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“That information is yet to be determined. Synick could be sending us to a dead end just to get to live longer. And Aldrich could very well join with the council because they both hate you.”

Footsteps came from outside the doors, and one side was pulled open. A guard stood there, looked between the three of them and dipped his head. “My apologies for the interruption.”

Hel glared at the guard and his magic suddenly brushed past like an icy wind. The guard slowly rose off the ground, grasping at his throat. A heartbeat later he was pulled inside the throne room and to Hel’s side. “Is this one of them that drugged you, Val?” He grabbed a handful of his dark hair and jerked his head back. “Was he one of the guards who locked you up?”

Thane let out a low growl, his magic mixed with Hel’s in the air. It was a battle of hot and cold. “You think he’d be here if he was? I care about her too.”

“You two want to team up against me? Fine then, it’s him or Aldrich. Make a choice. It should be easy. You both care about the innocent so much.”

“That’s not fair. We’re not teaming up against you. We just happen to agree.” Valeen stepped closer, and Hel’s eyes flashed a warning. She knew right then that he’d kill the guard if she didn’t stop. The young elf’s eyeballs looked like they might pop out of his head.

“Go kill Aldrich then and let him go,” Thane snapped.

“I thought so.” With a flick of his wrist the guard’s boots hit the ground and Hel kicked him in the ass sending him stumbling back out the door. The guard choked and coughed, catching his breath then scurried out of sight. “Remember when I said I’d do what I needed to do and not what was good? Remember when I said I wasn’thim.” He pointed at Thane. “That hasn’t changed, Valeen.”

“Hel, you can’t act like?—”

“The Black Mage?” He walked closer. His boots tapped lightly as he backed her up until she hit the wall. Her breaths came faster, her heart started to pound, as much from desire as anger. “Like the serpent you know that I am? I am the Black Mage, love. Iamthe villain.”Andyou knew exactly who I was when you chose to be with me, Val. You’re not afraid of my darkness? Well now you get to see it. And despite that precious bleeding heart of yours, you love it. I can hear it in your heartbeat. I canfeelit.He stared at her mouth like he wanted to claim it but brushed his thumb across her bottom lip.Now, you can come with me to deal with Aldrich, or you can stay here but those are the only two options. Either way he will be punished for what he did to you.

She hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath. “I’ll come with you.” She grabbed onto the front of his coat and braced herself for the pull to darkness.

Chapter 12

VALEEN

The last time Valeen was in Calladira, she’d snuck into the lord’s Manor where Thane had killed their ruler and Varlett had chased them out of the city by setting it on fire. So much had happened between then and now. She felt like a different person setting foot on the soft green grass below her feet. For a moment she wondered where Varlett was.

The fountain at the town square was surrounded by children laughing and splashing in it. Their sacred tree that had burned the previous year blossomed with white blooms and new green buds, but the char covering the trunk showed the remnants of the fire.

Hel pulled up his black hood and turned to face her. “Wait here.”

Did he really think she came here to just watch from afar? “I’m not?—”

He vanished before she could finish.That prick.She ground her teeth and stepped out from the shadows of the trees she hid amongst, searching for a sign of where he’d gone. The white Lord’s manor waited at the end of the busy street. A pair ofguards in their green and brown uniforms strolled around the side of the three-tiered fountain.

She quickly slipped back into the shadows. The gown she wore was not fit to blend into this place—a deep purple with thin straps and lace embroidery on the bodice. Other than the ladies inside the Manor, the fashion was simple in earthy tones, greens, ivory, browns, and soft pinks. And most of them were fair-haired.

If she was recognized they’d immediately try to detain her.

A quiet hiss like wind dancing through reeds made her turn. Gray smoke swirled around Hel and beside him stood… a pale one. But not just any pale one, Mathekis.

The hairs on her arms and along her spine immediately prickled and rose. Her magic ignited at the surface of her skin, and she itched to reach for the dagger tucked against her thigh. But she wasn’t the elf he hunted anymore. He wasn’t there to command her and drag her to the void. That didn’t mean she wanted him or any pale one in close proximity. “What ishedoing here?”

His black lips curled into a sinister smile, stark against his snow-white skin. His all-onyx eyes quickly gave her a once-over.

“He’s here so there’s no mistaking who I am.” Hel’s hood shadowed his forehead and brow. All softness vanished from him. That lovely smile she knew was nowhere to be found. The severe set to his jaw reminded her of the dark dreams he chased her in. Reminded her of the vengeful god who thought he’d been betrayed. The only thing that resembled the person she loved right now were his bright garnet eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I doubt you needed him to make that a reality,” Valeen sneered.

“You have no reason to fear me, goddess,” Mathekis said. “I will not harm you. I never would have.”

Valeen glared at him and leaned closer. “Do I look afraid of you?” Her vines materialized and wrapped around his throat.

His white brows shot upward. “No.”

“Good. Because it would be that easy to end you.” She waved her hand and the vines vanished.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught Hel grinning. He snapped his fingers, and her clothes transformed from the dress to her thick leather pants, a black corset with silver runes along the top and bottom hemlines, and purple bell sleeves. Her dagger was still strapped to the outside of her thigh, and Zythara was now at her hip. The boots were different than anything she’d worn inthislife… black with silver moon cycles going up to her knees.