Prologue

prologue

ZAIN

D amn Bastard. Couldn't he do the one thing I'd sent him to the human world to do?

Find her . My queen. The woman who would sit by my side and rule with me.

I could smell her on my brother—his mate.

He'd found his while I was beholden to this place. Ruling in my father's stead, even though he wouldn't concede full control to me. Not yet.

There was only one thing that stood between me and taking my rightful place on the throne: the witch destined for me.

I'd waited almost three hundred years for her, and yet I'd sent someone else out looking for her.

"I need more time," my brother Damien said from down on his knees.

Kneeling in front of me was a show, and we both knew it.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I raised an eyebrow. "Why? What exactly are you afraid of, little brother?"

As the second son of the Demon King, he'd endured our father's wrath growing up but none of the expectations of being the Crown Prince. And yet, no matter our own choices in the matter, we were both bound by roles we never asked for.

I'd grown into mine. Had to become whatever wicked thing I needed to be to survive here. In a palace of demons, there were very few who you could trust.

He grits his teeth. "You know exactly what I'm afraid of."

"I need her." I sighed, wishing it didn't have to be this way. That the fate of my kingdom didn't ride on one witch. "You can't keep me away forever." My eyes flared as lightning crackled outside.

"Just… give me until Halloween, at least. Please. Willow needs her sister." There was a desperation in his voice that I hadn't heard before. Maybe finding his fated pairing had changed that. Made him softer.

I couldn't afford for that to happen to me.

"Very well." Waving my hand, I dismissed my brother. "You have until then."

He disappeared into the shadows without another word.

I watched him go, contemplating my actions as my powers swirled around me. The darkness threatened to swallow me whole, and for a moment, I considered letting it. If only to be free from this torment, this constant longing .

But maybe it was time to take matters into my own hands. If he wouldn't bring her to me—fine. I'd go get her myself.