Page 40

Her knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, her breathing ragged.

The pull intensified, and her essence slipped through his fingers like water.

But then, just as he was about to take the final piece, his magic recoiled.

A sharp, searing pain shot through his arm, and he snarled, yanking his hand back as though it had been burned.

“What the—” He growled.

“Don’t bother.” A voice, smooth and laced with arrogance, cut through the tension. “She’s tied to me.”

Raja’s head jerked to the side, his crimson eyes narrowed as a portal shimmered and spat out its passengers.

The elf stepped through first, his long, dark coat flaring behind him like he’d rehearsed the motion in a mirror.

Every step oozed arrogance, his chin tilted just enough to make Raja want to smack it down.

Behind him was a hybrid—taller, broader, and far more interesting.

The power of Cain clung to the hybrid like a second skin, faint but unmistakable, and Raja wondered briefly why someone of such potential was following this elf.

Raja crossed his arms, letting his disdain coat every word as he spoke. “And who are you supposed to be?”

The elf inclined his head, a smirk tugging at his lips as if he’d been waiting his whole life to introduce himself.

“Felspar.” He was smooth and annoyingly self-assured.

“Older brother of Thalion, rightful heir to the elven throne, and, most importantly, the one who owns the blood oath binding her to me.” He gestured lazily toward Celise, who was still half-crumpled on the ground, more interested in catching her breath than participating.

“So whatever you’re doing to her? You’ll have to go through me first.”

Raja raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You seem awfully proud of your pedigree for someone who’s clearly not sitting on a throne. What do you want with her?”

“It’s not her I want,” Felspar replied, his smirk growing wider. “It’s Thalion. The throne is mine by birthright, and I intend to take it back.”

Raja tilted his head, his lips curving into a slow, predatory grin. Supernaturals and their family drama. “Oh, this is going to be good,” he mocked. “Do tell, Felspar. Why did you lose your right to your throne? I’m guessing you were kicked out of your realm by Daddy?”

Felspar’s jaw visibly tightened, his smirk faltering for the first time. “That’s none of your concern.”

Celise, who had finally pushed herself to her feet, leaned against a nearby shattered light post and arched an eyebrow. “Oh, but it is our concern,” she said, her voice lilting with amusement. “You’re asking for help, and I, for one, love a good origin story. Don’t you, Raja?”

It amused him that she was attempting to align herself with him.

As if that would save her. He’d play along for now.

This new turn of events with the elf in question was amusing enough to let it play out.

Then he’d kill her. False hope was entertaining to him, and now that he was free, Raja wasn’t about to deny himself anything that brought him pleasure.

Raja chuckled. “I do. Especially when it involves an elf with a superiority complex. Come on then, Felspar. We’ve got time.

” He gestured around them, the bubble of magic he’d created shimmering faintly.

“It’s not like anyone’s leaving. And Celise is going to try and keep me distracted as long as possible in hopes of keeping her pathetic life. Share. Get it all off your chest.”

Felspar’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze darting briefly to the hybrid at his side. The hybrid said nothing, merely shrugging as if to say, This is your mess, not mine.

“Let’s just say my father and I didn’t see eye to eye on certain … personal matters,” Felspar said carefully, his tone clipped.

Celise laughed softly, her dark eyes gleaming. “That’s vague enough to mean anything. Did you knock up one of his many consorts, or was it something even juicier?”

Felspar flinched and then blanched, his face going white and then red with something that looked a lot like embarrassment. This piqued Raja’s interest even more. What had the elf prince done that would cause him shame? With the superiority complex he seemed to have, it must be something good.

Raja leaned forward slightly, his grin widening. “Oh, it’s juicier. Look at him. He’s practically choking on whatever secret he’s trying not to tell us.”

Felspar’s scowl deepened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Drop it,” he said sharply.

But Raja wasn’t about to let it go. He decided dangling a carrot in front of the horse's mouth would help loosen his tongue. “How would you feel about getting my help, elf? I could take care of your brother. I’m sure he’s saturated in power.

” Raja knew the words would be a knife in the brother’s back.

He wouldn’t like being reminded that he wasn’t the powerful brother.

He was, in fact, nothing. “I’ll ponder taking care of your problem. Consider this part of the payment.”

Celise laughed, the sound saying she was clearly enjoying Raja’s attention being focused elsewhere. “Come on, Felspar. We’re all friends here. Spill.”

“I said drop it,” Felspar snapped, his voice rising slightly.

“Oh, now I really want to know.” Raja’s amusement was growing.

He folded his arms in front of him and lifted a hand to tap his chin.

“I’m in agreement with Celise. You slept with someone you weren’t supposed to.

Someone that daddy dearest cared enough about to banish his oldest son from his kingdom.

A concubine wouldn’t be that important.” Raja considered the options and reflected on what he knew about Ludcarab, the former king.

He was an evil bastard. Evil enough that he wouldn’t end up in Raja’s realm.

“I can’t remember, considering I’m a little old, but do you and Thalion have the same mother? ”

“They do,” Celise confirmed.

Felspar flinched, and Raja’s grin turned absolutely wicked. “Bingo.”

Celise clapped her hands together, more laughter bubbling out. “Oh, my goodness. You didn’t? How did this news not spread? Supernaturals are the worst gossips. Your father must have locked this information down tight.”

Felspar’s glare could have cut through steel. “It was my sister,” he bit out, his voice cold and defensive. As if that somehow was less abhorrent.

The air stilled for a moment, and then Raja barked out a laugh. “Your sister ? Oh, that’s rich. Why her and not your mother? I mean, why stop with your sister? Was your mother not as pretty or desirable? Or did she not want you?”

Felspar’s hands fisted as his jaw clenched. “My mother was stunning. I was her favorite. She would be livid that Thalion was the one who took the throne.”

“Wait.” Celise held up a hand. “It wasn’t just your sister.” She shook her head and pointed at him. “You’re way, way too protective of mommy dearest. You slept with both of them? Damn, I thought I was messed up. Please, don’t hold out on us, Felspar.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything,” Felspar snapped.

His face was an incredible shade of red.

“You don’t know anything. You have no idea what it was like to be my father’s son.

You have no idea how he treated my sister and my mother.

Parading his whores around as if people didn’t know he was sleeping with other women. My mother was humiliated.”

Raja stepped closer. “So you comforted her? You met needs that her husband, your father, wouldn’t meet?” Raja chuckled. “Damn, you royals are always messed up. It’s why so many of you go farther south than my domain when you bite the dust.”

Felspar turned away, his jaw clenching so tightly it looked like it might break. “Fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “Yes. I was with my sister and my mother. They were mine. Mine to protect and provide for considering my father wouldn’t do it.”

Celise’s eyes widened, and her laughter turned downright gleeful. “No. Way.”

Raja leaned in and purred. “I think you took the whole provide for out of context when it comes to family, Felspar. However, I am curious as to what these two females looked like, that they could ensnare a brother and son into their beds. Or did you manipulate your way between the sheets?”

Felspar’s eyes widened as if that would somehow be what made him a disgusting monster.

“I would never touch them without their consent. My sister pursued me. She needed me.” He slammed his fist against his chest. “And my mother, when she found out, instead of turning her back on us, she supported the relationship. My father kept my sister locked away, lonely, and my mother saw that I made her happy. My mother was lonely as well. I was there for them.”

“I just bet you made them happy.” Celise snickered. “Oh, gods, this just keeps getting better.” Celise leaned against the light post for support. “I’ve heard some weird crap in my long life but this?” She shook her head. “This seriously tops them all. You’re a walking tragedy, Felspar.”

Raja wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. “I’ve heard of keeping it in the family, but this? This is next level.”

“Are you finished?” Felspar snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white.

“Not even close.” Raja grinned. “But I’ll save the rest for later.”

Eventually, Felspar straightened, his composure returning, though his cheeks were still faintly red. “I’ll make you a deal,” he said coolly, his tone clipped. “Help me kill Thalion, and I’ll serve you. My skills, my power—they’re yours.”

Raja considered him for a long moment. That would be a lot of souls, a lot of power. He wouldn’t even have to lift a finger. Felspar would hand them over like a present. He turned to Celise. “And you?”

“I can get you into the Sprite Realm,” she said quickly, her voice still tinged with amusement. “Andora’s realm is full of souls. You need them. I can get you in.”

Raja’s grin widened. “Perhaps I can keep you around. And you…” He looked back at the elf.

“You amuse me. And I won’t lie. I’m looking forward to seeing your brother’s face when he sees you.

I’m guessing it’s been quite a long time since he’s laid eyes on you.

And I imagine he wasn’t any happier with you about your extracurricular activities than your father was. ”

Felspar simply shrugged, as if the topic bored him.

With a flick of his wrist, Raja summoned a dagger, its blade gleaming in the dim light. “Let’s seal the deal, shall we?”

As the blood oath was made, Raja turned to Felspar one last time. “Oh, and by the way, elf? Working so closely with Celise might make her feel like family, so try to refrain. She’s a tad crazy. You don’t want crazy attached to you. Literally or figuratively.”

“I’m standing right here,” Celise snapped. She scrunched her face up in disgust as she eyed Felspar as if he might try and tackle her to the ground and take her right there.

Raja kind of wished he would. It would be funny as hell, and it had been a long time since he’d had any reason to laugh.

“I wouldn’t touch a sprite,” Felspar practically spat out.

Celise choked on a laugh. “But you’d screw your own mother and sister? Probably at the same time.” She looked at Raja. “And you think I’m crazy?”

Raja shrugged. “I didn’t say he wasn’t crazy. I was just trying to help the male out. He seems to lack good judgment.”

“Fair,” Celise huffed. “But that doesn’t mean I do.”

Raja’s brow rose. “Really? You sure you want to make that claim? Because I’m pretty sure your sisters were sucked into hell like an hour ago.

And considering you’re the one who brought them back from the dead…

I mean, I realize I haven’t been in the human realm in a while, but I’m pretty sure that every supernatural would agree that bringing people back from the dead is in poor judgment. ”

“He’s not wrong.” Felspar pointed at Raja.

“Shut up, incest boy,” Celise growled. She looked back at Raja. “We’ve made the oath. Now what?”

Raja rubbed his hands together as he eyed the destruction of the city. “This looks like it was fun. Let’s do more of this.”