Page 14 of Prey of the Lycan Queen
The thought of the most probable way in which Electra’s life ended creeps up my spine. Could the lycan men have been so depraved and desperate to defile their queen in such a disgustingly brutal manner? Will the same happen to me? Being the only source to restore the lycan population, I dismiss the notion immediately.
I have something Regan’s mother did not possess. I am the most powerful witch in existence, and anyone who crosses me will learn exactly how powerful my magic is.
“I’ll think about it,” I tell him, walking off.
“Don’t think too long, Zirah. Last I heard, we are about to wage war with the Vampiric Kingdom. Without them, that war is already lost,” James tells me, and I stop.
“Pardon?” I ask, turning around.
“Here I was thinking you were smart. The attack, the one where Zeke, Lyon, and Regan killed those vampires to save you. When you ran and crossed that border.”
The night I was nearly gang raped by those blood-sucking leeches. “What about it?” I ask.
“One of them was the son of King Slavic.” I glance at Zeke, Lyon, and Regan. None of them meet my gaze, yet that in itself tells me James is telling the truth.
“War is imminent, and I plan on being on the winning side. So do me a favor and win, but you won’t if your kings are dead or fighting among themselves,” he tells me.
“Do you think it is so easy to forgive them?” I question, wondering how he could expect such a thing.
“Forgiveness is never for the betrayer, Zirah. It’s for the betrayed. It’s the only way you’ll find peace. You can despise them and want vengeance, but then what? You are right. You should forgive them when they deserve it, but that isn’t the only reason you should forgive them. You have the potential to be the most powerful high priestess that anyone has ever seen, even more powerful than your mother. But look how it ended for your family. Don’t be your ancestors’ karma, Zirah.”
“Their karma? The only one being served their karma is your brother,” I snarl.
“If that is so, why were you cursed along with them?” he asks. My brows pinch, and he gives me a knowing look. He then turns on his heels and wanders off.
“Who did you say your uncle was again?” I ask Regan.
“Weird is what he is,” Zeke says, coming up behind me.
Chapter Eight
When I woke up to find Zirah gone, for a split second, I thought she left me. Panic spread throughout my entire body, so the relief upon finding her was immense. However, that feeling was short-lived after my uncle added his opinion to the mix.
Yes, I wanted her to finish the marriage trials, but I didn’t expect her to still want to come to my kingdom after marking me. I thought this would be about my brothers. Before I knew she was my mate, I had no such qualms about her coming to my kingdom. It would have driven her away, but now the thought of losing her has me dying inside. How bad would it feel to lose her when I just got her? What happens when she realizes I am truly the monster they say I am?
“Who did you say your uncle was again?” she asks me. A man who knows too much, I think bitterly.
“Weird is what he is,” Zeke says, coming up behind us. I glare at him as he moves to fall in line with her. Zirah says nothing, just sighs heavily like she is bored with Zeke already. “You’re so fucked if she agrees to continue the game,” Zeke taunts me through our mind-link.
I growl back at him, not realizing I also growled out loud. Zirah glances at me then stops abruptly, eyeing us both. “It’s no longer a fucking game,” I warn him through the mind-link.
“Never mind them, doll, sibling rivalry and all,” Lyon purrs, dropping his hands on her shoulders.
“What’s no longer a game?” Zirah asks abruptly, making us all jump. She’s using the mind-link that she should not have access to. I haven’t marked her yet.
“Wow, this is a weird sensation,” she adds. I shove her out and Zeke smirks.
“Seems our little witch hybrid is a fast learner,” Zeke taunts me. I can feel her trying to open the link again, but I keep her effectively blocked.
“Obviously not that fast because you blocked me,” she says, shooting me a glare.
“If you want me to continue the game, I don’t want any of you hiding shit from me. No secrets,” she growls, stomping off with our wolves chasing after their master. Because let’s face it, I think they’ll turn on us instantly if she wishes.
I jog to catch up to her. For someone small, she can surely move when pissed off. I catch her on the stairs, lacing my fingers through hers, but she jerks her hand away.
“I am not a prize to be won,” she snarls.
“You eavesdropped too early,” I tell her. She glances over her shoulder at Zeke and Lyon, who are watching us.
