Page 203 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“Relax.” My brow lifted as Samkiel’s voice flooded through my mind.

Orym caught the change in my attitude, though. He caught my eye and gave me a deliberate nod before nudging his sister. Veruka dipped in a small bow that had me a bit confused.

“Veruka hereby swears her loyalty to House Martinez.”

“House Martinez?” I looked toward Samkiel.

There was no humor in his gaze. “Yes, we can discuss it later.”

Veruka rose, smiling at Samkiel and me. “With the King and Queen of Rashearim back, maybe there is hope after all.”

I didn’t know how to respond. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind, and I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to being called a queen. It wasn’t that I minded, but Samkiel and I hadn’t even had a chance to discuss any of this yet.

Veruka looked at Samkiel again. “That works. You look like most of the soldiers, and I have the rancid, so I will also smell like them for a short time.”

She reached into a small pocket in the smooth pants she wore beneath her armor and pulled out a small braided bracelet. As soon as Samkiel touched it and placed it on his wrist, it was like I’d lost the scent of him. Oddly, I hadn’t realized how accustomed I was to his scent. As soon as he slipped the bracelet on, I ached with the loss of it. I didn’t like it, nor did my Ig’Morruthen, for that matter. My fangs slipped past my gums, and it wasn’t until they all turned toward me that I realized a growl had slipped from me. I clamped a hand over my mouth.

“Sorry,” I said, dropping my hand. “I just . . . It felt like he was gone for a second.”

Samkiel’s eyes softened, and he reached for me but stopped short.

Veruka stepped closer to me, holding out another bracelet. “This one’s for you, and I apologize for the smell.”

I knew what she meant the moment I slipped it on. Orym sneezed and pressed the back of his hand to his nose. Samkiel’s eyes started to water, but he stoically tried to keep from reacting.

“Great,” I said before placing my hands on my hips. “How did you get this, anyway?”

Veruka shrugged. “A witch.”

“Camilla?” I asked. It had slipped out. I hadn’t dared to hope she was still alive, but she’d disappeared with Vincent and Kaden when they went through that damn portal, and I knew of no one else who would have this kind of power. Samkiel stared at Veruka, as interested in her answer as I was.

Veruka frowned, looking between us. “I mean, I know of her, but no, I have another on the inside.” She looked at me, confusion filling her eyes. “You know her?”

“She’s still alive?” I asked, my voice catching.

Veruka’s eyes widened a fraction, and she nodded. “Yes, and under Nismera’s watchful eye. She isn’t even allowed to piss by herself, I hear. Nismera has her making spells and items for her when she is not sneaking glances at Nismera’s High Guard.”

“High Guard?”

But it was Samkiel who answered in a voice as cold as death. “Vincent?”

“Yes. Your old second,” Veruka said.

“As in recently?” I asked.

Veruka looked confused, but she nodded. “Yes.”

Samkiel and I looked at each other.

“I swear I killed him,” I said.

“You?” Veruka took a step back, and Orym stood a tad straighter.

“That was the legion member who attacked us at the prison?” Orym asked.

I nodded and started to pace. How had he survived being stabbed in the heart, especially with that weapon? I knew I hadn’t seen his light burn across the sky, and here was the confirmation.

“I am not surprised,” Samkiel said. “If he is still alive, he and Camilla must share a bond.”

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