by Ivy Clyde
“First, the queen,” said Vishen in a loud voice.
One of the valets stepped forward.
I didn’t know what was happening. Would Vishen really go as far as to crown me? A triumphant smile stretched on his lips as he picked up the crown and placed it on my head.
“You are queen now, my dear niece,” he whispered to me.
Lucia glared at his closeness to me.
“Do it now.” Vishen’s voice was low but brimming with threat and command.
What was I supposed to do now? How far was I supposed to take this play?
My hands shook as I reached inside my long, flowing sleeve. My fingers wrapped around the cold hilt of the dagger. I stared at Lucia. She should be able to tell by my expression what was happening but she was still bound to me by the ribbon Vishen tied on our hands. Squirming, I tried to take my hand away.
“Looks like the queen wants to be free,” said Vishen loudly. A few laughs reached my ears. He helped loosen my hand from the knot. I stepped away from Lucia at once.
“Do it now,” Vishen hissed.
Before I could make up my mind, the peaceful silence in the room suddenly broke down. Shouts of men mingled with the sound of explosions. The crowd turned toward the doorway like a many-headed monster. People in the back were already on their feet.
I glanced at Vishen. From the look of utmost rage on his face, I could guess he wasn’t expecting the disruption. Lucia’s face broke into a smile though.
33
Moira
The people who moved out of their seats to venture outside came rushing inside with cries for help. Alerted, the rest of the crowd began panicking. By now, everyone was on their feet.
The next moment, soldiers entered the room. A quick look was enough to tell me they were from two opposing parties.
The soldiers in silver uniform looked like the regular palace guards but the ones in black armor seemed to be taking commands from someone else entirely. The two parties fought with both swords and throwing spheres of white-hot flames.
“What is happening?” the crowd of well-dressed nobles chanted.
Complete pandemonium broke out as the black-armored soldiers started attacking the crowd. The palace guards in silver armor opposed them, allowing safe passage to some of the men and women so they could leave.
I was suddenly pushed toward the stairs of the dais. Whirling around, I saw Lucia. She gestured for me to run as well. “Go,” she shouted.
“Stop!” Vishen shouted, halting me in my steps. “Get back here!”
When I didn’t move, he marched toward me and grabbed my arm.
“Let go!” I shouted. “I am not killing her.”
Vishen’s grip tightened painfully. “How dare you run, bitch!” he screamed.
“I am not your bitch!” I screamed and lashed out at him with the unsheathed dagger in my hand.
The strike was swift enough to take him by surprise, cutting open the front of his robes. A deep gash could be spotted underneath the layers of clothes he wore. Vishen’s dark eyes widened. His fingers brushed over the cut. Blood smeared the tips of his fingers as he held his hand before his face.
“You dare cut me with my own blade!” he bellowed.
Raising his hand, he conjured a sphere of dark smoke. Lucia stepped before me just as he threw it at me. Lucia blocked the attack with her sword but I could feel the icy breath of the dark magic as it disintegrated all around me.
“You care for the bitch?” asked Vishen.
“She is my queen and my true mate,” said Lucia. “Of course, I care for her.” Keeping her eyes on Vishen, she added, “Go, Moira.”
“What did you call her?”
“I called her by her real name,” said Lucia with a sneer.
I clutched the hilt of the naked dagger and ran into the chaos. The soldiers were busy fighting each other while the other nobles and ladies were cowering or running to save their pitiful lives. They provided me the cover to escape from the scene.
I loosened the ties of the gown from around my torso. By the time I reached the doorway, the heavy dress had fallen off my shoulders. Dressed in a simple white long-sleeved robe, I rushed out into the underground hallway.
More soldiers in silver and black armors fought here. Explosions rang all around me. Swords clashed with deafening sounds. Unsure which way to go, I hid behind a pillar to observe the scene.
The corridor was already being littered with corpses.
Just as I marked the safest route to make my exit, a new crowd appeared through that way. They were a small group of about a dozen men dressed completely in black robes. Even their faces were covered with black masks. An eerie chill spread through the air. Next moment, I realized these people weren’t walking but gliding forward. None of their feet touched the ground.
Swirls of dark smoke rose from their raised palms. They started attacking the soldiers in silver armor, leaving the black-armored men untouched. No longer distracted by palace guards, they fell on the nobles and ladies who were escaping through the ceremonial chamber. Within minutes, they slaughtered through the crowd who’d been assembled there by Vishen.
“What the fuck,” I muttered, staring at the half a dozen dark mages in the hallway. The others of their party had already gone inside the ceremonial hall. Lucia…Panic gripped my heart at once. It was one thing to be fighting one-on-one with Vishen but another to have six dark mages attacking you at the same time.
I was about to step out to kill the mages attacking the palace guards when something halted me. One of the dark sorcerers was thrown to the ground by a sphere of blinding golden light. My gaze swung toward the corner. I could feel my eyes widen with shock as the most unexpected figures appeared before me.
Lady Chantal and Lady Demitria marched forward. The dark mages noticed their presence at once and fell on the two women. To my astonishment, the two women of Belenus Court turned out to be badasses who had enough power and magic to tackle the mages fighting with them. There was a synchronicity to both their movements. No matter how they were attacked, they remained side-by-side or came together back-to-back.
Relief spread through me as another realization rose within me. If Lady Chantal and Lady Demitria were here, then Rowan and Leon must be here too. They must have come to help Lucia and me. I felt more relieved to see the two mages holding out against the dark ones.
Taking a deep breath, I rushed back into the ceremonial chamber.
The sight that waited there for me nearly choked the air out of my lungs. Lucia’s body lay squirming on the ground while four dark mages surrounded her. Black smoke curled into balls on the palms of their hands as they prepared to attack her. Her black robes were shredded to bits, revealing several bloody gashes on her torso, arms, and legs.
Magic rose up within me in waves. Red covered my vision as my gaze focused on the black-clothed figures. “Tear out their cores and burn them all!” I shouted as my powers streamed out of my body. Shafts of white and gold light poured out of my skin as I channeled all my strength into my murderous intent.
The dark mages glanced at me. It was a stupid move as they were completely unaware of the black veil manifesting over their heads. Next moment, their bodies jerked mid-air. Their eyes widened as their hands went up to clutch at their chests.
Wild, unrestrained laughter escaped me as I watched balls of pulsing light tearing out of their chests.
“Who-who are you?” breathed a voice from somewhere on the floor.
Glancing down, I recognized Vishen. He was barely able to sit up. Blood spurted from the corner of his lips as he struggled to pull himself up.
“Stay on the ground, you traitorous piece of shit,” I hissed. “That’s where you belong.”
“Who are you? You can’t be Ampin’s daughter.”
Hysterical laughter escaped me as I looked all around me. Bodies of soldiers and nobles littered the pews and floor of the ceremonial chamber. The white marble floor was stained crimson with their blood.
We tried so hard to avoid bloodshed but it happened anyway.
Vishen’s fingers gripped my ankle. “Tell me who you are.”
I knelt down by his side. “Who do you think I am?”
His eyes stared at me with a confused expression. “There is no way…you can’t be…even though the similarities between you and him are uncanny, you cannot possibly be related to him.”
“How else could I tear out their magical cores from their bodies?” I asked, gesturing at the unmoving bodies on the podium. For the moment, I didn’t even glance at Lucia. Right now, it was just me and the man who murdered my father and fucked up my entire childhood.
“But Eoghan is the heir…”
“He is not.”
“Then, you…”
“Me,” I said with a nod. “I am his daughter.”
“Whose daughter?”
“It’s good you don’t dare utter my father’s name with your filthy tongue. King Arian should have long torn that lying thing from your mouth.”
“Selene…she gave birth to you?”
“Keep guessing what happened,” I said. “It wouldn’t matter though. They’re both gone but their child is still standing before you. Your queen stands before you.” I suddenly felt the weight of the crown still sitting snugly on my head. “It is quite an irony to be crowned by the man who murdered my father.”
“Stop talking nonsense!” he suddenly roared. His eyes raged with anger and hate. “You are spewing lies just like that bastard prince.”
“Shut up!” I cried, kicking Vishen hard in the face. “How dare you raise your voice to me? How dare you hurt the person I love?” I continued kicking him with all my strength, making him double up with pain. “Stay down or you won’t live long enough to confess to your sins.”
Throwing his body away from me, I crossed the sea of corpses lying between me and Lucia.
“Moira,” she called out in a pained voice.
“Are you all right?” I said in a wavering voice as I knelt by her side. As gently as possible, I pulled her body on my lap. Warm liquid seeped in through my clothes, turning the white of my robes into bright crimson. “You are covered in blood.”
All the fight in me seeped out as tears rolled down my cheeks.
Lucia raised blood-coated fingers to my cheeks and gently caressed them.
“You need to go to a hospital,” I said through a choked voice.
She smiled despite the pain twisting her features. “What did I ever do to you that you’d send me to that place with human butchers?”
“How can you crack stupid jokes at a time like this?” I wailed. “You’re hurt!”
“I’ll be fine, Moira. Don’t cry, my heart.” She brushed away the tears streaming down my face. “Let me rest here. I am done fighting for the day. You, on the other hand, need to go and handle the situation outside these underground chambers. I have to leave the rest to you.”
I nodded. “Don’t worry about a thing,” I said. “I haven’t seen them yet but I am sure Rowan and Leon are here. Maybe even Cade has come.”
“Go,” she said, sliding off my lap. “I will keep a watch over Vishen until you come to get me.”
She chuckled at the sight of my expression. “You’ve given the man a good beating. He won’t be getting up any time soon.”
“I will send someone to look after you,” I said, getting to my feet. “Just hold on for a few minutes, okay? I will get you help.” She pulled herself into a sitting position and nodded. Exhaustion rolled through her. Her head swayed. She was in a bad situation no matter what she said. I had to get someone to look after her.
“Go on, My Queen,” she said in a slurred voice. “You’re in charge now.”
Strength suffused through me at those words. Taking a deep breath, I gave a nod and rushed out to take back the reins of my kingdom.
34
Moira
Two figures, one in pure white and the other in blood-red, stood upright among a sea of corpses.
“I’m fine,” said Demitria with a grimace as she leaned heavily onto Chantal.
“Fine?” screamed Chantal, her voice echoing all around me in the deathly silent hallway. “You’re fucking bleeding. I keep telling you not to block attacks for me but do you ever listen?”
“Come on, love,” said Demitria in a crooning, pleading tone. “Don’t be angry now.”
“You’d rather I cry when you’re dead,” cried Chantal. Next moment, she broke out into loud sobs.
Demitria begged her to stop crying and before I knew it, the two were locked in a sudden fierce kiss. My head was already ringing with the need to call for help but the behavior of my two mentors knocked me backward. I never knew they were involved romantically. I slapped my forehead, realizing how I’d missed all the signs of affection and closeness between the two.
“Lady Chantal,” I called out, rushing forward. They could have all the time to kiss each other after they’d taken care of Lucia. They broke apart, their gazes falling on me. Demitria still leaned onto Chantal, her face pale but her green eyes still bright. “Are you two all right?”
“This one here is hurt,” said Chantal with a scowl.
“I’m going to be fine,” said Demitria with a pained smile. “What about you, child? Are you hurt?”
I shook my head. “I am fine, but someone else needs your help. There is a person inside that ceremonial hall who is badly injured. You will find her in royal black garments. Look after her until I get back. Please, do all you can for her. She is my mate.”
Chantal and Demitria glanced at each other. “Is it the woman called Lucia?” asked Demitria.
“Yeah.” Part of me wondered how she knew but there was no time to ask. “Vishen is in there too. I will have to leave you two here to take care of them for me while I go out and meet Rowan. He is here, isn’t he?”
“All three princes have come to your aid,” said Chantal. “But you still need to be careful when you go upstairs. There are rebel soldiers running around the place, looking for a way to escape. They might hurt you out of desperation.”
“I can take care of myself,” I said with urgency lacing my tone. “Please help Lucia.”
“We will,” said Demitria.
I gave a nod and sprinted forward. The long length of my white inner robes fluttered behind me as I ran down the hallway. My feet stepped on parts of corpses but I didn’t have time to feel remorse. There would be time to grieve for the lives lost today. Right now, I had to make sure things were fine inside and outside the Moon Palace.
The dark mages cleared the passageways leading to the upper floors of the place. I guessed Lucia anticipated an attack by his men on us but I doubt she could predict the appearance of those powerful mages who were expert assassins with the ability to kill many at once. Vishen was truly vicious. He didn’t care who died so he could covet the crown. The thought sent a burst of rage through me, propelling me forward.
I stayed concealed after reaching the ground floor of the palace. Faint moonlight streamed in through the high windows but the night sky seemed to be growing lighter. Men’s shouts and voices echoed all around me. My feet hurried down the hallway to reach the entrance hall.
Annoyance pricked at me. The Moon Palace was so vast, it took me close to half an hour just to reach the entrance hall! My lungs burned as I huffed and panted. Leaning against a pillar, I peered out at the soldiers clad in golden armor. The symbol of a flaming sun on their breastplate told me they were solar fae men.
A sliver of relief shot through me. Rowan had really brought them here.
Staying concealed behind the pillar, I observed the scene before me. They were all shouting at each other to look for men in black armor. Palace guards in silver armor were actively guiding them further down the hall and into corridors leading into the inner chambers of the palace.
Hope swelled inside me. During a time of crisis, both factions were capable of working together. They just needed their leaders to be united.
; The sight of a tall figure in golden armor caught my eye. The moonlight cast a silver sheen on his golden-blond locks streaming out of his helmet. Lavender-hued eyes surveyed the scene with a sharp keenness. My heart fluttered as recognition flitted through me.
“Cade,” I called out, rushing toward him.
He turned toward me, his eyes lighting up with relief and happiness. However, the glow dimmed as I got near. He reached out to me with hesitant hands. “Moira, what happened to you? Do you need a healer right away?”
For a moment, I felt confused by the fear lacing his voice. Then, I followed his gaze which was glued to the large crimson patches on my robes.
Moving closer to him, I placed my hands on both sides of his face and made him look at me. “I am absolutely fine. It’s not my blood.”
“Really?”
I gave a nod. “Really.”
“You’re not hurt?”
I shook my head with a smile.
“Thank the goddesses!” he whispered and pulled me into a tight hug.
Warmth spread through me as he kept thanking the gods and goddesses for watching over me. My arms tightened around him as I said the same prayers silently.
“Where is Rowan?” I asked him when we parted.
“He is at out there,” he said, glancing toward the tall doorways leading outside the entrance hall. “He and Leon are making sure they weed out any rebels from among Vishen’s army.”
“Have they surrendered?”
Cade gave a nod. “They were only too happy to surrender. Most of the men didn’t want to be fight at all. They are loyal to you, the heir of King Amaris. Of course, they think they are being loyal to that imposter.”
“Don’t call her that,” I said with a frown.
His lips curled in a familiar, infuriating grin and suddenly, I realized he said it to tease me.
“You’re still so bad,” I said, playfully hitting him in the chest. He mocked a grimace even when I’d only hit his armor. “This is not a situation for us to be laughing.”
“Why not?” he asked. “You have won. It won’t be long before you take back what’s really yours.”