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“Aww, now isn’t this a pretty portrait.”
I froze.That voice. I know that voice...
A figure crossed the threshold. “But you’re kneeling before the wrong person. I am your queen,” Emiana announced, smiling upon us all. “It is me who will have your undying fealty for forever and a day, as your high empress.”
“Meya, take it!” Alisdair shouted, shoving me behind him. “What are you doing!”
His shock was real and necessary. It wasn’t the surprise of the long-lost princess. It was what she held in her hands.
Emiana clutched the glass case to her chest, and within it, the glowing, dark rose.
“Put that down! Get away from it!” Alisdair bellowed.
“Hmm, I think not, husband.” Emiana’s smile was nasty. “Why would I do that when this tangled ball of ivy is going to give me everything I want—”
“Stop prattling and find me,” someone snapped. “Find me!”
I frowned. Peering around Alisdair, I searched for the owner of the voice.
“I want to thank you, little whore.” Emiana fixed on me. “You were only supposed to be a little distraction that gave me timeto search for the soul in peace, as well as saving me from the bed of a beast, but then you did so much more!” She laughed—delighted with her fucking self. “You broke the bindings and destabilized every town, village, and city from Quatassa to Sarabai. It’s total upheaval, and what they all need now, is for their true queen to rise to her throne. I will bring order.” Her smile tinged around the edges. “On my father’s bones, I will rise higher than a son of his ever could.”
“—me,” someone shouted. “Find me now!”
Who is that? Where is that coming from?
“Aww.” Emiana mockingly pouted. “You look confused, little whore. Need me to explain it all? In simple words you can understand?”
Alisdair growled, launching off the dais at her. I shot in his path, holding him back. “Don’t,” I hissed. “Something isn’t right. She’s goading us for a reason.”
“Oooh, well, aren’t you the clever one.” Emiana was losing her sweet tone fast. “So clever, you tricked yourself into thinking you earned everything I handed you! Wealth, riches, power, magic, and the handsome king falling at your feet. All of this belongs to me! Their fealty belongs to me. Get off my throne, whore! You won’t be told twice!”
“I won’t need to be told twice, but I’ll tell you once, nothing here belongs to you,” I said lightly. “You’re not very subtle, Emiana. And even if you were, it was all right here.” I tapped my temple. “In your head. You spoke about running away with your true love, and living a simple, quiet life in a cottage in Rajadom. But those thoughts were never in your mind.Kaelanwas never in your cesspool of a mind. He was so insignificant, he never came up at all.
“Not like your hatred for your father, or your obsession with taking back the power he ripped away from your mother, and then from you. I had a feeling we’d be seeing you sooner ratherthan later, but this!” My calm broke gesturing at Constance’s mangled soul. Just its nearness sucked the warmth from the room “That’s the desperation of a madwoman!
“So let us end this right now.” I yanked up my sleeve, revealing my runes. “You are no queen, Emiana.”
Her eyes flashed.
“Find me! Find me!”
“The runes that bound us in marriage were inked on our souls, not our bodies. I am Alisdair’s true mate and the queen of Wind and Wild.” My smile was just as wide. “And you are not welcome in my kingdom.
“Arrest her,” I announced, “for theft and treason.”
Foalan, Keefe, Bradach, and our soldiers sprung to action, narrowing on her.
“Carefully,” Alisdair barked. “Don’t break the glass—”
Holding my gaze, Emiana opened her hands, letting the case slip through her fingertips.
“Noo!”
Alisdair sliced the air. A fallen throne cushion shot across the room, slipping beneath the falling rose. It landed softly on its bed—glass intact.
Foalan and Keefe seized Emiana’s arms, dragging her back and away... just as her kick connected.
The case flew off, shattering on the floor.
