Page 121 of Clash of Kingdoms

“Damn, she went full psycho.”

“Yep.” He said it with pride. “That’s your mother.”

My parents had been happy as newlyweds, and they were still happy as empty nesters. It made me feel lonelier, because I knew Aurelias and I would have been that way if we had stayed together.

My father must have felt the change in my energy because he asked, “How are you?”

I pulled the blanket to me and covered myself before I gave a shrug. “Same.”

He stared at his joined hands. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’ll take some time, but it’ll get easier.”

“Yeah…”

“We can return to Delacroix when you’re ready. I know you prefer the warm weather.”

My eyes moved to the fire, remembering those long nights when the fire went out and we didn’t even notice. The first time he told me he loved me, it was cold like it was now, so cold it took your breath away. I knew when I left, it would be a long time before I’d be able to return. “I don’t mind it here.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

AURELIAS

Our ships finally reached our shores, and our galleons docked. The horses were unloaded first, having stood idle for so long, and then everyone else came afterward, along with the slaves and the supplies.

I walked down the dock then stopped to look at the snowy mountains, the black castle visible against the contrast of white. The last time I’d looked at this place, I’d been a different person. Now I didn’t recognize myself anymore.

Kingsnake came to my side. “Still how you remember it?”

“Yeah.”

He clapped me on the back and continued to walk, Fang wrapped around his shoulders.

Now that I was King Aurelias, King of the Originals and King of Kingdoms, General Ashworth reported to me and asked for my orders every five minutes. My people turned to me and expected me to lead, something I was naturally good at after watching my father demonstrate his abilities all my life. It was a position I would have wanted in the past. But now that I had it only because I’d slain my own father, it didn’t have the same meaning.

General Ashworth approached me. “Shall we stay in Crescent Falls or return to the Kingdoms?”

“Crescent Falls is fine.”

Cobra came up to me next. “Viper is in the Kingdoms holding your position until your return. I’m going to ride there with Clara to check on things.”

I nodded in agreement.

“You alright?”

“I’m fine,” I said coldly.

Cobra regarded me like he didn’t believe a word of that. “I forgot to mention…you’re hung.”

I turned my head his way in surprise.

“When I came to retrieve you after Father went all psycho on us, remember? You opened the door naked.”

I continued to stare at him.

“Look, I’m not trying to be weird, but you looked like you needed to be cheered up, so…”

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