Page 36 of Masked Fate

We left the women alone for thirty minutes, max. Maybe even twenty. And then I come back, and they are sitting there with fucking Salem, who was looking at Pandora in a way I didn’t fucking like.

Like she washis.

I’m not going to lie, being back in Allyria was hard. I’ve avoided that kingdom like the plague ever since Rave saved me from their dungeons, and I never thought I’d go back there. Not willingly, anyway. I think Rave noticed me struggling, which is why he suggested I return.

Only I came home to this shit show.

I’m trying to rein in my temper, which only the witch seems to bring out when Astrid speaks. “Where’s Rave?”

“He’s still scoping out shit in Allyria,” I reply, trying to calm down after seeing both women in danger. All the males in this room would have moved to protect Astrid, as they should as their queen.

But who would protect Pandora?

Her sister is trying to kill her in her own kingdom, and here she is left to defend her fucking self.

I came back to ask Pandora about her army. I want to know how many soldiers she has and if they are loyal to her. And luckily, I did.

“The evil witch is still alive then?” Astrid presses, resting her hand on Pandora’s shoulder and squeezing it.

“For now,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest. “There are too many witnesses around the castle right now, but we will go back at night.”

We don’t want anyone to try to pin her death on Pandora or cause any trouble if Ebony has some people loyal to her in the kingdom.

And as for this Kainan character, I don’t know if I trust him just yet. Rave and Sinda stayed back to stake out and watch them so we know what we’re dealing with.

“I forgot how freezing it is over there.” More like I blocked it out because my time spent there was hell. “Rave is currently standing behind one of your bushes, covered in snow.”

She eyes my sleeveless tunic and smirks. “Yeah, I probably should have warned you about that. Allyria is as ice-cold as my heart.”

Warned me? Like I haven’t been there before. Does she so easily forget what happened to me down there?

“I don’t believe that for a second,” Astrid objects, then turns around to speak to her bodyguards, who still haven’t left the room.

My gaze drops to Pandora’s necklace, and I can’t look away from the big, black diamond, almost like it calls to me. She’s worn it for as long as I can remember, definitely after Rave saved me from her mother’s dungeon anyway.

Pandora notices me staring and tucks it under her dress’ neckline.

She’s hiding something.

I don’t know what it is, but I want to find out.

No, Ineedto find out.

Rave and Sinda zip back in, and we make a plan to take out the Witch Princess. Rave is furious about Salem threatening harm to his mate, and if we don’t tread carefully, we might find ourselves with even more enemies. At this stage, the fuckers can get in line.

***

The sun has just set when I find Pandora sitting outside alone. “What are you doing out here?” I ask, sitting next to her on the wooden bench. This spot is beautiful, overlooking the gardens, and is a perfect place to sit when you need to think.

“Just enjoying the peace before I head home,” she replies, absently touching her necklace.

“What’s with you and that?” I ask her, tilting my head toward her neck. “It’s spelled, isn’t it? I can feel the pull of the magic.”

I don’t know why I’m finally admitting this to her, but when she stiffens, I know I’m right.

She is hiding something.

I want to know what it is.

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