Page 25 of Blood of Two Crowns

The vulnerability that passed over Zurie’s expression made my heart squeeze. Her throat worked on a swallow, hesitating. I leaned in to whisper my reassurances against her cheek. “Remember what I said? So long as you’re loyal to me, I’ll give you everything you need. You don’t need to wear a mask ormanipulate anyone to get what you need or want.” I punctuated my promise by pressing a lingering kiss to the corner of her lips.

Zurie studied my gaze for a moment as if having some internal debate before finally speaking. “I have no way of tracking her, but I’m certain that if you find my former general, Malekai Theikos, she won’t be far behind.”

As she provided Azrael with directions to General Theikos’ home, my heart swelled with affection for taking this leap of faith.In me.

I internally vowed to prove to her that it was not misplaced.

“He’s one of yours anyway, ” she added.

Azrael’s eyebrows leapt in surprise. “Oh?”

“His parents moved here from Hades… I believe you’ll recognize him too.”

Azrael’s lips parted as if in realization. My gaze danced between the two of them in silent question and Zuried answered. “The last time Azrael was here, he bargained with me that I allow a few of his people from Vassileo seek exile here. In order to protect their identities, we had all their documentation state they were originally from Hades… And in return, he gave meaetra.”

Azrael huffed. “You thought I’d given you a weed.”

Zurie frowned. Azrael set a bottle of something down on the floor beside the pool. “Do try to ration it, or it won’t last you through the rest of your withdrawals.”

At that, Azraelfoldedaway, leaving Zurie and I to ourselves. Her gaze lingered on the bottle beside the pool. I traced the tip of my nose against the column of her throat.

“Come to Ishra with me.”

Chapter

Twelve

MALEKAI

“This is not what we agreed upon.”Leather creaked as I gripped Ceres’ tack so tight the leather creaked at the unexpected sound of Miroslav’s voice.

Fuck.

I already had enough guilt winding through me at having claimed Mareina without trying to speak to Nakoa first. Not that he would have been even remotely receptive. Our discussion likely would have ended in bloodshed, but at least I would havetried.

If for no other reason than ensuring her well-being because I knew no matter how much she loved me, I would never be able to replace her soulbondwith Nakoa.

Miroslav rounded me to block Ceres’ stable door. My anger flared at his admonishing tone but diminished as quickly as it came. And while I was filled with more joy than I’d ever known, it was tainted by guilt and shame.

That being said, Miroslav was a meddling male, trying my fucking patience.

“Weagreeduponnothing.”

Miroslav’s expression sharpened his already severe features. “You have no idea what dangers, whatentities,await us just on the other side of the metaphorical veil that separates our world from theirs! I can fuckingfeelit weakening! Sheneedshersoulboundto reach her greatest power! For all our sakes! Have you no moral compass? Who are you to interfere?”

I’d never, in the many decades I’d known him, heard him raise his voice outside of rousing the crowds in Zurie’s ampitheater. Which made his message all the more worrisome and had my guilt twisting inside me like a fucking blade.

“The only moral compass I have unfailingly points me in the direction of what is in Mareina’s best interest. If you truly cared about her, you would be a little more hesitant to force her into the hands of a male who attempted tomurderher in a fit of rage.”

The words tasted like ash upon my tongue because while what I said was true, I knew that Miroslav was right, and I was fucking ashamed and terrified to admit it. Even if the only reason Nakoa wasn’t dead was the fact that he was Mareina’ssoulbound,and despite my own selfish wishes, I had no desire to cause her any unnecessary suffering.

Miroslav’s voice came out little more than hiss as his power pressed down on me. I halted in my steps, hackles rising. The beast within me tossed its head and snarled. My fangs lengthened, and the tips of my fingers throbbed with the need to release my talons. Trying to breathe in some modicum of calm, I slowly turned to face him as a broad grin stretched my face.

“You have grownfartoo confident wielding your power over weaker beings,orisha.You know what I am. Where is your moral compass that you tempt my beast into wreaking death and destruction upon everyone in the vicinity of this palace?”

Miroslav’s magic pulled back, but it was his look of disappointment that made my anger falter. “Your parents weresoulbound.I wonder what they would have to say.”

Miroslav folded away before I could muster a response to that passive-aggressive little dig. I growled, turning back towards Ceres’ stable. Watching me with dark, wide,nonjudgementaleyes, she huffed as I caressed her cheek and draped her tack over the stable door. “Ready to get outta here, sweet girl?”

---