Page 209 of Dark Souls

“Firstly, I am truly sorry for what my parents did to you both.” Her voice trembled as she looked between Hana and me. “Like Queen Ruby said, I had no idea what was happening or who my mother really was. Their actions are disgusting and inconceivable. I knew my parents were no angels, but I didn’t believe they were capable of this level of evil. For what they have put you both through, I am so, so sorry.”

“You didn’t know. You are innocent in this. It’s okay,” Hana said with a small smile. I remained silent because I had nothing to say to that. I wasn’t really feeling any kind of way towards the girl. I guess I felt sorry for her more than anything, being raised by such twisted people.

Lia shook her head as a tear fell from her eye. She quickly wiped it away and looked at Ilaria. “I am not completely innocent. I had no idea about this, but there were things they made me do. Things that I went along with because I craved their approval so damn much and, if I am being honest, I was terrified of my mother. Disappointing her was my greatest fear. I know that makes me weak. I am not here to give my excuses or try to explain what my life has been like, which led me to become a terrible person. I am here to confess and ask for a second chance.”

She turned to the side of the room where Ilaria’s family was all standing. They looked tense, and I couldn’t ignore the narrowed glares coming from Ilaria’s aunt, Sienna, or the distrust on Neve’s face.

“Lorcan. Raiden. Leif. I am so sorry for trying to use you to gain social status. And Sienna, I deserved that beating ten times over. I’m sorry for everything that went down that day and the lead up to it.” She moved her anxious gaze back to my mate, who leaned into my chest, looking disinterested at most. “Ilaria, you have shown me grace and undeserving kindness by telling me the truth about my parents and Hayes. After everything I’d done, you didn’t have to do that, but you did because you are a better person than I will ever be.”

“I didn’t do it out of kindness, Lia. I did it because it was the right thing to do.”

Lia nodded. “I know. And I hope from now on, I can make the right choices going forward because I really do want to be a better person.” Lia looked up at Hayes and gave him a sad smile before letting go of his hand and walking across the room. She stopped a few feet away from Neve, whose whole body tensed as she stared at her.

“But I owe the biggest apology of all to you, Neve. I made your life hell at every opportunity at the Academy. The truth is that I picked on you because I envied you the most. You had everything I wanted. The most loving and kind parents who adored you and showered you with affection. Best friends who had your back and would go to extreme lengths to support you. The social status that my parents so desperately wanted me to achieve. But most of all, you were always so happy. So content and confident with who you are. I was jealous. And I was awful to you because of it. It is no excuse, but I thought you deserved to know that. I never hated you. I just wanted to be you. And I am so sorry.”

There was a heavy silence as they stared into each other’s eyes and then Neve huffed. “Lia. I’m too fucking grown to hold on to grudges. I forgive you. I honestly hope you can put all of this behind you and find happiness with Hayes. I wish you the best.”

Lia sobbed, bringing her hands to her face to cover her eyes before she pulled herself together. “Thank you.”

“Lia.” Sienna suddenly stepped forwards and Lia visibly flinched. “I just have to say one thing. Blood doesn’t automatically make you a family. Sometimes, you are lucky enough to experience love with a found family. I know that firsthand. Don’t let who your parents are be who you become. You are stronger than that.”

Lia started nodding and suppressed more tears before turning around and walking back over to Hayes. He pulled her to his side, kissed her forehead, and told her he was proud of her. I watched the entire thing with numbness because, as bad as it was to admit, I really couldn’t give two shits about any of this. I was happy for Hayes, but Lia was insignificant to me. She was just another victim in my eyes.

Her bloodshot eyes locked with mine and I saw it. The fear. She knew she was staring into the eyes of a cold killer who was about to murder her parents without mercy.

“I know they deserve what you are about to do to them,” Lia said, her voice cracking a little. “But as a daughter who shared some rare moments of happiness with her father, I have to ask. Please, can you make his death quick?”

I held her gaze, digging deep to see if there was a small spark of mercy within that I might be able to grant her wish. Unfortunately, there was not.

“I’ll make it quicker than he deserves.” It was the best I could promise her.

She swallowed thickly and muttered a weak ‘thank you’. Hayes and I nodded at each other, and then he guided her back out of the room.

Ilaria blew out a breath and shifted herself on my knee. “That was overly dramatic.”

“You’re brutal.” I smirked as she fought a laugh.

“I’m a heartless bitch when it comes to my enemies. Something the next two are about to find out.”

A side door opened, and a male form was dragged into the room by guards, his feet struggling to keep up with their pace as his head slumped to his chest. Mitchell was shirtless and his face and torso had suffered an obviously vicious beating. As he was shoved to his knees, I noticed a wooden spear sticking out of his back, burning the surrounding flesh. My gaze travelled to the faces of the royals, looking for the culprit. When my eyes locked with Arius Romano, his lips lifted into a mischievous smirk and a flicker of darkness that matched mine cast over his eyes. He tilted his chin upwards, the only sign he was giving to show that he was the one responsible.

A second door opened and my whole body tensed as soon as I saw her. No longer bothering to hide behind her illusion, Belladonna’s ruffled brown ringlets flowed around her arms and dirt stained her face. She had clearly been kept in a cell full of grime and shit because the stench that was surrounding her was potent. Her designer clothes were sodden and covered in filth, too. It was a wonderful sight. But not as satisfying as the moment she stopped fighting against the guards who were shoving her forwards, her hands clasped in handcuffs that glowed with a fluorescent green light of magic and looked up to see Hana and me on the thrones. Her pupils dilated and her face paled. The image must have been her worst nightmare come to life. To see two creatures who she despised, tortured and belittled, who she had kept like slaves and degraded at every opportunity, sitting like royals at the head of the very supernatural community that she had tried so hard to be a part of. Belladonna had always wanted power. She would have done anything, screwed over anyone, to get it. So this must be eating her alive inside.

Ezra stepped forwards, and his deep, authoritative voice filled the room. “Mitchell Morton, you have been stripped of your title of Commander of the Romano Clan and are here to receive your punishment for the following crimes; purchasing two Demonski Upirs as slaves and keeping them captive against their free will via the use of dark magic, assisting in the murders of an entire coven, ordering and orchestrating numerous deaths of supernatural members ofThe Underground, unjustly torturing, blackmailing and manipulating Lukas Heathen Nezera and Hana Casmira Nezera for your own gains, abducting, torturing and imprisoning Hayes Cohen, attempting to murder the royal princess, Ilaria Anderson Romano Black and Lukas Heathen Nezera. If you have anything you wish to say, do so now or accept your fate.”

Mitchell’s chest was heaving heavily, and he struggled to lift his head. His eyes were out of focus and unable to look at anything in particular.

“Where’s my daughter?”

I ground my molars together.

“A little late to become a concerned father, don’t you think?” Ilaria snapped, unable to hold back her anger.

“She had nothing to do with any of this. I made sure of it. She is innocent. Please, spare her life.” He huffed out each word as if it pained him to do so.

“Your daughter will live,” Hana said with icy bitterness. “But you will not.”

He dropped his head almost in relief and I narrowed my eyes. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. Whether he would have anything to say for all he’s done, but I really didn’t give a shit to hear it, anyway.