Page 190 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

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?”

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