Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

~ Princess Blake ~

T hirty rebels march with us as we make our way through the tunnels and away from the rebel city. Mason walks beside me with Dante and the others at the head of the group, and the prince’s eyes are steely and focused, his brows furrowed in a determined frown. There was no way I was staying behind at the camp while my mate went to face King Celzar alone, but now I wonder whether we can pull this off.

None of the rebels complained when we joined them in the armory, and Mason advised them that we’d be joining the party. Truthfully, a few of them looked relieved that I was there, probably because they knew it was suicide to attend the wedding without me. But then Mason had pulled me to him, pressing his lips to mine and declaring that he was my mate. It’s funny how quickly the mood changed then. At first, the centaurs had stared in disbelief, but as the realization had set in, they’d dipped their heads to me in respect. Like the simple fact I was mated to their prince meant I was someone to be honored. Which was weird, but kind of sweet.

“I don’t know about this, Blake,” Shade’s worried voice fills my head, breaking me out of my thoughts. “We’ve made it through some things, but this seems like a bad idea.”

“You’re not doubting me now, are you?”

My friend paces on my shoulder and flutters her feathers. “I’m being real. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Reaching up, I stroke her feathers. “You know me better than to think I was ever going to stay behind. Who knows what the situation is back in Seral, and this is our best chance of getting out of here.”

“I just…” she trails off. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Honestly, I don’t. I’m taking a risk. A big one, but it’s not like I could let Mason go without me. King Celzar would likely kill Princess Nerelia if I didn’t turn up, and then he’d turn his sights to Mason and the other rebel warriors. I think about Sassia in the palace, and the rest of the Perstalians, including the bird, Pask. They’re all cuffed, stuck in this state of imprisonment, and as much as I tell myself I’m not going for them, as much as I remind myself that this is all simply to get back to Seral, my heart squeezes at the thought of what might happen if I don’t turn up for the wedding.

I think of Celzar’s initial lover and the witches. “Celzar caused this mess,” I tell Shade. “He’s the reason the witches attacked Seral. The reason Perstalia was destroyed.”

“I know. But if he takes your power, it won’t help anyone,” Shade points out, more serious than I’ve heard her in a long while.

“Then I’ll have to make sure he doesn’t.”

We’re silent the rest of the way as we move through a series of secret tunnels, and then we’re skirting the edges of the city in The Haven.

“It’s quiet,” Nate mutters, scanning the buildings near us.

“Many will already be at the ceremony,” Mason replies, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I don’t think attendance is optional.”

“Meaning there will be more collateral if we attack during the ceremony,” Eliza points out bitterly, the female striding behind me.

We don’t encounter another soul for the remainder of the journey to the palace, but when we near the massive crystal structure, we stop, sheltered by a row of smaller buildings.

Mason rests his large hands on my shoulders and warmth goes through me. “It’s not too late to turn back, my mate.”

I swallow and smile, though my heart rate has picked up. It’s different this time. I wouldn’t say it was easy facing the challenges the demon king had thrown at me in the past, but the stakes had never been this high. If I fail, King Celzar will take my power, and the Perstalians will never be free. If I fail, things are about to go very badly for me and my mates. My confusing, addictive, and annoyingly handsome mates. “And let you have all the fun?” I reply to Mason. “I don’t think so.”

The prince’s gaze remains serious. “Remember, Blake. Once your cuff is off, you can’t let his magic take hold of you. If you do?—”

“I know,” I say, waving a hand in the air. “I won’t get another chance.”

He nods, but his expression is strained. His hands grip tighter onto my shoulders, like he’s afraid to let me go. Reaching up, I place one of my hands over his, and I think of the rules Dad has drilled into me since I was a child. “Rule number one for a demon royal,” I tell Mason. “Never show weakness.” I pause, grinning at the prince. “And Rule number two… Never show mercy. ”

“No mercy,” he agrees with a nod, and I step back from him. Taking a deep breath, I smooth my hands down my silky black dress. “Think the king will be happy with it?” White crystals are embedded into the black lace pattern stitched on one side, and the sweetheart neckline shows a generous amount of cleavage. It’s the best dress Eliza could find on short notice. Well, one of them anyway. There was a white one that would have been much more suitable for a wedding, but this seemed more fitting.

Mason smiles but worry still shines in his eyes. “Celzar is never happy.”

Dante comes from behind and wraps his hands around me. “I look forward to tearing this off you, princess,” he murmurs into my ear, and I grin.

I tilt my head back at him. “Does that mean you’re going to try not to die?”

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart,” he replies.

I turn my attention forward again as Mason leans in close and presses a kiss to my lips, and for a moment, I’m deliciously sandwiched between my demon and the fallen prince.

“Have I mentioned that it’s not fair?” Shade comments, still on my shoulder. “Where are my irritating, but sexy mates?”

My laughter sounds in her head. “I’m sure they’re out there, Shade. Just waiting to make bird babies with you.”

“Bird babies?” I can’t tell if she’s delighted or horrified by the sound of it, but I’m distracted when Eliza steps up behind Mason and clears her throat. “It’s time, Mason. If we’re doing this, she can’t be late.”

Mason pulls back, and I straighten, trying to ignore how hot I feel right now.

“You should stay out here,” I tell Shade. “Away from the ceremony.” …And the danger.

“And miss your big day?” she teases. “I don’t think so.”

I want to argue, but Shade can be stubborn at the best of times, so I don’t bother.

“All right, let’s go get our powers back,” I say cheerfully to the others.

Alaric, Nate, and Prince Callan look like they want to argue, but they don’t stop me when I move away and start walking the rest of the way to the palace on my own.

“It’s settled, Mason and Dante are both winning at this whole being a mate thing,” Shade tells me as I cross the street, striding from the cover of the buildings and approaching the front of the palace. Four centaur guards are stationed at the top of a flight of stone steps, guarding the crystal entrance doors.

“The others are all drool-worthy to look at,” Shade goes on, “but Dante’s been there for you before you even realized it, and Mason has the whole tortured warrior thing going on, and he treats you nicely. Like, was that so much to ask?” I’d explained to Shade that Kai was really Dante in disguise, and my friend had literally hopped up and down with excitement.

My lips still tingle from Mason’s kiss, and I grin, but I force myself to focus as we approach the guards. “None of it will matter if I can’t keep us all alive.”

The guards don’t address me, but they open the doors when I reach the top of the stairs, and I move into the entranceway of the palace. A group of four soldiers in pristine, royal armor are stationed there, and the moment I draw close, they surround me and start escorting me further into the building where I assume the ceremony is being held.

“Looks like Celzar expected you to turn up,” Shade mutters in my head as she eyes the guards in front of us.

No one speaks as we make our way along a series of hallways, but when we near the ballroom, idle chatter and lyrical music drifts out from the open doors. The guards in front of me move to the side, and then I’m standing there, just inside the doorway. Thousands of faces all turn to me and the chatter tapers away, the music abruptly stopping. Ah, crap.

“Gee, this is beautiful,” Shade comments, peering at the wide pieces of glittering white cloth that are suspended from the massive crystal chandelier above, the fabric streaming to all sides of the room.

“Yeah, for a funeral,” I counter. The room is filled with countless bouquets of white scalloped roses tied together with gossamer white ribbon. They’re deposited around the space, set in glass vases atop white pedestals, and attached to the walls in an even pattern that makes the arrangement look too artificial. Too…unnatural. Too forced like this whole damn ceremony. White roses are the standard flower used when having a burial back in Seral, and I have the distinct feeling of being the one in the box about to be covered with a pile of dirt. …Except I’m not about to let King Celzar bury me.

A plush white carpet stretches down the center of the ballroom to the dais at the other side, and I finally let myself look at where King Celzar stands with a confident smirk on his face. His pressed white suit is completely covered in crystals, the tiny stones catching the light, and his oily dark hair is slicked back from his face. He doesn’t look the least bit surprised that I turned up, but even from my position, I can see the hint of irritation in his eyes as his gaze roams over my black dress. Perfect.

With a wave of his hand, the band starts up again, playing a tender, melodic tune that sings through the room, and I stand there, feeling like I must have dozed off and slipped into a bad dream, because I swear this is some kind of nightmare. The Perstalians watch me, enraptured, like they’re waiting to see me do something fascinating, yet I know they’re just waiting for me to walk to my death. Most of those standing in view are high born individuals, dressed in rich garments of a variety of colors, but behind them stands rows of commoners dressed in simpler clothing in shades of cream and brown.

“Look at her wings!” a female whispers, her cheeks flush with excitement.

“How is that possible?” questions another.

“She must be from above,” whispers a third, her eyes glued to my black feathers.

“So much for not wanting his kind to ask questions,” I say to Shade. “The Perstalians aren’t going to believe I’m a low born from The Haven now.”

“Yeah, something tells me he doesn’t care,” she replies.

Lifting my chin higher, I turn my attention back to the king and try to ignore my racing heartbeat. From his look of impatience, he’s about ready to order the guards to march me up the carpet, so I start walking, ignoring the whispers and gasps of the Perstalians as I pass them. No doubt this ceremony will be the talk of the city for some time.

It feels like an eternity passes as I stroll along, the music matching my steps, but then I’m standing beside the king, feeling completely exposed. A few paces away, Princess Nerelia stands between two large centaur guards, and her expression is somber as she watches us.

King Celzar continues to examine me, and a look of distaste crosses his face when he peers at Shade on my shoulder. “Why you insist on having that rat close to you is beyond me,” he mutters, his voice thick with disgust.

Shade bristles, her feathers puffing up. “Girl, what the hell did he just say? That’s it, he’s clearly not using his eyes anyway, so he won’t mind when I peck them bloody.”

Anger heats my blood, but I stroke Shade’s feathers to calm her down, and somehow, I manage to keep my own cool. “What can I say, it’s called having a friend, King Celzar. You should try it sometime.” Maybe then you wouldn’t always look like you have something stuck up your ass. Thankfully, I’m smart enough to keep that last part to myself. I wouldn’t want the king simply deciding to kill me and get it over with. Or worse, have him kill Shade.

King Celzar’s back goes ramrod straight, his eyes narrowing to slits, but a humorless smile curves his lips. “Perhaps when I have your power, I can entertain such a notion. And speaking of friends, I presume your other male companions are here as well. Not to mention my brother…” His shrewd gaze scans the ballroom, but I don’t give anything away.

When his gaze cuts back to me, frustration makes his temple pulse, and I smile. “Looks like it’s just you and me, buddy. If you can’t count on your own family to attend your wedding, you must be doing something wrong.”

His hand twitches, and for a moment I think he’s going to strike me, but he only reaches up and straightens the collar of his suit jacket. “Not to worry,” he says calmly. “I’m sure he’ll show his face in due time. Mason is nothing if not predictable. But now that you’re here, let’s not waste the precious time of our guests.” He turns to a male who’s dressed in white silk robes and standing close by. “Proceed with the ceremony,” he commands, clicking his fingers, and the elder dips his head and steps to one side of us. The robed male addresses the crowd, and he launches into a long talk welcoming everyone and discussing the topic of commitment and devotion, and the importance of marriage. The male must think it’s his time to shine, because I’m pretty sure he’s gone on a tangent, and he’s busy talking about the fundamentals of a good relationship when King Celzar barks, “Get to it! I think we’ve all waited long enough.”

“Geez, he really is a ray of sunshine,” Shade comments dryly. “Now, I’m glad I didn’t get him a wedding gift.”

I have to work hard to suppress my laughter. “And the fact he’s about to kill me has nothing to do with it?”

“No, because he’s only going to try to kill you. Obviously, you’re not going to let that happen. And when he’s the one who’s dead, that means all the wedding gifts will be yours.” She pauses. “Wow, okay, I am an asshole for not getting a gift then.”

I grin as I listen to her rambling, glad to have her in my head to take the edge off the situation. But I quickly tune her chatter out when the robed male becomes flustered, rushing to the last part of the ceremony. He lifts my hand, placing it onto King Celzar’s, and he drapes a strip of silky white cloth over our hands.

Sweat beads on my brow and makes my hands clammy. I know this isn’t real. Not in the sense that I’m really intending to commit myself to the Perstalian king, but as the citizens of The Haven watch on intently, and even the guards standing stationary along the walls appear to lean forward to hear the next part, my heart thunders in my chest. I can’t see my mates, but I can sense they’re out there. Undoubtedly, the other rebels have slipped inside, too. If all goes to plan, they shouldn’t have to reveal themselves until the dagger strapped to my thigh is through King Celzar’s neck, but a slither of doubt slides through me. Because what if I’m not fast enough?

“D-do you, Blake, daughter of …” the robed male trails off awkwardly, a flash of panic entering his gaze as he stares at me, and I supply, “demons.” The male’s face blanches. I’m pretty sure he was wanting me to list off my family names, but I don’t. Irritation ticks along Kings Celzar’s jaw.

“Uh, do you Blake, daughter of demons,” the male says quickly, “take King Celzar, first of his name, ruler of The Haven and savior of our kind to be your wedded husband?”

“Savior? Well, that’s rich,” Shade scoffs in my head.

I lick my lips nervously. In Seral, if a demon husband or wife dies before a single night has passed since they voiced their vows, the marriage is considered voided. I remind myself of the rule, and it helps to ease the tightening of my stomach. I hesitate only for a second, before blurting, “I do.” The moment I say it, King Celzar’s face changes. The corners of his mouth twist into a cruel smile, and his eyes are icy and unfeeling, devoid of the slightest hint of warmth. My blood chills, and the malice in his eyes has me wanting to grab my dagger.

The robed male stutters as he asks King Celzar the same question that he asked me, and the king is quick to say, “I do.”

“Then, it is so,” the robed male says, pulling the cloth away from our hands and turning to address the crowd. “Let us celebrate King Celzar’s new bride, and our new queen!”

The crowd erupts into applause, and though I know they’ve likely been ordered to respond like this, for a moment, I panic. It feels too real. Like I’ve just sealed my fate and sworn myself to the Perstalian throne and their king. But then I hear the faintest growl from somewhere further in the ballroom, and it’s enough to ground me. Saying that vow is the least of my worries. Now I have to try and stay alive.

My heart races even faster. All right, Blake. The moment the cuff is off, you need to seize your power and kick his ass. From what I’ve been told, this is the point in the ceremony when King Celzar would remove the cuff from his bride, so I’m surprised when he leans down, his scent of roses invading my senses. Before I can react, his ice-cold lips are on my cheek, and my skin prickles as his power seizes me. I feel the curve of his lips as he smiles, but I can’t seem to pull away. His power holds me in place, my body paralysed, and my energy slowly starts draining into him as his magic takes what’s mine.

“No, no, no! He was supposed to remove the cuff first,” Shade squawks in a panic. She flaps her wings, lifting into the air, and she outstretches her claws like she intends to scratch his face. Before she can get to him, one of the guards comes for her. She dodges the guard’s hand, moving to the side, but another guard clamps his large hands over her.

King Celzar’s lips remain on me, and repulsion rolls through my body, chased by a bout of nausea. It feels like eons pass, though in reality it’s likely only seconds, and then the king is stepping back. The moment he’s no longer touching me, my knees buckle, and two guards step forward, grabbing me roughly under my arms and holding me up.

None of the Perstalian’s are cheering now. The ballroom is eerily silent as they all watch me with pity…and relief. Pity because the king is about to take my soul, and relief that it’s not them. I don’t blame them. It’s hard for me to imagine myself in their shoes when they’ve lost their home on the surface and lived for years without their magic and power.

For a moment, I think I see Sassia amongst the crowd, her eyes wide with hope and determination, even when it’s obvious I’m doing a crap job at saving her kind. Steeling myself, I try to stand…and fail.

“Let her go,” I rasp at King Celzar, my frantic gaze going to where Shade is still trapped in the guard’s hands. Shade screeches, struggling in his grasp, but he only clamps onto her tighter.

King Celzar’s cruel gaze is sharp and unkind. “The fact that you care for that little wretch is proof enough that you could never be a true queen.”

I’m not sure why he has such a hatred for birds when he has a half animal form himself, but I croak back, “And the fact you have a stone for a heart is why you’ll never be a decent king.” Holy Lady Fate my body feels so heavy. I struggle to keep my eyes open, fighting against the darkness that’s at the edges of my vision.

There are shocked whispers from the crowd, and King Celzar’s lips form an ugly sneer. “ I keep my subjects alive,” he spits. “They understand your sacrifice will benefit us all. Without me, they would have been dead on the surface long ago.”

My nostrils flare as I glare at him, my hatred so strong it sends a small surge of energy through me. “If it weren’t for you, then the witches—” My words die off as King Celzar grips my throat, his fingers tightening and cutting off my air supply. My mouth opens and closes as I struggle for air that doesn’t come, and energy starts draining from me again.

He leans in close, his lips a hairsbreadth away. “Usually, I remove the cuff from my bride and make a spectacle before they die, but I suspect you can’t be trusted. I can smell it on you—the power that races through your veins, just waiting to be released.” He chuckles, and it’s a dry, humorless sound. “Oh no, I’m going to take what energy you have now and wait until you’re close to death before I free you.” He inhales and exhales deeply, the tip of his nose brushing against the curve of my ear. “It is a shame. You know, you almost had me when you said you wanted to change the ending of my story.”

Black spots start to dance across my vision, but I’m powerless to stop him, my limbs hanging uselessly by my sides. I was so stupid to think I could best this male. So fucking stupid. Pain blooms in my chest, a searing, aching agony, and just as I think he’s not going to stop, just as I’m certain he’s going to simply kill me now, a bellow rings out across the ballroom. “Ceeeelzaaaar!” The cry is long and low, and full of an anger that resonates in the depths of my being. “Release her!”

“Mason!” Princess Nerelia gasps, struggling against the guards that hold her back and staring at where my mate must be standing further in the ballroom.

A sinister smile crawls onto King Celzar’s lips, and he releases me, taking a small step back. I sag in the guards’ arms, my knees slamming to the stone dais as air returns to my lungs, and pain races along my bones. When the king twists his head to the side, I try to move my head as well, but my body is too heavy, like these limbs don’t even belong to me anymore. I can’t feel my connection to Shade. I can’t feel any remnants of my magic at all. Had I really thought I’d be fast enough to best King Celzar if he removed the cuff? It looked like I wasn’t going to get to find out.

“The defender!” Awed whispers ring out amongst the crowd of Perstalians, and while I can no longer see King Celzar’s face, I note the way his hands curl into fists at his sides.

“How nice of you to attend my wedding, little brother,” the king says, an undertone of amusement in his voice.

Though I can’t see them, I hear the shuffling of the crowd, and I sense all of my mates as they move a little closer to the dais and stop.

“Well, I appreciate that,” Dante drawls like the king had been addressing him. “I do enjoy a good party.”

“Especially ones with such entertainment,” Prince Callan adds, and I’ve never heard his voice so cold. It makes all the times he spoke to me seem like casual banter in comparison, and a chill slides down my spine even though the ice in his words isn’t directed at me.

King Celzar’s body goes rigid, and the guards holding me tense as well.

“Release Blake,” Mason commands. “We both know I’m the reason you demanded her return.”

“To the contrary,” King Celzar replies. “I have plans for my new bride, and I was bereft when she was taken from me. You’re simply a nice bonus. I knew you would do the honorable thing and try to save her and our darling sister. It’s your predictability that always was your weakness.”

There’s the clack of hooves on stone, and the clanging of steel as more guards march into the ballroom. My heart skips a beat. Fuck. It’s bad enough that the king has me. I can’t let him have my mates as well. A tiny shred of energy has returned to me, likely due to my dulled demon healing ability, and I try to struggle against the guards restraining me, but I’m still so damn weak. They merely grip me tighter, their fingers digging painfully into my arms.

“She’s a fighter, this one,” King Celzar says, turning to me again, and lifting my chin with a single manicured finger. I grit my teeth, seething at him because it’s all I can do. “She has such fire,” the king goes on. “It’s such a shame that for her power to become mine, I’ll have to snuff out that bold spirit of hers.”

He moves so fast that I don’t realize what’s happened at first. Not until the searing hot pain spreads from my chest, and my gaze drops to where he’s buried my own dagger into the flesh close to my heart.

There are roars, and screeching, and the clang of steel, and barked orders, but the noise fades as I stare at that blade. Ordinarily, if I had my power, such a wound wouldn’t bother me much. I’d heal from it quickly. But now, I know it’s the final straw that will lead to my true death. Blood leaks down my chest, and with it, my remaining energy pours from me.

King Celzar’s distinct floral scent is overpowering as he leans in close once again. “Say hello to Yenna for me,” he whispers by my ear, and I feel the exact moment he removes the cuff.

Power floods my system, crashing through me in a rush so great it further cripples my already weakened body. I scream, feeling as though I’ve been set on fire, but my natural demon healing ability kicks in a second later, working hard to repair the damage that’s been done. Still, I know it won’t be fast enough for me to escape death.

King Celzar clamps his hand onto my arm, and he throws his head back and laughs. It’s an abrasive, harsh sound that fills my ears, and my power starts funneling into him instead.