Page 109 of The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain

But I don’t say it aloud.

Uanna’s smile falters. “What are you talking about?”

“Ask him.” Lara’s gaze meets mine, and I see the moment understanding fully dawns. “Ask him why he’s so desperate to getbothmy sister and me. Ask him what he plans to do with our blood—our heritage.”

“Lara, please.” I take a step toward her, but power ripples out from her in a wave that stops me cold. “Let me explain.”

“Explain what? Why so many people had to die tonight just so you could test your theory about my bloodline?” Her voice breaks. “How many more will die before you’re satisfied you have your answer?”

“As many as necessary to save my world.” The words emerge before I can stop them, harsh with truth I’ve tried to hide. “You don’t understand what’s at stake?—”

“I understand perfectly.” The glow beneath her skin intensifies, and for a moment I glimpse what she couldbecome—what she was always meant to be. “Uanna’s right. You are a monster. And I was a fool to ever think you could be anything else.”

She turns away, and part of me wants to go after her, to explain everything—about the failing magic, about hertrueheritage, about all the plans I’ve made to save everything we hold dear.

But I see the way power flows around her now, awakened and angry. Perhaps this, too, is necessary. Perhaps her hatred will fuel the transformation she must undergo.

“Well.” Uanna’s voice drips with false sympathy. “That was certainly dramatic. Now, about our arrangement?—”

“There is no arrangement.” I turn to her, letting my own power frost the air between us. “There is only what must be done. Choose your side carefully, Lady Uanna. The game is changing.”

She studies me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “So it is. I look forward to seeing how you play it.” She glances toward where Lara disappeared. “Though I suspect your new queen may prove more difficult to control than you anticipated.”

I don’t bother to respond. Let her think what she will. Let them all think what they will.

The only thing that matters is that Lara’s power has finally awakened. Everything else—the deaths, the destruction, the hatred she now feels for me—is simply the price that must be paid.

I turn back to watch my manor burn, already calculating the next move in this deadly game. Tomorrow I will retrieve her sister. Then nothing will be able to stop what I’ve set in motion.

Not even Lara’s hatred.

Especially not my own heart.

Too bad she’ll have to die for any of this to work. Assuming, of course, she doesn’t kill me first.

If only there were another way.

Unless...

No. I can’t afford to think that way. Her awakening changes everything—and nothing at all.

I should have known better than to let myself feel anything for her.

I’ve never wanted to be wrong about something so badly in my life.

After all, the old magic requires blood—and the crown will demand its sacrifice, one way or another.

The cold, gray pre-dawn finds what remains of my staff sifting through the ashes of what has been my home for my entire life as I finally admit to myself that saving the world is going to entail sacrificing more than simply two Earth girls. Trasq’s salvation is going to require more destruction than I ever anticipated.

It’s going to require me to destroy what’s left of my soul.

And I am, I also finally admit to myself, willing to allow that to happen.

I accept that I must become cold and hard, the heartless duke I have been pretending to be all this time. As cruel as the domain I rule—and the kingdom I plan to take over.

I walk past one of the housemaids sitting in the snow, sobbing, her knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs with her face buried, forehead resting against her wrists. The warmer part of my nature urges me to stop and console her. But I refuse to give that part of me free rein. Not until I have reached my goal.

I repress a harsh laugh because I’m beginning to realize that by the time I am able to let that side of myself out again, there’s a good chance it won’t exist anymore at all.

---