Page 95 of Prince of Ruin

He’s not the same human I met weeks ago…and yet, he is. He bears the same kindness, the gentleness, hell, even the cringe dad jokes still fill the palace halls. But he’s also not afraid like he was before. There’s no anxiety, no uncertainty, no self-deprecating like there was before. He’s confident and powerful and…beautiful.

As soon as the priest steps off the dais, Clavicle straightens and looks over the courtiers, the humans, the staff of the palace, and then finally he looks at thetranscribers, who are prepared to write his first words as Spine Sovereign.

“My first law,” he says, his deep, authoritative voice ringing through the large hall, “is to set all the humans free from slavery.”

My heart lightens. Even though Tarsus made this law as prince regent, there was a possibility Clavicle would change it once he took back his throne.

“Humans and fae and folk will all live in the Spine Empire as equals,” he continues. “Anyone who disobeys this law and treat humans as less-than will have their skulls crushed and their traitorous bones added to my throne.”

The coldness in his voice sends a shudder down my spine. But nobody balks. If there were any who detested Tarsus’ rule—which believe me, there were many—they certainly don’t show their disapproval in the fact that Clavicle plans to rule much like Tarsus did in his absence.

“My next law is this,” Clavicle adds. “Tarsus and Aden will rule by my side as my equals. I am not above them, and they are not beneath me. And so I present you with Sovereign Aden,” he gestures toward me, “and Sovereign Tarsus.”

I stop breathing. This was not a law I’d anticipated him making. No Sovereign has ruled with another by their side—as their equal. Especially not a human. But this is apparently something Clavicle wasplanning. For two more priests return again, each holding a Crown of Teeth identical to the one Tarsus wears. One is latched around Tarsus’ brow, and then the priest before me mounts the stairs to my throne, extends his arms, and places a crown fashioned from the razor-sharp teeth of some terrifying beast upon my own brow.

The crown is heavy, the teeth welded together by gold and silver. I straighten, surprised at how the crown fits me as if it were made for me. Which, I suppose it was.

“Bow to my co-sovereigns,” Clavicle orders, and everyone in the room, noble and servant alike, falls to their knees before us.

I’m a king. I’m a fucking king in a fantasy land. I didn’t even know I wanted this. I was fine being a boyfriend, or a consort, or whatever you call the companion of a king. But having this power placed in my hands…. No one will ever question again if I’m the king’s plaything. Even Clavicle couldn’t direct an order at me that I would have to follow.

Because we are equals now. Both of us kings, all three of us sovereigns.

And a new sort of power infiltrates my veins as I slowly accept my place as king. It’s not only that Shadow Magic that’s always lingering beneath my skin. It’s that pure white bone magic that I’ve seenTarsus wield. It’s a connection to the land, to the Spine Empire, and the empire’s duty to obey my commands.

The power crackles through my blood and bones, and I suddenly feel younger, stronger. I’m not fae, but I’m not fully human, either. Like many of the folk who roam these lands, I’m some hybrid in between the two.But the immortality…I can feel it. Like my bones are made of steel.

I look at Clavicle, my heart warming at the love I behold in his eyes, then I look over him at Tarsus, whose mouth is agape in shock, their silver eyes lined with fresh tears. They liked ruling, I know that much. Not for the power, but for the authority to make the empire a better place. To have that power restored, thatauthorityrestored, is the best gift Clavicle could have ever given them.

“I present you,” the High Bone Priest says, “with your new Sovereigns. Sovereign Aden, Sovereign Clavicle, and Sovereign Tarsus. You may rise.”

The court all stands as a unit, all eyes wide as whispers ripple through the room. Then a large oak table is brought out, a banquet fit for three sovereigns. A large beast has been roasted over the mammoth fire, and now the chefs carve meat out of it and pass it to the guests. Large pumpkins decorate the table, pumpkin bread still steaming as it’s sliced and passed out.

I accept my hearty feast, my mouth watering, and dive into the meal before washing it down with sweetened wyvern milk.

“You know,” Clavicle says, seated beside me as he digs into his own meal, set on the table that was placed in front of the three of us. “I don’t think I ever took the time to thank you, Aden, for being the only one who truly believed in me, even after my swear fingers had crumbled off.” He meets my gaze, his silver eyes shimmering in the sunlight. He was cute as a human, but as fae, he’s utterly breathtaking. “So thank you, Aden, for standing up for me in a world where you were outnumbered by fae and folk.”

A grin tugs on my lips, and I lean in, kissing him on the cheek.

“Whenever you write your fantasy novel about this place,” he adds, a tinge of pink touching his cheeks, “and it becomes an instant bestseller, please sign a copy for me.”

I snort and shove him playfully. “I’m not sure I’ll have time to write with all the sovereign responsibilities falling to me now.”

“Oh?” Tarsus’ brows shoot up as they look over at me, clearly listening in on our conversation. “What sorts of plans do you have as a sovereign, Aden?”

I look between my two co-sovereigns, my partners, and a wicked grin spreads across my face.

“I’ll show you both tonight what my first plans assovereign entail.”

Clavicle

10 Days Later

It’s the dead of night when I step into the large bat cave, walking confidently through the dark corridors of a seemingly abandoned cavern.

Five weeks ago, I walked through this same cave entrance and nearly passed out from terror. I didn’t know who I truly was. But today I walk this cave with full knowledge of my true past and who I’m meant to be.

Ten days ago, I sat upon my Throne of Bones while a priest placed the Crown of Teeth upon my brow, officially handing the reins of the Spine Empire back to me, and the land shook with power. Mother Terra approved and the entire court bowed. Feasting soon followed, and my first law was to set humans free. Tarsus had already done so, but there was a fear that once the Prince of Ruin took the throne, he would reinforce slavery. Not on my watch.

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