Page 8 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“Except I do not love her.”

That made my pulse quicken, and I knew they heard it. Nismera’s eyes narrowed into slits, but I could not lie to her or myself. Not anymore. I glanced at my glass, the red liquid darker than the blood on Onuna. “I cannot help the way I feel.”

“You know, I have skinned traitors and hung their flesh on poles to wave in the wind for less. Shall I do that to you, brother? I think our deal of you keeping her as a pet has ended after the display on the remains of Rashearim, don’t you? I am down a general and now a handful of soldiers. There must be repercussions.” A sly, slick smile formed on her face.

“Are you to make an example of me, then?”

She tapped her sharpened nails against the table. “No, but your beasts will be slaughtered in the great hall. I’ll hold an impromptu meeting, and while that occurs, you’ll sit in the dungeons for a moon’s turn.”

My gaze locked on hers. No hint of a smile or joke flowed from her lips, and her shoulders locked as if she meant every word.

“Don’t look at me like that. You must be made an example of, my brother or not. My soldier, my legion, will think I show mercy if I don’t exact even the smallest punishment for your betrayal. You understand, yes?”

My throat tightened, but I wouldn’t show her my fear. I learned eons ago how to mask it, hiding all my emotions. Above all, I couldn’t let Isaiah know. But to be locked beneath the palace, I didn’t know how far it was, how deep . . . how dark.

“Of course,” I said, hoping my voice did not crack or shake.

Nismera tipped her drink back once more before placing it on the table, the clink ringing through my head as my anxiety grew.

“It’s merely a week in the holding cell. You’ve succumbed to darkness far longer than that.”

It felt as if all the air had been sucked from the room, and my heart thudded. I had, and I hated every part of it. Most assumed I loved it as it was part of me, but it was the one thing I was truly afraid of. I had grown up with so much light, Unir and Zaysn the epitome of it. Then he shoved us into Yejedin, and the light went out, where only darkness, the scratch of nails along stone, and flames, hot smoldering flames, existed. How ironic was I? The boy who was so afraid of monsters in the dark that I became the very thing I feared.

“Of course,” I said again with a cold smile before raising my own glass to my lips. The blood did nothing to settle my stomach. A week. I could do a week . . . unless she forgot about me and left me there to rot like he had.

“I told her a week was enough.” Isaiah’s voice cut through my thoughts. “She assumed the others would push for a harsher sentence, like a month, but it seemed far too cruel for someone who killed the World Ender.”

Right. Isaiah wouldn’t forget. I had my brother. He was here. I blew out a breath, squaring my shoulders. “I said okay.” The words came out as cold and miserable as I felt.

“Don’t be upset,” Nismera said. “Isaiah was right, and I did miss you, and I need you for what’s coming. I want you to have somewhat of a normal existence now that you’re back with us, and if this allows it, so be it.”

Isaiah relaxed at her answer, and I caught his smile.

“Thanks.” It was small, but all I could manage to say. Maybe I had been away from them both too long, but even the beast beneath my skin refused to settle.

“Do you have it?” Nismera nodded as she poured another glass. “The blade?”

I forced the Ig’Morruthen beneath my skin to calm as I raised my hand. With a flick of power, the blade formed from the darkness, appearing on my palm. I held it at the hilt, the lightning flashing through the table, reflecting in the sharp steel curve.

“I made Azrael make it before his untimely demise. I had planned to use it after we killed Samkiel, but Dianna broke free, leaving with Samkiel’s body,” I said.

Nismera’s lips tightened. “I had soldiers return for Azrael. All that was left of the area was crumbled stone and singed walls. Even his book was gone. I assume she finished him off in her rage when she broke free.”

I nodded. I had assumed the same, given the order I forced upon him.

Nismera sighed, unimpressed with the outcome, but leaned forward to study the blade. “And this would work? Make her ours, as you say?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes cut to mine. “And that’s all you want with your return? Her? Not more power?”

“You say that as if you doubt me.”

Nismera didn’t even blink. “Call it old trauma, but yes. The Eye has grown restless, and no matter how many I kill or burn, no matter how many places I siege, they continue to grow. Betrayal has become the norm.”

“You have nothing to worry about from me. You know that. The throne is yours, Mera. I have no use for it. I never have. Grant me just this.”

Her silence was deafening as she watched me, and I knew she was weighing her options. I just hoped they leaned in my favor. The corner of her lips finally tipped up. “The mate of our fallen brother and another weapon in this ghastly rebellion. I suppose it would help. The rebels would lose what little hope they have if we claim someone who has so publicly fought back. Fine. Fetch your toy, then. You explain to the two remaining Kings of Yejedin why you brought their fallen executioner here.”

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