Page 143 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“What’s wrong?”

“Remember when we were younger? We made a pact to keep what we knew of each other and our powers between us.”

I nodded. “Yeah, is this another one of those times? Is this about Nismera’s witch? You know I never judge. If you say you love Dianna, I believe it. But I know better than anyone that sometimes, especially in this world, you have to blow off some steam.”

Kaden forced a smile as he stood, clasping his hands behind his back. It had been so long since I had been around him that I had forgotten how much power he contained beneath his skin.

“It’s not about her. It’s about you.”

I folded my arms and frowned. “Me? Why?”

“Why does Nismera have your blood?”

My brows furrowed. “My blood?” Then it hit me. “Oh yes, she asked, and I gave. I didn’t question it, to be honest.”

Kaden’s head tilted as I strode by, heading toward the bathroom. “At all?”

I shrugged. “Why? It’s Mera. The only one who gave a shit about us when Unir locked us away. The only one who rescued us and gave a damn when the world didn’t. If she asked for my liver, I’d give it. No questions. Wouldn’t you?”

Something passed through Kaden’s eyes, and he glanced away. I gripped his shoulder. “Just like I would you. You’re still my favorite sibling.”

Kaden smiled even if it bared no teeth. “As you are mine.”

“Why the questions? Also, how did you even find out about that?”

Kaden took a step back. “You should clean up. Nismera is happy she got a few of her relics and Otherworld creatures, even if she didn’t get the murrak. I think she wants a dinner set tonight.”

“Are you okay?”

Kaden said nothing as he turned and headed for the door.

“Hey,” I called out, and he stopped, his hand hovering over the knob. “You mean the world to me, Kaden. You never gave up on me, even when you were locked behind the realms. Nismera told me how often she spoke to you when I couldn’t and how desperate you were to get back to me. You’ve always cared for and protected me, and I love you, but it’s Mera, Kaden, not another monster.”

He glanced at me over his shoulder and gave me another forced smile before he left the room, the door clicking closed behind him.

FIFTY-SIX

DIANNA

Our shoes squeaked as we headed up the small steps to the inn. Orym, Samkiel, and I were covered in mud from our toes to our eyebrows. We stopped before entering, and Samkiel shook the caked mud from his sword before calling it back into his ring. Orym folded his daggers and tucked them back into their sheaths.

“Well, that was fun. Sign me up never again,” I said, squeezing muddy water from my hair.

“Sorry,” Samkiel said, scratching the back of his head and flinging dirt in all directions. “The murrak are known for being underground dwellers. I thought if it were still here, that’s where it would be.”

Orym shrugged. “Well, we checked every cave system here. I think it’s safe to say it has gone with Nismera.”

“Which is another big cause for worry,” I said.

Samkiel nodded, placing his hands on his hips. “If she has the murrak, I fear what she may use it for.”

“We need to let Roccurem know. I know he is still in touch with Savees. See if he has heard anything.”

“Sounds good.”

“And I’ll check with Veruka,” Orym added. “See if it made it there.”

“Okay.” I sighed. “So we headed back then?”

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