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The ground trembled, black roots pulsing as they sank deeper into the floor. Runa was shutting down the connection between me and the kingdom, stealing my power.

No. Not her. Not her!

My mate was no better than all the others who’d betrayed me.

Never again would someone take what was mine.

I clamped a hand around her deceptive throat. “Stop this.”

“You first,” she gasped.

Black veins spread up her arms to her shoulders, then across her chest. Closing the fissure in the tree was taking every bit of strength she possessed. Which of us would last the longest remained a mystery.

I tightened my grip, cutting off her oxygen.

How many games had we played together? Both fighting for dominance.

“You cannot best me,” I grated, snarling.

Her pulse slowed under my thumb. Shadowed threads crept up her cheeks. Oily tears slipped from her eyes. “Already. Have.”

Thunder rumbled. The throne under me shuddered, and an explosion, so bright it blinded me, detonated.

In the silence that followed, my ears rang.

Confusion clouded my mind. Where was I? My vision revealed nothing but white light. Below my skin, a pleasing energy hummed. I cracked my neck and rolled my shoulders. I’d battled Idris, and then…

Runa!

I gasped, grinding my fists into my eyes to clear them. Across my lap, a gentle weight prevented me from rising. By blurry increments, Runa came into focus. I remained on the throne, my mate resting upon my legs.

“Runa?” I ran my fingers through her hair. “Are you—” Thought returned. She’d healed the gaping wound in the tree, closed the rift between Carcerem, the throne…and me. Something that should have been beyond her capabilities.

“My love,” I whispered, gathering her into my arms. Her skin was blackened from fingertip to shoulder, inky veins painted her chest, rising up her neck. Over her mate mark was a new handprint. This one a bruise.

“No! Runa!” I roared. Tears of rage blurred my vision. She couldn’t be dead. Not like this. Not ever!

As king, I wouldn’t allow it.

I placed my hand over her throat, my touch gentle, aligning my fingers with my mate mark. It was there…a flicker ofsomething. Our souls were still connected, though that tie faded with every second that passed.

Due to Runa’s heroic efforts, a connection remained between me and the throne. Between me and Carcerem, as it should be. This connection felt natural. Felt right. Balanced.

I drew on that bond, calling on the heart and soul of Carcerem’s land, creatures, and people.

Unsure of what I was doing, I sent a simple command.Heal her. Return her to me.

The ancient voice I’d initially heard resurfaced.“King but a minute, and already he’s making demands.”

“It’s against the laws of the universe. A life lost cannot be given back,”the second, higher voice contributed.

“The nerve of this guy.”Flarking Idris.

“I do not want it without her,” I insisted.

“What did he say?”asked the second.

“The power, the throne, the kingdom. I do not want it without her.” It was all meaningless without Runa by my side. In the mortal realm, I’d lived a life of power and wealth but also of isolation and loneliness. I wouldn’t do it again.