Page 54 of Summer's Seduction

That was another thing Lord Egerius would be able to clarify. He’d been there when my mother's family seized power. For all I knew, he had seen The Strix family before carrying out his orders to end the line. The official reports claim there were no survivors, but of course they would. After I spoke with him, I’dbring up my concerns to Larkspur. There was no need to worry her now.

“I don’t want to remember them,” she confessed, barely loud enough for me to hear. Her pulse increased in tempo, and her fingers flexed around the curved hilt of her dagger. “I see glimpses sometimes, but I feel so out of control. I’m me… but in a different time. A different world. It feels like my mind is dumping blocks of information, and yet, it’s still not enough for anything to make sense.”

There was a slight tremble to Larkspur’s hand as her eyes focused on a forgotten past. I slipped my arm around her, drawing her back to the present.

“Even if all that you’ve seen in The Sleeping Realm is true, whether in the past or still yet to come, you are no longer alone. We’ll face whatever comes together, little monster.”

The edges of her lips tilted into a soft smile. She was not quite relieved of worry, but it was a start. Larkspur stepped closer to me as we walked, twirling her dagger between her fingers.

“What about you?” she asked. “What can we expect in Lyrica, The Land of The Chimeras?”

She finished that last part with a flourish, but I could hear her breathing hitch ever so slightly as the sharp hints of fear swirled with her typical sweetness.

“They a get a little out of hand sometimes with feeding and fucking, but Lord Egerius is like a father to me—one that actually cared about me as a boy. He taught me when to bluff and when to fold. When to make sacrifices and when to force my enemies back.”

I fixed my sights on the castle growing closer, my spirits lifting as I thought about all the places I’d like to share with my little monster. I liked how the tension across Larkspur’s shoulders eased as the forest thinned. Something warmed mychest at knowing I was the one to make her feel safe despite all the uncertainties ahead of us.

“They’re brutish and crass, but they’re my family.”

“Family or not,” Artemis cut in. “We need to be ready. If anything goes awry, Camilla will lead you to the pegasi. The huntresses who left earlier are updating Lord Hades and Hecate on our plans.”

Spine stiffening under her implications, I turned toward her. “That isn’t necessary?—”

A deep roar blended with a harsh belting sound, snapping our attention ahead to the looming castle. The call was answered by dozens of growls echoing through the trees, vibrating all around us. The quiet castle sprung into life as dozens of night children rose from the darkness to land on the battlements with bows drawn.

“Formation,” Artemis called.

Megara remained tucked behind Camilla as they surged forward, arrows notched. They formed a ring around Larkspur and me, looking like they meant to take on the entire city. Even Megara stood her ground, eyes focused and pulse steady despite the trembling of her arms.

“Morpheus,” Larkspur breathed, eyes darting between the castle armed with dark ones to the forest churning with beasts.

Lifting my hands, I pressed through the ring of huntresses and spoke to where I knew Lucius, Egerius’s most trusted soldier and the biggest pain in my ass, would be waiting.

“I am Morpheus, son of Hypnos, son of Pasathea, and rightful prince to The Slumber and Nightmare Kingdoms. I am here to speak with Lord Egerius on matters of business.”

There was a shifting of the darkness from over the portcullis before Lucius stepped into view. His black wings were tucked in close, the scarlet rings around his blue eyes a testament to theblood he’d recently consumed, and he held an arrow pointed at my heart.

“The company you keep appears different than the last time, brother.”

My nostrils flared at his cavalier address, not only at his obvious ploy to undermine me but also at the sting the term ‘brother’ held between us. There was a time when I would have died for him and he for me. Lucius was three years my elder and had been Egerius’s favorite for most of our childhood until my gifts of speed and strength manifested. We both knew if I had stayed—if I had wanted it—Lucius’s position would’ve been mine.

Lucius’s head cocked to the side, his lips twitching into a malicious grin. “Or perhaps you’re in need of saving? Hold!”

Lucius lifted his arrow above our heads, letting the string snap free as the others under his command held fast to their positions. A harshthunksounded to my right.

Artemis stiffened as her huntresses held their ground, their anger nearly palpable as my own. Loosening one arrow was just another way of fucking with me—of proving that my title and rank meant nothing in this moment.

“They are guests of mine, brother.” The last word felt like poison on my tongue. “And are here under my protection.”

Lucius let the silence stretch a moment too long before dipping his head ever so slightly. The others followed his lead, lowering their weapons. Artemis and her huntresses didn’t. “My apologies, prince. Welcome to Lycia.”

My eyes narrowed, my body tensing as I saw the faint glint of gleam flash through his cold gaze. There was a groan of the great castle doors opening, quickly overshadowed by low snarls blending with sharp hisses of the frenzied beasts beyond.

“Chimeras,” I breathed, warning the others a split second before they burst through the gates and bound toward us.

LARKSPUR

Time seemed to slow as I watched the first beasts break free from the castle. It stood three feet tall on all fours with two spiraling ram horns rising from a thick mane. At first glance, it appeared as a lion, but the snarl was warped by a harsh, belting sound ringing beneath. Hoofed feet stood in place of claws, the fur shifting to that of a goat across the back before transitioning into the vibrant blue hue of scales. A blue taipan snake rose in place of a tail, arching over the chimera’s back with its yellow eyes locked on me.

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