29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Thea

T he following day, I started my plan. My father had been watching me closer because my darkness was still not relenting. He demanded to know what was wrong, but I ignored him. I waited until it was far into the night before I paid a visit to Falgon and Akecia.

King Sybrien and King Valor were not impressed when I entered their kingdoms and kidnapped them. They both glared at me like I had lost my fucking mind, and they were right. Each hour that passed after going to Exile, my darkness seemed to get more and more unhinged. They were both sitting in Exile with me now. My magic held them to the chairs in mine and Sybil’s home.

“You can scream all you want; no one will hear you.” I sighed as I took gags from their mouths. “I’m not going to hurt you. ”

“Have you lost your fucking mind!” King Valor yelled. “My kingdom will destroy you.”

I raised my brow at him because we both knew they wouldn’t beat me. He slowly calmed down when I said nothing back. That, and he was loyal to Cassius and Crimson; he would never lay a hand on me.

“Thea, whatever you think you have to do, you don’t. I know your father has convinced you that we are your enemy, but we aren’t,” King Sybrien said calmly. “You saved my wife and I. Why kill us now?”

I smiled at him. It was hard not to because he and his wife were such good friends with Cassius and I.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” I said again. “I will release you if you promise to sit and talk with me.”

They looked at one another before nodding. I released them, and they both stayed seated. King Sybrien’s white hair practically shined in the darkness of Exile. King Valor’s red hair reminded me of my fire.

“I’m sorry I... kidnapped you, but this is important, and I needed to speak to both of you together. Before the wedding.”

They stared at me confused before Sybrien spoke.

“Your father doesn’t know you are speaking to us.”

“No.”

I turned and sat in another chair I had dragged in here. Gods, I probably looked psychotic. I had startled myself when I returned after Della took elite fae from Exile. My eyes were solid black, with my darkness running in my blood, making my veins black under my pale skin. I was terrifying to behold.

“You have our attention.” Valor’s curiosity practically shined in his eyes. My darkness could feel the fear radiating off of him, but Sybrien’s fear was nonexistent.

“You are aware of my prophecy.”

“Yes.” They nodded together.

“Good. I’m about to fulfill it.”

At this, Sybrien’s fear kicked in. Oops, poor choice of words.

“I’m not killing you, Sybrien, or you, Valor. Calm down; I can feel your fear.” Sybrien’s head tilted at me. Confusion was clear on his face. His dark eyes widened when he stared at me.

“By the stars, Thea, you remember.” He stood and walked to me. “When did you break your curse?”

Valor’s dark eyes practically popped from his skull.

“I didn’t.” I lied. “But I know I am going to kill my father and Jesper. I just needed you two to be aware because it will likely happen at the wedding. Does Jesper have any blood relatives? ”

“No,” Sy sat back down with a frown. I knew him well enough to know that he was suspicious of me. “He was an only child, and both sides of his family had illnesses, so he is the only one left. Why?”

“I wanted to know if I needed to kill anyone before the wedding. Once he marries Tally and I kill them, I will be the sole surviving member of his family, so I will inherit his lands.”

Their eyes shined brightly at my words. Our realm would be so much better when they were gone.

“What do you need us for?”

“I needed to warn you about what will happen after Jesper and Tally marry and make sure Cassius stays out of it. And if something happens to me, Sybrien, I need you to give Cassius this.” I passed him a letter. At first, he refused to take it, but I shoved it into his hand. “Please.”

“Fine.” He frowned. “But he will kill me if something happens and I knew of your plan.” He was right; Cassius would be completely unhinged.

“I will wait until Tally and Jesper marry. Then I will kill all of them. My father, Gwyn, Jesper, and my half-sisters. By the law, I would then be the only bloodline left for both Cerithia and Kizar. Jesper was the last born of his bloodline, so it would automatically go to me as the last heir. I want to show that Crimson is an ally to Falgon and Akecia, so I want your kingdoms to split Kizar as Crimson’s token of wanting peace for good.”

They were both silent, and I thought maybe they would refuse. Then Sy and Valor smiled at me.

“Gods be damned, Thea, I can’t wait to see this,” Valor chuckled. “You have a fucking deal.”

“I’m always on your side.” Sybrien smiled. “Crimson is going to the wedding, but it was mostly to see you. I will make sure Cassius does not intervene.”

I hesitated. Cassius will die.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I had to take you in the night. I just didn’t want anyone to see us meet. But I want you all to know that my father is scheming something, so be on alert.”

Valor’s dark eyes glanced around the shambled house.

“Where are we?”

“In Exile.” I frowned. “Let’s get you both back home before someone notices.”

They both stood, and I let shadows swarm around us and take us all back to their kingdoms. Valor was the first stop, then Sybrien. I went to leave, but Sybrien stopped me.

“Cassius will be so proud of you, Thea. He has been a mess without you, and he never stopped trying to get you back. ”

“I know.” I smiled. “I’m very lucky. How have you been feeling?” Shit. I wasn’t supposed to remember that he had been sick.

“You do remember.” He frowned at me. “Why’d you lie?”

“Sy, please, you cannot tell anyone. Especially Cassius.”

“He deserves to know.” Sy looked at me oddly.

“He’ll die if you tell him,” I whispered. “A seer told me that Cassius will die if he knows I broke my curse. He will try to save me. You cannot tell him. If you do, he dies.”

“Fuck.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I promise I won’t say anything; if anything, I will try to get him not to intervene.”

“Thank you.”

He gave me a hug.

“Now how are you and Petra feeling?”

“I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been. Thank you for saving me. I would’ve been dead already if you hadn’t. And Petra is doing well; she is so excited she already has the baby room decorated,” he chuckled.

“I’m glad you’re still here. I have to go, but I’ll see you in a few days.”

Then I disappeared, but I didn’t go to Cerithia. Cassius lay in our bed and slept soundly. Gods, how did I get so lucky to have him? I slipped off my boots and cloak. I admired him as he slept. He had always been so breathtaking to look at. I would never understand how I was so lucky to have him.

The stars blessed me with a great life the moment they made him for me. Quietly, I slipped into bed and lay so I was facing him. Slowly, my fingers traced over his warm chest before moving up to his face. Cassius slowly opened his eyes.

“This is a great way to wake up.” He smiled as his gaze lingered on me. I gave him a soft smile as his fingers brushed my hair out of my face. Cassius watched me closely before he spoke again. “Is something wrong? “Why is your darkness clinging to you?”

“Everything is fine."

I could tell he wanted to argue, but he gave me a sad smile and nodded. I tried to read his mind, but I couldn’t. Cassius’ eyes traced over my face slowly, like he was seeing me for the first time in a long time. Fuck, I missed him so much. I couldn’t wait to fulfill my prophecy at the wedding and be done with this. I just wanted to be with Cassius.

“I just wanted to see you,” I whispered. "I've missed you." I wanted one more time to pretend like everything was fine. When I was near Cassius, it made me feel like nothing could go wrong. His fingers traced over my face as if he were trying to remember everything about me. Could he feel how terrified I was that we may never get a moment like this again?

“I’ve missed seeing your face every time I wake up,” he whispered. Cassius seemed to hesitate before continuing. “No matter what happens in the future, I need you to know that you have been my reason for living. Every breath I take is for you. You have wrecked me in the best of ways, Thea. You have always been my purpose: to make you happy, to make sure you know you are loved. I hope I have done both of those things for you. I hope you never think of me and wonder if I loved you because I would have never been able to exist without loving you. I am eternally yours, and nothing will ever change that.”

Tears streamed down my face because this oddly felt like him saying goodbye to me, but he had no idea what was supposed to happen to him at the wedding. I couldn’t help the sob that escaped me as Cassius pulled me against his body and hugged me tightly. The weight of saving him and the realm felt all-consuming.

I did not want to lose him. I did not want to exist without him; I couldn’t exist without him. Sobs escaped me as I held him to me tightly, like that would keep him from slipping through my fingers. His hands ran up and down my back as he kissed my head. Cassius held me silently and let me cry.

“I love you,” I said softly.

“I know you do, my love, and you know I love you too.”

I pulled back and stared into his pretty golden eyes. I tried to read his mind, but I couldn’t.

“Why does it feel like you are saying goodbye?” I asked.

“I just want you to know that no matter what, I love you,” he said before leaning forward and kissing me. “I know you’re keeping something from me.” He frowned. I knew he would never guess that I broke my curse. Cassius watched me closely like he was trying to see inside my head. I knew it wasn't fair to keep secrets from him.

I shook my head, but he gave me a sad smile.

“You don’t have to tell me. I trust you more than anyone else. But if you think you are doing a good job hiding your sadness from me, you aren’t. I can see it when you look at me that you are terrified. So keep your secrets, little viper, because I know you wouldn’t keep them unless you absolutely had to.”

My marriage bond demanded I tell him what was happening, but I couldn’t. Why was he so damn understanding? I was so proud that he was mine. Slowly, I settled back against him. One of my favorite things I used to do with him was lay in bed and tell him how my day was or stories from my childhood. Cassius never seemed annoyed by my constant talking. In fact, he seemed content to just listen to my blabbering. I traced my fingers over his chest, smiling at the memories.

"This is nice," I said. "I feel like I am home when I am close to you."

Cassius' arm squeezed me tighter.

"You feel like home too, my love." After a moment Cassius chuckled softly.

I sat up and smiled at him. "What?"

"I know you don't remember, but you used to talk my ear off every night before bed." His eyes shined brightly. "It was one of my favorite things."

I creased my brows. It was crazy that we were both thinking about that at the same time.

"Well, I have a story for you if you want to hear one." My smile widened when he nodded eagerly. So I told him of when I escaped Exile and found myself back in Cerithia. Then I told him of my scouting trips to Crimson and seeing him for the first time and how something shifted inside of me when I first saw his face. Cassius smiled as he listened to all of it. The more I talked, the more everything else was forgotten. It felt like it did before the curse.

But then I made the mistake of looking Cassius directly in the eyes. My words faded when an image of him dying hit me. I flinched and looked away from him as panic swarmed my chest and made it impossible to breathe. My eyes closed tightly to try and get rid of the image, but it only seemed to get worse. Cassius grabbed me and pulled me to him when he realized I was upset.

"Are you alright?"

“I should go,” I said in a panic. I went to slide out of bed, but Cassius stopped me and pulled me back so I was flush against him.

“Stay. Let’s have this moment for a little longer. Everything feels normal when you are near me.”

“Alright, I’ll stay for a little bit.” I agreed as I wrapped my arms around him. The scent of rain and forest surrounded me. Cassius’ hand ran up and down my back as I tried desperately to memorize how he felt against me: the warmth of his body, his scent, the way his heart beat in a soft rhythm. Cassius turned so he was on his back, and I could rest my head on his chest.

My eyes were heavy as the presence of Cassius being close made me feel safe. I wished I could stay, but when Cassius’ hand gradually stopped rubbing my back as he fell asleep, I stayed for only a few more minutes. The longer I stayed, the harder it would be to leave, and I still had things to do.

I sat up slowly, watching Cassius’ chest rise and fall in steady breaths, hoping I would never see the day it stilled. Leaning forward, I gave him a chaste kiss and stood, slipping on my boots and cloak. Glancing over my shoulder one last time at Cassius, I stilled when he was staring at me.

“I love you.” He smiled.

“I love you too, always.”

Quickly, I summoned his shadows and left because if I didn't, I wouldn’t be able to. Now that I knew Cassius was fine, I needed to go to one more place. My destination was the blood witches. When I got to the coven, they were all waiting for me. I’m assuming they had felt my urgency to meet with them.

Their eager eyes watched me as I walked into the courtyard, and they all bowed to me. I smiled.

“I broke my curse,” I announced.

A gasp spread through them, and I could feel their pride and happiness consume me. They watched me wondering what I called them here for.

“I will be fulfilling the prophecy soon, and I would like you to help me. But first, I’m sure you all have noticed that Lyra is missing.” They all nodded and looked worried. “All the fae of Exile were killed, including my brother Kaz, her mate. Lyra chose to go to the next life with him. My father and Genia killed those elite magic fae. They killed my mother.”

The witches gasped and all looked up to the moon and muttered something. I was assuming it was a prayer for Lyra and Exile.

“How can we help? We want revenge for Lyra and all elite magic fae, for Bayla.” A witch with silky black hair stepped forward.

“I need you all to visit the guards of Kizar and Cerithia and blood mark them.”

I swear their red eyes glowed brightly at my demand. They were excited to help me get revenge.

“I know it is unlikely that you can get to all of them, but just get to as many as you can in the next two days. I will summon you to me when I am ready.”

“We will do our best.” The same witch bowed.

“I know you will. Do not kill any of them, and do not control them until I give you the command.”

Their brows furrowed.

“If we blood mark them, then you can control them—even though you weren’t the witch to mark them because you’re the queen.”

That was even better.

“Perfect.” I smiled. “Start marking them, and I will still summon you when I’m ready to fulfill the prophecy. I have to go; call to me if you need me, and I’ll come as soon as I can.”

They bowed as my darkness swarmed around me, and I was taken back to the castle.