was Matriax. It was the perfect time to take over, cloaked in the guise of patriotism, as a means to defend their land and way of life from people—us, the par animarum—who’d dismantle their society.

We wouldn’t. Unless we saw that he was allowing some gross inhumane treatment, we’d let Rafael rule as he saw fit.

Andthatwas the problem. Those boys would defer to their father as they had since he created Matriax, but not the brother they envied, the one they saw as the weakest link because he had the softest heart.

Radicalizing a society wasn’t difficult, and Michael understood that. He radicalized the Angels so they’d help him become thestrongruler their world needed.

The land had no enemies, but they couldn’t let a weak man rule it. A man who’d been overthrown once before. A man who couldn’t hold a wife for more than a few years. A man who’d been publicly humiliated when his brother fucked his wife and stole his kingdom.

I saw exactly what Michael had done, because if I were in his position, with the same life goals, it was what I would’ve done.

In our own regard, itwaswhat we’d done.

Rion had radicalized hundreds of thousands of the lowest class on Matriaza. He turned them into Werewolves so they could stand against their oppressor.

We spilled little blood the day that Nix and I took the crown from Lux. We walked in those doors with an army Lux had no idea we’d acquired.

The Conclave surrendered, declaring our coup successful, in moments.

Michael was following in our footsteps.

The only difference was that our coup was justified. Matriaza was a living nightmare. Women were traded like livestock. People were sold as slaves. Thousands were left to starve without money or medical care while those in power had everything they could ever want.

I didn’t know what Michael had in store for the people, but I knew it wasn’t a society focused revolution. After all, the people on our world and Matriax were well cared for.

It was power.

What did he plan to do with that power?

“They have supporters,” Lux said, “and I have supporters. I wouldn’t call it a civil war.”

“There was a bloodbath outside your castle,” Nix said.

“Yes, there was,” Rafael said. “And anyone involved is either dead or imprisoned.”

“Except for Michael,” Nix said.

Lux frowned. “We’re going to find him—”

“And until you do, the uprising will strengthen. If he’s their leader, the only chance you have is if he’s gone.”

“It’s under control,” Rafael said. “They’ve ceased fire after Gabriel made a public statement. He holds the same notoriety as Michael.”

“And they’re comfortable with Rafael ruling in my place,” Lux said. “A few aren’t, but most are.”

“I can handle those who aren’t,” Rafael said.

Nix didn’t say anything. He only studied them for a few heartbeats. Then he lapsed to a seated position beside me. “We aren’t the deciding factor for your punishment. We’ll get a vote, but it isn’t up to us.”

“If it was?” Lux asked.

“You’d be dead.”