Page 20 of A Reign of Malice
As I spend the late morning in my room, I feel alive in a way I haven’t in years. Every sense is improved, every thought electric. A determination has settled inside me, but unlike the doubt that’s plagued me since signing that damn contract, there’s only clear, deliberate focus.
Clara left me in my room to search her boxes, and I’ve taken the morning to write my thoughts out before burning them in the fireplace, leaving no trace of what I’ve learned beyond what’s safe in my mind.
Coming to Venaris was supposed to be the saving grace for my people, but it’s become my own. I’m still not sure this is where my pack will stay, but I know this kingdom is where I’m meant to be right now. Even though I know Aeson isn’t someone I can trust. At least the version of him that’s ruling this kingdom.
The man in the cave—my mate, who looks just like Aeson—remains at the forefront of my thoughts. Who is he? Is he the real Aeson? If not, how is he connected to Aeson? Who put him there? Why is he bound to that wall? How long hashe been there? And what does all this mean for me and my pack?
So many questions now that I’m being directly influenced by the bond. Yet, the answers all elude me.
At least I know that my connection with Aeson was never real. I see that now. It was familiarity, a thread of recognition. Not love. Not fate. I’d been so desperate for answers that I’d let it mean something else when I should’ve known better.
Now that I’m seeing things for what they are—Aeson being up to something I don’t yet understand and my mate trapped under this castle—it’s easier to keep my emotions in check. My thoughts have quickly become more deliberate, focusing only on the facts. Not on what might be or what could be or any sort of emotion.
Even for my mate.
I meant what I said to Clara before. If the man in the cave is more monster than prisoner, I’ll put him down myself. There’s no more second-guessing who I am and what needs to be done.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to hesitate to free him. I need to know more. Especially why he seemed so hell-bent onnotbeing set free.
Okay. Maybe my emotions aren’t done taking a front seat here. I can’t deny him pushing me away only made me want to know more. Vile creatures don’t normally beg to be left captive.
I drag my hands over my face and exhale sharply. I can’t do this alone. I need Clara to learn more about the runes, and I’m going to need help postponing the bonding ceremony. I can keep up pretenses as long as I don’t have to tie myself to him.
That’s a line I’ll no longer cross. Contract be damned.
Which is why I’m now waiting on the phone to be connected to Estee.
We didn’t get to spend a lot of time together when I was in Selaris, but it was enough that I believe asking for her help now isn’t a risk to my plans.
Estee is unapologetically genuine and full of fire beneath her regal exterior. If there’s anyone who’ll gladly throw a dagger into Aeson’s plan with me, it’s her.
After several minutes of silence, she finally answers with an air of surprise in her tone. “Queen Sloane. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
I sit up straighter on my bed, holding the phone securely to my ear. “I’m not sure you’ll think this is apleasureonce I tell you what I need.”
Her laugh comes easily, rich with amusement. “Didn’t you figure this out about me? I live for trouble. How can I help?”
“Well, first, do you know why Theo and Asher have declined to come to my bonding ceremony to Aeson?”
There’s quiet then a low, warning growl that makes me grin.
This is a good start.
“What?” The rumble in her words is endearing. “I know nothing about this, but I assure you that’s about to change. When is it?”
I grimace. “It’s supposed to be in a few days, but if I can get all of you to agree to come, I’d like to use that as a reason to push things out a bit. Maybe give me another couple days to sort out my other problem.”
“Are you going to leave me in suspense?” She says it lightly, but I know if I don’t share everything, I could lose a valuable ally before I’ve even had her.
“You know the issues I’ve had with my land, right?” She offers a quick confirmation before I continue. “Well, Alcarishas officially run out of fresh water, and I’ve moved my pack to Venaris. I’ve been living in the castle for a couple weeks now, but it wasn’t until these last few days that things have become more…suspicious.”
“You have me intrigued already. How so?” she asks promptly.
“Well, for one, there are runes and dark magic within the castle. Ones I have a connection to. Or at least what they’re hiding.”
“Oh, Sloane.” She laughs. “And here I thought you lived a rather quiet life. This sounds like my kind of fun. What did you find?”
There’s no hesitation in my next two words. “My mate.”
