Page 129 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Standing, I cradle Max in my arms, her petite body practically weightless. I don’t hide the beast surging within me as my fangs lower over my face and my hands turn into claws.

Let them see the monster that I truly am. Let them fear me.

“You’ve attacked a member of the royal family.” I hear the sharp intake of my guards, none of which knew I had claimed Max.

Fee shifts beside me and Reid looks grim.

“To do so is an act of war. War, that not even with your pathetic Crimson soldiers, can you hope to win.” I narrow my eyes on him, words nothing but a rumble. “Give me one reason I shouldn’t cut out your heart and crush it as you die at my feet.”

Although Griffin smiles back at me, I see the wince on his face. Terror etches along the wrinkles in his forehead and cheeks.

He may have the army, but he doesn’t have my wrath.He’s frightened.

“I have the antidote,” Griffin explains. “It was merely a way to keep her from using her gift.”

I don’t like that Griffin knows about her. I watched her at the White Palace, she never once told anyone what she was.

That means Griffin knew who she was before she got there. He had been tracking her.

“You’ve known what she was for some time,” I accuse, ignoring the urge to throttle him. “Were you the one to burn her village?”

Griffin has the nerve to roll his eyes. “I spent years using my Crimson Army to amass my wealth. Imagine my surprise when I found a Coven of Witches in the north, right outside the cursed forest, with blood magic.” He shook his head. “It was only a simple mission,” he grumbles, eyes turning to the sky as if he is talking to someone else.

“Though I shouldn’t say everyone. Only the women possessed the gift.”

Growling, I hold Max closer. I scan her body, feeling her chest fall and rise with each breath.

“You tried to take the women.”

Of course he did. Griffin’s court doesn’t care about women—taking them and using them would only make sense.

The smile he gives me is disgusting.

“That was part of the plan. But the leader, the High Priestess,” he sneers, gesturing to Max, “her mother, saw us coming. She set fire to the village so everyone would escape. It’s taken years just to track this one down.”

He peers at her face, thoughtfully. I move her to shield her away.

“She had magic young. I almost died at her hands.” He taps his throat. “And she almost at mine.”

“You recognized her at the palace.”

“You don’t forget the woman who almost ended your life, heir. Not with those eyes. Now,” he stops, adjusting in his saddle, “if you give me the woman, I’ll recall the troops. I’ll even end the raids into the Shadowlands. Think about it. Your lands will be safe in exchange for one little woman. A bargain, really.”

The audacity of this king almost brings a smile to my lips.

He thinks I’ll trade my lands, my people, for one smallwoman.

A good man might.

Yet, I’m not a good man.

The clopping of horses in the distance causes my guards to tense and I smile. The Humans, blessed inferior beings, can’t hear it, but we can.

My reinforcements are here.

Gently, I brush the hair off my future queen’s face and smile at Griffin.

“You do not endanger my mate, then offer a bargain for her person and think consequences do not apply to you. I will take your head, King. But then, I will take your kingdom. Your lands. Your wealth. Until no one will remember your name. Until you are forgotten to history, a speck of dust in an old book. And I will burn everything you have ever loved dear for even thinking you could hurt what ismine.”