Page 129 of Blooms of Darkness

If what the king said rang true, what lengths would I go to in order to protect her? To keep her from falling into Andras’s hands ever again?

Could I murder the king of Brookmere to save her? To save the kingdom itself, if the king were right?

It was her right to rule this land as Queen. If I accomplished what I needed to, she may stand a chance, but if Andras and Casimir obtained the king’s powers? There would be no stopping them. Even I knew the king held more magic than anyone here.

“She’s my heart,” the king answered, nodding like he knew I was right there, giving into him. “Let her in, and she’ll be yours as well.”

Little did he know just how deep Lana had buried into my heart already. Or perhaps his wisdom as a king, with the love of his mate by his side, allowed him to see what I was too stubborn to admit. Lana held more of my heart than anyone ever before.

The king handed me an amethyst-hilted dagger. “Quickly now, son.”

I flinched at the words, unable to stand the caring nature with which he said them. He willingly gave his life not just for his family, but for his kingdom, going so far as convincing me to kill him.

“I’ll help you. I just don’t have the force to drive it in, in my state. Please.” He brought the dagger to his chest and wrappedmy hand around his, holding the dagger in place against the exact spot that would take his life.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry you feel it has to be this way.”

“Protect her.”

I made sure to look him in the eyes when I responded. “I vow it. As you’ve given your life, I shall give mine if that’s what it takes.”

I gripped the blade, hiding the tremor that shook my hand. With a final nod from the king, I plunged the dagger into his chest, and he sharply exhaled.

He staggered to his knees, an expression of relief calming his features, even though I knew the pain he must feel.

I held his body in my arms, careful to treat every second of his last moments with the dignity and respect he deserved. As he collapsed in my arms, I stared down at him. Stared down at this man who had given everything for his kingdom. I knelt, still holding his body and the dagger as blood soaked onto my hands.

The sounds of battle drew closer outside the doors, raging around us, only broken by a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking scream.

Chapter 37

LANA

My throat was on fire, pain clawing angrily through my body as I released my scream.

My father, my King, fell to the ground.

My knees shook, almost taking me down, too, before I stumbled forward into the room. Kade held the dagger in his hands, still plunged into my father’s heart.

Kade. My Kade.

No.He wasn’t my Kade. He’dneverbe mine. Not now.

“What did you do?” I crashed into him, shoving him backward away from my father. “What did you do?” I yelled louder, crawling toward the king’s body.

“Wake up, Father. Wake up. Do you hear me?” I shook him before falling over his chest. “Wake up.”

His chest barely rising and falling, his eyes remained closed. Theywouldn’topen.

This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t do this again. I couldn’t be here at the side of another person I loved being taken from me. “Please, you can’t leave me.”

“Lana, we have to go.” Kade’s voice thrummed, and I jerked my head in his direction.

“I’m not going anywhere with you. I trusted you.” Although Kade momentarily stole my attention, I refused to let go of my father.

I turned and forgot about the treasonous bastard in the room with me. His time would come. But right now, I needed my father.

The light nature had given me to push the vines off of me might still be inside of me. The light which pushed Andras. If I had light, it could help me bring him back. It had to.

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