Page 36

“Indeed,” Corian mused, his mouth pulling into an equally sinister grin. “You’ll have her back in your possession by week’s end, I’m sure of it. And you’ll have her magic, too.”

“Everything always works out exactly how it’s supposed to,” she told Corian, her gaze still on the wolf she lovingly stroked.

“Always, My Queen. There was never any doubt you would be the true victor,” he responded.

“Once Diana is back in my possession, I will need to deal with my mother and father,” she spat the words as if they disgusted her. As if the thought of her own family made her stomach turn.

“May I have the pleasure, My Queen?” Corian asked, bowing his head towards her. “It would be an honor.”

Donika’s gaze flickered up as she shook her head. “No. Their deaths belong to me, and me alone.”

Corian lifted his own head to meet her piercing gaze. “I understand. Have you changed your mind about sending the Araneoch out to escort them back?”

Donika shook her head once more. “I have faith that Nikolai will fulfill his orders. He is much more useful to me like this. His life force is bound to my own blood. I couldn’t have planned it any better.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Do you wish to see them now?” he asked.

“Yes. Bring them in.” Donika set her chin towards the doorway to the throne room.

I turned my head and watched in horror as the Noctani filed into the room to line up next to one another.There were so many of them. Hadn’t she only had ten the last time I had seen them in a dream? How had she succeeded in making so many in only a few weeks?

My heart skipped a beat as I saw Isaac file in among them, his expression devoid of all emotion.

“Isaac!” I called out.

I knew he couldn’t hear me—that there was nothing I could do—but the name escaped my lips, regardless. I slapped my hand over my mouth—forgetting myself—as Corian turned towards me with a sneer on his face.

Donika didn’t notice.

“This is all of them?” she asked, a brow raised as she descended from the dais.

She inspected the Noctani one by one, turning their chins and lifting their arms to examine each and every part of them. Once she was satisfied, she stood back to take them all in.

“Yes, My Queen. All but those that are a part of Nikolai’s delegation,” Corian replied with a self-satisfied smirk twisting his mouth.

Donika nodded. “I must say, Corian… I am impressed. We have quadrupled our numbers in such a short amount of time. She stands no hope against me now.”

When Corian didn’t respond, Donika turned towards him, a curious expression on her face.

“What is it?” she asked, her hands on the hips of her expensive gown.

Corian snickered before his gaze fell on me once more.

I backed up until I hit the row of windows that lined the throne room, my breathing shallow as his eyes watched me. Followed my movements. Tracked me across the room.

I had to get out of here. I couldn’t let him leave a token on me. It would lead him right to my location, wherever the hell that was. I shook my head back and forth, desperately trying to wake myself up. Corian wasn’t holding me here against my will; I had found this dream all on my own.

“We have a visitor,” he replied smugly.

Donika’s brow raised in surprise. “Oh, we do!” She clapped her hands together. “How delightful. It has been too long since I have seen my dear sister. Are you able to connect me?”

Corian shook his head. “Unfortunately, my magic was depleted by the last batch of Noctani soldiers. It will need to recharge before I can do that level of magic. But I sense her here. I see the fuzzy outline of her. She can hear you, My Queen.”

Interesting that his dream walking abilities were muted when his magic was depleted. He could still see me here, but it wasn’t in focus. As if the magic didn’t have a strong foothold.

Donika turned towards where Corian’s gaze had been searching, her eyes narrowing, although I knew she couldn’t see me.

“My dear sister, are you impressed with the army I have assembled here? Surely you know there is no hope for you now. Wherever you are, your time is limited. Nikolai will fetch you and bring you back to me, and he will not fail in this task. He will drain you of every ounce of your magic until it belongs to me, and then I will kill you.”