Chapter Twenty-Three

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Tabitha

"It is likely these men will no longer be at their homes," Theodas explains as we walk.

We parted ways with Dahlia and Skylar a few hours ago. They were heading to Dahlia's work at the registration office because Dahlia had a shift she couldn't miss. I felt bad that Skylar would have to stay with her there, but maybe it'll work out in her favor. Perhaps she will find a job or meet new friends.

My guys and I went to the bakery to travel via portal. I swear, once I get on that throne, I won't go through another portal ever again. I'm tired of them already.

"More than likely," I agree. "But we should check anyway. Stop at each of their homes before making our way to the castle."

"Do we have a plan for infiltration?" Koz asks.

"Go in through the dungeons. Make our way up. I have no plans to make an example of my father or torture information out of him. The goal is to kill him and be done with it. And kill anyone who gets in our way."

"I like when you speak like that," Raisi says, throwing his arm around my shoulder and giving me an excited shake.

I huff out a laugh. "I do not enjoy killing people, but these people are evil. They don't deserve to walk among the rest of us."

"I agree," Raisi says with a firm head nod, making his curls bounce.

We walk for hours, deep into the night. When we stop, the guys take turns guarding while I sleep. Raisi lets me feed from him and for the first time, I contain the sexual desire that comes with it. Of course, this disappoints Raisi, but when I whisper that I will make it up to him by fucking him on the throne, his mood lightens. Getting control of this desire is important, especially in situations like this, when we are in an unsafe place.

I sleep until the sun comes up. We eat a small breakfast consisting of the rabbit Kozzanth caught and the berries Theodas found. Then we're on our way.

We don't speak as we walk. There is a slight tension, but it isn't between us, just collective. I think we are all waiting for something to go wrong this time. Or maybe we are all just ready for this to be over.

The first house we come upon, the one next on our list, is empty. Abandoned in a haste, if the messy inside is any indication. Cupboards and drawers are wide open. Books are scattered below shelves. It looks as if someone ran through and grabbed as much as they could before running out the front door—that was half open when we got here.

"We can at least be sure they know you are after them now," Theodas says, picking up a book and putting it back on the shelf. "Morine left here in a hurry."

"He always was a coward," I say, looking around.

"Seems he took everything he needed, but we should still look for anything important," Kozzanth suggests.

I nod, and we get to work looking through the drawers, under the beds, and in the closets. We find nothing and decide it's safe to stay for the night. I sleep in a room that looks untouched, not wanting to sleep in the same bed that cruel man did. All three of the guys keep guard because the house is large and unfamiliar. Considering I am alone in a strange bed, I sleep surprisingly well.

When the sun is up, so am I. Breakfast is made from what was left in the house that hasn't spoiled. We eat, then we start our travel to the next house.

We find it in a similar state, only it's emptier, as if Teppy had more time to leave. Or perhaps he had fewer items inside. Chairs are toppled over, clothes strewn about the floor, and windows left open even though the nights have had a chill. Since it is early, we don't bother staying. After we search the house, once again coming up with nothing of use, we keep going.

When we reach the last house, we get lucky.

It isn't empty.

The final man on my list, Phert, is dead.

His throat is slit, and he's lying on the floor of his bathroom as if someone came up behind him while he was looking in the mirror. He's been dead for a few days. His body is stiff, and bugs have already begun feasting on him. The smell is atrocious, so even though it's late into the night, we don't stick around for long. Only long enough to look through his things like we did the others, but as we expect, there is nothing of importance to find.

"Who would have killed him?" I ask, more to myself than any of the men.

"It could have been anyone," Theodas answers. "A rival clan. Or perhaps your father himself."

I nod absently. It's something my father would do. These men have gotten on the bad side of many people, so anyone could be guilty of this. Not that it should matter. I wanted him dead to begin with. It only would have been nice to question him. Yet I doubt he'd have given anything up.

"Guess we only have one place left to go," Raisi says.

"To the castle." I huff out a sigh.

We leave the house and stand in the front yard, looking down at the valley of trees below. Who would have thought such a cruel man would live in a home with such a beautiful view? Do evil people appreciate such beautiful things?

From here, you can see the very top of the Klemon Waterfall, though only those familiar with the geography would know that. Considering this is my realm, I know every inch of it. At least, I like to think I do. A lot has surely changed in three years, but I will learn it again. And not only that, I will make it better.

Raisi takes my hand and looks down at me. Someone else takes my other hand and I look over to see Theodas staring ahead with a content look on his face. Two large hands settle on my shoulders and Kozzanth's large body steps closer to mine. I've never felt more safe, more powerful, more capable in my entire life.

This is going to be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. The ogres were tough, but that was just a bump in the road compared to what we are about to do. Getting to the castle will be the easy part. Getting inside won't be too difficult either. But once we are inside? Well, that's going to be the most difficult of all.

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