Page 91 of A World of Ruins

I’m near enough that Hedris’s men can attack me at any given moment if Hedris orders it, and even closer, I can see the twitch in his right eye.

‘You don’t know the first thing about ruling,’ he tells me in a quiet, wrathful voice.

‘Perhaps.’ I lean into his face. He is so much smaller now that I have him in front of me. ‘But at least I know how to treat others right.’

That only manages to infuriate him more. To be told that he is worthless, without a heart.

Satisfaction pulls at my lips as I turn to face Darius and Tibith. I can just about make out Darius’s smile before it morphs into something furious.

I quickly spin around in time, raise my hand, emitting a bright white light, and twist my fingers in the air, snapping Hedris’s hand before he can use his powers to attack me.

He howls in pain, causing his lackeys to surge forward, swords drawn out at the ready. But their weapons transform into black mist as Darius comes by my side, his hand wielding shadows.

‘What are you?’ Spit forms around Hedris’s mouth as he tries to heal his broken hand with water coming from his fingertips.

I smile and simply say in his face, ‘Solaris’s vessel.’

‘That’s impossible,’ Hedris hisses, his face contorting into another fierce glare.

One of his men tries to pull out another weapon.

‘I wouldn’t if I were you,’ Darius says casually, lifting his hand and observing the shadows go from finger to finger. ‘I forgot how much I missed using magic.’ Lethal gold eyes cut to Hedris. ‘Think of all the pent-up power I could use if you so much as breathe in her direction.’

Another of Hedris’s men audibly gulps, which humours Darius all the more. Tibith springs past us on all fours and starts growling at Hedris.

Shock flickers across his pained expression as he stares at Tibith.

‘You should leave.’ There’s a condescending tone to my voice as well as a warning.

Hedris brings his furious gaze up to Darius, and something about his silence tells me this is far from over.

He stumbles back, hauling his men along with him while Darius, Tibith and I stare on, making sure they leave.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE

After our encounter with the leader of Undarion, I spent the evening in the dining room, eating with my brothers, courtesy of Leira’s cooking. Idris, of course, was unimpressed to learn that an Undarion king had insulted me, but by that point, none of it had any significance to me.

Afterwards, walking along the hallways, I head back to mine and Darius’s chamber. Cracking the door open, I peek inside and see the golden tassel curtains drawn with Tibith peacefully asleep on Darius’s side of the bed. A candle beside the dresser in the corner flickers and crackles, giving me enough light to see that Darius isn’t here.

Something in my chest sinks as if someone has tied a sandbag to the end.

I close the door quietly enough to ensure Tibith doesn’t awaken, then rush back down the halls, searching for Darius. As if his scent carries a beacon, I come to a stop outside the throne room. I look in and find him leaning back against the throne – the only thing not ruined from our attack to free Darius – his fist beneath his jaw and a furrowed stare at the floor.

The soft patter of my boots is the only sound that echoes in the vast hall. Darius doesn’t look up, but he knows I am here.

Tonight, the moon looks exceptionally bright. A sight we didn’t think would happen for a while after the Isle of Elements.

Staring at the only light source inside the throne room, I say, ‘Why aren’t you asleep?’

‘Beds are uncomfortable,’ he mumbles.

‘And that throne is any better?’

‘Well, I am supposed to be the future king. I should start getting used to it.’

His irony doesn’t ever slip past me. I approach him, slower this time, and he looks up at me.

‘You know you do not have to take over,’ I whisper. ‘If being king isn’t what you—’

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