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Chapter Forty-One

VICTOR

Idris couldn’t contain Hathor’s divine energy because he wasn’t the true king. The unrestrained power that roared out of the tree in a gushing wave called to me, eager for my claim.

I released Runa and struggled to stand. The blast of energy pouring out of the crack threatened to knock me off my feet.

She held up her hand, shielding her vision. “What are you doing?”

“Claiming my throne.”

“What?” She scrambled upright, clinging to me. “Victor, you can’t. It will tear you apart the same as it did Idris.”

I cupped her cheek. “I have to try, for them.”

“Them?”

“For the kingdom.”

She snorted a broken laugh. “This is a fine time for you to turn noble.”

I smirked. “Should my reign as king only last minutes, I’ll still expect great ballads to be written about my selflessness. Along with a statue. ”

Tears filled her watery gaze, and I claimed her mouth in a tender kiss. Showing her the depth of my emotions instead of floundering to find the right words.

Before she tried to talk me out of it, I turned, clawing my way over the throbbing roots. Leaning into the rush of power spilling from the fractured trunk, I finally made it to the base of the throne. Once there, I stood beneath the broken tree and met Runa’s eyes.

She peered back at me, palm pressed to her mouth, anguish in her expression. Anguish, and so much more. One final look at my mate, and I heaved a final breath, braced my spine, and sank into my throne.

Energy, bright and brilliant, washed over me in a tidal wave. The sense of rightness, of coming home, filled something long empty. My skull pounded, pressure building between my temples.

“At last. The chosen one,” said an ancient voice from deep within my psyche.

“He is late,” snapped a different, higher voice.

“Too late,” snickered a third, this presence sounding a lot like Idris.

These voices, I instinctively knew, were from the kings who’d come before me. They whispered in my ears.

“What will you do for them? Will you die for them?” Idris snarled. “Will you control them? Make them submit?” His poison lingered, slithering down my spine.

The ancient voice chimed in. “ You are king. They should serve you.”

Divine strength sang in my veins. The feeling was euphoric—like bloodlust. The more I consumed, the more I wanted, and Carcerem was giving me everything.

Idris’s laughter rang in my head. “ Take more. It’s what leeches do, after all. Take all of it. It’s yours.”

“Victor,” said a sweet voice. “Victor, can you hear me? You must reel it in. Push back.”

But I didn’t want to resist. If I could absorb a little more, I’d be the most powerful creature in the realm. With my strength, I could rule them all.

“Victor. It’s too much. Your skin is burning!”

I focused on the room before me. My mate peered back, her face contorted in a mask of agony. My mark on her throat blazed with the magnificence of the sun.

“So beautiful. Tell me. Do you love me, little thief?”

“Yes,” she wept. “I do love you, you idiot. That’s why you have to fight. Don’t let it consume you.”

“Will you worship your king?”

“Yes!” she shouted. “But I can’t do that if you’re dead.”

“Don’t worry, pet. Everything will be all right. I’ll protect you.”

“But who will protect you?”

I offered her a patient smile. “Gods do not need protecting.”

“You’re not a god, dammit,” she bellowed at me. “Snap out of it.”

Soon, she would understand.

“Come to me, my queen.” I extended my hand to her. My greatest conquest. My love.

Her bottom lip quivered, and she hesitated, regret apparent in her drawn visage. She would not say no to me.

“You need have no fear.” I dulled the raw energy that was vibrating through my fingers, trying not to scare her off. “Come. Rule at my side.”

My gorgeous mate heaved a stuttering breath, then took my hand. I drew her closer, bringing my queen between my knees. At last, we would be together as we were meant to be. As destiny foretold.

“I love you,” she said, the glow of my divine essence radiating off her perfect face. “I’m sorry, but there must be balance.”

Her grip on me tightened, and she smacked her free hand down on the arm of the throne. Bright amethyst shone in her glowing eyes. What was this?

My skin cooled where she held me, and I glanced down. The magical force resonating in my fingertips began to dim, receding up my forearm. I tried to pull away, but my arm had grown weak.

“Runa?” Her hand inside of mine began to cool, and I drew it up between us. Her flesh had turned black, the darkness spreading up her forearm.

“No,” I groaned as a chill enveloped me, the overwhelming flow of divinity ebbing. “What are you doing?”

“Closing the rift. The sacrifice has already been made. Raelynn’s life given freely.”

The ground trembled, black roots pulsing as they sank deeper into the floor. Runa was shutting down the connection between me and the kingdom, stealing my power.

No. Not her. Not her!

My mate was no better than all the others who’d betrayed me.

Never again would someone take what was mine.

I clamped a hand around her deceptive throat. “Stop this.”

“You first,” she gasped.

Black veins spread up her arms to her shoulders, then across her chest. Closing the fissure in the tree was taking every bit of strength she possessed. Which of us would last the longest remained a mystery.

I tightened my grip, cutting off her oxygen.

How many games had we played together? Both fighting for dominance.

“You cannot best me,” I grated, snarling.

Her pulse slowed under my thumb. Shadowed threads crept up her cheeks. Oily tears slipped from her eyes. “Already. Have. ”

Thunder rumbled. The throne under me shuddered, and an explosion, so bright it blinded me, detonated.

In the silence that followed, my ears rang.

Confusion clouded my mind. Where was I? My vision revealed nothing but white light. Below my skin, a pleasing energy hummed. I cracked my neck and rolled my shoulders. I’d battled Idris, and then…

Runa!

I gasped, grinding my fists into my eyes to clear them. Across my lap, a gentle weight prevented me from rising. By blurry increments, Runa came into focus. I remained on the throne, my mate resting upon my legs.

“Runa?” I ran my fingers through her hair. “Are you—” Thought returned. She’d healed the gaping wound in the tree, closed the rift between Carcerem, the throne…and me. Something that should have been beyond her capabilities.

“My love,” I whispered, gathering her into my arms. Her skin was blackened from fingertip to shoulder, inky veins painted her chest, rising up her neck. Over her mate mark was a new handprint. This one a bruise.

“No! Runa!” I roared. Tears of rage blurred my vision. She couldn’t be dead. Not like this. Not ever!

As king, I wouldn’t allow it.

I placed my hand over her throat, my touch gentle, aligning my fingers with my mate mark. It was there…a flicker of something . Our souls were still connected, though that tie faded with every second that passed.

Due to Runa’s heroic efforts, a connection remained between me and the throne. Between me and Carcerem, as it should be. This connection felt natural. Felt right. Balanced.

I drew on that bond, calling on the heart and soul of Carcerem’s land, creatures, and people.

Unsure of what I was doing, I sent a simple command. Heal her. Return her to me .

The ancient voice I’d initially heard resurfaced. “King but a minute, and already he’s making demands.”

“It’s against the laws of the universe. A life lost cannot be given back,” the second, higher voice contributed.

“The nerve of this guy.” Flarking Idris.

“I do not want it without her,” I insisted.

“What did he say?” asked the second.

“The power, the throne, the kingdom. I do not want it without her.” It was all meaningless without Runa by my side. In the mortal realm, I’d lived a life of power and wealth but also of isolation and loneliness. I wouldn’t do it again.

“What an idiot,” Idris scoffed. “Can he do that?”

“Well, we certainly can’t allow him to abdicate,” snapped the second.

“It may be possible,” said the first. “If he gives her a piece of his soul.”

“Yes. Anything,” I agreed.

“Anything?” asked the second.

“Demand his firstborn child,” Idris said. “That’s what other celestial beings usually demand.”

“Shut up, Idris,” barked the second. “What are you even doing here?”

“Very well,” sighed the ancient voice. “Place your palm on your mating mark.”

As ordered, I aligned my fingers with the imprint.

A warm, radiant light bloomed beneath my palm, like a tiny sun.

Runa’s delicate flesh glowed at the touch.

Heat scorched my flesh, and I gritted my teeth against the burn.

The pulsing energy spread, growing brighter, to the point I was forced to look away.

Warmth seared the side of my face. My chest ached. Some unseen force tugged at my innards. Pulling, ripping, tearing. Pain threatened to crack me in half, much as the rift had the sacred tree. That pain broke free of my torso, traveling down my arm to my hand .

Runa’s slim frame jolted against me. The eye-watering light pulsed like a solar flare, erupting within my mate. Then, as quickly as it appeared, the fiery heat dissipated, the light growing dim. I cracked my eyelids open, watching as the glow faded from under my palm.

“Runa?” I cupped her face.

Bump. Bump.

Two soft heartbeats reached my ears.

Runa’s heartbeats.

At the sound, my own pulse raced.

The sinister tendrils of black vanished from her cheeks, receded down her chest, slid down her arm, and abandoned her fingertips. I held her hand to my mouth, kissing the inside of her wrist.

“Runa, my love. Wake.”

She stirred beneath my caressing hands. I rubbed her chilled flesh, and she warmed in response to my touch.

“I love you,” I breathed against her lips and she inhaled with a gasp, as if she pulled the words into her pulsing heart.

She blinked, peering up at me. “I love you too.”

Overwhelmed, I clutched her to my chest. Runa’s arm circled my neck, her grip as tight as mine.

“I saw them.”

“Saw who?” I released my mate, absorbing her awe-struck expression.

“My parents. They were with the others in the sacred tree. I was hugging them, awash in peace and harmony. Then suddenly, a void opened behind me. Momma claimed it was you calling me home. That one span, we would all be reunited, but that time wasn’t now.

The fates still had plans for me, and I needed to get back to work. ”

My lips curled. “Who are we to argue with the fates? Say you will be Carcerem’s queen, and I will rule at your feet. ”

Violet gaze luminous, she smoothed my hair away from my face. “A generous offer, but I’d rather rule at your side.”

“Done. I’d give you anything so long as you swear to never leave me again.”

“You’re staying then?”

“I may need some convincing. If you’re up for the challenge.”

“Oh, I’m up for it.” Runa grinned a cheeky smile.

Before my queen could make good on her promise, footsteps pounded against the tile. Drazen and Kronk stormed into the throne room, braced for battle. Glancing at the two of us locked in an intimate embrace beneath the swaying branches of the sacred arbor, they relaxed their stance.

“The villagers of White Bridge are safe,” Drazen said. “Thorne and his dragon helped the others to capture Idris’s men. One look at that snarling beast and they laid down their arms.”

“We won,” Kronk declared in that deadpan tone of his, stating the obvious.

“We won,” Runa declared.

To my utter delight, my mate burst into laughter, and I smiled in return.