But the other princesses were more than willing to jump in and manage it all, understanding this was Aether’s will and all in. I was impressed with that, especially because of the time difference given we were in Europe and they’d come from all over.
The only question they had was if they were allowed to kill any monsters.
“Your judgment is yours,” I told them firmly. “Aether gave me no orders. This is Her guidance of how to handle the situation. There was no duration—any of it. Simply to trust my allies and this was the best path for those of us who work in Her name.” I shrugged. “Yeah, so get rid of monsters. I’m good with that.”
I smiled when several snickered.
And then it was on to the Pinault coven. I was glad that Eddie didn’t come this time because his mother was beyond vicious. The bile that came out of her mouth… There weren’t words for how horrendous it was. I cussed all of the time, but it wasn’t remotely the same.
Saying “fuck” too often wasn’t remotely the same thing as wishing my brother had reactivated my brainwashing and let every male noble rape me and humiliate me for eternity. Especially coming from another woman—a princess who knew exactly how badly the nobles could trap us and abuse us.
I used my power to slice her throat just to make her stop before I snapped and did something horrible.
Like collapse the coven on everyone. I was that close to the edge when I felt the amusement of too many around us like I deserved to be torn down like that.
What was wrong with people? Seriously, was there just no decency left? Was it just all toxicity we had to look forward to?
I didn’t know it was worth surviving if that was true.
Once it was done, I nodded to Joi.
“I am Joi, the eldest of the Sisters of the Earth,” she said loudly, people gasping in shock. “The Pinault princesses have called upon us many times to demand our aid or for us to align with them. That is not our purpose and never will be. Our mission is to keep the world on the path of Aether and in the light. We are at a tipping point.
“We are too close to Erebus winning this war and Earth falling into darkness. As such, Aether has asked the Sisters to take this task for Her champion, giving Princess Inez and our own Mozell visions. As the eldest, I will act as temporary head of this coven. It will be disbanded. However, in its current state, it is not worthy to be part of other covens.
“Certainly not the coven of Aether’s champion. So you will allearnyour futures and pay your debt for the pain and suffering some of you have caused. All of you could have done more to help this world. Your princess fed off the cruelty of this world, and a lot of you fed off of that. Now you will pay that price and fight to have a future.”
“Or you will become ash as your princess is,” one of the other Sisters said as she lit Eddie’s mother on fire. “This is the will of Aether. Obey and earn your place in Her world or die.” She turned and bowed to me, the other Sisters following her lead. “We will not fail you nor our Goddess in this task, Princess Inez. Please rest assured and handle what our Goddess needs you to.”
“Thank you,” I accepted. “I will make sure we will speak directly or one of my husbands will come see progress.” I nodded for Petre to go ahead. “Here are three jars of my blood to get you started. Once you feel the situation here is stable enough, we will establish this as an outpost for our fighter jets to bomb as many corrupted as possible.”
Joi took in a slow breath as she glanced around the room. “Give us a few days, Princess. People will fall in line or lose their heads.”
“Have fun,” I chuckled darkly, nodding that I knew she had it in hand.
I was glad when we left. We stopped quickly by to see Hanna and checked it all out. It was hard when they were running too low again. Seriously, we just needed like forty million more people to handle too much.
It was late by the time we arrived back to the castle… And the shifter was still there. I swore under my breath several times and was glad that I wasn’t the only one upset we’d forgotten about him.
“I’m very,verysorry,” I said as he rubbed his eyes. I winced when he pushed to stand and almost fell right back over from sitting for so long.
“It’s fine, Princess. I didn’t know Kaci would bring me here either, and she looked a bit panicked at whatever you said in the meeting.” He frowned. “I didn’t know Kaci could be panicked.”
“I have that effect on people,” I drawled. I shrugged when someone snorted.
Well, I did.
“Food is being brought and you need to eat,” Cerdic said as he joined us. “Let’s have—I didn’t catch your name, mate.”
“Travis, Travis McGrath,” the shifter said. “I’m not the head of my clan, but I’m the eldest of the group of us who ran from my clan.” He swallowed loudly. “The clan leader is my uncle. He’s not nice and Kaci was protecting us. Well, she checked in on us and that was when—”
“Okay, calm down,” I said gently. “It’s been a really long, fucked day. If Kaci’s vouching for you, you’re in. We’ll help and protect you guys. I promise.”
“I know, but we can sense corrupted and you have to know that,” he blurted way too loudly.
All of the vampires there—myself included—stared at the guy as if he’d grown another head.
Crazy said what now?