Page 109 of King of Inferno

“Yes, it did,” Ferg replies before I can.

Azar claps her hands together. “Amazing. We are almost there.”

“Why did you choose me?” I ask in a deadly, calm voice.

Azar whips her head in my direction as if in shock. I glare at her, daring her to tell me a lie. She looks at me as if she’s seeing me anew.

“Why come for me now? You left me with a mediocre family when you had the power to teach me so much more as my mother. They would’ve been lucky to have ten percent of your power.

“That’s how they were taken from me in the first place. Weaklings who couldn’t protect themselves. The day they were murdered I vowed never to be like them.

“I would never kneel before anyone to allow them to take my life. Do you have any idea what it was like to watch my parents be taken away from me?

“The mother and father I thought were my own. A fucking dragon shifter posing as a fairy. How pathic,” I seethe.

“Seraphina, you don’t understand,” she chokes out.

“Then explain,” I yell. “Explain because I’ve heard rumors about you all my life. You could have come for me. You could have loved me so I wasn’t all alone with a little girl I thought was my sister and the responsibility to look after her.

“Oh my God, it was you. You arranged that horrible marriage for her. Did you do that to save your own ass when the king wanted to banish you completely?”

“Seraphina, I have lived no life to raise a child in. Your father and I have been chasing a mission for so long. He was furious with me for the magic I used to become pregnant in the first place.

“I thought if I had you, it would make him focus on more than his mission. Make him focus on me, his mate. I knew when we found each other, he didn’t want me.

“Not the way a mate should. However, the pull of the mate bond is too strong. He couldn’t deny me if he wanted to,” she scoffs. “And believe me, he wanted to. I was but a reminder of the curse on his people.”

“Then in what seemed to be a cruel mocking from the gods, you were a girl. The gods decide when to bless his kind with daughters. It was meant to be a blessing in ancient times.

“Your father took it as a punishment or slight. He wouldn’t allow me to keep you. I had to give you to my sister. She was the only one I trusted with my special little girl.

“Your father agreed that if I didn’t train you, if you never knew about your true parentage and potential, then he would allow my sister to raise you and for you to live. I have watched over you, wanting desperately to be in your life,” she explains.

“Did you arrange that marriage?” I bite out.

“It was the only way I could remain in the realm to look after you. I didn’t know you would end up in this realm.”

“You selfish bitch. I had so much guilt because I couldn’t stop the wedding. Everyone knew how cruel the king and prince were.

“I had to stand by and watch as who I thought was my little sister was tortured and tormented. All the while feeling helpless. And now, what is it you truly want from me? Why the family reunion? Has daddy dearest had a change of heart?”

Tears stream down Azar’s face, but I’m unfazed by them. No one cared when I was confused and in pain. I never would have gone after Bradan if I didn’t think I could use him for his power. The things I allowed that asshole to do to me.

All because I thought I had a sister to be obligated to. A sister I’ve done so much for, only for her to turn around and betray me.

“I wanted to save you from yourself,” Azar sobs.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“You are about to take the same path as your father. I’m still not sure of his outcome, but I have seen yours. Walk away now, Seraphina.

“You don’t have to enter this battle with us. You have done your part. I have seen where their headquarters is.

“I don’t need to probe your mind any further. Leave now, forget about me,” she pleads.

“And what kind of father would that make me?”

“Your Grace,” my mother gasps as some dude dressed like a bishop appears in the room.

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