Page 27 of Crown of Chaos

“We could have ended the threat he posed if you hadn’t intervened,” Sabine said with a trace of underlying malice.

I slid my gaze to hers, holding it briefly before I shook my head at their shortsightedness. Did they really think someone else, who may or may not be far worse than Knox, wouldn’t take his place?

“Do you honestly think that would end well?” My tone was neutral, even though anger was simmering inside me. “I am mated to him, and until we know the consequences of it, I don’t think we should kill him, Sabine. What if we do and I die along with him? Is my life worth ending the danger he represents?”

She swallowed audibly, shaking her head before her soft moss-green gaze locked with mine. Reign snorted, and Rhaghana echoed her sentiment loudly. Callista scowled, her eyes narrowing. I had to stop the rattle that threatened to escape when I realized she was considering me as an acceptable sacrifice.

“He would’ve killed me, Aria. Your lover would have endedmylife if you hadn’t agreed to play the perfect puppet for him,” Callista snapped, her magic flowing around us without warning. Her nymph power of creating lust and need slammed through me, and I gasped along with the others.

“Turn the pheromones down, Callista,” Tamryn growled, her legs pushing together as if to ward off Callista’s magic. “Aria got you out of that cage; she didn’t put you in it. Dimitri did, and he paid for his betrayal.”

“I can forgive a lot that’s happened since we arrived here.” Callista snorted. “Mate or not, I fail to see how you could ignore what he’s forced you to do. Because of him, you ended up murdering your twin, and yet you can look beyond it and protect him? That I cannot get past, nor will I.”

“Knox didn’t do that, Callista. I killed Amara, who had been manipulated by Celia.” My words fell on deaf ears, because she wasn’t open to hearing them. She’d made her decision on him, and nothing I said or did would change it now.

Blinking slowly, I considered divulging the truth about Dimitri, but every time I tried to tell them that he wasn’t dead, something held my tongue before I could spit the words out. I also had told no one that I’d taken Bel’s heart during Beltane to break the spell Hecate had placed on Knox’s people.

Aurora was leaning a shoulder against my open doorway, listening to us. My hackles rose, and I fought the sensation of worry that drifted into my mind. The way she held herself above us was becoming more apparent in little gestures like that. It wasn’t anything overly noticeable, so you wouldn’t see it unless you were looking, which I was.

“Do you honestly think he didn’t know of Celia’s part in what happened to Amara? The bastard can tell you he didn’t, but we know the truth. Celia was following orders, I assure you of that,” Aurora accused. “You may lie to yourself all you want, Aria, but he is her king. She does nothing without first seeking his compliance or permission. Knox was fully aware of the spell, and he allowed you to dangle inside that room and murder our sweet, misguided Amara. Knox Karnavious is no fool, sweet girl.”

“I don’t think it’s as easy as that, Aurora. Celia is obsessed with him and will do whatever it takes to get him. She’s intending to claim him, and his kingdom through any means necessary.” Aurora snorted at my explanation.

“He’s playing on your emotions because you’re still young and so very gullible,” she said in a soft voice meant to ease the insult. “He’s changed you, and it isn’t for the better. I had him down and could have easily subdued him without ending his life, but you stepped in the way. By defending him, you chose him over your own blood, and that’s a very dangerous path to wander down. He’s not worth betraying us for, and you need to realize that quickly. You’re merely a weapon for him to use, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you can see him for the cold-hearted, murderous prick he is. You also promised to allow me to lead and that you would be my blade against those who harm witches. Yet, during the siege on the keep, you argued with me in front of the others. I barely escaped with Kinvara because of your inability to listen and obey me.” Her eyes held mine, and the others fidgeted uncomfortably.

“The magic you lost control of may have been meant to subdue, but the sword in your hand hadn’t been. Furthermore, during the attack against that keep, I felt the wrongness in the air almost as soon as we got there. I said as much, and I wasn’t wrong. But I stayed because you demanded I do so, and then you left Esme and me there to die. You never even tried to come back for us,” I returned carefully, watching for any signs that had done so intentionally. “The other six witches we had with us that day are dead and likely hanging lifelessly from the battlement of the fort we failed to take. You abandoned them and leave them to that fate. Yes, I am glad you at least protected Kinvara, but you left the others to perish on that field without thinking twice about their lives.”

“They knew what they signed up for,” she said icily. “Had you not wavered or been afraid to follow through, we’d have won. But you hesitated, and that cost them their lives. I am not alone in carrying the blame for their losses, Aria. If those fighting with us hadn’t been forced to decide which of us to listen to, we wouldn’t have lost a single witch that day.”

“The enemy was prepared for us, lying in wait with hemlock-dipped arrows. They had Hecate’s witches directing them and deflecting the magic we tried to use. Had I used my magic, Esme and I really would have died on that field. You, though? You vanished to safety taking only Kinvara with you.”

“Of course, I did. I am to become the queen, so I must stay alive at all costs.”

My heart twisted with her disregard for the lives of the witches we’d lost. It left me wanting to take those who’d joined us away so they were safe from being her cannon fodder. Before I could do that, though, I’d need to find someplace safe to keep them. What she had just said made me never want to follow her into another battle, but I knew that, if I didn’t, she’d get us all slaughtered.

“Understandably, but if you hadn’t dismissed my concerns,no onewould have died that night. These witches joined us because we vowed to be different from your mother and the witches who ruled in our absence. Instead, all we showed them was that we’re more of the same. If that continues, then they won’t follow us and we’ll stand on our own against Hecate.”

“If they abandon us, they’ll learn the true wrath of a Hecate witch.” Aurora shrugged her thin shoulders, and I could only stare at her in silence. “You’ve taken nearly two months to lie about in bed. Are you healed, or do you intend to linger in bed until the war is over?” Her soft-spoken, motherly facade returned as if switching between personas were an art form she’d perfected.

“I am.” I thanked Avyanna for braiding my hair. “Do you need me?” I asked, hating that Aurora’s attention shifted to the beautiful woman with unblemished skin and freckles that kissed her cheeks who stood behind me. She still had her horns because she’d actually been born with them.

“There’s a little keep that is known for abusing witchlings. It isn’t well guarded, but I’ve gotten reports of a small armed force within the walls. It won’t take much to assume control and free the girls inside,” she explained before she straightened and came to stand in front of me. Her knuckles brushed over my cheek and satisfaction shone in her eyes.

“If you think it’s going to be a simple thing to achieve victory, then why do you need me?” I countered with a sinking sensation fluttering in the pit of my stomach. The idea of her leading us anywhere was abhorrent. I didn’t trust her to keep us safe.

“I wasn’t asking if you wished to come. You’ll join me for this fight because I’m demanding it of you. We’re in this war together, and that means we take the field together as well.”

“I am healed physically, but my magic has yet to be refilled.” She smiled tightly, but didn’t comment. I swallowed the knowledge that she was, once again, disregarding a weakness I’d admitted to.

“You’ve had enough time to replenish your magic. Any more time spent in bed, and you’ll become lazy. You’ve always been so pretty, Aria. It is no wonder that monster’s positively smitten with you. Remember where your loyalties lie and who has earned it by being there for you. Knox Karnavious isn’t what he’s led you to believe he is. He’s a master of manipulation, and you’re young and fallible. You’re just one of many women he’s applied his arsenal of tricks on. Do you honestly think he wants you for you? He’s seduced thousands of witches into betraying their families. Do you think you’re any different from the ones he’d seduced before you?”

“No,” I admitted, frowning at the spell her words were trying to lay like webbing over me.

“You’re nothing more than another notch in his belt, Aria. He’ll use your innocence against you if you continue to allow him to. I understand that you’re mated, but do you honestly think that makes any difference to him? I raised you to think beyond lust, and desire for your own needs,” she continued, touching me while my mind whirled.

Standing abruptly, I walked to the basin of water on the dresser. Peering at Aurora through the mirror, I noted the glowing tips of her fingers before washing my face and turning to lean back against the chest of drawers. While I struggled against the desire to throw up, she grinned as if she hadn’t just tried to spell me. I cleared my mind, slowly grasping on the threads she’d sought to use to influence me. The moment my magic had grasped hers, I shot a jolt of warning through the tendril that floated in the air between us. Then I ripped the anchor the spell had been tethered to from her fingers. It had been a warning, but if she tried to alter my thoughts or mind again, I’d do more than just slap her on the wrist.

“I will meet you outside once I am ready.” I said, hating that I was allowing her to demand I fight again while weakened, and then added, “We should discuss the alliances you’ve been brokering when we return tonight. I need to know who isn’t to be touched when I’m away from the sanctuary and on my own.”

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