Page 39 of The Queen’s Shadow

With what seemed to take great effort, she forced her gaze away from that spot on the ground and met my eyes. Her irises were a deep crimson, just like Ash Nevra’s, but her hair was nearly white. The polar opposite to Ash Nevra’s inky black tresses.

“It’s just a few questions, to make sure we’re on the same team. Then I plan to free you.” I told her gently, gesturing to the sword I held in my hand. Her gaze fell to the blade, and she gasped, before looking back at me. Her eyes welled with tears and she began to shake.

“F-free… me?” Her voice was so quiet it was barely a whisper.

“Yes.” I nodded.

“What do you wish to know?” She asked, the words tumbling from her mouth in a rush. “I will tell you anything. If I have the answers they will be yours.” She promised, and I smiled at her.

“Great, Rycon, come over here.” Rycon stepped forward and her gaze shifted to him nervously. “Rycon is just here to make sure you are speaking the truth. I’m sorry for the extra precautions, but we can’t be too careful.”

Her eyes widened but she nodded. “Of course.” She replied.

“Are you truly the illegitimate sister of Ash Nevra?”

“Yes.”

“Are you loyal to her in any way outside of the way you are forced to be through the slavery bond?”

“No.”

“Do you recognize Ash Nevra as the true Queen of The Dominion?”

“No.”

“Do you want to help us in our mission to overthrow her and free The Dominion of Sin from her tyranny?”

“Yes, Origin yes, more than anything.” She gasped, tears spilling down her face. I glanced at Rycon. He was watching her carefully, but he nodded.

“She’s telling the truth.” he growled, almost as if he were upset about it. Dossidian stepped forward suddenly.

“If we release you from this bond, will you pledge allegiance and fealty to The Origin’s daughter, and one true Queen of The Dominion of Sin, Raven?”

“Yes. I already do.” She promised, and Rycon nodded again. He spoke next.

“Where do you think Kasha is?” His eyes flashed, and I frowned at him. It felt like a strange question to ask, she probably didn’t even know who Kasha was. Cerenah met his gaze head on, holding her head high.

“The Court of Greed. Serving as a sex slave in one of the crown’s brothels.” She responded immediately, and my heart nearly stopped.

Raven

Silence rang through the room in the aftermath of Cerenah’s claim. A rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins and Meredith grabbed my arm in shock. I glanced at Rycon, hoping for confirmation that what she said was true, but Rycon only had eyes for Cerenah.

“How can you be sure?” He asked, his voice a low growl.

“I’m not. It is a guess. However, it is very likely. Princess Vespara and Prince Zayne would have bid the most for her.”

Rycon’s nostrils flared and his pupils turned to slits. He clenched his fists and I heard his knuckles crack.

He turned to me. “Free her.” He demanded. “Free her now, and let’s go.”

Cerenah raised her eyebrows at his tone, likely confused at the fact that I would allow him to order me to do anything. I was sure after a lifetime of serving monsters, she was not accustomed to people having the levity to speak their minds to their reigning monarchs.

However, I was not Rycon’s Queen. He was Rhoan. He was a King in his own right.

I glanced at Dossidian, spinning Bond Breaker deftly by the hilt in my hand.

“Anything I should know?” I asked and he nodded.