Page 1 of Blood of Two Crowns

Chapter

One

MALEKAI

“Thank you for coming.” I infused every bit of urgent gratitude into those words. Miroslav hesitated, his gaze warily flitting between Mareina and me before shaking his head in resignation. “Where is it that you’d like me to take you?”

“Mors’ Temple.”

Miroslav’s brow furrowed.

“For what? To beg him not to take her life? Her life force is strong.”

Forcing my expression to remain neutral, I silently deliberated just how much to disclose. Of all people, I’d have assumed he’d know Mors is her father. Erring on the side of caution, I merely tugged at Mareina’s sleeve to reveal Mors’ sigil. The inverted torch with wings symbolizing the extinguishing of life and the liberation of the soul.

“She bears his mark. Surely, he will know something.”

Miroslav’s brows pinched before relaxing in resignation. Wordlessly, he extended his hand.

My heart leapt with relief as I turned scooping Mareina off the bed, into my arms. Miroslav laid his palm on my shoulder, and a breath later, we were standing in front of Mors’s temple.

“Send one of his acolytes when you’re ready if she still hasn’t woken.”

Miroslav’s eyes dipped to Mareina, his stoic features briefly belying his concern.

“Thank you, again.”

The male nodded silvery eyes burning with that piercing knowingness as he hesitated to leave.

“Zurie’s guest… Thalia. I do not trust her. I cannot read her as I do others. She is something…Other…And even more unsettling, she wasn’t in a single one of my visions. I do not believe she is what or who she claims to be.”

Wariness crept in, but it only further cemented my decision to bring Mareina back to Avernus. “I will speak with her.”

Miroslav’s expression darkened. “Do not interrogate the female. We do not need to make any more enemies. Especially ones as powerful as her.”

Impatience was making my fucking skin crawl. “I have no intention of making enemies. Believe it or not, I’m actually quite good at makingfriends.”

Miroslav hardly seemed reassured, but Mareina didn’t have time for this. If I determined Thalia was in any way a threat to Mareina, I would have my beast devour her whole.

I turned on my heel only for Miroslav’s hand to shoot out and grab my arm.“Malekai, the path that you all have chosen doesn’t guarantee?—

I shook my head, not wanting to be reminded of hispredictions.

“It doesn’t matter. I will always do what is best for Mareina.”

Understanding filled his gaze before he folded away. “I hope it is enough.”

With Mareina still in my arms, one of the large doors to the temple swung ajar. I stepped inside, the space cool and dimly lit with the same flickering fire-lit torches as when Mareina and I had been here, little more than a day ago.

One of Mors’ shadowy, hoodedPharalakihovered a few feet away. It turned and drifted down the hallway leading to the hidden doorway of Mors’ realm. Avernus.

It seemed to be in a rush because I practically had to jog to keep up with it. When it revealed the doorway, I made my way down the steps alone.

The only light illuminating the stone stairwell was the distant glow of Avernus’ threshold. As I stepped through, three suns showed brightly in the sky - one large, two small. Silken grasses of vibrant green undulated against a summery breeze. At first sight, Mors’ house looked exactly the same as before.

As we approached, an unfamiliar winged male stepped outside of Mors’ house, standing even larger than my six feet eight inches. He bore dark grey wings tucked tightly against his back and an even darker set of stormy grey eyes. Long alabaster hair reached past his dark, broad shoulders.

“There’s a spare room you can stay in. Watch out for the broken pots and door splinters. I’ll have it taken care of shortly.”

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