Page 84 of When Day Breaks

"Viktrum and I needed a reason to make you look weak. We needed the Faction to question you, make you sweat," he sneers with pride as he takes the question from my mind like candy from a baby. "We are going to rule this kingdom together. But more than that…" he starts, growing a smile too wide to fit his face as his eyes gleam with the potential of his dream. "We are going to combine Valor and Hollows as one and we will hold power over the strongest bloodline of Nocturnes this world has ever seen."

I can't hold it in. The comedy of his dream shattering at knowledge of something that he apparently doesn't even know. I know I probably should hold back, but we need to bide more time. I dip my head and silently apologize to my wife for the pain I am about to enable.

"Well done," I quip, bringing my head back up and clapping my hands in feigned admiration. "That sounds like a real fool-proof plan,brother." Troian pulls confusion on her face as her brows furrow, looking up at me with tears and worry lacing the blues in her eyes, but I have to ignore her to further the trouble I'm about to embark upon, wanting to ruffle Zharus.

She watches me carefully as I continue my antics.

"Let's see," I start. "Kill the brother who took the crown. Prove Royal birthrights and demand to be the next ruler. Marry Viktrum and amalgamate the Societies. Along with all of the tedious tasks that fall in between. You really had your work cut out for you, Zharus. I must say…" I bore my eyes into his, demanding he see the treachery projected in them. "I'm impressed."

He looks at me with frustration, knowing that I'm playing trifling games with his mind, tempting to flood his reserve and shake his mentality.

I give him a sly smirk before I continue. "But the thing about fool-proof plans is that they really are meant for poor, feeble, and envious fools." I make it a point to jab each insult at him with an insolent tone.

"What are you trying to get at?" His expression falls short of his patronizingly cocky self, my intent to humble him is clearly settling in.

"Me?" I point to myself with an insincere tone. "Oh, hadn't you heard?"

Troian watches me closely as I play with the fire Zharus ignited, taking a few steps closer for a more dramatic effect.

"Viktrum is dead," I publicize with no regard to how casually I announce it, watching as his entire demeanor crumbles at the news.

He shakes his head frantically. "That's not true," he accuses and pins me with a disbelieving look.

"Sorry for your loss," I reply arrogantly.

I know I've only risked further harm on Lucynda by instigating him and confronting his ludicrous intentions, but I needed to knock him down a few levels in hopes he'll let down his guard. It's only a matter of time and we will have him bested.

I see his eyes blur with the realization that what I'm saying must be true. His panic starts to engulf him which only triggers his erratic behavior and the anger that clings to it.

"Rivian." Lucynda's frail voice chokes out my name as Zharus squeezes the organ in his palm, crushing the weight of it against her rib cage. She's almost had enough but I need her to hang on just a little longer.

"Just a few more minutes, baby," I whisper to her.

She's slumped over, gripping the arm that intrudes her body with both of her hands. Her eyes are red with the threat of death and heavy with tears and exhaustion. Even if he takes her heart though, there's still time to save her.Just a little longer,I try to relay to her with her eyes barely on mine.

"Rivian, we have to do something," Troian suggests hysterically. But there's nothing I can do. Not only do I risk him killing my wife, but whatever is being done to Trav is also a danger we have to consider.

I look back over to Lucynda, barely hanging on as her breaths come in sharp wheezes and blood spills from her chest. Zharus is spewing incoherent words like a mad man, berating himself. But then he finds my eyes.

"You won't win. You will fail!" He declares and I have no time to argue with him; I watch as Lucynda's eyes flutter closed. "I am supposed to be king!"

The traitor's words are an echo in the background as I zero in on the sound of Lucynda's heart. Slowly fading into the void.

Stay with me, Cyn.

Zharus reaches into his front pocket and pulls out a lighter. "Fine. Let's see how well you do without your precious queen." I yield at his words, watching him slide the zippo across the length of his pants before bringing it up to present a bright flame.

I can hear the panic exploding in Troian's veins—her own aching need to attack is getting harder to curb—while blood rushes between my ears.

Like slow-motion, he tosses the lighter to the makeshift fire pit and it ignites with a beautiful blooming flame.

He's going to toss her heart into the pit. I can't let that happen.

Bile rises up the back of my throat. I feel weak, like I'm failing my queen. But I can't let my pride get in my way or I will make things even worse. Zharus is vengeful, riddled with wrath because he feels he was exiled from his right as king.

I wait with worry tracing my veins. We had a plan,but why are they taking too damn long?

"I lo-" Lucynda sputters when she recognizes her fate. Blood falls from her lips as she tries to speak. "I love y-"

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