Page 5 of Wrath Of Suns And Shadows (The Osparia #2)
Chapter Three
Kade
M y father’s throne room was lavish and unrestrained with the wasted wealth he’d poured into it.
The black marble floors were so polished you could use them as an onyx mirror.
Past my reflection, I could see the triple-arched foyer that stretched down the length of the ceiling.
Intricate designs of gods and our history were painted between thick, swirly borders of gold.
A long row of flames lined both walls leading to his throne, dancing against the shiny ebony floors, making it look like anyone who stepped in here would fall into an inky lake of fire.
Above the soft glow of endless flames, there were large balconies where my father would host shows for his royal companions.
If you could even call them that. More so mindless people who wanted him to punish their enemies on display while dressing in their finest silks.
The seat of his throne stretched as tall as the room, making him look miniscule in the enormous space. My leather boots echoed through the large expanse with every long stride I took to where he sat waiting for Valla and myself. The closer I got, my frustrations fumed higher.
Valla was already standing in front of him on the oversized dais: Valos Corvus, the Emperor of Ember and our cunning and despicable excuse of a father.
A golden crown adorned his head, and he had his long black hair pulled back into a tight tail at the base of his neck, with a few strands framing his face.
His royal robes were expertly tailored and hugged his frame.
He sat back comfortably in his seat. The only things I had in common with the man before me were we shared the same amber eyes and his blood ran through my veins.
Valla was dressed in her finest, rubies dripping from her neck, bringing out the villainous twinkle in her eyes.
The sweetheart neckline of her crimson gown plunged deep between her breasts.
A slit on one side went beyond her hip, a thigh chain that looked like a viper trailing up her leg on full display.
Fitting .
It made sense why she was his namesake, being the eldest.
Daddy’s little princess .
We had found the rebellion’s base camp, and the Peacebringer had nearly been in our grasp.
It had been over a week since Woodhaven—since the chosen had got away.
We had barely made it back to Ember last night, and my father had called this meeting before the sun had risen over the mountains this morning.
“Kade, glad you finally decided to join us.” My father’s tone reprimanded my tardiness.
“My apologies, Father,” I replied as I buttoned the sleeves of my silky, black shirt.
“What do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?” I crooned with fake indulgence.
My father never had meetings with us, as normally we communicated through letters.
Valla or I were never home enough to meet in the throne room.
“What a stupid question, brother. We want to talk about your failures, of course,” she quipped, and I grinned in her direction.
“Hmm,” I contemplated, running a hand through my unruly, dark hair.
“I don’t recall any failures, Valla. You’re the one who changed the course of my plans and decided you wanted to storm in half-cocked without communicating with me.
If you weren’t so obsessed with being in Father’s good graces, you would’ve been more patient and we wouldn’t have lost the Peacebringer.
” She rolled her eyes. I was sure my words made annoyance simmer under her skin.
“Enough,” Valos ordered, and we both straightened on demand.
“From now on, you both will work toward the same goals. I’ve ordered Valla to join in on the quest of capturing the Peacebringer.
She will do what is necessary moving forward to capture her.
Alive. and I expect you to do the same.” He spoke with authority to the both of us.
“Daddy, why do you want her alive? What made you reconsider after all these years? It would be so much easier just to end her,” Valla whined.
“You will find out soon enough.” He shifted his focus to Valla. “I need her alive, princess. Do not fail me.”
“Yes, sir.” She said it with attitude. I knew she wanted the kill.
“Daddy, could I meet you in your private quarters later and we could discuss your plans for the Peacebringer?” she pushed.
She wanted to be in the know of what our father was up to.
But even I hadn’t figured out why he’d changed the course of his plans. Why did he want her alive?
“No. Now, you’re both dismissed.” He rose from his throne and turned to leave. Valla was taken aback by our father telling her no. I could see it written across her face. She had been knowledgeable of his plans from the moment our father had taken the throne.
I shifted on my heels. I had nothing to say to Valla. And I knew she wouldn’t cooperate with my plans. Or I hers. We had different ways of going about things. She’d come up with her own ideas to catch the Peacebringer. I just needed to make sure I was the one to get to her first.