Page 145 of Mage Massacres

He lifted the decanter, pouring himself another drink. “How is it that you’ve been the queen here for eighteen years, and yet, I know more about this realm than you do?”

I narrowed my eyes, his tone grating on the last of my nerves. “The winter realm is not my birthright. This place is miserable, and I still can’t understand why my sister adored it so much.”

“Vaughn is the rightful ruler. The only reason your kingdom hasn’t fallen to ruin yet is that the rest of the Winter children reside here. Need I remind you of Princess Freya’s mate and the purpose of removing her from the dragon’s grasp?”

“I know why that was necessary,” I confessed in a growling tone.

“Then you should know that you can’t keep the Winter King from returning to his land. He was the only son of Reagan, and the magic will recognize him immediately.”

I clicked my tongue again, straightening the sleeves of my dress. “He’s always been weak-willed. Let him come. I’ll send him to join my sister in her watery grave. I’m sure she’d love the company.”

“That would only solve a fourth of your problems. You would still need to kill Freya, Ruby, and Tilly.” He smiled viciously. “Where is Ruby? Do you even know?”

I corrected my posture, attempting to rein in my temper. She’d been a brat since birth, and her knack for disappearing had made me grow to hate her. She reminded me of a demon, traveling the shadows, but my sister had only had one mate.

“She hasn’t left the realm,” I reassured Alric. “But she hasn’t been found with the winters. I’ve sent guards to the summer kingdom to retrieve her. I’m awaiting news of her return.”

“And what will you do with Amelia and Nathaniel?”

“If their daughter is on her way, then I suppose I’ll throw a reunion party. The maids can clean them up. Then we’ll use their heads as decorations. Should we call it murder mystery night in the palace? I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”

He stared blankly at me.

“Vex, what a lovely idea,” I replied to myself.

“Thank you, Alric,” I continued, standing to brush the wrinkles from my skirt. “It was either that or force her to watch as I killed her parents. That does sound a little more on the risky side, and I know how much you love safe bargains.”

“Do not call yourself Vex. That isn’t your name, Alania. You forget who you are.”

He stepped closer, causing a shiver of delight to race across my skin before I remembered how adverse I was to the warlock. I’d loved him once, worshipped his body and his mind.

Now, I despised his very existence.

“You seem to need a reminder of why you’re parading around this palace, pretending to be your sister when you should be by my side. My absence has gone to your head, made you think you can live in the lie you tell others.”

“I am not my sister,” I hissed. “I may respond to her name within these halls, but you’ll do well to remember that I’m not the only one parading around with someone else’s identity. Has becoming an angel made you feel righteous? Where are your wings, Raguel?”

He sneered, his anger evident by the flush of his cheeks. “I have done nothing but sacrifice to keep myself alive. For both of us. What would you do without me?”

“Live,” I shouted, my eyes widening before I lowered my voice.

“You haven’t done this for me. I gave up my mate, closed our bond so that you could sell your seed in the name of science and prophecy. Tell me, Alric... Have any of your experiments lived up to your expectations? Are you still fumbling in the dark, trying to prevent the Fates’ will from coming true?

“They haven’t been on your side in a long, long time. But I’ve stood by you, done as you’ve asked, and wanted nothing except your time in return. And because of you, not only have I lost my daughter, but the child of wrath and vengeance knocks on my door.

“I’m old enough to know that fairness is a ruse. What, pray tell, is your excuse? A petty disagreement from centuries ago? The need to feel validated?”

Alric rolled his head in a circle, the bones cracking. “You know nothing of betrayal, except when you’re on the giving end. How have you fucked me in the last four centuries? Shall we count the ways?”

“I have given you everything you’ve asked for, over and over again. I’ve asked for nothing but your time in return,” I repeated.

He threw his glass across the room. Pink liquid splashed against the wall, staining the white fur rug on the floor. I wiped a stray drop off my cheek, discovering blood where the ice had ricocheted and cut me.

“You’ve given me nothing useful.”

“And what have you given me?” I questioned, a frigid calmness washing over me. “What will you give me when all this is over?”

Alric glared at me, but I pushed him, fueling my own agenda now that he’d lost his mind.