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Thane stared as if he saw a ghost.

Casually, he sauntered down the red carpet and stopped in the center of the Hall of Kings folding his hands behind his back. “You know, it’s been a long time, Val. Maybe you should let your obsession with me go. Although, I know I’m difficult to get over. There is no one quite like me.”

Any sort of friendliness she felt vanished. Her own magic’s cool sensation ran down her arms at his threatening presence, but it would be foolish to make a move now.

That must be why Thane sat back on his throne, one foot rested over his knee. He leaned on the left armrest as if the intruder bored him. As if the Black Mage, the most feared mage ever to exist, didn’t just walk into their castle, into this very room.

Layala felt as if her throat closed up, like she couldn’t speak. She wanted to fire back with a witty retort, at least a denial of his words, but it was like an invisible hand reached inside her chest and she couldn’t breathe. Clenching her jaw, she slid her hand behind her back where a throwing star was hidden in the folds of her dress.

“I can say with certainty, she’s over you,” Thane said.

The Black Mage smiled at that, bringing out the single dimple on his cheek. “It’s Thane now, correct? You’ve done well for yourself as an elf. The title of High King, a beautiful castle, armies at your behest.” He gestured toward Layala, “My wife.” He smirked as if there was a joke only he knew of. “You always seem to be dealt the best cards in every life.”

What cards had Hel been dealt? Who was the elf before he was the Black Mage?

“You keep calling her that as if it is supposed to matter.Ifshe was ever your wife, it was another life. And even if she’s bound to you in any way, she’s free to do what she wishes.”

Layala wanted that to be true more than anything, but there was a time when she and Thane had no choice, when magic compelled them, and the consequences were dire. But the lily mark on her arm that matched the Black Mage’s chest mark, didn’t resemble a mate rune.

The Black Mage looked at Layala and said, “You’re awfully quiet today Miss Lightbringer. Are you going to tell him why you were looking for me or should I? Although I think he already figured it out.” His voice whispered in her mind,Because you missed me. You’re drawn to me even if everything in you wants to fight it. You can’t help it. So don’t fret, love, I’m here now.

Layala clenched her hands into fists, digging her nails into her palms.The audacity of this arrogant male.Missed him!Missed him!“I know what you’re implying and it’s pathetic that you still call me wife, when it’s certainly not you in my bed.”

I hear he’s not in your bed either.

Layala quietly growled. How could he know that? “I want to end the chaos and hurt and fear you’ve caused everyone, by any means necessary.”Andto get back to the way things were with Thane.It was the person standing opposite them that caused all the problems she had in her life right now. Every single one of them.

He let out a deep midnight laugh. “Any means necessary? We could get creative with that. Sounds like a good time to me.”

Her heart quickened but she kept going as if compelled, “Have you seen what you’ve done? Have you seen what your creatures do? You’re destroying this world.” Some small part of him had to care… He wasn’t a pale one or cursed to lose his conscience. She knew better than most that judging someone based on rumors could be a mistake. But then again, if he was the one to create the pale ones, he might be as much beast as they. These rumors about the Black Mage were well documented and told by people who knew him, not from humans and their prejudiced suspicions as it was in Thane’s case.

The Black Mage held out his arms, an open invitation. “Then kill me. I’m standing right here. Give it your best.”

Was this a test? There wasn’t an ounce of fear in his strong posture, in the arrogant set to his jaw. Without waiting further, her throwing star flew from her fingertips, whistling through the hall. It stopped inches from between his eyes.

He plucked it out of the air and toyed with it between his fingers. “That wasn’t your best shot. Not even close,goddess. I know what you’re capable of.”In more ways than one, love,he taunted in her mind.

Stay out of my head! she silently shouted.

Thane stood and tilted his head from side to side, cracking his neck. “That’s enough. Get out of my castle.”

“At the risk of sounding childish, make me.”

“I don’t want to fight you, so if you have demands, make them or leave.”

“Always with the negotiations, but I want to see your temper. We all know it’s a doozy. He’s one of those we called berserkers in Runevale. Those who lose themselves in battle and only see red.” He placed his hands behind his back. “Is it truly you, War? You look like War, sound like War, but I don’t know if I believe it.”

Before this came to blows that might leave Thane dead, Layala grabbed his hand and gripped it tight. He turned to look down at her. The fury building on his face was evident, the clouds of battle darkening his eyes. She’d seen that look before; this was the edge of giving into the god whose namesake he might very well be.

“If you’ve come for me, rest assured, I won’t be going anywhere. If this is about you or him, then I choose him.”

“You heard her,” Thane said. “Now leave.”

“Is that so?” His scarred brow raised. “I think you’ll be singing a different tune soon enough, wife.Mate. Unlike the bond you shared with him, ours is real, not artificially bound by magic. You know what that means, don’t you?”

“Nothing to me anymore.”

“Don’t be like that. I am your destiny, love. He was a stand-in.” His glare cut to Thane. “A want-to-be me.”