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“Yes,” my father sighed. “We can’t keep putting this off. Thea needs to kill Cassius and King Rylan sooner rather than later. Once she does that, we can start talking about taking over the other kingdoms. Cassius must be her priority. We cannot waitfor him to weasel his way into her heart again.” Shame filled me with my father’s words. As much as I hated myself for it, Cassius’ words had affected me.

“She couldn’t possibly believe it again,” Jesper scoffed. “He killed her. You heard all those nasty things he said to her that day. There is no way she could have any affection left for that monster.”

It was silent for a long moment. It was the queen who broke the silence.

“It’s clear that Cassius is up to something. Why would he say all of that to her? He wanted to throw us off. I do not trust him or her for that matter.”

“Gwyn, Thea remembers nothing,” my father sighed, irritated. “You weren’t there; he destroyed her heart and had no hesitation in his voice. She pleaded for him to stop, and he just kept going. Maybe he meant it. Perhaps everything had become too much for him.”

My brows creased. Why was it so hard to believe that Cassius had meant what he said that day? Gwyn made a scoffing noise.

“Pull your head out of your ass, Luren. That man was up to something, and I do not trust Thea in the slightest. She knows something; perhaps this was an elaborate plan they concocted together. Did any of you consider that? Maybe she is here because he wanted her here to ruin us from the inside out.”

They remained silent. My heart thumped painfully fast in my chest. Why would she think I was working with Cassius?

“I don’t think he would send her here intentionally. Cassius would never be so reckless with her, but I do agree that he was probably up to something.”

Their words had me taking a step back.

“Thea is a smart girl; she will start to ask questions. How will we proceed with that?” Gwyn demanded.

“We will face the questions as they come up. She wants to see effort from us to be a family. We cannot have another incident like the ball.”

“I cannot, will not, pretend to be happy to see her,” Gwyn sneered. “That Crimson whore is not my child; she’s yours, you deal with her.”

Anger bubbled up so quickly that I almost lost control right there because my father did not stop her cruelty. Hearing the term Crimson whore triggered a memory of the night I had been kidnapped. The guards kept calling me that. My blood ran cold at the realization that it had been Cerithian guards that had taken me. That is what they called me here. Uneasiness settled inside me.

“You better watch yourself, queen. I will not allow you to treat her or talk about her like that.” Jesper’s voice was soft but menacing.

“Still so obsessed with the king’s bastard daughter, Jesper? I’m sure your father would be happy to hear that his only son is sticking up for the woman who betrayed both Cerithia and Kizar.”

“Thea did not betray my kingdom; she broke my heart. There is a difference. Remember that her betrayal of Cerithia was a direct reflection of your poor treatment of her,” Jesper raised his voice at Gwyn.

“Gwyn, that is enough. You will not make Thea’s transition harder than it already is,” my father demanded. “She chose Cerithia. We have never been in this position before, so you will shut up and treat her kindly. I will not allow your hatred for her to ruin this for me. We have already almost lost her, and you’re lucky she was willing to believe my stories.”

I turned after they remained silent. My skin burned hot with anger. I could not decide if I was in disbelief, enraged, or just hurt. I just knew that I needed to get out of here and think.

Quickly, I darted out of the castle in a spot where the guards did not linger. My legs burned as I ran through the forest until I was far enough away to allow my darkness to take over. Fire burst from me as a vicious scream tore from my throat. I vented my frustration to the gods.

Cassius had been so adamant that Cerithia was not kind to me. The conversation I had just heard replayed in my mind. They worried about Cassius and me working together. What did that even mean? Darkness crept over my skin as my magic fed on my emotions, causing my orange and red swirls to glow brightly. I felt it as it settled deep within my bones and latched onto me, with no intention of releasing me.

Crimson whore.

My darkness tightened its grip on me even more at the insult. She had no right to say that about me. What secrets were being kept from me? What would be the reason to kidnap me and make me think it was Falgon?

“Thea?” I turned and saw Jesper frowning at me. I jumped, upset at myself for not hearing him coming. My arms crossed over my chest as I glared at him. “Are you alright? The guards said you looked upset.” His eyes traced over the trees on fire before returning to me. “What happened on your mission? You shouldn’t be home yet.”

I ignored him and hurried to go around him. Jesper grabbed me and pulled me back around so we were facing each other. My fire magic chose that moment to make an appearance, causing him to drop his hand instantly.

“What did you hear?” He narrowed his eyes on me. His normally friendly face was nowhere to be seen. I faked ignorance.

“What are you talking about?”

His jaw clenched tightly, but he wouldn’t say anything, just in case he gave me any hint that there was a conversation going on that I shouldn’t have heard.

“You are clearly upset. You lit the trees on fire, and your skin..."

I ripped my arm from his grasp and narrowed my now black eyes on him.