Page 76 of Darkest Heart

“He came for me?”

Astor wetted his lips. “He did, but he’s been taken. Nightshade came after you and Hamza sped away.”

Erianna chimed in. “Hamza?”

“I’ll explain later.”

Astor glared in her direction. “Aren’t you supposed to be leaving?”

She glared back with murderous intent, then left through the door.

“She’s gone,” I said, “so tell me, what happened?”

“They think you’re dead. I didn’t tell them you’re alive,” he said. “You’re welcome.”

“Don’t go there with me.”

“Your father was devastated. He went almost willingly when Kalon’s men dragged him in chains. He could still be alive. If you leave now, you might get to him in time.”

“What about my mother?”

He hissed in a breath between his teeth. “Oh, they haven’t told you? An aniccipere killed her. Where your husband and friends hid her body, I don’t know.”

Dead. My mom. Everything faded to black and white as the world around me slowed. Astor's words disappeared behind a sheet of numbness as I shook my head, refusing to believe that she was gone.

TWENTY-SIX

Niall

I rested my head on the pillow next to Elizabeth, exhaling a long breath. Azia was gone. He’d headed to find Sebastian, hoping he was still alive. I doubted it, if Seraphina was dead.

Sargon had been taken somewhere secret. My father barely explained, although I assumed he planned on having him killed. At least he got there before I could. Only Velda knew his location, along with Kalon.

As it stood, my father was king. Sanmorte never felt so dangerous. Even for me. I’d wanted this for so long, but seeing Elizabeth in the warpath of Gwen set me on edge. I couldn’t wait to send her away. The original plan to send her away had gone awry. All eyes were on me now. I was regarded as a prince now more than ever before. There was no way they’d let me leave the castle, especially with mortals. The aniccipere had killed the princess, and everyone was on high alert. A war was brewing with the south, and my father was relying on me to be his general.

I turned on my side, glad to be in here than out there. “I’m surprised you didn’t run after that.” I sighed. It wasn’t like she had anywhere to go. Better the evil she knew, I supposed. “I apologize for before.”

She bit her lip, groaning as she turned. “I accept.” She tilted her head, her eyes glistening from the light arrowing through the window. In the browns were a hundred shades of gold. “I’m sorry about the princess,” she said, averting her gaze. “You seemed to care about her.”

“Somewhat,” I admitted. Seraphina was the key to getting the crown, but right now, that didn’t matter. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here,” I admitted, feeling selfish for not getting her out already. “I know you’re not.”

“No,” she answered, and pressed her thumb against the back of her shoulder, rubbing out a knot. I took over, propping her up against my torso. Her hair was like silk against my fingers as I swept her waves over one shoulder. Rubbing my palm over the area, I slowly kneaded my fingers, massaging into the knot. Pocket of tension ease as I stroked, and she leaned into my touch, her head dropping back against my chest.

She had no clue of the effect she had on me. Just by being this close.

Softly, I pressed and brought my lips to her neck. She tensed, waiting for the sting of my fangs, but I kissed the area marked with bruises. The instinct to feed was overwhelmed by the desire to shield her from the world, and me. I waited for her to stop me, but she closed her eyes, dragging her hand across mine. My heart melted. “Elizabeth,” I spoke her name against her skin. “I’m getting you out today. Before they kill you.”

For the first time in a long time, I felt it. This was what pain felt like. It may have been emotional, but I would rather have stakes stabbed into my body than this. “I’ll find a way to get you home.”

I wasn’t sure when it happened. Somewhere between her witty remarks and the way she lit up when she talked about her family, I realized I wanted her. Even cared for her.

She eased closer, bringing her fingers to my chest. “Niall,” she whispered. “I need to tell you-”

“It’s best we don’t talk anymore,” I interrupted before she could say anything else. All these years, even as a kid, I had been obsessed with collecting things. Fireflies. People. Gwen. Then her. This time, I was opening the metaphorical jar. She wasn’t mine to keep. I wanted to properly apologize for everything, but I wasn’t ready to contend with that side of me. “Pack your things and I’ll fly you out tonight.”

She leaned away, her brows pulling together. A selfish part of me wanted to pull her back into my arms, to hold, kiss, and lose myself in her. But we only had so much time.

“What about Carla?” She asked.

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