Page 24 of Tortured Royals

Queen Vespera’s smile is a wicked slash across her face. “So, you see, the confession is plain, and there is yet more justice to be dispensed this night.”

“Lies,” Nate says, a low growl ripping from his throat, but the queen gestures with her head to her daughter, and another stream of fire races out, separating Nate from the rest of us. When we try to fight to get to him, the circle of flames rises higher, the roaring of the fire crackling in my ears as my skin heats.

“No!” I cry.

“No?” The word drips with venom as it comes from Queen Vespera’s mouth. “This shifter, Nine Lives, as they call him, tried to kidnap my daughter. My guards found them before he could take her through the gateway, and though he killed the guards before he escaped, Prince Callan remained with Mirelle. After some questioning, the prince explained the situation.”

Prince Callan’s eyes are dark. “There was no harm done, Queen Vespera. The shifter isn’t here for her.”

Her gaze cuts to him. “For once you’ve done well, my son. I had all but lost hope that you would be of use to me, but you’ve brought me the shifter as promised.”

What?My blood turns to ice as realization slithers through me. I think of how many times Prince Callan had told me not to go to the palace. Had he meant any of it, or had he only said it to avoid suspicion? Undoubtedly, he had to know I would follow him here, and the betrayal stings in a way that no physical wound could.

“And you’ll release Mirelle as agreed?” Prince Callan asks, his voice cold.

“Release her?” The queen cackles, turning to her daughter with mock affection. “Does your sister look imprisoned?”

Prince Callan’s hard expression doesn’t waver. “Sister!” he calls out, his voice hoarse.

Mirelle’s only response is to turn her head, not meeting his gaze.

Queen Vespera’s cackling grows louder. “You see? She does not wish to leave. But that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy finally getting justice.”

“No, no, no—this is all wrong! The queen can’t take Nate. He’s the barbed one!”Shade rambles in my head, squawking in panic.

“What? Why are we talking about his penis right now!”I hiss back.

“I don’t know,”she shoots back nervously.“I’m just trying to think of what his best feature is!”

Ignoring her, I glower at the queen. “I don’t care what Prince Callan promised. Nate is my fated mate, and he is destined to become a demon royal. Once we are bonded, he will rule by my side. While the crime he committed is despicable, the princess stands unharmed. To kill a demon royal would be an act of war against the demons.”

“Ah yes,onceyou are bonded is correct,” Queen Vespera replies gleefully. “But if I am not mistaken, there is no bond between you and these five males. Five is an unlikely number for a demon princess, and the idea that you are all fated is merely hearsay. So my judgement stands. Nine Lives must be punished for his crimes.”

The flames burn hotter around Nate, and his growl turns to a hiss of pain.

“Stop!” I yell. “You can’t.”

“Oh, but I can little half-blood,” the queen mocks. “And I suppose if he is your mate, then I won’t have to worry about a power shift amongst the demon royals.”

Rage makes my body tremble, but I don’t let it get the better of me. It wouldn’t do any good. Not now.

Dante tries to get to Nate, but the moment the flames touch his hand, he cries out, jumping back. His entire hand is burnt, and the flesh isn’t healing.

“I wouldn’t touch that if I were you,” Queen Vespera sings.

My gaze goes to Alaric. I’d been hoping he could change into his giant form, but he couldn’t do that without touching the fire.

I turn Prince Callan toward me, and for a moment, he looks lost. “What did you do?” I snarl.

“It doesn’t matter,” he mutters. “I have failed her.”

“Failed who? Your sister? Sorry if I’m not sympathetic when she’s about to burn us alive!”

“You don’t understand.”

“Of course not! But right now, all I know is that Nate is about to die because of you.”

Guilt stains Prince Callan’s expression.

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