Page 30 of Blood of Two Crowns

Despite my previous actions, I only want the best for you.

That being said, I’ve taken the liberty of notifyingyourmilitary and palace staff. In addition, I’ve sent the couriers to all the Lords and Ladies of Atratus to notify them of your birthright and ascension to the throne. Your coronation and inauguration shall be held four days henceforth, as per the invitations already sent. The staff have already begun preparing.

This was done inbothof our best interests. It brings me no small amount of joy that the two align.

Your ally,

Z

P.S. Someone tried to assassinate me at my inauguration. I would be supremely grateful if you didn’t die. To ensure you remain unharmed, I willbe there to gleefully murder anyone suffering from fatal idiocy.

… For several long moments, I stared in blatant shock at the parchment. Where does one even begin to decipher that message and what had taken place in order for any of it to be possible?

Finally, I lifted my gaze from the paper as Rumiel and Malekai’s gaze weighed on me, expectant and increasingly impatient. I attempted to harden my heart to wrought iron steel, but if ever I had a love language, it was violence being wielded in defence and honor of a loved one.

Swallowing back my emotion, I rolled the parchment up with more care than it deserved, telling myself it was only in case I needed to return to it to search further for clues as to where this wretched female had gone.

I passed it to Rumiel, who unrolled it, and Malekai came to stand over his shoulder, both murmuring curses.

Azrael no doubt had something to do with it. Was it he who had offered her exile?They’d make a fine pair.

My Knowingness whispered a name I was only vaguely familiar with.

Keres.

“Who is Keres?”

Miroslav didn’t often look bewildered. In fact, in the short time I’d known him, I couldn’t fathom him being confused about anything.

“The Goddess of Violence?”

My Knowingness filled me with certainty in response.

Now I was doubly confused.Fuck me.

Keres is Mors’ sister,my Knowingness supplied.

“What inAkash’sname would she want with Zurie?”

Miroslav gave me a weary look. “I don’t know.” I didn’t miss the way Malekai’s brows lifted in surprise. “I have found that the gods tend to prohibit anyone snooping around in their timelines, lives, whereabouts, and affairs. It’s not a gift many possess, but the most powerful and well-trained of them, like Mors and his sister, are among them. I’ve already tried peering in on Zurie and am only able to see her timelines prior to Keres showing up. Apparently, the goddess has extended her protection to her.

“As for your timeline,my visions have shown me few options. The least detrimental of which is that you take the crown. I am certain that The Well will reveal this to you. It has been your destiny since before you were born.”

I could onlyprayThe Well would actually show me how to bring Mareina back.

My previous visions of my coronation as King suddenly made painful sense.This was why she hadn’t been in them.

Perhaps The Well wouldn’t even reveal how to retrieve Mareina or fix the portals.

I’d grown up sneaking into this ancient cave that myadoptivemother had carved into the side of this mountain to hide dangerous relics and artefacts that would be catastrophic to have in the hands of someone with mal-intent.

I took a seat on the cushion in front of The Well, not bothering to wait for the three males behind me. The moment my eyes focused on the surface of eerily still, black water before me, the world around me shifted into one of sleek, white marble. I found myself standing in a foyer with ornate, flowing gold and bronze archways and staircases.

Naturalistic sculptures, all of the same female in various states of undress, held glowing lanterns, wielded vines and water in motion. The space was both stunningly beautiful and entirely foreign, as though from a different age, dimension, and realm… I turned slowly, lips parting in awe as I craned my neck togaze up at the astoundingly beautiful painted, cavernous ceiling featuring depictions of the same female.

My mouth snapped shut as the enormous front double doorsslidopen. Azrael stepped inside, shortly followed by Mareina. Looking exactly as they had only minutes ago before he’dfoldedher away. My breath caught at the realization that this was the present. Her name was a hushed whisper on my lips as my heart leapt into my throat.

“I have never witnessed such peace and prosperity in a place whereeveryoneis thriving…,” Mareina murmured thoughtfully.

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