Page 101 of Cursed Heirs

I spun back to him. “I wasn’t getting at your relationship anyway—that’s your business. I meant how long have you really had black magic sickness? For it to be taking the toll it has at this pace, it means it’s gotten worse, you trying to hold it at bay.”

He blew out a breath. “It’s decaying me from the inside out, son. I had more time, but then I chose to siphon that which Constantine has infected Alena with, so it’s hastened the deterioration.”

“Motherfuck,” I rasped, scrubbing my hand over my face. “No.No.I can’t accept this.”

“It’s imperative that you do.”

I started. “You want me to ascend the throne.”

“I need us to start the process.”

I shoved my hand through my hair. “I need my head to be clear in order to do that, and right now—”

“I know. With Alena in the wind and under that monster’s thumb, your loves struggling, and now finding out that I’m sick, it’s all a great deal.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.Butit does mean that my focus is being pulled in several different directions.”

He came to me and laid his hand on my shoulder. “It would be acceptable if you were struggling to handle it, Orpheus. These are dark and troubled times.”

“I am Prince of the Dark Fae. I don’t balk under pressure. No matter how severe.”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “I’ve raised you well.”

“That you have.”

“Yet you still march to the beat of your own drum and that’s what makes you special.”

“You don’t want me to rule the way you do?” Bringing up my independent and sometimesout-therethinking like that was the way it seemed, what he appeared to be getting at. “After all these years of us butting heads about it?”

“Yes, well, recent events have put certain things into adifferentperspective.”

“I’d be glad to hear it if the events that brought it about weren’t so dire.”

He nodded, then eased back, telling me, “I need you to return to Electi Academy. Ready your army, son. Get them up to par.” He sighed heavily. “If all else fails—namely,Exemplar—you, as the heirs to great beings, will be a second front. A last resort.”

“I don’t intend for them to be a last resort. I intend to lead them into battle to end this.”

“Careful, your hubris is showing. You may have cultivated their powers and abilities, but they are still students, still young.”

“I know what they’re each capable of. It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence. They just need guidance on how to work as one, as a unit. That’s the final stage. Don’t forget, Father, I’ve been working on this for three years.”

“Good answer. However, should you lead them into battle, there will be casualties. No war can be fought without. Are you prepared for that?”

I squared my shoulders as the weight of what he was saying slammed into me. No matter, through it all, through everything, one thing rang true. “I’ll do what’s necessary to defeat the enemy.”

I saw him taking my words in, then he fell into a contemplative silence for several moments, before he then spoke, “Constantine will be on guard againstExemplarand me. Your army won’t even be on his radar. That is a mammoth advantage and the makings of an effective sneak attack.”

I smirked. “I couldn’t agree more.”

“Very well then. I will aid you in this endeavor. Edgar will keep it off the faculty’s radar at the Academy and erect a smokescreen.”

“All that’s left is your part. Cracking the traitor who sold you out to Constantine’s acolytes.”

“Well, now I’ve returned, that won’t take long.”

“Yes, well, your sadism is unmatched against our enemies, Father.”

“Amazing, you actually managed to conceal your disgust this time as that was referenced.”

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