LOGIN“My Lady. This dress will look exquisite on you for the banquet,” Helena said with excitement.Kayara reached for the white ethereal gown, shimmering like glowing scales.“Remember when you wore it at Nashira’s ball? Males wouldn’t stop staring at you.”“I’m not here for attention,” Kayara said calmly. “In fact, I want to be as invisible as possible tonight.”“But as the only female high Lord, you should—”“Pick something simpler,” Kayara’s voice cut in, leaving no room for argument.Helena bowed and brought in a softer dress, still regal enough to show her high status.As her maid helped her dress, a paper slipped out from beneath the clothing.Helena helped her pick it up and gave it to her.Kayara sighed heavily as she read. She wrapped the letter quickly and gave it back to her maid.“What is that, my lady?”“It’s just a reminder from grandmama.”Her maid’s head cast down. “Would you really find your betrothed? She asked you not to come back without news of him.”“I will find Ash.
Three years later. A carriage rolled to a stop before the Citadel’s large imposing gate. The door swung open as Kayara descended, her forest green dress shimmering beneath the fine gold cloak. Her dark skin was flawless beneath the afternoon sun. Her green eyes fixed on the spikes that stretched to the sky like fingers. Seven of them. And each held a rotting head. “Who are they?” she asked her maid beside her. “They are the Queen’s parents… and brother, My Lady. The others are close relatives of the Queen.” Kayara turned her head sharply. “Why have they been killed?” “According to what I’ve heard. Three years ago, the Queen accused Prince Aeris of trying to force himself on her in court. But the truth came out later… she was the one who seduced him.” Kayara squinted. Yes, she had heard the rumors about Aeris before his death, but she had never heard that Eryndra was actually the one who seduced him. “If that is true, then why didn’t he dethrone her instead of maki
Theron watched as blood sprayed across Eryndra’s face, trickling down and mixing with her tears. Her eyes remained tightly shut, lips quivering as she clutched his war shirt tightly, expecting pain. Then slowly, her eyes cracked open when she felt nothing. She met his, confusion flashing in her eyes before they flicked to her chest and saw no dagger. Instead, the blade had caused harm to his palm. She looked back at him with shock, a short gasp leaving her lips. “Why?” she whispered. Theron bit his tongue hard, hand trembling around the hilt of the dagger dug into his own palm. He’d asked himself over and over. Why? Why was he going to such lengths for this female in his arms? Why did she consume his mind constantly? Why did it hurt to see her with another male? Why had he smiled and barely had nightmares? Why did he so badly want her by his side? And most of all—despite her carrying the most dangerous rogue blood—why had he stabbed himself instead of her heart? Why did he wan
“I saw her control a Nightling!” Kallias continued. “A Nightling who’d killed more innocent lives than we can count. Do you know what you are protecting, Ash?! Tell me you don’t fucking know she was an Aetheria!”“Is this true?” Theron’s voice shook at the edge.Tears ran down her cheeks, her chest rising and falling almost too quickly.“It’s… true… I’m an… Aetheria.”Theron’s hand loosened around hers, his eyes squinting with confusion and other emotions she couldn’t read.“That was why I tried to leave, Theron…” she whispered. “I didn’t want to… hurt your name… I… don’t deserve you. And I’m sorry.”Theron’s hand remained frozen around hers.The potion had already begun to slow the bleeding, but her skin was still pale, lips stained with blood. Her confession hung between the three of them like a blade suspended in the air.An Aetheria.The blood of Serion.Theron’s golden eyes searched her face, as if looking for any sign that she was lying, that this was another of her deceptions.
Meanwhile, Eryndra’s hand was firm around Jasmira’s. She couldn’t count the number of dead bodies she ran over. Most of them were servants.The gruesome sight of bodies and blood forced Jasmira to finally stop in her tracks and vomit around the corner. Her shoulders shook violently as sweat trailed down the curve of her cheeks.“Mira…” She reached to hold her, but Jasmira surprisingly yanked her arm away.“What…” Jasmira’s chest heaved. “What in the world am I doing following you?” Her eyes went past Eryndra, landing on the Nightling. “That monster killed a lot. I’ve seen several of my friends… mauled. Devoured. And killed by that monster. So it doesn’t make sense why I am still following it.”“Mira,” Eryndra called softly. “I understand this is insane and cruel, but… I cannot leave you here. Let’s get to safety first.”Jasmira stared long at her and finally opened her mouth to speak, but what came out was a gasp right after a sickening, wrenching sound pierced the air.Eryndra felt s
The corridor stretched empty. Distant screams and the clash of steel echoed from deeper in the palace, mixed with the low, guttural roars of beasts.Eryndra moved carefully, bare feet silent against the stone.Several footsteps approached with haste and fear.People were running, and it wasn’t long before several servants burst from the end of the corridor.“Monster!”“Run!”They cried as they ran past her. The last one was slow, a deep claw wound designed across his back. He collapsed before he could take another step past her. His body jerked once, and his blood soaked the floor.Then his breathing stopped.Eryndra’s eyes widened as she caught the sight of her own trembling hand. Despite trying to control it, the silver candlestick threatened to fall.Then she heard it.A scream—loud and familiar.She caught the whiff of her scent.“Mira.” She dashed toward the direction, her breath seizing as the scent of blood grew thicker."Mira!"The corridor opened to the scene of Jasmira strug







