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“He is late,”snapped a different, higher voice.

“Too late,”snickered a third, this presence sounding a lot like Idris.

These voices, I instinctively knew, were from the kings who’d come before me. They whispered in my ears.

“What will you do for them? Will you die for them?”Idris snarled.“Will you control them? Make them submit?”His poison lingered, slithering down my spine.

The ancient voice chimed in. “You are king. They should serve you.”

Divine strength sang in my veins. The feeling was euphoric—like bloodlust. The more I consumed, the more I wanted, and Carcerem was giving me everything.

Idris’s laughter rang in my head. “Take more. It’s what leeches do, after all. Take all of it. It’s yours.”

“Victor,” said a sweet voice. “Victor, can you hear me? Youmust reel it in. Push back.”

But I didn’t want to resist. If I could absorb a little more, I’d be the most powerful creature in the realm. With my strength, I could rule them all.

“Victor. It’s too much. Your skin is burning!”

I focused on the room before me. My mate peered back, her face contorted in a mask of agony. My mark on her throat blazed with the magnificence of the sun.

“So beautiful. Tell me. Do you love me, little thief?”

“Yes,” she wept. “I do love you, you idiot. That’s why you have to fight. Don’t let it consume you.”

“Will you worship your king?”

“Yes!” she shouted. “But I can’t do that if you’re dead.”

“Don’t worry, pet. Everything will be all right. I’ll protect you.”

“But who will protect you?”

I offered her a patient smile. “Gods do not need protecting.”

“You’re not a god, dammit,” she bellowed at me. “Snap out of it.”

Soon, she would understand.

“Come to me, my queen.” I extended my hand to her. My greatest conquest. My love.

Her bottom lip quivered, and she hesitated, regret apparent in her drawn visage. She would not say no to me.

“You need have no fear.” I dulled the raw energy that was vibrating through my fingers, trying not to scare her off. “Come. Rule at my side.”

My gorgeous mate heaved a stuttering breath, then took my hand. I drew her closer, bringing my queen between my knees. At last, we would be together as we were meant to be. As destiny foretold.

“I love you,” she said, the glow of my divine essence radiating off her perfect face. “I’m sorry, but there must be balance.”

Her grip on me tightened, and she smacked her free handdown on the arm of the throne. Bright amethyst shone in her glowing eyes. What was this?

My skin cooled where she held me, and I glanced down. The magical force resonating in my fingertips began to dim, receding up my forearm. I tried to pull away, but my arm had grown weak.

“Runa?” Her hand inside of mine began to cool, and I drew it up between us. Her flesh had turned black, the darkness spreading up her forearm.

“No,” I groaned as a chill enveloped me, the overwhelming flow of divinity ebbing. “What are you doing?”

“Closing the rift. The sacrifice has already been made. Raelynn’s life given freely.”