Page 22

B eing summoned to the throne room first thing in the morning is always irritating; however, something feels off about it today. Tension gnaws at my shoulders as I step inside, finding only Vanna seated on the throne.

I suppress a groan, dragging a hand down my face. She sits as though she already rules the kingdom, wearing an air of triumph. It churns my stomach. This throne should have been mine—was meant to be mine. Instead, here I am, bowing to her like a lowly subject. The resentment curdles within me, thick and bitter. Even if she hadn’t stolen the crown, I would still hate her for everything she’s done to me.

“Oh, Lukene, have a seat,” she says with a saccharine smile.

“I am fine standing, Vanna. What is it you need?” I keep my expression unreadable and bored. I pull a dagger from my sheath and pick my nails just to get under her skin, like whatever she has to say isn’t important enough to hold my attention. Out of the corner of my eyes I see her stand, walking down the dais until she is before me. My jaw ticks.

“What is going on with you and the prisoner?” she asks, her voice laced with false nonchalance.

Well, that catches my attention. I sheath my blade so I don’t do anything stupid. I quirk a brow. “I have eight prisoners under my care. You will need to be more specific.”

“Don’t play dumb, Luke,” she snaps. I cringe at her using the name Luke. Only a handful of people are allowed to call me that, and Vanna will never be one of them.

“You will refer to me as Lukene, Vanna. We have been over this before,” I remind her coldly. “And as I asked, which prisoner are you referring to?” I know she means Reign. It is none of her business what I do with whom.

Her sharp smile suggests she knows exactly what game I’m playing. “The purple-headed Drift rat. The one whoring herself out to the guards. She is the one you are close with, right?”

My blood boils at her implications and the disrespect spewing from her tongue. “Reign,” I say flatly. “Get on with it, Vanna. I wouldn’t say I am close with her. I am assigned to oversee her training. The pairing was suggested by you and the king, I’ll remind you. What is it that you want to know about her?”

She steps closer, close enough that I can feel the animosity radiating off her. I instinctively step back, keeping her at arm’s length. “Are you bedding her?” Vanna tilts her head, her gaze narrowing. “If you are, you’re bringing shame to the crown. You can’t be seen with someone like her. She’s beneath us.”

I scoff loudly, annoyed that she even thinks she can question me or focus on what I do in my free time. “This is rich coming from you, Vanna,” I mutter with a mirthless laugh.

“You are a prince. You should not be sleeping with the contestants, Lukene . You were to oversee them, not fuck them. And definitely not take them on tours of the garden—your mother’s garden.”

I roll my head side to side trying to relieve some of the tension and anger at the mention of my mother. I grind my teeth to the point that it is almost painful.

“You will stay away from her. That’s an order,” Vanna hisses, stepping even closer, but I don’t back up. I want her to see the anger searing in my eyes. I have spent my whole life training to be the Dark Prince, the one that murders people in the dead of night. She knows I am lethal. Let her look into my eyes and see the killer that I have been molded into with each deed done for my wicked kingdom.

The darkness within me stirs, urging me to let it loose. My shadows coil behind me like snakes, ready to strike. “Careful, Vanna. You’re starting to wear on my patience.”

Her expression flickers with fear for the briefest moment before hardening again. “She’s damaged goods, Lukene,” she says with a smug smile. “Passed around by guards in the Hollows. She’s not worth your time.”

I start to sweat, my hands trembling, not from fear, but from ravenous rage. She is trying to provoke me and it’s working. Reign hasn’t slept with any guards here that I am aware of. Vanna tries to place a hand on my shoulder, and I flinch, batting it away with a shadow. She knows better than to touch me, and I know better than to let her. I won’t allow her to mess with my head.

She looks at me like I tried to stab her. “Who I bed is none of your concern.” My voice is sharp, controlled. “I am overseeing the contestants. I will see that we have a winner, unlike when you oversaw them last time.” I give her a wicked grin. “You are wearing my patience thin with your commands, Vanna. I’d hate to see what happens if I snap.”

Vanna’s eyes flash with anger, but she quickly masks it. “There’s talk of a couple in town stirring dissent. A magic wielder and his wife. Raymon has the details. Handle it. Bring their children to me, and I’ll see they’re placed in a proper home.”

“Consider it done,” I growl, turning on my heel.

“Oh, and Lukene?” she calls sweetly.

I stop, my fists clenched, the taste of bile rising in my throat. “Yes?” I force through gritted teeth.

“I want it done immediately. Find Raymon.”

I bow and walk out of the throne room. I need to find Kylo and tell him to train Reign and keep a close eye on her.

I find Kylo in the training yard and walk up to him as he is talking to a guard.

“Leave us,” I tell the guard, dismissing him with a curt wave. He bows and walks off.

“What is going on, Lukene?” Kylo asks, concern lacing his voice.

“Vanna is scheming again. Keep an eye on the prisoners—especially Reign. I need to head out. Make sure she is training her magic. The third trial is only a few days away.” I look over the training yard and see Reign training with Elm. Good.

“What is she planning? What is going on?” Kylo’s brows knit with worry.

“Just do as I ask. I am being sent on a mission. I will be back tonight or tomorrow. Do as I ask.” I never take this tone with Kylo. I feel bad for snapping at my best friend. But I know he senses my urgency.

“Of course. Be careful. Find me when you get back.”

I leave the training grounds without looking back at Reign. I find Raymon in the palace. He gives me the details I need, and I set off. I need to make one stop before I head into town.

Opening the door of the shop, I see no one at the counter, so I immediately walk to the back. The heat is blazing, almost scorching my skin. The sound of hammers pounding on metal rattles through the air. I breathe in thick lungs full of soot as I walk further into the smithy.

“Prince Lukene.” The big burly blacksmith bows. When he stands, he uses the back of his hands to wipe sweat and soot from his eyes. The other men spot me and cower back. They all know who I am, fear what I am. Ari and I have been acquaintances for a while and he does amazing work for me. He has nothing to fear from me at this point.

“Ari, I have a huge favor, and I need it as soon as possible.”

“Sure. What have you got for me?”

I pull a piece of paper from my tunic, handing it to him. He takes the paper with his big, dirty hands and opens it up. He studies it for a minute before looking at me.

“How big do you want it?” he asks.

“It is for a woman. Can you make it as I designed?”

He laughs a joyous laugh which makes me smile. “Of course I can make this! It will be my finest work yet. I will send word when it’s done.” He claps me on the shoulder with his meaty paws.

I nod and pull a tiny sack full of coppers out and hand it to him. He grasps the sack, tucking it in his pant pockets.

I leave the smithy and head into the town to stake out the house. Reign is plaguing my mind. She is like a bug on a summer day that won’t leave you alone. She consumes my thoughts even when I don’t want to think of her. Only now, she is in my sister’s line of sight. You never want to be on Vanna’s bad side. I am not sure why Vanna has taken an interest in the girl. However, it proves that I need to leave her alone. After I get this gift back from the blacksmith, I will leave her alone entirely. I hope…

I need my mind back. I need it cleared. I need to focus. I need to not have her cloud my every thought and decision. Darkness fills every corner in me. I am not good, and I have a momentary lapse in judgment when I do show kindness. I am a monster at my core. Reign needs to be reminded of that. I need to remind myself of that.

Finding the house is easy. I watch the family for a bit, watch their movements. I am the cool and calculating Dark Prince making his mark. It is time I remember who I am. This is exactly what I need. This is what I am…

A killer.

An enforcer.

A monster.

I am not weak. I take lives, it’s what I have always done. It has never bothered me. I will end this magic wielder and his wife for thinking they can plan an uprising against the crown, against my kingdom. I close my eyes and feel the darkness in me. I let it flood my veins and calm me, caress me in its ebony essence. Calling upon it, shadows leak from me, and I head toward the house.