Page 14

Chapter Fourteen

Cyrus

Cutting the throat of the human in front of me, I let the blood drip down to the bucket underneath him, not wanting to waste a drop of the liquid. It was much more precious than this mongrel’s actual life.

“One down.” I mused, looking up at the crowd of humans, ones not strapped down or hung up for their blood, but who’d instead been caught rallying others to try to free their brethren.

“Come now, don’t be shy,” I called, spreading my arms wide. “Someone here had the idea of trying to go against your king and prince. Of trying to go against the very laws of Celesterra itself.” I moved forward, and the small crowd of riffraff before me scuttled backward, hitting the line of nickel-plated soldiers boxing them in from behind.

I had hoped when I took the humans for my project, it would be largely overlooked. None knew where the camps they were being kept in were located, after all. But it seemed that the humans cared more about their family members being taken than I’d originally considered.

If only my own family was so caring.

Now, I would be forced to put this group down. After getting answers, of course. But a point had to be made. Humans could not get away with going against us. It would set a dangerous precedent and ultimately lead to anarchy.

“One of you or all of you. I suppose that is the question.” I announced, looking around the group of frightened sheep before me. Asteria had always stood out among the rabble. I could have kicked myself for not realizing the truth of her earlier. Though, I supposed even Calix hadn’t. I tried to suppress the growl that instinctually wanted to arise. The very thought of my old friend with my Asteria caused my blood to boil.

A rough-looking human man stepped forward, defiance shining in his green eyes. His muddy brown hair was cut short, and a strong chin jutted out at me. What was so stunning on Asteria was decidedly less so on this human.

“It was me. Let these people go.” I raised an incredulous brow at his demanding tone.

“Let them go?” I tutted, shaking my head. “You admit to treason, and still you stand here and make demands of me?” I prowled closer to the human who dared to challenge me.

I had to give it to the man. He tried to stay strong, but as I approached, his limbs shook, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed. Still, he forced his mouth open once more. “They did nothing.”

“Nothing?” I laughed derisively. “What do you call this little act of defiance then?” I looked out at the humans herded together, wide, terrified eyes watching as I decided their fates. They were so confident until the repercussions of their actions caught up to them.

The man dared to raise his eyes and glare at me, snapping back, “What you have coming.”

My head reared back as I blinked in shock. He would actually dare—I fumed at his defiance, wishing scornfully that I had the power to release breaths of flame to incinerate him where he stood. I reached out and grabbed him by the neck, snarling in his face, “Just for that, every single one of you will die. Terribly . As painfully as I can make it.”

The man struggled to speak through my hold on his throat, and I loosened my fingers a bit to hear his response. “They now see you…” He struggled to get his words out. “For what… you are. We will… not… be the… last.”

His words seemingly emboldened the other humans, as they began yelling and fighting to get free of my soldiers. I glared as I looked over the melee before me. They had no chance, and yet they were willing to fight and die for nothing .

I was completely mystified as to why they would waste their time. They lost their family members every Placement Day and always handed them over with no issue. They’d never fought back before. Not like this.

I growled, letting my hands rest on either side of this miserable human’s head. With a quick move, I snapped his neck, and his dead body slumped to the ground. The other humans paused for a moment, looking at me with shock and horror.

“Bleed him dry,” I instructed my soldiers, and they nodded in confirmation.

The other humans renewed their fight, but it was over quickly. Once subdued, I had my men take them to the closest camp to make themselves useful. Seeing them off, I let my wings unfurl and flew back to the palace.

I needed to wash the smell of unwashed human filth off of me.

* * *

“You need to be more careful.” My mother glared as she watched me turn ordinary human blood into precious blood magic. The ancient words turning the sacrifice into something much more sacred than what it began as.

“The humans were easily put down.” I countered, rolling my eyes at her caution. Humans were no threat to us. A few rebellions quickly done away with would mean nothing in the long run.

“Your father is getting suspicious of you, Cyrus. You cannot put plans of this scale in place without being found out!” she argued, pacing the room I had set aside for my work. It was deep within the bowels of the palace, where no one ever ventured. Meaning my father and siblings would never stumble upon it.

“I’m not worried about Father.” I scoffed at her.

“You should be, " she insisted, her black eyes watching me with concern. She shook her head in exasperation before she tossed her wavy wine-red hair over her shoulder and stormed out of the room.

I shook my own head at her departure. She wanted me to remain heir, but wasn’t willing to follow through on the tasks that had to occur for me to maintain my position. With the power I was taking for myself, my siblings would have no recourse against me. Even my father would be forced to admit who was the superior amongst us.

And Asteria… well, she wouldn’t allude me for long.

Aelius might want her dead, but I wouldn’t let that happen. Once I had everything in place, I would do away with Aelius and take Asteria as my concubine.

Had she not gone against me, she could have been Queen of Celesterra. Instead, she would be forced to watch Zerlina take the crown from her place at my feet.

I smiled at the very thought.

Calix, on the other hand, I had more elaborate plans for. Maybe I could find a way to separate Fae and dragon. Keep him chained like an animal to burn my enemies at my command. Or maybe I’d keep him mounted to the wall, making Asteria stare at his bleeding and broken body.

So many options!

Lightning crackled around my hands, but it quickly fizzled out. I glared down at the increasingly common occurrence.

“Fucking gods,” I snarled. My magic fading on me was unfortunately becoming a more common occurrence the more chaos took over. Like the lack of balance was leeching the world of every drop of its magic, prepared to leave a bland grey wasteland in its wake.

But that was what blood magic was for.

I finished bottling this batch and quickly downed a vial, signing in relief at the feel of my magic sparking alive within me once more. The thought of living a life without magic was unacceptable. We were owed our powers, The very idea that they could be taken away was preposterous.

I made my way through the palace, thinking through the next stage of my plan. All of my spies were hard at work helping to bring different phases of the plan to fruition, all while monitoring my siblings and their own plots.

Speaking of my siblings, I walked into my solar to find Daneiris sitting and talking with Zerlina. The two quieted as I shut the door, and I paused as I took them in. They sat at a small wooden table by one of the large windows that helped light up the dark space, a tea service set out before them.

“What’s going on here?” I asked, eyeing them both as I made my way across the room. My sister smiled up at me innocently, while Zerlina just rolled her eyes, snarking, “Tea, obviously.”

Daneiris snickered a bit, her eyes going to my betrothed before shifting back to me. “I should be going, anyway.”

She stood after one last sip from her teacup, wiping her mouth primly with a napkin before dropping it on her plate.

Zerlina stood with her, smiling, “Thank you for coming. I’m looking forward to later.”

I considered them both with suspicion, not liking the idea of the two getting together and making plans.

“Of course!” Daneiris chirped, “I can’t wait to go shopping with you! I need a fresh perspective.” She was out the door with a wink and a “Later, big brother.”

Silence reigned for a moment as Zerlina and I watched one another.

“What?” She finally huffed, putting a hand on her hips. The red dress she was wearing had a corset top that complimented her hourglass figure and her long, shiny brown hair that was streaked with blonde highlights from the sun. Her blue eyes were alight with something I couldn’t place, and absolutely did not trust.

My hands curled, and I could feel the lightning shooting through my veins. But I leashed my anger for now.

Daneiris certainly bared watching more closely. After her attempted manipulations with Asteria, I was already suspicious of her motives. Now, with her and Zerlina bonding...

“What were you doing with her?” I demanded, stalking forward toward my betrothed.

“Enjoying some female company, Cyrus. Since my sister went back to Dawn, I’m all alone here.” She sighed, sitting back down before looking up at me. “I just want a life here. Friends.”

Zerlina could complain about not having any other female company all she wanted, but I still didn’t like the two of them getting together to gossip.

I knew how to pick my battles, however. I already had people watching them both; I would ensure they paid close attention whenever they were together.

“Fine,” I grunted, making a show of giving in, and Zerlina smiled in a strange way, getting up and giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you, Cyrus,” she purred, her hands going to the collar of my dark violet and charcoal doublet, pulling slightly. “Now, let me show you my appreciation.”

I smiled slowly, much preferring this side of her, and let her pull me into her, kissing her fiercely. I began to back her up when a knock at the door cut us short. I pulled back from Zerlina’s lush lips with a snarl, “This better be good.”

Zerlina writhed against me, and I squeezed her hips to get her to stop moving so I could pull myself away and open the door, despite her pouting.

“What?” I demanded, but blinked in surprise to see the Fae who opened the door.

“Your father has summoned you.” Jeremi was responsible for my father’s schedule and was only ever sent when it was especially important. “I’m to take you to his rooms.”

I growled, running a hand through my wavy brown hair. This was the very last thing I needed right now. “Fine, let’s go.”

I followed him through the halls, up to my parent’s wing, where my father’s door was decorated obscenely. Too many golden statues for my liking. I was of the belief we could show our superiority in other ways. Gaudy decor didn’t really do it for me.

Jeremi knocked, and my father’s voice called for me to enter. Stepping in, I found my father sitting in his chair. It was overly large, with a tufted velvet for the seat in a bright pink color that matched our wings, and edges encrusted with jewels. It sat before two grey sofas, making the chair look more like a throne, especially as he sat there gripping the arms and staring at me furiously.

I sighed, moving to stand before him reluctantly. “Yes, Father?”

“What, exactly , do you think you’re doing, Cyrus?” He ground out, rage lining his features as blue lightning shot through his eyes. The arms of the chair squeaked in protest as he gripped them mercilessly.

I stood at attention, hands behind my back so he couldn’t see the way I dug my nails into my palm in response.

“Could you elaborate?” I asked blithely.

In a whirlwind of motion, my father was out of his chair, the expensive piece falling backward as he stormed toward me in a rage. I tried not to flinch back as he was suddenly in my face.

“Do you think me stupid?” He spat, voice increasing in volume as he went on. “That I wouldn’t notice the humans disappearing? Or the soldiers in my army, suddenly going off on missions I haven’t approved? You think to undermine me at every turn!”

My lip curled as I shook my head. “I’m doing what’s best for our kingdom.”

My father scoffed, his shoulder-length brown hair like a mirror of mine, flying as he shook his head furiously. “You do what’s best for you , Cyrus. You always have.”

I scoffed in turn, my hands flying out to the side, “Someone has to! You certainly never bothered.”

His brows rose, “Is that what you think? I pushed you, yes, because I knew you could be better. I wanted my heir to be ready for the machinations of court. But you have lost yourself along the way, son.”

His voice had dropped, sounding almost mournful, but I snarled back at him, “All you ever did was undermine me ! You wanted Weylin to be your heir, admit it!”

“I wanted you to not take your position for granted, but it seems you’ve done the opposite.” His eyes locked with mine, and I fisted my hands, lightning crackling along them even as I tried to force it back. “What have you done with the humans, Cyrus? What plans have you made behind my back?”

I ground my teeth, and at my silence his frown became even more severe. “Treason then?”

“No!” I denied, shaking my head. “I’m only doing what is necessary for us! We lose more of our magic by the day. I am ensuring we don’t lose our power and positions so easily as the gods would wish.”

His head reared back as he looked me over in shock. For so many years, I’d wanted nothing more than his approval. For him to be happy with anything I did as his heir. But it was only when I was doing as he wished that he didn’t cut me down—that he didn’t turn to my brother as a more attractive alternative.

“Is everything okay?” Emmie’s head popped in from the other room, hiding her body behind the doorframe, and I rolled my eyes. Father had finally caved and taken her back, but not full-time as she was before. Her spot had been taken, so he now only called her when he needed her. Which was apparently right before meeting with me.

The fact that this slave girl ranked higher on his to-do list than I did made me want to scream. Only my father could make me feel this insignificant and small. Like I was a child once more, begging for attention. I forced myself to stand straighter. I refused to keep allowing him this power over me.

Emmie now reported back to me, and it was supposed to ensure I had eyes on him. I would absolutely be having words with her after this. She hadn’t mentioned anything that hinted toward my father being suspicious of me.

If she had decided to be loyal to him instead of me, I would throw her in with the other humans currently serving a higher purpose.

“It’s fine, Emmie. Leave us to this matter.” My father insisted, shooing her away. She nodded meekly, returning to his bed. Surely, she should be happy with that, after all she’d done to earn her place there back. Throwing away friendships and a girl who was practically a sister to her…

I hoped it lived up to her expectations , I thought sarcastically.

“Tell me you have not ventured into what is rightfully forbidden , son,” he pleaded, his voice cracking over the word.

My eyes widened, shocked and a little appalled, by the show of emotion from him.

“I won’t let our magic disappear. The gods have seen fit to tear it away, all because we didn’t play by their ridiculous rules!” I spat back at him. “The gods don’t deserve their place anymore, Father. We can do better, be better, without them.”

“How dare you speak of the gods in such a way!” he thundered, lightning crackling off him and hitting the wall. I let my own lightning play around my hands, glaring at him as he sneered at me.

“I dare, because they dared to take our magic!” I yelled back, trying to make him understand. “But when we stop playing by their rules, we can access even greater magic, Father!”

His look of disgust felt like a blade to the stomach.

“You’re using blood magic,” he whispered, aghast. “That's what you’re doing with all the humans, sacrificing them to power tainted magic.”

I laughed disdainfully. “Tainted? It allows us more power than the damn gods ever offered us!”

“There’s a reason for that, son!” My father pleaded, his voice cracking as his face creased, his stormy blue eyes filled with incredulity and something that resembled fear. He tried stepping toward me, his arm out beseechingly, but I refused to move an inch to meet him. “Each use of blood magic will only drive us further into chaos. It will turn this very world on its head, Cyrus! You must see reason!”

“All I see is a king who won’t step up to do what must be done. Who fears the power I now wield.” I laughed again, but the mocking I intended quickly subsided in favor of the remembered pain. “I always failed to meet your high expectations. You worked so hard to ensure my position was challenged at every turn.”

I stepped forward then, letting the blood magic he wrote off so quickly flow through me, my lightning encasing my limbs as my father stepped back, eyeing me warily. The power I felt at finally seeing the man I had always failed to impress now so uneasy before me was greater than any I’d ever known.

My father shook his head, but I continued, lowering my voice, “Now, none can challenge me.”

My father’s face changed, something new coming over him. The worry left him, and he gave me a mournful look. “You will not be swayed from this path?”

“No,” I confirmed, raising my brow at him and letting the lightning play off my hands. A few stray bolts escaped me, hitting the ceiling, but I ignored them.

“I am still your king, not just your father, Cyrus.” He countered, straightening, scrambling for the tattered remains of the royal air he so loved to maintain.

I smirked, feeling the confidence blood magic always infused me with rise to the surface. “And yet I’m the one able to wield true power, while you wield the sad scraps of what the gods left you with. What will you do, father?”

A sad look crossed his face, but the strength in his voice was clear. “I will do what is best for my kingdom. You cannot be allowed to destroy us all. Chaos would be the end of us.”

His impassioned words made me snarl, my canines lengthening in rage, as I demanded, “And how will you stop me?”

“You are already committing treason. I could have you imprisoned.” He countered, raising a brow at me, but I laughed his words off. “But you’ve made it clear that won’t be enough.”

My lightning writhed around me, striking out at random as my rage grew brighter.

“Look at you, Cyrus! You can’t even fully control this power!” My father argued, his own lightning now rising, but with the waning of our gods-granted power, it was a fraction of what he once had. And so much less than what I now wielded.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I snarled, my body growing tight with tension as I waited for any movement from him.

He lifted his hand, and a bolt of lightning came shooting straight at me. I lifted my own hand on instinct, and my lightning met his in a bright blue clash. My bolt was so much stronger than his, demolishing it in midair.

We both paused, looking at one another with wide eyes. He’d actually tried to attack me. His son . His heir . He’d always been a dick, but this was a betrayal beyond anything he’d ever attempted before with petty court politics. My heart seemed to contract, the pain of the internal hit much greater than the physical one he attempted.

“And now you try to kill me?!” My words were more a tortured shout as my lightning grew around me, the buzz of it ringing in my ears.

“You are out of control, Cyrus! I can help you. Just let me—” he pleaded, hands stretching out toward me, but I let out a scream, cutting him short.

Every ounce of resentment I’d ever felt for him. Every moment he’d dismissed me or wrote me off. Turned to Weylin over me, or undermined me in front of the court. All played on my mind as blinding rage took me over.

My power responded in kind, and without even directing it, a storm of lightning bolts arced off of me and shot toward him.

My eyes went wide as I watched them slam into my father. His entire body shook from the force of the bolts, his eyes rolling back in his head as he collapsed to the floor. His body continued to spasm over and over.

I ran to him, kneeling beside his body, grabbing onto his arms in some futile effort to stop the spasms. Desperate shock and confusion made my own hands tremor lightly.

“Father?!” I screamed. “Father?!”

His body went still. The spasms stopped, leaving cold, still blue eyes looking up at the ceiling. His tanned skin looked paler than I’d ever seen it.

“Father?” I whispered, unnoticed tears building in my eyes as I shook him, trying to wake him up.

“No,” I mumbled, unable to believe what had just happened. “ No .”

“What did you do?!” A female screeched, and I heard running footsteps before blonde curls entered my vision.

Emmie fell beside my father, her dress billowing around her as she grabbed his face, “Astra?! Astraeus?! Please!!”

She began sobbing as I sat beside her numbly, still holding onto my father’s limp hand.

I would never get his approval now. The thought popped into my head randomly, and I hated myself for it. I was supposed to be above that now.

And yet…

“What did you do?!” Emmie demanded, her tear-stained face scowling at me with red bloodshot eyes.

A bit of the haze around me lifted, and I scowled back at her. The implications of what just happened rushed through my mind as I reviewed and discarded contingency after contingency.

“Watch your tone, human,” I told her coldly, but my voice came out more shaken than I’d prefer. I straightened slightly, letting the blood magic give me strength for what must happen now. “You’re speaking to your king.”

Emmie curled back into herself, looking appropriately afraid for the first time as the truth of what I now was settled over us both.

“You killed him,” she whispered, defeat in every syllable.

“I did.” I nodded, unable to deny the truth, even as my heart ached a bit at it. But a king couldn’t let petty sentiment drive him. I turned to face her, letting go of my father’s hand to grip her face, mushing her cheeks together.

“But you will not tell a soul,” I murmured threateningly. “As far as anyone knows, he died a natural death. His heart gave out.”

“Fae hearts don’t just give out ,” she argued, glaring slightly despite the fear in her eyes.

“Maybe not, but no one will argue with the king.” I gave her the ghost of a smirk. It felt like I was somehow outside my own body. I struggled to push aside my feelings as I knew I must. But staring at my father’s body, I was barely capable of accepting what had happened.

Being king was everything I’d ever wanted, but I’d never wanted it like this .

“If you tell anyone, I will kill you. And I know how much you value your own life, Emmie.” I taunted, knowing this girl and her kind too well. Graspers who would do anything to rise higher and secure their own place.

Emmie looked me over with narrowed eyes, considering. As much as I hated it, this girl knew enough to make things difficult for me. But killing her would be a waste when she could provide more valuable services elsewhere.

“As long as you take care of me.” She countered predictably, and I rolled my eyes. Even holding the hand of her dead lover, she was already considering the next horse to bet on.

“Whatever. You’ll be well taken care of.” I promised dismissively. “Now, your role is to help me as I rise to be king of this damn continent.”

There was no need to hide my plans now, not in front of her. She would be loyal to me; I would ensure it. Some could know bits and pieces, but none the full picture. Zerlina was aware of some, but I knew she had little care for her father’s position as king as long as she was queen by my side. Emmie, similarly, didn’t care about much besides her own position.

And I could work with that.

“Very well, my King.” She smiled slightly, bowing her head, but I could still feel her body shaking with grief and fear. A cocktail of emotions I had unfortunately shared with her in this moment, if for different reasons.

I stood slowly, looking down at my father’s body.

Leaning down, I grabbed the crown off his head and walked away, needing to escape the sight of his dead eyes.