Page 125 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

He didn’t die. Relief filled me, but I knew that he was still in danger. I turned my focus back to where Gwyn had escaped and cowered behind my father. My darkness wrapped her up again and yanked her to me without lifting a damn finger. She cried and begged my father to save her.

Now that the fear of Cassius almost dying subsided, I was enraged—furious at the fae that thought our lives were just something to play with, furious that they tried to keep him from me. And enraged because I could have lost him.

“You all lied to me.” My voice rang out through the stadium. No one spoke or made a fucking noise when they heard how pissed off I was. “You were cruel to me. But I can forgive that; after all, my father did not tell you all the truth about what happened. But what I cannot forgive is how you all condoned my family tricking me into killing him!” I pointed my finger at Cassius. His eyes were full of worry for me. “Cassius Valeska, my mate, my husband! Your future king!”

Chaos broke out at my declaration. No one could leave as my darkness swarmed around us without their knowledge. My bloodstone pulsed violently, giving me all the energy I would ever need.

“Husband…” Gwyn sobbed.

Cassius’ eyes found mine, and he looked fucking proud to be mine.

“You broke your curse,” Gwyn's eyes widened at the realization.

“That’s right, Gwyn,” I sneered. “I broke my curse weeks ago!” I yelled in her face. “But even before that, I could see you for what you were. A cruel, heartless bitch.”

I turned to my father and Jesper. My mother was standing close to the blood witches, smiling proudly at me.

“This is for Crimson!” I yelled, making the chaos pause to watch me as I held up my dagger before plunging it into her stomach, yanking it up to her throat, cutting her open so her guts spilled at my feet. Her blood was splattering over me. My darkness pulsed violently as we stared Gwyn in the eyes until every fucking shred of light drained from her. And when it did, I tossed her dead body at my father. She landed at his feet with a thud.

My father yelled in his grief, but it couldn’t be real, not when he wouldn’t even trade himself for her. I would give myself, this realm, anything to save Cassius, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it. My father moved toward me but was still guarded. My eyes tracked his movements.

“Thea, I don’t understand what you are doing.”

“I am fulfilling the prophecy.” I smiled at him. “Killing kings, crumbling kingdoms.”

“But... b-but...”

“B-but nothing,” I mocked him. “Your kingdom and now Kizar will belong to me, to Crimson, when I finish killing you and Jesper. Your fae will bow at the feet of their new king... Cassius. I smiled as my father’s face reddened with rage.

My father glanced behind me to where Cassius and the Crimson royal family were now standing, still bound.

“It looks like Cassius will be dying after all.” He smiled.

When I turned, I saw the man I killed earlier break through the barrier I had and pull Cassius from it. His magic didn't pulse as powerfully as it did earlier. The guard looked slightly different—a twin. He kicked Cassius’ legs so that he fell to his knees. Fear seized me.

Cassius will die.

“If you move, I will slit his throat.” The man threatened me as he held a sword to Cassius' neck. His ugly face held a hate-filled sneer.

“Drop your fucking dagger,” he demanded. I did what he said because I didn’t need it to kill him.

“You will stop this madness now,” my father demanded.

My eyes focused on the man, on the threat to my husband, and I could feel magic bubbling up. I let it take control, and a moment later the noises of fear stopped.When I glanced up, everyone was frozen again but Cassius. My heart was beating wildly in my chest at how close that was.

Quickly, I walked to the man but leaned down first and gave Cassius a chaste kiss. Then I yanked the man’s blade away from Cassius before I unfroze everyone so they could see me dragging the man by his hair. I quickly wrapped Cassius back up in my barrier magic and my darkness. The man thrashed around trying to get free, but my grip didn’t loosen, and fear seeped into his dark eyes.

“What the fuck?” He tried to break free, but I only smiled at him.

“Thea…” My father started to speak.

I forced the man to his knees, so he was looking at Cassius.

“You should have never touched what belongs to me,” I hissed. “I want you to look at my husband as I spill your blood for trying to hurt him,” I said loud enough for everyone to hear.

Cassius’ eyes found mine.

I smiled at Cassius as I grabbed the man’s sword and swung hard, so the man’s head flew away as it came off, leaving a bloody trail all the way to my father’s feet. Cassius smiled brightly at me, and gods, he looked fucking proud of me.

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