Chapter Twenty-Five

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Tabitha

"There." Theodas's voice is hardly above a whisper. He points up in the trees, but I don't see anything.

Kozzanth nods, as if he has a clear view of what Theodas sees, then slips away into the cover of the trees. We wait on silent breath until Kozzanth returns. It seems to take forever, and there is nothing that lets me know when he is done doing whatever it is he must do.

"Done," he says, startling me. I hadn't heard him return.

I place a hand on my chest as he grins down at me.

"Sorry," he apologizes, then ducks down to kiss the top of my head.

"How will we get there in this century if we have to keep stopping for so long to check the trees?" I ask.

This is the fourth guard we've found in the trees. Well, they've found in the trees. I've yet to see one, but they swear they are there and have killed them all. Though I've heard nothing that says that's true, of course I believe them. Things would be much easier if the guards were walking around on foot, like the ten we've already killed. Hiding them in the trees is smart on my father's part, but damn annoying.

I hadn't anticipated this many people out here looking for us, but it shows how serious my father is taking this. Of course I knew there would be people, but this seems a little overboard. I didn't realize killing all these guards would slow us down. The constant stopping and starting is driving me mad. We hardly get anywhere before we stop again to kill off another tree guard. It's insane. All I want is to be in that castle with a dagger through my father's heart. Sending him back to hell is all I've dreamed about for over three years. Sitting on that throne is all I want.

We go on like this until nightfall, when we have to stop and wait for daylight to continue on. We should have been there by now, but with each move forward, it seems more unlikely we will get there before winter falls upon us.

My Dravens can see in the dark, but it's more difficult with the thickness of the trees, so they said it's safest if we wait. To say I am frustrated is an understatement, but listening to them is best. This is what I bought them for. What I need them for. Allowing them to do their job ensures I get my money's worth.

I toss and turn all night. They each take turns lying with me, but it doesn't help. I hardly sleep at all. When I finally get up, the sun is just sneaking through the treetops. Thankfully, sleep hasn't been much of an issue as of late, so one night of terrible sleep isn't so bad.

"Are we ready to go?" I ask.

Theo looks at me with a frown. "We were going to have breakfast first."

I shake my head. "No, I'm not hungry."

"You'll be at your best if you eat."

"No," I say sharply. "I do not want to eat. I just want to get to the castle and get this over with."

The three of them share a look, seeming to agree that there is no point arguing with me over this, so they give in. They gather our things, and we keep going through the trees. Oddly enough, the closer we get to the castle now, the fewer guards there seem to be. Perhaps my father thinks having them further out will make more sense. It would stop anyone from getting close to the castle. However, when the trees start thinning, and through them I see the glistening onyx of the wall, I know we are about to see more guards than I could ever imagine inside that castle.

"There is an entrance through the North side. If we go that way, I can get us to it," I say.

Or at least in the vicinity of it.

Theodas nods, looking this way and that.

"It's best if we go that way," he says, pointing to the right.

We stick just inside of the trees for cover. The wall is too tall to see inside the grounds, as it's set high on a hill with the castle below. Only the tallest peaks of the castle can be seen from here, and there are no guards up there. They are definitely plenty on the inside of the wall, and hidden through the castle, looking out the apertures to shoot down anyone who is crazy enough to climb over the wall.

It happened often when I was a child, and I never understood why people wanted to hurt us. Now I do. And more, I can't blame them. Because it's what I'm going to do now.

Once we reach the North side of the castle, I take my time looking around to figure out where we are and where I have to go to stumble upon the entrance. It's hidden, and I only know of it because I tripped over it when I was a child, during a time I was allowed to play out here. Something that didn't happen often because it became too dangerous. Of course I was never alone, but even with someone accompanying me, my parents felt it was not safe to play outside the walls. I hated it because I liked venturing through the trees. I loved exploring. But it was just another way for my father to keep me locked away.

When I was a child, I thought he was overprotective. Now, I wonder if it was just his need to control everyone around him.

Did my father always hate me? Was he always using me? Is there any part of him that cares about me at all?

It's hard to not know the answers to those questions. They've haunted me for years. It's something that kept me up at night when I was locked in the dungeons. How far back do his plans go? Before I was born? Before meeting my mother? Or did he try to overcome his dark thoughts, but couldn't? Not all creatures from hell are bad. Sure, most demons are. A good portion of vampires are too, but there are also a lot of vampires who live their life with no issues. Then you have my father, who has to ruin everything the good vampires have built. Giving us a bad name all over again.

The angel in me doesn't outweigh the evil. It doesn't blot out the fact I'm half vampire—a creature from hell. I'm hated just by the blood that runs through my veins. Taking over this throne will not be easy. Honestly, getting it back and killing my father will be the easiest part. I know that now. It's the people who are going to be hard to win over. Getting them to trust me. Getting this realm to a good place. Getting rid of all the bad that's taken over here. It's years in the making.

"Tabitha?"

I blink a few times, and Raisi's face comes into view.

"Sorry…"

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, brows pinched with worry.

"Yeah, just thinking." I clear my throat, looking around again, trying to recall where we need to go. Glancing up, I see the tallest peak on the castle and get a flash of a memory. The sun glinted off the stained-glass window, catching my attention, which is why I tripped over the chain on the door. "I just… I'm not sure I remember where it is."

"Tell us what you do remember," Theodas says, stopping beside me and putting his hand on my shoulder.

I gesture to the peak and tell him about the window.

"What time of year was it?" he asks.

I smile, feeling the warm breeze on my skin. "Summer."

"Time of day?"

"Late morning."

Theodas nods, his gaze going from the window to the woods, to the sky. I watch as the gears turn in his head. He starts walking, and we follow. When he moves faster, so do we. Can he really get directions off of what I gave him? Is he that smart? Who am I kidding? Of course he is. The man is the smartest person I've ever met. He's like a book. No, like all the books in the world. He has all sorts of information. Theodas can figure out just about anything. Which is why when he stops, looking at me over his shoulder with a smile, I know he's found it. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.

I move to his side and look down. The ground is littered with leaves and twigs, but I see the faint glimpse of the rusty chain. I crouch down and brush the leaves away, showing off a part of the door. Standing quickly, I throw my arms around his neck and leap into his arms that catch me. I kiss him firmly on the lips, then rest my forehead to his.

"You're brilliant," I whisper.

He sighs a contented sound and whispers back, "Thank you, my queen."

It's no secret things with Theodas and I have gotten tense a few times. I understand his suggestions come from a place of wanting to protect me, while my arguing comes from my stubbornness and stress. Moments like this, when things are good with him, are needed. Hopefully I remember them when things get tense again, because I am sure they will.

After he puts me on my feet, we all work to get the rest of the leaves off. Once it's clear, Kozzanth uses his magic to undo the lock. We remove it, and all four of us stare down at the doors, knowing this is it. In just a few seconds, we'll open that door and step inside.

And from there… only time can tell what will happen.

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