Page 218 of The Queen’s Shadow

I rose up in the air before him so we were eye to eye. I knew my eyes had bled to black and I didn’t care. He thought I was a monster that was unfit to rule? I would fucking show him just how wrong he was.

“I don’t care if you bow to me, Sirocco. I had just hoped that once I freed you, you would be willing to return the favor and help me get my mate back… because until I have him back, I will never be free.” Saying it out loud hurt more than I had expected it to. I was a prisoner to my own grief, caged in an endless, agonizing sea of constant misery. My very soul was bleeding and I just wanted it to stop.

Sirocco narrowed his eyes at me, held down by both my shadows and the grip I had on his bond. His lip curled up in disgust.

“In that single statement, you have confirmed everything I have believed of you to be true. What sort of Queen would hold the freedom of her subjects over their heads, and demand some form of payment for what they should already be owed? I will never bow to you. You’re just as bad as her.” He snarled.

I laughed in his face. “I never asked you to bow to me, Prince Sirocco.” I pulled him closer, and leaned in next to his ear, making very sure he would hear every last syllable.

“And I always planned to free you and your people. Whether you agreed to help me or not. I have no use for broken slaves.” I spat before ripping his slavery bond away from him and slicing through it with one of my blades.

There was an explosion of energy, and Prince Sirocco’s eyes widened. He shouted in surprise, and I released him from my grasp.

I watched the Prince of Wrath crumble before me, and with him, so did his illusions.

Raven

Ifound myself standing exactly where I had been moments before, in Wrath’s Citadel.

Everyone looked shocked and confused as Prince Sirocco sat back on his heels staring at his hands and flexing his fingers in awe. He glanced at me with a look of astonishment on his face.

“You… you really just…” He was visibly shaking, and I curled my lip at him in annoyance.

“Yeah. You’re welcome.” I snapped, before turning on my heel and heading for the door. “Dad, Conrad, Meredith. We’re leaving.”

“Raven, wait!” Dossidian jogged after me, laying a massive palm on my shoulder. “Where are you going? He put an illusion on you while we were talking, didn’t he?” He asked. His brow was creased with concern.

“Gosh, Dossidian, how did you know?” I asked sarcastically. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking appropriately chastised.

“I should have warned you. I didn’t think it was going to be the first thing he did when we got here. I told you he likes to… play pranks on people.”

“He said I’m no better than she is. Coming here was a waste of time. I’m leaving.” I looked up at my friend, whose face was tight with remorse and concern, and I felt myself soften. I laid a hand on his arm gently. “You should stay here and free the rest of your family and the people of Wrath. I can head to Envy without you.” I sighed, fighting back the familiar feeling of helplessness that rushed through me. “Maybe somebody there will be willing to help me find him.” I whispered.

I would not cry, I would not fucking cry…

“Raven…” Dossidian said, and I forced myself to smile at him.

“It’s okay, Dossidian. Really. I’ll be fine.”

“Wait!” I turned to see Princess Balveria rushing forward from where she had been tending to her mate. Sirocco had since risen to his feet and both Dossidian’s brothers were staring at their father as if they had never seen him before.

I narrowed my eyes at the petite princess as she came forward.

“Are you coming to insult me and make assumptions about my intentions as well? Because you can save it, I’ve wasted enough time coming here as it is.” I growled, and she winced.

“Please, forgive my mate. We have suffered for centuries under Ash Nevra’s reign and it has made it… difficult for us to trust people.”

“Ash Nevra tricked our father into his slavery bond.” Balthion explained, “He’s never really gotten over it, or forgiven himself. He’s naturally suspicious now.”

Darianth glared at him. “Shut up, Balthion. Stop telling everyone our private business.” Balthion shrugged. “What? It’s the truth.” He said.

“You said you hope someone in Envy can help you. Maybe we can help you? It’s the least we can do, after what you have done for Sirocco.” Balveria said earnestly. She looked so hopeful and earnest, but I didn’t trust it. Not after I had seen how quickly her mate had switched from jovial and charming to sinister and jaded.

“I wouldn’t want you to think I felt entitled to anything in exchange for his freedom.” I said, glaring at Sirocco over her shoulder. He didn’t even look a little bit ashamed.

“You dangled Prince Zayne’s freedom before him and made him bow to you before you severed his bond. Do not act as if my assumption was incorrect.”

“Prince Zayne was also keeping the location of my Spymaster as fucking collateral. Every second I waited was another second of torture for her. He wanted to trade Cerenah, a daemon who had already faced significant trauma at his hands, for Kasha’s whereabouts. Forgive me if I was a little more hesitant to free that asshole than I was you.” I snapped, narrowing my eyes. “Did whatever little spy you have whispering in your ear tell you that part of the fucking story?” I asked, and finally, Sirocco looked like he was second guessing himself.