Page 68 of Happily Ever Bitten (Underworld Royals 2)

“What do you mean, ‘too flawed’ to lead?” Grigory asked.

“I believe I’ve answered enough questions to at least earn a name,” she retorted, arching a brow.

“I’m Grigory of Noxia, your sister’s former betrothed,” he replied without missing a beat. “So I’m very interested in knowing what the hell you mean about being too flawed to lead, because I was promised to the Neptune Kingdom heir, not an imposter.”

Narissa gaped at him. “You’re Prince Grigory?” She glanced at me. “And who are you?”

“Zaya.” I meant to tell her more and admit to being a halfling, but Grigory spoke before I could continue.

“My true betrothed,” he added, folding his arms. “I’m not marrying your sister. Or you.”

Narissa grimaced. “I would not wish to marry you either, My Prince. No offense.”

“None taken, but I’d like an explanation, and quickly, before your guards return.”

She considered him for a moment, then nodded. “Napia isn’t the true heir of Neptune. I am, as the older twin. But as I said, I have too much of my mother’s character. I refused to follow my father’s orders, so Napia has taken my place. She accepted the ascension from my father, embracing the darkness of our kind, and has inherited powers that are rightfully mine. She was also gifted the form of a snake.”

Grigory and I shared a long look, his mind racing with a convoluted mix of anger and shock.

“Their intentions are not true,” Narissa continued. “They’re amassing an army with the goal of taking Noxia Kingdom from you.”

“Why?” Grigory asked, needing that final piece of the puzzle. I felt his yearning for it in his mind, his desire to understand Napia’s true desire. Because he suspected it wasn’t about dominating his kingdom but about something more.

Narissa smiled. “Power, of course. My sister is obsessed with it, as is my father. She’s been amassing it for years, using the techniques of our heritage.”

“Which are?”

She looked at him. “Do I really need to describe what you’ve already seen, Prince Grigory? You’ve met the guards and soldiers outside. Where are their souls? Their will? Their purpose?” She lifted her shoulders. “An army of walking dead, really. It’s sad. But that’s my sister’s true desire, to rule all.”

Rather than reply, Grigory’s mind raced with the knowledge, his strategic responses firing left and right so quickly that I barely caught them. Each notion was more brilliant than the next, revealing to me the true prince beneath all the layers. This was the Grigory who was meant to be king.

He didn’t lose his cool.

Didn’t scream and shout.

He just nodded in acceptance, then looked at Narissa. “We need to get you out of here.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, no. I can’t. My—”

“I wasn’t asking, Princess,” Grigory drawled.

“You don’t understand. My sister has woven so many spells around my existence that if I even think…” She trailed off, her eyes flashing to the ceiling, sending a chill down my spine.

“What is it?” Grigory demanded.

“I thought about leaving,” she whispered, flinching.

I swallowed, my instincts firing inside me just as the building began to shake.

“What’s happening?” Grigory demanded, searching for the threat.

Narissa sighed. “Napia has a spell for everything.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, just as the roof was ripped off the tower.

Staring down at us were several sea dragons

, their teeth sharp and ominous.

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