Page 105 of The Blood Crown

“Shediddefy him,” Karro growled. “None of us would be here if it hadn’t been for her.”

Valea’s mouth tightened into a thin line of fury, but surprise flashed behind her eyes as they flicked to Karro for just an instant.

“And she waited centuries to do it,” Nira replied.

Aurelia had to admire the fact that the female was willing to sit through their interrogations to prove her intent. She wasn’t sure she would have had the nerve to do the same. Not with centuries-old warriors famed for their deadliness; the twins in particular.

“I attempted to flee that place more times than I can count,” Valea answered. “You think it’s a burden to be his rightful heir—” she spat, looking toward Ven. “Try being his prized breeding mare. He only grew more paranoid since the war. And rightfully so. He dangled me in front of countless males. Promising them a chance to claim me if they remained loyal—if they were his eyes and ears.”

The column of Valea’s white throat bobbed. “So I became more valuable to him as his spy. His justice. His weapon—so that the thought of losing me to one of his powerful courtiers would seem disadvantageous.”

Valea’s eyes slid to Ven once more. “Becoming indispensable to our father was my way out—my only grasp at freedom.” Her voice was soft, ragged, but there was no weakness in it as she uttered, “The only time I could escape his watch was when I would join my sentries on patrol." Emotion clouded her vermillion eyes before she blinked it away. Possibly the only crack in her tough exterior that Aurelia had witnessed. "But there was no escapinghim—not truly. Not when it meant death at the hands of another kingdom. So I used my eyes and my ears to find the powerful families within his court who wished for change.”

Her gaze was unflinching as it met Ven’s across the table. “Roheer was only one of many in the Court of Flame who weredispleased with the state of the Nostari Kingdom. There were a handful of the nobility that sought to reach out a hand and expand our territory. They thought your kingdom weak with your dwindling numbers, but I advised against such a move. We have spies as well, you know—”

“Oh, we’re aware,” Nira replied with a predatory smile. “I’ve had the pleasure of killing them.”

Valea glanced at Nira. “Such was the reasoning for my caution.” She looked back to Ven. “Our father listened. His other advisors were hungry for the power that our—theirkingdom once had. The fear that the Court of Flame once inspired.” Her bright red eyes slid to Nira once more. “True, their intent was conquest—but it was a chance for change. A chance to remove that damned crown from his fucking head.”

She straightened her spine, the thick braids of silvery white hair swaying down her back with the movement. “I sent out my own scouts to learn of the world beyond those tunnels. To learn if the rival kingdom I had been taught to hate was truly the enemy—except I think you know what happened to anyone who managed to get too close . . .”

The arrogant look on Nira’s face fell just a fraction at the implication. “Why not kill the bastard, yourself” she asked, arching a dark, groomed brow. “He trusted you, seems it would have been easy.”

Valea gave a mirthless laugh. “You know nothing of the power the blood crown grants him—forcing others to bend to his will. It would have been suicide.” She lifted her chin, her stare unwavering as it clashed with Nira’s. “But still—there were many days I considered it. Many days I dreamed of it . . . but I knew that evenifI managed to kill him, the rebels would be more than happy to throw me in one of those cells in the belly of the mountain and forget about me as they fought over the scraps of his kingdom.”

“So when the perfect opportunity presented itself to you—” Nira hedged.

“The chance to prove your intentions to an enemy court,” Seth finished. "A bartering chip."

Valea's eyes met the Wraith's. "A way out."

A dark lock of hair fell across Ven’s brow as he lifted his gaze from the map. “And whatareyour intentions? You wish to live here? To be a member of the Court of Shadow?”

“I wish—” For a moment, Valea looked so . . . vulnerable. So much younger than her eyes belied. “Never to go back to that place,” she finally answered. “Even if it means facing death.”

Karro stilled at the words.

The grit, the determination with which the female spoke—Aurelia knew there was no deception in her words. Even if she didn’t have loyalty to them, she would never return to her father’s court. She’d sealed her fate as a traitor. Betrayed the only people and the only home she’d ever known. There was no going back for her.

She had given up everything to help them escape. And while her motives may have been self-interested, it didn’t change the fact that she had burned her old life to the ground.

Ravenstone was the only place she could remain.

Valea knew it. They knew it.

Ven uncrossed his arms, placing his palms on the table between them as he looked his half-sister in the eye. “Unrest is a useful tool and I think your insight could be valuable—if you are willing to offer it.”

All of them seemed to be holding their breath.

The expression on Nira’s face darkened, her slender fingers restless along the jeweled hilts of the twin daggers strapped to either side of her chest—as if she hoped Valea declined so she might have the chance to end her.

Valea’s eyes were wary as she glanced toward Nira and Seth. Seeming to make an effort not to look at Karro as she stood up, spine straight and regal as she offered Ven a single nod.

Adjusting the blood-red velvet hood over her quicksilver hair, she disappeared into shadow once more and left the room.

Ven turned, looking each of the Wraiths in the eye before his gaze finally met hers. “We prepare to fight alone.”

Chapter 53

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