Page 118 of Ecliptic

Rayal shot her eyes to Dyani. “I could have done that.”

“I know, but I’ve wanted to do that since we got here,” the warrior replied, her silver ponytail billowing in the wind.

The princess grinned.

“Quickly,” Thaydril called as he led the way back through the city. We cut through the empty streets and passed the drying lake. The acrid taste of failure coated my tongue as my bare feet pounded against the ground. I may have lost this battle, but I still had a war to win.

The giant arch finally came into view, towering like a marvel with its shimmering curtain of sand.

We were all out of breath and clutching our sides.

Thaydril’s eyes found me, his chest heaving. “The arch will take you home.”

“Our weapons,” Dyani reminded him, patting her empty hips. “You said we would get them back.”

Thaydril rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. “I’ll be right back.” His yellow cape flourished behind him as he darted through the arch.

“Come with us,” I said, turning to Rayal.

“I cannot leave now,” the princess replied, shaking her head. “Not when you have planted the seed of my reign. I wish I could thank you properly, but we don’t have much time, and there is something you must know.”

“What is it?” I asked as her golden stare turned to Rowen.

“Have you ever considered reuniting Viltarran?”

Rowen’s eyes widened in shock. “I have. Several times, but I hold no claim.”

“What if you did?” the princess asked. And suddenly, Erovos’ words rang through me like a gong. He had called Rowen a lord.

Was Viltarran rightfully his? The land where he had grown up and lived a struggled life with his mother—a scullery maid who sacrificed everything to love and protect him? The very land his lord and father figure had charged him with protecting?

Rowen’s sharp, green eyes narrowed, shooting me a glance. “What do you mean?” he asked the princess carefully.

“What if you have a true and binding title?”

“That’s impossible,” Rowen said, his strong jaw flexing. “Aliphoura murdered her father before he could bequeath it to anyone.”

“As you well know, I was a prisoner in Aliphoura’s crypts, but that doesn’t mean I stayed put. I explored her underground kingdom as much as I could. It was how I smuggled in food for Keira,” Rayal said, her eyes flashing with the dark memory. “I searched for a way out or any other weaknesses the queen might have. I found her private quarters once. It was a depraved place, filled with toys and torture devices.”

She shook off the memory and reached into her dress pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. “This is for you.”

With a questioning look, Rowen took the parchment from her outstretched hand and unfolded the letter.

I waited with bated breath as Rowen read the writing. His eyes snapped to mine. “It says I am the true ruler of Viltarran.”

My mouth dropped, and my broken heart filled with joy.This was exactly what I was looking for! A reason for Rowen to live.

“I went through Aliphoura’s desk. My father was a king, so I know all about hidden compartments, and in one of the drawers was this: Lord Leones’ final will and testament,” Rayal said, gesturing to the scroll in Rowen’s hands. “It says that you, Rowen Damascus, are the rightful heir of Viltarran. I caught her speaking of you many times. Her goal was always to get you back. Her plan was to abduct Keira and use her as leverage to get you to do whatever she wanted, even impregnate herself with your heir. Any question of her claim would be silenced through your child. She would have succeeded had it not been for Keira’s cave-in.”

I almost vomited. What a depraved plan. The night Rowen had exchanged his body for mine, Fou made it clear she was going to rape him. But to bring a child into the world in that way was despicable.

I had torn down her entire kingdom to ensure he escaped such a fate.

“It does look like Lord Leones’ handwriting,” Rowen confirmed as he gripped the paper like a letter from home.

“Can you rebuild Viltarran? Reunite your people?” I asked, staring at his severe yet striking beauty. He was born for this role. His powerful aura was undeniable and exuded from his every pore.

“I will certainly try,” he said, his throat bobbing from choked-up emotion.

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