Page 75 of Clash of Kingdoms

“He’s not willing to give up his immortality.”

“He said it’s possible to reverse it. To restore his soul and make him human once again, to live one life as a mortal. But he’s not willing to make that sacrifice, and he wouldn’t let me make a sacrifice he’s not willing to make himself. Not that I would anyway.”

I stared at the side of her face, this news a blunt trauma to my bare chest. Anger simmered inside me, quiet at first but then a boil a moment later. My fingers automatically tightened into fists, but I forced them to relax. Otherwise, I might strike the table. “How long have you known this?”

“Since we arrived in HeartHolme.”

In just a split second, my entire opinion of Aurelias had changed. I’d seen a man who would make any sacrifice for my daughter, would die for her, would protect me because she asked, would fight in a war that wasn’t his to fight. But now, I realized that wasn’t true…because he wouldn’t make any sacrifice.

There was one he refused to make.

He could have my daughter for the rest of his life—but he chose not to.

EIGHTEEN

AURELIAS

I sat by the fire in the cottage while my brothers stood at the dining table, mixing the contents of our supplies to create the detonators. This was Viper’s domain, but we’d have to make do without him.

The women were at the bar having a drink, probably talking about their husbands, and I sat across from Fang as we played a game of cards. He held his hand in his coiled tail, his luminous eyes focused on the cards like they were prey. Then he placed his set on the table, showing a winning hand.

I gave him a cold stare. “How do you do that?”

I’ll never tell.

“A snake can’t be this good at cards.”

And a man can’t be this ssstupid at cards…but here we are.

My eyes narrowed in anger.

Fang grabbed all the cards and shuffled them so we could play again. Harlow is a good player.

“Has ever she won?”

No.

“Then how is she good?”

Ssshe’sss sssmart. Hasss potential. A lot more potential than the rest of you.

“Kingsnake.” I turned to my brother, whose head was down as he focused on his work. “Has Fang always been this much of an asshole?”

“Yep,” he said, not taking his eyes off what he was doing. “Since the day I met him.”

Fang finished shuffling the cards then started to disperse them.

“Maybe you should play a more worthy opponent. Win some money out of it.”

There’sss no sssuch thing as a worthy opponent for me.

“Not at all arrogant.”

A knock sounded on the door.

My heart gave a jump because I hoped it was Harlow, but I would have felt her mind long before she got here, so I knew it was someone else.

Cobra was closest to the door, so he opened it. “Yes?” He was used to being the king of his fortress, barking out orders like everyone was his servant.

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