Chapter 13: The Crimson King

Kael couldn’t breathe.

That voice.

He had heard it before.

Not in Black Fang.

Not in the Moon Kingdom.

In his dreams.

Every time he closed his eyes as a child, he heard that same voice whispering from the darkness.

Run.

Hide.

They are coming for you.

Kael stared toward the entrance.

The man wearing the crimson crown stepped into the sanctuary.

He was tall, dressed in dark red armor, with long black hair falling over his shoulders. A thin scar crossed one side of his mouth.

His crimson eyes locked onto Kael.

And he smiled.

“Finally.”

Kael’s fingers trembled.

“Who are you?”

The man’s smile widened.

“You don’t remember me?”

“No.”

“You were only a baby.”

He stepped forward.

“I was there the night your kingdom burned.”

Rowan immediately moved in front of Kael.

“You won’t touch him.”

The Crimson King laughed.

“Captain Rowan.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Still alive.”

Rowan raised his sword.

“You should have died twenty years ago.”

“So should you.”

The two stared at each other.

Lucien stepped beside Rowan.

“Who is he?”

Rowan’s voice was low.

“King Malachi of the Crimson Court.”

Darius’s expression changed.

“You’re the one who ordered the massacre.”

Malachi looked at him.

“Your family?”

His smile disappeared.

“Collateral damage.”

Darius lunged.

Lysander caught his arm.

“Not yet.”

Darius struggled.

“He killed them!”

Malachi barely reacted.

“You blame me because your family was weak.”

Darius’s eyes turned red.

“Say that again.”

“Darius!”

Kael’s voice stopped him.

Darius turned.

Kael shook his head.

“Don’t.”

He stepped forward.

Malachi’s eyes immediately returned to him.

“You have your mother’s eyes.”

Kael froze.

“You knew my mother?”

“I knew both your parents.”

“Then tell me the truth.”

Malachi laughed softly.

“You sound just like your father.”

Kael’s hands curled into fists.

“What happened to him?”

Malachi’s smile disappeared.

“He betrayed me.”

The chamber fell silent.

Kael stared at him.

“My father betrayed you?”

“Yes.”

“What did he do?”

Malachi slowly walked forward.

“He promised me the Moon Crown.”

Kael looked at the crown.

“But he never gave it to you.”

“No.”

Malachi’s eyes darkened.

“Instead, he used the Crimson Court to destroy the enemies of his kingdom.”

Rowan shook his head.

“That’s not true.”

Malachi turned toward him.

“You were there.”

Rowan said nothing.

“You watched him make the bargain.”

Kael looked at Rowan.

“Did he?”

Rowan’s silence answered again.

Kael’s heart sank.

“How many secrets are there?”

Malachi smiled.

“More than you can imagine.”

He pointed toward Kael.

“Your father knew the Moon Crown could only be awakened by his bloodline. So he used you.”

Kael’s eyes widened.

“Used me?”

“He hid your blood inside Black Fang.”

Malachi stepped closer.

“He knew one day the crown would awaken.”

Kael shook his head.

“No.”

“He knew your rejection would trigger the final seal.”

Lucien suddenly looked at Kael.

“The rejection…”

Malachi nodded.

“Yes.”

Lucien’s face went pale.

“The bond.”

“The fated bond was never an accident.”

Kael stared at his mate mark.

Malachi smiled.

“Your father designed it.”

Kael’s world seemed to stop.

Lucien whispered:

“He knew we would be mates?”

“Yes.”

“And he knew I would reject him?”

Malachi looked at Lucien.

“Your father made certain you would.”

Kael slowly turned toward Lucien.

Lucien looked horrified.

“I didn’t know.”

Kael’s voice was barely a whisper.

“So my rejection…”

Malachi finished the sentence.

“…was the key that awakened the Moon Crown.”

The crown suddenly blazed with silver light.

The three gemstones ignited.

And somewhere beneath the sanctuary, something ancient began to wake.

Malachi smiled.

“Exactly.”

Then the ground split open beneath Kael.

And a hand reached up from the darkness.