Page 32

R eign and I stay silent throughout the carriage ride home. Plagued by my own thoughts, I decide to leave her to hers. Seeing her so heartbroken over the blood wielder fractures some of the ice around my heart. I tried for so long to break the mind magic. Vanna is an Infinity, and her magic is damn near impossible to shatter, but when I heard Reign scream, I feared the worst. The spell broke only for me to find Reign cradling the blood wielder, crying. Shivers run down my spine at the memory.

The scene was horrifying. Blood seeped from the wielder’s ears, nose, and mouth, and the most unsettling part was her eyes—tears transformed into blood. I have never seen anything like it.

When we arrive at the palace, I head straight to my room and wash up. Even in the shower, I can’t stop thinking about Reign. I need to check on her.

Dressing swiftly in my sleeping pants and a loose shirt, I leave my room to head to hers. I knock. No answer. Holding my palm up, I send shadows under the door to look around. Empty. Hmm. Where is she? Maybe the library.

On my way to the library, I hear Kylo and Elm talking. Staying hidden around the corner, I listen.

“Yeah, I’m glad Reign won. I knew she would,” Kylo says.

“I’m proud of her,” Elm says, his voice full of brotherly affection.

“How was she in the Hollows?” Kylo asks. I send a few more shadows to cover me, ensuring I’m not spotted while eavesdropping.

I listen intently, hoping to hear something about my Reckless’s past.

“At first, she was scared of everything. Timid. Her husband did a great job of making her scared of all men. She was covered in bruises from him when she came to the Hollows. Big Al did a great job of breaking her too. Larah and I helped put the pieces back together as best we could though.”

My blood is boiling. If her husband wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him myself. Maybe I can somehow figure out a way to bring him back just so I can kill him again. As for Big Al… I may need to pay the Hollows a visit. As much as I like learning about Reign, her traumas are hers alone to share when she’s ready. Still, I can’t stop listening.

“Larah and I took her under our wing. We protected her, taught her to fight. And then, before we knew better, she was protecting us. She is formidable. I love her, you know. She is the sister I always wanted.”

“It’s obvious,” Kylo chuckles.

“She’s happy now. It’s so good to see. I never thought we would be free and happy. She’s even happier when he’s around.” My heart skips a beat at his words.

“Yeah, the prince is too. I’ve never seen him like…”

I step around the corner, interrupting the conversation, not wanting to hear about myself.

“Go. Watch their corridor.” Kylo dismisses Elm.

“Do you know where she is?” I ask Kylo, I don’t need to name her. He already knows who I’m talking about.

“They’re having a girl’s night in Lilyana’s room.”

Heading to Vanna’s sitting room, my shadows tell me she is there. I kick open her door and have shadows wrap around her, pinning her down before she even realizes what’s happening.

“What did you do?” My voice is filled with so much fury it rattles the mirrors, as each of my approaching steps sends terror flickering across Vanna’s face.

The fear in her eyes is worth every ounce of trouble I know this will bring. I stomp over to the couch where she’s restrained, looming over her with barely contained rage.

“It’s not what you think at all, Lukene.” She gulps as I lean in, staring directly into her vile gaze. “All I did was make sure you couldn’t help her. That’s all, I swear. I didn’t touch anything except your mind, to plant the command and wipe away the memory of me doing it.”

“If you ever, ever touch me again, Vanna, I will tell everyone what my childhood was like.” My voice drops to a lethal whisper. “Then, I’ll kill you. Consequences be damned. Mark my words, Vanna, I will end you and take my throne back.”

“As heir to the throne, I demand you release me!” she spits back.

I slowly retreat toward the door, a malicious smile spreading across my face as I withdraw my shadows, letting them slink away from her trembling form. “Remember what I said, Vanna. You will never touch me again. I vow it.”

With those final words, I slam the door behind me, leaving her shocked and breathless, adrenaline coursing through both of us. The door shudders from the force, echoing the rage seething inside me.

Skipping breakfast, I head to the training yard, hoping to relieve the anger still burning in my veins. The sun is just now rising, casting a golden aura over the kingdom. The wind is crisp and refreshingly cool, but it does nothing to calm the searing irritation I feel.

As I approach, I notice a fire blazing in the hands of my purple-haired prisoner. Why is she out here alone, unattended?

Walking over to her, I watch her powers soaring, burning high and bright. She is getting better and better. She is stronger than we thought. She looks over to me and my anger instantly simmers down. Now it’s just an ember, barely fizzling as I flash her a sensual smile.

“What are you doing out here alone? The sun is barely waking,” I ask as her flame dwindles down to nothing.

She rolls her eyes. “I wanted to be alone. After yesterday…” She lets out a long, dramatic sigh, her expression haunted by painful memories. “I just need some time alone, Prince.”

“Spar with me,” I challenge, my tone playful.

“No. I beat you once, remember? It was too easy, boring even.” She grins, a wicked smile that makes mine widen. She is beautifully reckless—a light in my bleak darkness.

“You cheated last time,” I tease. “Well, come on then… Use magic, weapons, even your fist if you would like.”

“I wouldn’t call it cheating. But sure, if you want to have your butt kicked again… Who am I to deny you, Prince,” she says, as she gives me a mocking bow.

“You can definitely try,” I retort.

She hurls a ball of fire at me, but my shadows devour the flame. She holds out her palm, conjuring an even larger blaze that slams into my shadowy shield. Darkness meets light. Which will prevail? Will darkness smother the flame, or will light pierce through the shadow? I push back, and her fire flickers.

We trade blows—magic, fists, and steel—until the new guards arrive to train, accompanied by Kylo and James.

Reign is slowing, growing tired. Seizing the moment, I send a shadow snaking around her ankle and yank. She falls, letting out a string of colorful curses that make me chuckle.

“Are you just going to stand there gawking while I lay on my back?” she snaps, extending her hand.

“Oh, Reckless, if I had you on your back under different circumstances, I’d be doing anything but standing and watching…” I tease, earning a blush that spreads down her neck. I clasp her hand, and the fit feels perfect, like a piece of a puzzle clicking into place. I pull her up, jerking her closer until she bumps into my chest. My arm snakes around her waist, her lips inches from mine. I should hate that she is against my chest, but I don’t. It feels… right. She feels right. As long as her hands don’t touch it, I can tolerate it, even like—this.

Her plump lips catch my attention, and I cup her face, tracing her lower lip with my thumb. Lifting her chin, I search her eyes and find them filled with want, desire, caution, and trepidation—an exact reflection of my own emotions.

Her breath comes out in shallow pants, and I realize we have an audience. James watches us with a stern expression. Releasing her I say, “Go see a healer to ensure you are alright.”

“Prince, I’m fine,” she argues.

“That wasn’t a request.”

“I know what you did,” she replies. “You made me spar to distract me.”

“I did. Now go to the healer.” I smile as I give her the demand, knowing she doesn’t like being told what to do.

She huffs, submitting to defeat, and walks back to the palace.

“Getting cozy with her publicly, I see,” Kylo says, laughing.

“Enough chatter… Powers out,” I reply with a chuckle.

James approaches, lightning dancing at his fingertips. “I thought I told you to stay away from her, Luke.” He fires off a bolt, and I deflect it, shadows swirling. Kylo is just looking back and forth between us.

“It’s none of your business what I do, James. I have it under control.”

“It becomes my business when it goes bad, and you go on a killing spree. What happens when you lose control?” His powerful bluish-purple bolts of electricity smack into my shadows from all angles, echoing with equal parts of fury and worry—a maelstrom of magic.

“I know what I’m doing,” I say, smothering his magic. “It’s not that serious. I’m not that into her.”

“I’m trying to protect you… Let me protect you.” His bolts crack angrier than before, like an upset father trying to teach his son a lesson.

“I personally like them together.” Kylo interjects.

James sends a bolt of lightning toward him, which he dodges.

Kylo steps between us, a wall of fire erupting to break the tension. “Is this the right time to tell you that you both look like you have gotten weak? My new wielders can do better. You both seem like toddlers fighting over a toy.” He laughs. “…Weak toddlers.”

I can’t help but laugh at his corny way of trying to break up the tension between James and myself. Sucking my shadows back in, I pull out a sword. James and Kylo follow suit.

“Truce for now, but Luke, this is not over,” James says, his voice edged with frustration. “Let me show you how much of a weak toddler I am, boys.” James laughs, then lunges.

James, Kylo, and I beat the double burning hells out of each other. Despite the cool morning air, sweat slicks my skin, dripping from my hair and soaking through my tunic. Kylo and I decide to head back to the palace, our footsteps echoing through the empty corridors, while James insists on training the new guards. The old man will outlive us all, I’m sure of it.

“Seriously, Luke. What are you going to do when they send her to Armadon?” Kylo asks, his brow furrowed as he shoves his sword back into its scabbard. His voice carries a note of genuine concern.

I run a hand over my face, feeling the weight of his question settle into my bones. “I don’t know,” I admit, my voice heavy with defeat. The mere thought makes my stomach churn like molten lead. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

Kylo gives me a side-eye, worry etched in his features. “Does she know yet?” he presses, his voice dropping to a whisper. I shake my head, and he groans. “Luke… Gods, you need to tell her.”

“I know,” I say, frustration threading through my voice. “I just—” I stop abruptly as Reign’s voice rings out, sharp and angry.

Kylo and I exchange a look before we quietly creep around the corner, our boots barely making a sound on the polished stone floor.

“I’m allowed in the library,” Reign insists, her voice tight with defiance. “Go ask Prince Lukene if you don’t believe me.”

The guard folds his arms over his chest, glaring at her. “I don’t need to ask. Princess Vanna said contestants can’t access the library.”

Reign clenches her fists, her jaw tightening. “I’m the champion, not a contestant,” she snaps, reaching for the door. The guard’s hand shoots out, smacking hers away, and a dangerous gleam sparks in her lavender eyes.

“If you touch that door again, I’ll whip you,” he sneers, leaning in with a cruel grin. “Ever feel the sting of a whip? I bet that would straighten your Drifter ass out.”

Reign’s face darkens, her eyes narrowing to slits. Her entire body stiffens, and she holds out her hand, summoning a flame that flickers to life, casting a menacing glow. “I know exactly what it feels like. Do you?” Her voice drips with venom. “Ever felt fire melting your skin off? Threaten me again, and I’ll introduce you to the feeling.”

Kylo and I step in, and she whirls around, her chest heaving with barely contained rage. The guard pales when he sees us, his bravado crumbling. Reign’s eyes dart to mine, wild and glistening, before flicking to Kylo, who places a calming hand on her back.

“Reckless, go ahead,” I say, nodding to the library door, my voice firm but gentle. “You have access to every part of the palace.” She stands there for a moment, breathing hard, her eyes searching mine for something—reassurance, perhaps. Kylo gently guides her inside, whispering something soothing as he closes the door.

The guard shifts uncomfortably, his eyes wide with fear. “But your Majesty,” he sputters, “Vanna said?—”

“You heard your prince,” Kylo interrupts, stepping forward until his face is inches from the guard’s. The guard swallows, sweat beading on his brow.

“Kylo, strip him,” I order, my voice icy.

The guard’s eyes widen in horror, and he stumbles back. “Your Majesty!” he cries, desperation cracking his voice as Kylo grabs his armor and tunic, ripping them off and baring his back.

“Which arm would you have used to whip her?” I demand, shadows swirling around me like a living nightmare. The guard trembles, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

“Answer the prince,” Kylo growls, conjuring a flame in his palm. It flares dangerously, illuminating his scowl.

“My left,” the guard whispers, tears streaming down his face as a dark stain spreads across the front of his pants. The acrid stench of his fear fills the air. “I was following orders. Please!”

“Then follow orders now,” I hiss, leaning in close. “Don’t move, and I might let you keep the arm.”

Kylo spins him around, pinning his shoulders forward to expose his spine. My shadows lash out like a whip, striking with the force of a tempest, tearing into his flesh until blood spatters the walls. His screams echo through the corridor, music to my ears. When he crumples to the ground, sobbing, Kylo holds out his left arm, smirking.

“Want me to take it, or do you want the honor?” Kylo asks, his voice darkly amused.

“I’ll do it,” I reply, drawing my sword. I swing, severing the arm in a clean cut. The guard’s head lolls as he faints, and Kylo cauterizes the wound with fire, the smell of burnt flesh filling the hallway.

“Take him to the healer,” I command, sheathing my sword. “Tell them I left him alive so everyone knows what happened here.” Kylo nods, hoisting the unconscious guard over his shoulder with a grunt and disappearing down the corridor.

When I step into the library, I find Reign standing between the towering bookshelves, her fingers running over the spines of ancient tomes, before opening one. She senses my presence and turns, her eyes widening when she sees the blood splattered across me.

“You didn’t have to kill him for threatening to whip me, Prince,” she says, her voice soft but steely.

“Oh, I didn’t kill him,” I reply, my tone flat. “But he won’t be whipping anyone ever again.” My gaze hardens. “Who whipped you before, Reign?”

Her grip tightens on the book she’s holding, and she slams it shut. The sound reverberates through the cavernous library. “That’s not up for discussion, Prince,” she says, her voice taut. She turns to walk away, but I catch her arm, my grip firm.

“Oh, but it is, Reckless,” I murmur, my voice low.

Before she can respond, Lilyana’s cheerful voice cuts through the tension. “Oh, there you are!” We both turn as she approaches, her smile faltering when she sees the blood on me.

I release Reign’s arm and whisper, “We’ll talk about this later.” Reign’s eyes flash, but she says nothing.

Lilyana’s face brightens again as she turns to Reign. “We need to discuss the ball! It’s to celebrate your victory and my name day!” Her smile fades as she glances at me, her nose wrinkling. “Luke…” she says, her tone questioning.

“Later, Lilyana,” I say, pressing my lips to the side of her head. While I walk away, I add over my shoulder, “Come find me in a bit, Lilyana. I’ll need a favor.”