Page 166 of The Throne's Undoing

"The experiments are two-fold. The first combines Domitius's research with Sebastian's advancements." Myra dropped her gaze to her hands that dug into her thighs, creasing the fabric of her cotton trousers.

She gulped. And when she raised her head, Kallie could have sworn she saw the faint trace of a tear.

A drop of sympathy rose in Kallie's throat, but she swallowed it.

"Domitius has found a way to createhumanoid creatures that follow his command," she breathed.

"And the second?"

"The second--"

The doors flew open, and a flushed guard ran through the throne room, their boots clapping on the floor.

"Your Majesty," the guard called out in between heavy breaths.

"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Cetia thundered.

"I--I bring a letter."

"A letter from whom?" she demanded.

"The King of Ardentol."

A cold sweep of tension ripped through the room. Kallie's legs shook, and Graeson wrapped an arm around her, keeping her steady.

"What does it say?" Cetia snapped, her patience having run thin.

The guard quickly scanned the room, hesitating.

"Well?" Cetia commanded, her hand gripping the arm of her throne.

The letter shook in the guard's hand, and the woman swallowed hard. "The King of Ardentol has declared war upon Pontia and Tetria for the abduction of King Rian and Princess Kalisandre."

Epilogue

KAGE

At the edgeof the mezzanine, Kage stood, his hands curling around the railing and his attention fixed on the floor below. The ample space beneath the castle's marble floors had been wiped clean of the mazes he used to train Kalisandre.

But he had no more use of the mazes.

It had been months since the wedding and since the Pontians had taken Kalisandre from him.

She should have been back by now. She should have cut their throats and done away with them already.

Ifthe handmaiden had done her job right, that is.

He should never have considered the handmaiden strong enough. When Kalisandre came around asking more probing questions, he could see his influence on her slipping.

He had not been granted an ability, but the gods were cruel that way, forcing those who deserved powers the most to work the hardest for it. Thus, he had no option but to trust in the girl's abilities.

According to the seer, the handmaiden had been blinded by love.

Love, he thought, a sneer rising on his lips.How ridiculous.

Preposterous, really.

He made a promise to himself years ago that he would never let such a frivolous and fragile thing have that kind of power over him. He promised he would never let it weaken or destroy him like it had so many.

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