Page 58 of Princess For All

“I will end you,” I warned them, making sparks appear at my fingertips. “She came to my home to try something or flaunt whatever her power is. Don’t die for a flex or tantrum.”

Especially since I couldn’t kill her. That was part of Aether’s warning. It pissed me off, and I felt like I was in a bad horror movie where the answer was right in front of me but the warning was part of the pain in my head.

Keres had a deadman’s switch… So to speak. Something was going on.

It made me want to bash her face in again.

“You already killed one of mine!” she screeched as she pushed to her feet. “I will take one of yours for it.”

I took the barrier off the castle now that I knew it was her and two nobles only, but as I called it back, it hit her.

And hurt her.

“You are undead,” I chuckled darkly as I studied her. “I was right. I thought I was—interesting.” I shook off what else I might have said and realized her words. “I haven’t even touched—I don’t know who they are or—”

“One of your fucking pathetic bitches left land mines to—”

I backhanded her, smirking when blood flew from her mouth. Then I fisted her sweater and pulled her closer. “Don’t ever talk about my people that way. In my bed or not. I get we’re the puppets for the two big Gods, but you’re on the side of evil who wants death. I was chosen to champion the side who wantslifeand that’s who they side with.

“So go fuck yourself. And if youeverdare to come near my home again, I’ll ignore Aether’s warning and take us both out so my people are safe.” I nodded when fear flashed in her eyes. “Oh yeah, my Goddess loves me that much that I get warnings like that,bitch. And yes, I’m more than willing to die like that. Let’s go walk into the ocean together right now.

“Let’s end this and let the Gods fight wherever they are, huh? I think my people can finish the rest without me just fine. The world will move on, and they can make sure humanity survives with all I’ve already done. That’s a great legacy, and I can rest instead of all this crazy. Think you’ll be welcomed after failing? Should we go see?”

“Inez, you promised never to leave me,” Kristof said from behind me, his voice shaky. “Not until we’re old and die together. You swore it to me.”

I bared my teeth at Keres. “I promised never to give up and keep fighting for you. Dying to end the war and then save the world is different.” I shoved her away from me. “And this is why I ordered you to stay inside.” A thrill of fear went through me as her gaze darted behind me. “Don’t. I’ll kill both of them before you can even try for him.”

“You killed one of mine.”

“They are not trading cards you can just give and take like that,” I seethed, shoving her so she focused on me. “You have no high ground to stand on here. You fucking attacked my castle and tree. You tried to take us all out!” I lost my temper and sent my power at her two nobles.

“No!” she screamed and launched for me.

I decked her again but stopped my attack. Then I remembered the knife I had and whipped it out, slicing all along her arm. “Aether warned me not to kill you, not that I couldn’t make you bleed. Run back to Florida and count your days, bitch. Never be so stupid to come here again. The Americas aremine, and you will learn that if you haven’t already.”

“And more and more stand with Princess Inez ready to fight,” a woman said from behind me.

I tried to hide my shock when she moved next to me and I saw it was Princess Arpa, Princess Lawan’s younger sister. I’d forgotten she was coming from Thailand to stay with me for a while to be a deterrent since the princess from Matilda’s court had to go back to help out. We didn’t really know what to update Lawan on and I didn’t want to risk insulting her.

Clearly, it was a good move.

Josephine and Noel moved next to me on my left, Noel speaking up in a surprising move. “We stand with our sister who Aether chose wisely, whore of Erebus. You foolishly look at this as a fight between the two of you and you are about the same age, but you have dozens of us to fight next should she fall. And we will give our lives to make sure she doesn’t. You are no match.”

Keres curled her lip at me. “You will regret this.”

I snorted. “No, I’ll regret not killing you, but I have faith in Aether that you have something planned that would take me out too if I did.” I swallowed loudly. “And I might regret not killing them.” I looked past her. “But I didn’t know if you were trapped. If she trapped you because she took over that coven, run. I won’t chase you. Run to—”

Keres screamed and lunged for me, but a wound opened across her face and then she screeched.

“Aether help me, but do not test us, little girl,” Arpa bit out. “I will take your arms and legs next. Flee before I think that a good idea even with Aether’s warning.”

She did. She took one look at the four of us and gave some signal, turning to her noble and barely taking a step before he grabbed her. Then she was gone.

I let out a slow breath and then turned to Arpa. “You’re fucking badass, woman.”

She threw back her head and laughed. “I agree with you that if you take out Erebus, she’s but one young princess like you and me, Inez. And I’m seventy years older than both of you.” She bowed deeply to her. “I also wronged you once. I would not dishonor my family again when you needed our friendship, even if for posturing.”

“Shit, consider it more than forgiven.” I shocked her when I pulled her into a hug. “Welcome. Even if I’m not scared, I’m still fucking scared and…”

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