Page 5 of The Queen’s Shadow

“Why don’t you tell me how we got here, Raven. Tell me what happened.” He somehow looked older than when I had last seen him, even though it hadn’t been that long ago. I hesitated for a moment, not knowing where to start, or how to tell him it was my fault his wife was dead. It was my fault he had been kidnapped and taken here. It was my fault he was on paid leave at work… Everything was all my fault.

Finally, I shook myself off and decided to tell him because he deserved to know. And if I couldn’t give him Clair back, I could at least give him the truth.

So, I started at the beginning. I told him how Conrad had walked into my anger management class that day and turned my whole world upside down. I told him about the prophecy in the library and that Amon was my mate. I told him that Clair was a witch that belonged to an old bloodline of magick folk, and that she had emancipated herself 18 years ago, triggering my supernatural birth.

I told him about the deal she had made with Amon, to adopt and raise me until my power manifested. I told him about being kidnapped by Rycon, and how I had come to be bonded to him. I told him how I had been tortured, and how I had held Clair when she had died. I told him about Ash Nevra, and The Board and Olkuyrbe and how I was supposed to be the heir to The Dominion of Sin. I told him the truth, and that all I really wanted was to be able to save the people I loved, but I just couldn’t seem to do that.

When I was done, I was sure he would be disgusted. I waited for the other foot to drop. I waited for him to yell at me and tell me that I should be ashamed of myself. That he could never forgive me for failing Clair. I waited and waited for the words that didn’t come. Instead, he turned to me, and rested his hands on both of my shoulders, before looking me dead in The Eyes.

“When people are so horrible to you that you want to give up, remember, that’s what they want you to do. We don’t give people like that what they want, Raven. We don’t ever give up.”

Raven

Rycon kicked the door open, and both Jeremy and I jumped. He was covered in widowmaker blood and holding a screaming black box. All things considered, he seemed to be in a relatively good mood. His eyes lit up when they landed on my father and a grin spread across his face, exposing his pointed canines.

“Hey Pops,” he greeted Jeremy, who glowered at him as he stood up.

“You,” Jeremy snarled, and I was struck with the realization that I probably shouldn’t have told him that Rycon had kidnapped me. All of the anger and rage I had expected Jeremy to unleash on me was suddenly redirected. I groaned.

“Dad, leave Rycon alone.” I didn’t know how to explain that we were so far past his kidnapping that it wasn’t even worth a discussion. I glanced up at Rycon apologetically, and he looked confused for a moment before processing my thoughts through the bond. He dropped the screaming box, which I assumed held the widowmaker’s head, before rolling his eyes.

“You told him?” He asked me incredulously.

Jeremy scoffed. “She told me everything.”

Rycon raised an eyebrow, “I really doubt she told you everything.”

“Rycon,” I warned. The tone of my voice caused him to pause, his golden gaze met mine and a dangerous little smirk spread across his face.

“Did she tell you she’s mated to the Prince of Pricks?”

“Rycon. Shut up.” I growled, glaring at him with everything I had. Jeremy narrowed his eyes.

“She mentioned it, yes.” His tone was cold, despite the fact he didn’t fully understand the implications of a mating bond. I hadn’t gotten into the details around it, and was nervous to tell him the full truth.

“Did she also tell you that for daemons to mate they have to-”

“OKAY!” I interrupted, my entire face flushing red. “That’s enough.” I snapped, and Rycon chuckled. Jeremy just looked angry and confused. I glanced down at the box, which was literally hopping and bouncing in place.

“Is that..?”

“Yeah,” Rycon nodded, handing me back my blade. He threw his hands up over his head in a lazy stretch and yawned. “It still wouldn’t talk. But I told it about your idea of throwing it into the volcano and that honestly seemed to be the only thing that really scared it. Maybe we should take another trip to Mount Frira.” He suggested, and I suddenly felt hopeful.

“I don’t want you going anywhere with him,” Jeremy snapped, turning to me. I raised my eyebrows in shock for a moment at the tone of his voice. He was my dad, of course he would want to protect me from someone who had kidnapped me and tried to murder me… twice. Both Rycon and I winced as the thoughts spilled through my mind. However, I didn’t really have the luxury of being parented anymore. Jeremy looked back and forth between us, his eyes narrowing. I felt like he was starting to catch on to how deep the bond ran between us.

“Don’t know how much she’s really told you, Pops, but Raven is Queen of the fucking world. Not sure you have the authority to order her around anymore. Plus, we’re bonded. Trust me, this arrangement wasn’t exactly what I would have chosen for myself either. But here we are.” He smirked at a furious Jeremy before turning to me. He gestured to the box. “If it’s not going to talk, we need to dispose of it. As long as it’s here, Ash Nevra has a direct line into the palace.”

I nodded, picking the box up before heading towards the door, determination suddenly swelling in my chest. He was right. I needed to get rid of this thing if it wasn’t going to be useful. If I was going to save Amon and Kasha, we needed a game plan.

“Let’s gather the rest of the team and figure out our next move.” I said. I glanced back at Jeremy, nodding my head towards the door, indicating that I wanted him to come too. I could tell he was struggling to process this new dynamic.

Rycon clapped him on the shoulder on his way by and Jeremy took a very clear step away from him, a look of disgust blooming on his face.

“Raven… this is insane.” Jeremy said, his voice stern. I glanced back at him and sighed.

“I know it is. But you were right. We have to do something. We can’t let her win. She wants me to fall apart. I can’t do that, and honestly, Rycon is a good ally to have on our side.” I looked him up and down. His dark hair was dripping in widowmaker blood and he was still wearing his restructium armor. He looked every bit as deadly as he actually was.

The truth was, I would always choose Rycon as an ally over an enemy. Especially after the last few months together. He was family now. There wasn’t any going back for either of us and we both knew it.