Page 35 of Prey of the Lycan Queen
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, my nose instantly going stuffy as I fight the urge to break. It’s too much. Everything I’ve seen here is too much. The lack of humanity, the lack of anything good in this place, is far too much for one to witness, let alone live.
Regan’s words float through my mind. “I am the monster they claim I am.” He warned me, told me multiple times, yet somehow I saw good in a man who has none.
Zeke’s voice is a whisper behind me. “I told him to put them out of their misery.” I whirl around to face him, my mind a whirlwind of rage and betrayal. His silence in the face of such cruelty, his failure to intervene. It’s unforgivable. It’s a scene straight out of my nightmares.
“You knew about this as well?” I whisper, my voice hoarse, the taste of betrayal bitter in my mouth.
“I . . . We’ve tried to reason with him,” Zeke answers quietly, avoiding my gaze.
“I can’t believe you, Zeke. You’re just as bad as he is,” I snap, the realization dawning on me. Hurt flashes in his eyes, but I don’t care. The castle awaits, and with it, Regan. “I can’t even look at you right now. I thought what you did was bad, but allowing this?” My voice chokes up, tears welling in my eyes. Zeke tries to speak, but I cut him off. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear his excuses. Not now. With one last look, I storm off toward the mansion.
As I approach the mansion’s grand entrance, I throw out my hands, and a gust of wind propels the heavy wooden doors open. The loud crash reverberates throughout the vast halls. I ignore the startled gazes of the servants, their hushed whispers echoing as they retreat, leaving me alone in the grand foyer.
Gnash, Hunter, and Shadow cautiously join me. “I’m not angry at you three,” I tell them, and I manage a weak smile. They rush over, pouncing on me, and I pat their heads, letting their familiar comfort seep into my troubled heart. I settle down on the steps, my gaze fixed on the entrance. “He’d better have a good excuse, or he may find himself down in those dungeons receiving the same fate,” I growl under my breath, my fingers absentmindedly scratching Gnash’s head.
The events of the day replay in my mind, the injustices I’ve seen, the fear, the despair. My anger simmers after a while, and though I desperately want to understand, no excuse seems good enough for this kind of treatment. He is their king, the person they trust to keep order, to keep them safe, to rule fairly, but this is not kingly behavior. He’s a monster.
Hours pass, but it’s enough time for me to analyze everything I’ve seen, filter it, and I’ve drawn only one conclusion. The rest makes no sense, and even still, the one thing I’ve figured out, I’m conflicted about.
When I see lights on the driveway through the open foyer doors, I blink out of my haze, only now realizing the day has turned to night. Gnash, Hunter, and Shadow rise. Gnash’s tail wags excitedly, but I don’t share his excitement about seeing his owner.
Regan’s boots crunch on the road outside as he approaches the castle doors. I don’t move, afraid if I do, I will do something I can’t take back. I need to try to remember that his life is currently shared with his brothers. He may be a monster, but Lyon isn’t. As his silhouette fills the door, he slows and stops in his tracks. Gnash wags his tail, paws banging on the floor.
“Sit, Gnash!” I order, and the wolf plants his butt on the ground, a whimper escaping him as he stares at Regan, wanting his attention.
“I . . . I can . . . I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you. I told you I was a monster,” Regan tries to defend himself but then stops. I’ve never felt so much disappointment in my life; he had me fooled. Regan makes no move to come closer but averts his gaze to the ground and leans against the door frame. “So what now?” he murmurs before swallowing.
“What do you think should happen?” I ask him.
“If you give me a chance to fix it, I will put things right.”
“And the men in your dungeon of horrors?” I ask him. The moment I mention them, he turns into something else. Something rabid.
“They don’t deserve mercy!” he snarls so savagely that his eyes turn luminescent, burning like embers in the darkness. His canines glint as they elongate, and he turns on me.
“And there he is . . . Wrath.” Gnash gets to his feet along with Hunter, both of them growling low. The moment I mention the name bestowed on him by my mother, he recognizes his mistake and reins in his fury.
“You’re going to stand down from your throne,” I tell him as I get to my feet.
Regan sputters as I move toward him. “Wait!” But I give him no chance. I’ve seen enough.
“King Regan, I, Zirah, Queen of the High Seat of the High Kingdom of Silvercrest Arcana, with the power I wield, I nullify your title and the sovereignty that comes with it. Your rule is hereby deemed void. This kingdom shall suffer your reign of tyranny no more.”
“You’re taking my throne?” His body stiffens as he fights the urge to approach me.
“That’s not all.”
“No, Zirah, please.” Regan rushes over, dropping at my feet when he realizes what I am about to do next. Gnash whines loudly while Regan grabs my legs, hanging onto me like I am his lifeline.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I’ll do whatever you want, take my kingdom, take everything, don’t give up on me,” he pleads. My lips quiver as I peer down at him, but I can’t risk the curse. He has not redeemed himself, and I won’t risk Lyon.
He’s not the only one hurt by my decision. I love him, but sometimes love is not enough. We all have a part, and mine is to choose, even if it kills me doing it. Regan presses his face into my stomach. I can feel his hot tears soaking my top, just as the ones sliding down my face soak my cheeks.
“I, Zirah, Queen of the High Seat of the High Kingdom of Silvercrest Arcana, reining heir of the four founding kingdoms, reject you, King Regan of Darkheart Kingdom,” I say with conviction.
“No . . . No . . . No!” Regan bellows, and his claws slip out, slashing my legs as the true monster he was cursed to be shines through, but I am expecting it.
