Page 14 of Cursed Heirs

Actually, as he drew closer, it became apparent that he was overjoyed about something.

It wasn’t managing to capture the Dark Fae King. He’d already rubbed that in my face.

Using aHellbornhadn’t been playing fair anyway. There was no winning for him in that scenario. He was kidding himself.

There would be punishment, though.

A great deal.

He’d killed my men.

He’d had the gall to take me hostage.

And, worse than all of that combined, he’d gone after my son.

He wouldneversurvive that.

I managed to swallow down the worry rolling through me that his good mood might mean he’d succeeded in harming Orpheus, or even taking him captive too.

“Saryan, I trust you’ve remained in good spirits while I was gone?”

“Very much so,” I responded evenly.

He grinned. “Good. My apologies for the delay, I was unconscious for a couple of hours thanks to my darling princess.”

This was the first time he was referring to adarling princess.

But given where he’d been and factoring in who had the ability to do him that much harm, only one person came to mind. “Alena Rose?”

“Excellent, despite the solution I had my people give you, you’re still on the ball. The extra ingredient I added worked then. You know, usually subjects will be drooling afterward and barely cognizant. You’re lucky you got this special batch.”

“Yes, I feel incredibly lucky,” I drawled.

“Luckier than you realize actually. Your son came at me.”

I tensed in spite of myself.

“He still lives and without any permanent damage too.” He came closer and cocked his head to the side, then drank the full glass of water in his hands right in front of me, taunting me, clearly aware of my thirst. He smirked, then banished the empty glass with a flick of his magic. “Look at you thinking I would’ve actually done him serious harm. Of course not. He’s important to me.”

“To what end?”

Instead of answering, he told me, “Just gave him a nasty taste of black magic. He’ll live and recover soon enough.”

He’d donewhat?

“You used black magic on my son?” I seethed, unable to keep it together with Orpheus in question. My boy, my heir, the only being on earth whom I actually cared for.

“Sure did. You think he’ll develop a taste for it now?”

“No.”

“Really? He was certainly exhibiting the signs when he came at me. Such hubris. On a power trip. Wanting to beat me for his own ego as much as anything else.”

“That’s merely him performing for an enemy.”

“Hmm, I think you’re lying.” He moved away, then went on conversationally, “Did you know he’s triple-teaming my princess with the phoenix and my hybrid?”

“I’m aware.”

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