Seventy-Six Camilla

I sat at my vanity, clasping my earring and watching shadows coalesce behind me in the mirror. I rolled my eyes and blew out a long breath as Kaden stepped from them, adjusting the cufflink at his right wrist.

“Dramatic much?” I asked and stood to face him.

Kaden’s brows shot upward as he regarded me.

“What?” I asked, gazing down at the sparkling gown that hugged my body.

“Nice tits.”

My eyes closed at his crudeness, and I placed a hand on my brow.

“Do you plan to steal Vincent from my sister with that dress?”

I dropped my hand, my cheeks flushing as I turned from him. “I’m not stealing anything.”

I didn’t deny that I loved the dress that had been sent to my room. A part of me reveled in being able to dress up and wear something beautiful. Maybe I did hope he’d glance my way and not be able to look away. My magic thrummed happily at the thought.

“Speaking of outfits, what are you wearing? You look like a gothic vampire with that high collar,” I asked, my eyes raking over his reflection as I reapplied my lipstick.

Kaden smirked but looked away, and I smiled. Tit for tat, you bitch. His suit was a mix of black and red. The shirt he wore beneath had a high collar but dipped to reveal the top of his pectorals. The suit did him justice, at least. Much like his brothers, Kaden was a truly beautiful man. Of course, once you got past that he was pure evil and would kill you without thinking twice.

“Where is your shadow?” I asked, referring to the brother who rarely left his side.

“Funny.”

Kaden stepped closer and ran his fingers over the end of one of my makeup brushes. “You know, if Nismera finds out the two of you are fucking, she will kill you both.”

“She thinks you and I have a thing. I doubt she will suspect there is anything between Vincent and me,” I said, snatching the brush from him.

He lifted a brow and looked down his nose at me. “Trust me. You’re doing me a favor.”

I didn’t ask what he meant, but I wondered if it had to do with the countless guards and witches that tried to frequent his bedchamber, and he turned away. Maybe he was using me for a cover as well.

“Besides, Vincent and I are not having sex,” I snapped, cheeks flushing.

It wasn’t a lie. Kissing and touching each other every chance we got? Well, that was a different story, even if that story wasn’t all that interesting right now. He had avoided me for days, allowing the random run-of-the-mill guards to escort me.

I hadn’t seen him since the day he had flown out with her and their legions atop the ryphors. When they came back that night, they were drenched in blood and gore. The next morning, the palace was weighed down with silence. Even the cafeteria was a ghost town. I knew then that the atrocities they had committed must have been horrific, and when Vincent hadn’t sought me out, I knew he had participated. Apparently, slaying millions of beings together drew them closer because I had heard them together numerous times since they returned.

Once again, Nismera came first, and I was tossed aside.

“Close enough to it.” He slipped his hands into his pockets.

“Why do you care, anyway?” I snapped, a little more defensive than I should have been. I was betraying way too much. “Don’t you hate us both?”

“I don’t hate either of you. I don’t care enough to.” His smile was pure venom. “Besides, you’re the strongest witch on this side of the realms, Camilla. It’d be a shame to lose you.”

I rolled my eyes, adjusting one final pin in my hair. “Strongest? Is that a compliment?”

Kaden grumbled.

My eyes cut toward him. “Hmm, the world is ending.”

Thunder clapped above, and I glanced past him toward the large window. The sun was beaming, and I knew it must be more guests arriving for Nismera’s coronation day.

“Are they really all flying here to pledge loyalty now that she’s destroyed a quarter of the known universe?”

“It is more than that.” Kaden stared out the window.

“So you admit your sister is a madwoman?”

“She prefers conqueror,” Kaden corrected.

I shook my head, making sure the last clip in my hair was stable and secure. “Why this? Why now? Isn’t your psychotic sister already queen or king or whatever title she has made up?”

Kaden finally looked at me. “You didn’t see it last night?”

“See what?”

“The casmirah?”

My brows knitted together. I knew that word, or it at least tickled at a memory. He studied my look of confusion and rolled his eyes.

“It’s a myth older than you and me combined. Casmirah fly through the sky when a new ruler is about to ascend. One blazed through the sky last night, and Nismera believes it is heralding her reign now that Samkiel is dead and she’s eradicated the threat of Dianna’s rebellion. She believes the rebels will back off after the power she displayed. Her brutality does seem to be working in her favor.”

“If that’s the case, why didn’t—”

My door swung open, and I flung myself into Kaden’s arms, pressing my lips to his.

“It’s time,” the guard spat impatiently. They hated me as much as I hated them. They very much resented being assigned babysitting duty when Vincent wasn’t available to escort me everywhere. Nismera didn’t trust me, and she had good reason. The second I had the chance, I’d make her pay for so godsdamned much.

I pulled back from Kaden with a smack, hoping our ruse worked. Everyone seemed to accept without question that the once-hated rivals had turned into lovers. So far, at least.

A second guard stepped in, careful to avoid eye contact completely, fear turning him quiet and timid. Kaden slowly removed his hand from my waist. “She’s coming,” Kaden said, more power behind his words than was needed. “In a moment.”

The guards did not question him, bowing and leaving.

“We have to find a better cover,” I said, wiping my lips.

Kaden ignored my comment, glancing toward the door. “Have you heard anything else?”

“No.” I shook my head. “She’s still doing her experiments, and that stupid talisman is driving me insane. I have it almost complete, but the last pieces are harder to mend, even with all my power. Hilma hasn’t even remotely slipped up again. Why do you care anyway? I assumed you were done after I told you about Oblivion.”

Kaden sighed deeply, ignoring my question before extending his arm. “Shall we?”

“Have you heard anything else about Dianna?”

His eyes flared a vibrant red for just a moment, but he smothered it as I laced my arm through his.

“Only a city demolished where a hive of revvers lived. I’m sending Cameron to check it out.”

“How’s he liking his new promotion?” I asked.

I knew they had made Cameron a legion commander with his own small unit because of the information he gave Nismera.

“He hates it, but it gets him one step closer to who he truly wants. You two can relate.”

I tossed him a glare as we walked out the door, not the least bit surprised to see no guards waiting for us. They wanted to avoid Kaden if at all possible, and with him escorting me, they weren’t needed.

We walked arm in arm toward the main gallery, following the sounds of voices and clinking glass. Massive vases overflowing with white flowers flanked the entryway. Artfully strung small lights cast an ethereal glow over the room. All of it was designed to present the illusion of welcome and peace, but Nismera was a blight on all of it. This was bait, and she was the predator laying in wait.

I sucked in a breath as we walked inside. There had to be at least a hundred or more beings here, all wearing outfits that sparkled or shined. Crowns rested upon the heads of kings and queens, proclaiming royal power. My hand squeezed Kaden’s forearm as a path cleared before him. No one looked at or acknowledged him, but people instinctively moved out of his way.

“Who are these people?”

He reached for a passing wine glass, the liquid inside bubbling as he sipped before looking at me.

“Exactly who you think. They are neighboring royals here to pledge their allegiance to Nismera.”

I smiled at him as if we were having a normal conversation, but no one paid us any mind. “There are so many?”

His smile met mine as he leaned close. “Did you assume there would be none left?”

My hand curled around his biceps, playing the part. “I’ve only heard of her power leaving wastelands in its wake. I never thought there would still be this many rulers left who did not challenge her.”

“That’s why there are wastelands, Camilla. Those who opposed her are nothing but dust on the wind. Besides, the realms are massive. You truly believe that none would bow to her rule rather than be annihilated? Only a fool would challenge Nismera with any hope of winning.”

I nodded along, eager to ask more questions, but Isaiah joined us, clapping a hand on Kaden’s back.

“Have you seen our lovely sister?” He glanced around, peering over the head of one tall being to the left.

Kaden shook his head. “No, but you know she likes to make an entrance. Give her time.”

Isaiah smiled at Kaden, and I couldn’t help but stare in wonder at just how messed up it was that the two deadliest High Guards Nismera had smiled at each other as if they couldn’t tilt a world on its axis with their power alone. I wondered then just how much Kaden actually felt. He looked at Isaiah with great fondness, whereas others were lucky not to end up dead if they offended him. Kaden displayed an unseen side to him when it came to his brother. Isaiah may be the only being he truly loved, his odd obsession with Dianna aside.

A blonde ponytail swished near Isaiah’s shoulder, and I took a small step around Kaden to see who it was. Imogen stood near Isaiah, her swords strapped to her back and still wearing armor.

“You brought Imogen here?” I hissed.

Isaiah looked at me as if I’d spoken out of turn but didn’t respond. He slapped Kaden on the shoulder and promised to find him later before turning and leaving. Imogen followed, that heart-wrenching, empty expression still on her face.

I grabbed Kaden’s arm a little harder than I meant to. “Why is he carrying her around like a doll? What is he—”

“Calm down.” Kaden pulled away from me in a subtle movement. “My brother tends to latch on to things. I blame the way everything was taken from him.”

“She is not a toy. If he wants one, I’m sure the elvan girl staring daggers at him right now will be happy to volunteer.”

Kaden followed my gaze to where she stood next to a table littered with an assortment of food and cakes. Her pointed ears were decorated with jewels that sparkled under the lights. She wore a swath of shining fabric that curved around her body, giving her mauve skin a shimmering glow. Her tail thrashed behind her as Isaiah passed, not wasting a glance toward her as he headed deeper into the crowd.

“Veruka?” Kaden scoffed. “A fuck buddy, if even that. You’ll learn sex means very little to old, powerful immortals.”

I glared at him. “Oh, yeah? Then why haven’t you indulged?”

His eyes cut to mine. “Who says I haven’t?”

“Everyone. The witches whisper about all who have tried, and all you turn away. Is it because of how Dianna reacted after all the years you treated her like second best? Afraid when you drag her back, she won’t want you if she knows—”

Kaden gripped the back of my neck, the movement so fast and his hold so tight, I hissed in pain. He pulled my face closer to his, and I wrapped my hand around his wrist. To any onlooker, the way he held me made it seem as if we were two lovers who couldn’t stand to part.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” Kaden hissed through a dazzling smile. “We’re not friends or colleagues. You don’t get to speak to me however you wish. I could rip your pretty little head off and not think twice about it.”

“Then do it.” I glared back. “Or admit that you are afraid.”

His teeth ground so tightly together that I thought they would break.

“I hate to burst your bubble, but you deciding after years that she is finally good enough for you will not work. Even if you manage to drag her back after you murdered her sister and her actual love, she’ll never touch you again, never love you again. You will never be Samkiel.”

I expected him to snap my neck, to hurt me, anything but what he did. The anger in his eyes fizzled, his grip on the back of my head loosening. “I have a plan for that.”

“A plan?”

He released me and blew out a long breath, clearly not wishing to share his plan. He turned away, and my gut clenched.

He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I know you want to think the worst of my brother, but Isaiah is the only thing keeping that girl out of the beds of any general who decides he wants a taste of The Hand. He keeps her close to keep her from being raped.”

My brows furrowed. “What?”

“What do you think happened to the last unit that had her?” Kaden scoffed. “Half of these generals and commanders Nismera has recruited would make me seem like a sweet kitten. Imogen is lucky he got to her when he did.”

I remembered Hilma telling me about it, but I only remembered parts. I tracked Isaiah and Imogen through the crowd. He stopped to speak to someone and looked up, his gaze locking with mine. Isaiah killed them all for her because they’d tried to touch her.

“I-I didn’t know,” I said, breaking eye contact with Isaiah.

“Exactly, you didn’t. You, like so many others, know nothing of us.” Kaden drained his glass, placing it on a passing waiter’s tray.

“Saving someone from something that horrific doesn’t make you a good guy. It makes you decent. It should be normal to be disgusted with that,” I said. “I just didn’t know you or him had any decent parts.”

Kaden scoffed. “You think we are the cruelest monsters, but we’re not even the worst in this realm.”

I didn’t say anything, but I did glance toward Isaiah again, watching as he disappeared into the crowd with Imogen obediently following.

A trumpet sounded behind us, startling the crowd, and we all stopped speaking at once. One by one, we turned, following the noise as the doors were pushed further open. Kaden placed a hand on my elbow, moving us back into the masses that separated on two sides. He pushed me half-behind him, and I peered around his massive frame.

“I can’t see—”

He shushed me, and my brows furrowed. What the hell?

“Is it Nismera?”

He shook his head, watching the door. “No, worse.”

As if on cue, soldiers marched through the door in twos. Their pearlescent armor was gorgeous, shimmering in the light. Intricate scrolling designs were engraved along the arms and legs, and a massive winged creature was emblazoned across the chest.

They looked like angels. Powerful, majestic angels. Their helmets were tall, sitting atop their heads in curving lines, with a pair of wings mimicking the flaring from their backs. Everyone watched as they filed into the room, all carrying boxes of various sizes. A few of the lids were half-open, and I caught the gleam of jewels as they passed.

My hand tightened against Kaden’s side as the crowd whispered. I caught the eye of a man across the way, his gaze blazing into mine. The ties and buttons across his jacket did nothing to hide the lean, muscled form beneath. Dark hair curled around his ears and fell across his forehead. I had the strangest sensation of familiarity as he stared at me. He smiled, and it was a beautiful contrast to the dark stubble covering his jaw. Another set of winged guards walked between us, and when they passed, the man was gone.

My gaze roamed, searching the crowd for him, but everything in me paused when a woman who would put the models of Onuna to shame entered with a man at her side, their wings tucked against their backs. I knew him. Well, I didn’t know him, but I’d seen him here before. Ennas. Vincent had said he was the brother to a powerful sister. Only she wasn’t just powerful. No, given the crown she wore, she was a queen. No one so much as whispered as they entered.

The crowd watched her as if afraid to look away. Her fitted white gown trailed behind her, the skirt split to allow her long pale legs to move freely. As she passed, the spell seemed to break, and everyone resumed their chattering and laughing.

I pushed past Kaden, intending to follow after her, but I only saw the tips of wings through the crowd as they strode toward the back of the massive room.

“Who was that?” I asked, returning to Kaden’s side.

Kaden seemed relaxed as always, but I noticed that he, too, tracked their retreating forms. “The Queen of Trugarum. Her name is Milani.”

“You say that as if it’s a curse. She’s beautiful. Her wings look so soft.”

Kaden chuckled darkly. “Beautiful but deadly. I’d dare you to touch them. They may look like feathers, but they are sharper than any blade.”

“Is she important? I didn’t see anyone else enter like that.”

“Very,” Kaden whispered. “She owns the southern realm and all its territories. Her armada is one of Nismera’s strongest forces.”

“How?” I gaped at him. “I assumed Nismera wouldn’t want anyone with equal power.”

“Equal power alliances mean no one would ever dream of testing you,” Kaden said.

My eyes widened as I glanced toward the corridor at the back of the room where they had disappeared.

KADEN AND I MINGLED, MAKING OUR WAY AROUND THE ROOM. TABLES were artfully arranged throughout, like small islands in the sea of people. Large sparkling chandeliers hung from every part of the grand ceiling, and I hadn’t noticed until I glanced up how much they resembled starlight.

We reached another soaring doorway, and I paused, drawn by the sound of music. A man stood alone on a raised stage, swirling pale lines running over his exposed skin as he sang. They changed colors and patterns, keeping time with the music. His fingers flew over the strings of the instrument he held as he played a passionate ballad. The crowd gathered at his feet, mesmerized by his song. No one seemed to notice the silver chains wrapped around his ankles nor the guards stationed at the sides of the stage.

“He’s a muse,” Kaden whispered near my ear. “A gift from a neighboring queen as penance. In return, Nismera spared her kingdom.”

“A muse?” I felt my face pale. “She would trade a muse for protection?”

“You’d be surprised. There is no being more depraved and heartless than a leader protecting the people they love.”

I swallowed the uneasiness in my gut as I watched the muse. He had to be no more than twenty, beautiful in the way of the gods, with shaggy dark hair. He wasn’t ghastly thin, which meant she kept him fed, but I could see the trapped pain in his soft brown eyes.

“I think he is the last left,” Kaden said it so calmly as he placed his hand on my lower back and steered me away.

“His voice is—”

“Intoxicating? Mesmerizing? It should be. He inspires those feelings.”

“No wonder the crowd has grown.”

“Mm-hmm,” he responded distractedly.

Kaden, who I hadn’t seen grab another glass, sipped at a fiery red liquid, his gaze locked on a balcony high above. Looking at him, I wondered if he was nervous. The music changed tempo but quieted, and I heard someone clear their throat. I followed Kaden’s gaze, hurt tightening my throat.

Silence rippled across the room, and everyone turned toward the large staircase. Now I knew why I hadn’t been able to find Vincent. He was at her side. Jealousy made me chew the inside of my lip as he stared at her with a soft smile on his lips. I hadn’t seen him in days, and the one time I’d heard him come back and stop near his door, I heard them together inside. Maybe kissing me made him realize how much he really missed her, and now that she had finally given him the time of day again, he was done with me. It seemed I’d only been a distraction.

I should have known. Why did I ever think I could change him? He wouldn’t even change for his chosen family. I was nothing to him, to no one. My magic must have started to leak because Kaden dropped his hand to mine, interlacing our fingers. He took the brunt of my magic. He didn’t react to the burn, but his touch grounded me. It was such a simple gesture, a kind one, and kindness was something I did not expect from Kaden. Maybe he was right. I knew nothing of him and Isaiah.

When I looked up again, I could have sworn Vincent’s eyes were on us, but it was probably just my imagination. Guards in shiny golden armor surrounded them, and I realized she was expecting an attack. She held a single hand up, her magnificent black dress fitting her lithe form like a glove. Its neckline plunged nearly to her belly button, exposing the inside curves of her full breasts. The dark color of it was a stunning contrast to her flawless skin, but it was the crown on her head that garnered whispers. Silver prongs reached for the ceiling and branched off like sparkling sunlight. I had never seen anything so beautiful.

Kaden made a noise in the back of his throat, and I tipped my head toward him without looking away from Nismera. “What is it?”

“That crown.” He kept his eyes straight ahead, speaking around his glass. “It was my father’s.”

Unir’s crown.

Holy gods above and below.

My mouth grew dry as she started down the stairs, taking them one by one until she reached the bottom. Every single being in her presence went to their knees, including Kaden and I, because the crown she wore told everyone exactly what and who she was now.

King of the Gods.

NISMERA INSTRUCTED EVERYONE TO DANCE AND MINGLE, THE MUSE singing a slow melody. Maybe no one else could hear it, but I heard the sadness and fear underlying the song. I hated it, hated being here even as Kaden spun me. I caught glimpses of Vincent and Nismera through the throngs of people as they danced. This whole thing was as fake as the smile on her face.

Dead bodies lined the depths of her palace, and the screams of those she tortured with her experiments echoed off the walls below, yet she pretended to be this savior of peace and ruler of the realms she so kindly liberated. Did they not see the monster beneath her skin? Did they not feel its harrowing breath or its dead and rotted eyes? Her porcelain skin may seem perfect, her hair as light as golden sunlight, but a demon from the very pits of Iassulyn lived beneath her breast, and it would swallow us and the world whole.

“You’re staring,” Kaden whispered against my ear.

“No, I’m not,” I said, even as I looked away.

“If it makes you feel any better, he is watching you, too.” My breath hitched, and Kaden’s chest rumbled with a deep chuckle. He knew it affected me.

Another breathless whisper near my ear made goosebumps rise on my arms and neck. “He looks every time you are not. You two should be careful. Nismera finds out you’re plucking the strings of her favorite toy, and she will skin you both alive.”

I pulled back, and Kaden’s lips were mere inches from mine. The way his head was tilted, I wondered if he was pretending to kiss me just so Vincent felt a fraction of the hurt I did. It was not what I wanted, though. None of this was. My life and heart were not a game.

My chest hurt as my reality crashed down on me. I did not want to be in this castle of a prison with a demon of a ruler who pretended to be kind. I did not want to feel for a man who had betrayed all he claimed to love and now treated me as a passing distraction. I did not want to dance and fake a relationship with my arch-nemesis.

I couldn’t do it, not anymore. A fine tremor went through my body, and my eyes burned. I had been strong for so long, but now I felt like I was going to break apart. I wasn’t strong enough.

“I can’t watch this, and I can’t do this anymore.”

Kaden’s brows rose as if he’d read every thought I had. “You try to flee, Camilla, and they will hunt you down. You’ll never escape this place.”

I let go of Kaden’s hand as I lifted the hem of my dress. Turning, I darted through the crowd and out of the ballroom. I ran past others, thinking of the crown she wore. She’d claimed it with the blood of the innocents she’d trampled. It was all too much.

Laughter beat at me, fake and forced. The sky bled silver with the power of the last true king. He would have ruled with kindness and fairness. I hurried past the tables of food prepared by beings forced to do so, whipped until they bled in service of her.

I ran up the staircase to the second level, excusing myself as I squeezed between kings and queens. I glanced behind me, but Kaden hadn’t followed me. No one had. Maybe he’d run to tattle to Nismera about me.

I stumbled against someone and reached out to steady myself. A small prick of pain stung my hand, and I hissed, pulling back and rubbing at it. I turned and came face to face with the beautiful man from the foyer. A slender woman stood at his side, her short brown curls cut close to her head. Her dress was deep maroon and damn near transparent. She offered me a slow smile that was as seductive as she was.

“I’m so sorry.” The man looked at my hand. “Did I hurt you? These stupid pins on my suit have come loose, and sharp edges, no matter how beautiful, still cut.”

“I am fine. Thank you,” I said, forcing a smile. He wore a small crown, its dips and swirls reminding me of the flow of wind. “It’s my fault. I was not looking where I was going.”

“Running away from the party?” his date purred.

“My feet hurt,” I said, knowing it sounded ridiculous, but my head was still reeling.

He glanced down before flashing me another devilishly handsome smile. “They look fine to me.”

“Yeah, well, looks can be deceiving,” I said.

His smile faltered. “That they can, witch queen.”

“What?” I asked.

His eyes flicked to something behind me at the same moment his date tapped his forearm. His pupils grew a fraction wider, and he stepped away from me before excusing himself. I glanced over my shoulder to see Vincent storming up the stairs. Fuck. I turned back, but my mysterious conversationalist had already left. I gathered my dress again, heading toward the corridor that led to the private rooms. Silence fell behind me, and I could feel the weight of Vincent’s gaze on me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he snapped from behind me.

I cursed celestial speed, Kaden, and his big mouth.

I kept walking, not bothering to slow down. “To bed. You can keep the cheap party. I’ll pass, and you can go fu—”

My words died on a yelp as he grabbed my arm, turning me away from my exit and down a hallway lined with paintings and statues.