Page 26

“Her generosity?” Runa choked out, seeming on the edge of losing her lunch. “My sister is a traitor to Carcerem and herfamily. The only one she’s been generous to is herself, helping to place the false king on the throne just to become queen.”

In response, Queen Raelynn pressed her blackened palm to her chest as though appalled at her sister’s rabid behavior. Her flawless brow furrowed, and her milky eyes sparked with anger. “You dare to accuse me of betraying Carcerem? Calling me selfish after all that I have done for this kingdom? After all I have done for you? Do you forget the sacrifices I made?”

“Sacrifices. Ha! Momma and Papa were the only ones to make sacrifices. You. All you’ve done is take. And lie. And deceive. Idris would not sit on that throne if not for you.”

The darkening rage on the king’s face warned Runa was about to get us all killed. I thrust the suicidal female into the company of her fellow bandits.

“Your majesty, if I may?” I strode forward, drawing his attention.

King Idris arched a disdainful brow. “Who are you?”

“Lord Victor Custodis, Clan Leader of the Eastern Territories.” I offered a precise bow. “Recently transferred here from the mortal world.”

“Transferred, huh?” King Idris snorted. “You mean they banished you.”

“Much to their detriment.”

“The mortal world only sends the worst of their degenerates to my lands. Treating our beautiful kingdom as dumping grounds for their rubbish. Littering the landscape with their refuse.” He turned pensive. “One would believe they did not like us. Luckily, I am not so easily offended.”

I fought to hide the sneer tugging my lips. I hated this realm—and it was deliberate.

“If you are the great leader you claim to be, what are you doing with this lot?”

To admit I was their captive would sound weak. “I was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught up intheir schemes. Truly, they are dangerous criminals. It’s a good thing your men captured them when they did.”

“What are you doing?” Drazen snarled.

“Let me guess.” King Idris smirked, his tone mocking. “You’re innocent and wish to be set free.”

Those gathered snickered quietly.

“No, Your Majesty. I wish only to offer you my services.”

“And what need would I have of a criminal who’s entered my realm uninvited? Look at you. Dressed in rags, no title, no land, no prospects.”

I’ll admit I wasn’t at my best. My long silver hair was tangled in knots. My previously pristine clothes were ruined after my fall and subsequent captivity. Currently, I had nothing to my name. Not even my title, really. Still, this was my opportunity to change all of that.

“Given my skill set and centuries of experience, I’m quite certain I can be of use to you instead of wasting my talents in a cell.”

“You mean the same talents that got you captured by a band of amateur renegades? One of them female, at that.”

Boisterous laughter echoed throughout the chamber.

Heat suffused my face, and I fought the urge to launch myself at the smug bastard much as Runa had.

Drazen stepped forward. “Your majesty. Don’t listen to this dunderhead. We found him wandering the planes, out of his mind. Charitable thieves that we are, we took the delusional prick under our wing. Made him a junior member of our gang. Just last week, he believed he was Queen of the Pixies.”

One of the bandits? Outrage washed over me. While born here, I did not belong in this shit-hole kingdom. Much less with this crew of sloppy thieves.

Chuckles rippled through the crowd. Even the king smiled.

Drazen turned to his audience. “You should have seen him dancing about in his skirt, pissing on flowers and claiming hewas sprinkling pixie dust.” To further his point, the fire demon pranced in a circle, lifting his knees up high.

“Enough!” the king demanded.

The room fell silent, their good humor subdued.

In the quiet, Queen Raelynn set her hand on her mate’s shoulder. “My king. The vampire does have a point. I believe this particular group of criminals deserves more than to rot in a prison cell.” She narrowed her eerie eyes at her sister. “What they need is to be taught a lesson in humility. To help them better appreciate Carcerem and its mighty king.”