Page 6 of The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology #2)

CHAPTER SIX

“This isn’t necessary,” Villette stated. “I’ve offered my assistance.”

Kora swiveled her head toward Villette. “Right. Just like you stopped Miena when you had the chance.”

“I already told you. She’s more powerful.”

“But had you done something , I could’ve helped.” Kora snorted. “Instead, you did nothing. You showed your true colors.”

Villette’s blue eyes turned glacial. “You’re going to eat those words when I find not only my sister but also Derek.”

“How exactly are you going to do that?” Lotti asked.

Villette waved her hands at the flames. “I can’t do anything locked away as I am.”

“Tell me what you plan, then,” Lotti said. “I’ll find them.”

A look of insolence colored Villette’s face. “And make myself worthless? No, thank you. Besides, you don’t have a connection to Miena like I do. You might be one of us, but you aren’t part of our family.”

“If the others are like you and Miena, I don’t want to be,” Lotti retorted.

Kora observed the interaction with curiosity. Lotti had shunned the other Star People in favor of being with the dragons. Well, not just any dragons—the Kings. Specifically, her mate. The word wasn’t unknown to Kora. Her people had called their significant others by that term. It was the knowledge that dragons coupled for life that she clung to. None of the female mates she had met were dragons, which meant there really might be a chance that she was Derek’s mate.

She hadn’t planned to befriend a dragon, and never imagined she would give her heart to one. But here she was, working with them. It seemed so normal. Derek should be here, meeting everyone and learning where he fit in. He might not have been born like the others, but he was alive. That counted for something.

“The more time I’m stuck behind these flames, the more time Miena has to implement her plan,” Villette stated.

Kora strode toward the woman who had taken so much from her. Every fiber of her being—and the ghosts of her ancestors lining up behind her—demanded that Kora end her right now. Villette might actually aid in locating Derek, but she would betray them eventually. It was who she was. The centuries of her rule in Stonemore and the surrounding areas proved that. Her reach was long. Her command immense.

“I won’t stop you,” Lotti whispered from behind her, as if reading her thoughts. “Villette has committed inconceivable atrocities and needs to pay for it.”

She’d certainly been behind unspeakable brutalities. Kora thought about the red-robed priests in armor who had struck her down while trying to get to a child they believed had magic. That was all Villette.

“But,” Lotti said in a low voice, “what if she can find Derek?”

Villette shot Lotti a withering glare. “I can. And I will . As soon as the flames are gone.”

For the first time, Kora understood the difficult position Derek had been in. Now, it was her turn. Did she set aside her need to avenge her family and all the other hellhounds to find the man she loved?

Derek had chosen her.

And it had cost him dearly.

Lotti walked to stand in front of Kora. She kept her voice at a whisper. “Utilize her now. When her usefulness is up, do what you need.”

It was a solid plan—one that would require Kora to be at the top of her game. Villette had lived millions of lives to her one. That meant Villette had more wisdom and was well-educated in manipulation and deception. Kora had spent several hundred years shutting out the world and her abilities. She would have to learn. And fast.

But she wouldn’t be alone.

Kora nodded in silent agreement. Lotti squeezed her hand and moved to the side as they faced Villette.

“I’m not jesting. The flames can hold us for a reason. I can’t do anything until you lower them,” Villette said.

Kora still hesitated. Was she ready for this? She would have to consider Villette’s every word and action. She would have to anticipate ten moves ahead of her nemesis. The thought terrified Kora. Because all of this was about more than getting Derek back. He was just the first step.

Once they located him, the long process of helping him remember who he was would begin. If things went their way, he wouldn’t fight them. But everyone realized that he most likely would. Battling him and Miena at the same time would be problematic. And that didn’t even take Villette into consideration.

What if it all blew up in her face? What if trusting Villette cost everyone their lives? She had already created a mess by releasing Miena. Did one man’s life mean more than the countless others that could follow?

Her very essence screamed, “ Aye !”

But her mind was another story. It listed every wrong decision and bad choice she had made throughout her life. And the list was long.

Who was she to decide such important things? She was nobody. The last hellhound on Zora, and one who had ignored her gifts until recently. She was the last person who should be making decisions.

Kora felt a presence behind her. For a heartbeat, she thought it was Derek and imagined him wrapping his arms around her before pressing his hard chest against her back to steady her. She could almost feel his warm breath as it grazed her neck, and his mouth lowered to her ear, ready to deliver words of wisdom.

But it wasn’t Derek. And no amount of yearning would return him. Kora looked over to find Merrill with Con and Rhi. With them was another man with auburn hair, who walked straight to Lotti. That must be her mate, Alasdair. The look the two exchanged was so full of love that it felt like a punch to the gut.

Kora physically ached for Derek. She hadn’t known the depth of her feelings until it was too late, and she hadn’t grasped his until he was being taken away. How could she have been so blind? Perhaps because she’d had nothing for so long.

Then she’d had it all.

For only a brief moment in time.

“Is this where you threaten me?” Villette asked as she looked at each of the men. “There is nothing any of you can do that will harm me.”

Con shrugged. “By the burns still healing on your body, I disagree.”

“Only two people in this room could kill me,” Villette continued, as if he hadn’t spoken. “And Lotti doesn’t have the power yet.”

“Oh, I’m getting there,” Lotti countered.

Villette grinned expectantly. “We’ll see.” Her blue gaze shifted to Kora, and she lifted a blond brow in question.

Everyone waited for Kora’s decision. What would Derek do? What would her brother do? Kora had to take the emotion out of it. She needed to look at the facts. Derek had been taken against his will, had his memories altered, and was likely being manipulated to carry out Miena’s sick plan—not unlike what Villette had done to him. Derek deserved to be free of their hold and told the truth. She hoped someone would do the same for her if she were in his place.

Then there was Miena. She was Kora’s mess to clean up. If going after Villette had taught her anything, it was that Miena would be harder to bring down. She would be expecting an attack. But would she anticipate her sister helping them?

Kora had to think ten steps ahead.

“I’ll lower the flames,” Kora finally said.

Villette grinned. “Excellent.”

“On one condition.”

The Star Person rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to agree to help?”

“You’ve agreed to locate Derek, aye. I want more.” Kora knew she was pushing. There was a fine line between getting Villette’s agreement and putting her enemy’s back against the wall, where she would agree to anything to stay alive.

Villette didn’t break eye contact. “Well? Are you going to state what that might be, or shall I guess?”

“You’ll not only help locate Derek, but you’ll also aid in getting him away from your sister,” Kora stated.

“That was implied.”

A sound like a growl rumbled from Merrill, who stood on Kora’s left. If Villette heard, she ignored him. Others might be witnessing this conversation, but it was just between the two of them. That meant there was room for Kora to botch something.

She tried to imagine what her brother would do, or even her uncle, but her memories of them were too faded to bring up anything useful. So, she turned to the only other person she could: Derek. He had been wary of Miena. No matter what she had offered, he had suspected there was more to it. On the flip side, he hadn’t believed Merrill either.

One could argue that Derek had been too skeptical, and his doubt had kept him from deciding. Whereas she hadn’t taken any time to consider things beyond ending Villette when she freed Miena. And to think, only that small flower had held the chains so tightly that not even a Star Person could get free.

A plan began to form, and Kora twisted her lips. “Nothing is implied. It will be stated and agreed upon.”

“Go on,” Villette said tightly.

“After we’ve rescued Derek from Miena, you will join us in removing your sister once and for all.”

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to kill one of us?” Villette asked. She glanced at Lotti. “For the first two hundred and fifty years, we’re susceptible to a great many things. After that? It takes quite a bit to snuff out our lives. Why do you think Miena was imprisoned? If I could’ve killed her, I would have.”

Merrill grunted. “I doona believe that for a minute.”

Neither did Kora. “I’m sure you’ve thought up ways, though.”

“Maybe,” Villette replied, shrugging one shoulder.

“I didn’t say you would kill Miena. I said you would join us. I will be the one to take her life.”

Villette said nothing as she stared at Kora.

“Either you agree to the terms, or you remain within the fire.” Kora looked at the red-orange flames licking the air as high as her shoulder. “Your choice.”

Villette rolled her eyes in disgust. “Of course, I agree to your stupid demands.”

“Bind your vow with magic,” Alasdair said.

Villette slid her blue gaze to him. “Haven’t taken enough from me already, Alasdair?”

“I’m the one who told him about it,” Lotti said.

Kora hadn’t known a vow could be bound with magic. If she had, she had lost that memory. She was glad Alasdair had spoken up. It would go nicely with her plan.

Villette cleared her throat. “I’ll bind the vow. Does that make everyone happy? Miena is my enemy, too, remember?”

Kora stepped forward, but Merrill’s hand on her arm made her pause. He looked at her, concern in his eyes. She turned on her heel and walked away from Villette, waiting for the others to join them.

“Are you sure about this?” Merrill asked.

Kora shook her head. “But you’re the one who pointed out that we need her.”

“Behind the flames, aye. I’m no’ sure letting her out is the answer.”

“Need I remind everyone that time is wasting,” Villette urged, her impatience clear.

Lotti caught Kora’s eyes. “This binding vow will ensure that neither of you harm the other. Whatever she doles out to you will return to her times ten. And vice versa. You should also be aware that your life forces are combined.”

“Meaning?” Kora asked.

Lotti swallowed. “Meaning, the two of you will keep each other alive.”

“There’s always a loophole somewhere,” Rhi said.

Lotti shook her head. “Not this time. Villette won’t be able to leave until she fulfills the vow. Also, Villette won’t be able to harm Kora. In effect, they’ll do everything to keep the other alive. It’s either the binding vow, kill her, or leave her here.”

“And we need her,” Kora said with a sigh. She met Lotti’s turquoise eyes. “Are you sure about the vow?”

“Absolutely. You need to be specific in the wording. She will have to agree to everything, but she will also have a chance to state her wishes. You’ll have to agree to them. Then the magic will bind you.”

Kora had come to end Villette. Now, she would be bound to her. Nothing had turned out like it was supposed to, but she was glad. Because had it, she never would’ve met Derek.

“It sounds like the only way,” Con said.

Kora looked at each of them. They all nodded. It looked like she was doing this. She took a deep breath and turned to face Villette.