Chapter 40 - GuiltyApolloI stilled at the sound of Knox; he sounded different. His presence was heavier than I remembered, stronger. I pulled away from Nesrin, looking down at her in shock. "What's wrong," Nesrin asked, slightly tilting her head as she looked up at me. Her long wavy onyx hair fell over her shoulder. The blue in her sapphire eyes was somewhat duller than before, maybe from exhaustion. She was stunning.The scar wasn't as red and angry anymore, but it still looked sore. The fact that she was here in front of me was a miracle. It showed just how strong and resilient she was. The scar only added go her beauty; she was a fighter, and she was all mine. I didn't know what I did to deserve someone so kindhearted as her, but I thanked the mothers for such a gift."You did it," I said in disbelief. The corner of her lip pulled up. "How?" Her smile faltered slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes

Chapter 43 - Cold HeartedNesrinThe silence was the only thing that greeted us as we made our way out of the throne room towards my father's office. Apollo and I followed my parents and brother. Behind us walked my grandfather, and a few guards followed us. No one spoke as we entered his study, the weight of the room suddenly feeling too heavy. Making my stomach turn and my nerves uneasy. The importance of the untold truths that would never leave my lips made me feel worse than a traitor. Apollo pulled me into his side as we sat on the leather sofa in my father's office. My mother, father, grandfather and Damon were staring at us, waiting for us to explain what happened now that we were in private. I felt like I couldn't breathe, my heart racing in my chest. The mixture of their emotions was suffocating. "I'll be the first to say it. You are fucking stupid if you think we buy any of the bullshit you spewed in the

Chapter 45 - Sacrifices Nesrin *One year ago*"You need to slow down, Nesrin. You're not getting any better, and lately, you seem even more exhausted than usual," Imelda scolded.She had made it a point to visit me once a month after everything happened. Imelda said it was because she missed me, but I think it was more her making sure I didn't try to enter the Dark realm again to save the three other people who had helped us escape. I had pleaded my case to my parents repeatedly, but with me no longer having any pull in the Capital. Their word was law. If they said no, it was no. If Lir, Drabek and Kier were still alive, it would have only been two weeks since we were taken and made it back to Gardenia. But for Apollo and I, it had been over a year since we had been in that horrible place. Adjusting to our new normal was hard. Apollo had joined the Royal guards not long after returning. He was reluctant at first,

Chapter 47 - The final truthNesrin *Six months ago*"The time is coming. Darkness will rise once again.""Rise,""Rise," I jolted awake, covered in sweat. My heart was racing against my chest. Apollo was passed out beside me, his hand resting on my swollen belly. I looked out the window of my bedroom. The moon was glowing brightly against the night sky as it glowed against the snow-covered ground. I would have the twins any day now, and the closer I got to their arrival, the worst the nightmares and whispers in the dark got. My body felt so cold lately, and the scars on my body ached even more as their presence grew stronger. It felt as though the shadows had somehow sunk their claws into me. I needed to get out of the palace, get out of here for a little while. I needed to feel the cold air against my skin.I slowly moved Apollo's hand and slid out of our bed. The exhaustion was a constant w

Chapter 49 - InsanityLir I was going to rip the King's throat out when I got a chance. Not that he even deserved the fucking title. My father fucked up when he hooked up with some dumb bitch he met in his meetings with the Dark Queens council. They created that abomination, and he had somehow slithered his way to the top after his mother managed to kill my father and make it look like some fucked up accident. But you reap what you sow, and she was his karma wrapped up in perfect curves, a pound of makeup and blonde hair that was as fake as her personality. And now, I would be the one who took back what she and my father stole from me long ago. The fact that I was stuck down here to be punished for betraying the crown was a joke in itself. He said I was too good to be killed, the best Commander they had. Despite who I was and how I got to this point. The bastard would keep me here starved for a few months in hopes I would learn my