Midnight's End (The Raven Queen's Harem 6)

Nevis grins. “I hoped you would come around to seeing that.”

Tears prick to my eyes. “Even though it may not seem like it, I do wish I could forgive Bunny. Wash it all away and make him pure again like this water.” I hold up the glass. “But what he did…it was awful. Unforgiveable.”

Nevis leans over and pushes my hair out of my eyes. It’s a motherly move and in this moment I appreciate it. I’m away from home, without family, and sick. I’m also about to have to make a decision that could alter my life and those of my mates forever.

“I still think you should talk to him and find out why he made his decisions.”

“But…” I swallow back my words and wipe the tears from my eyes.

Nevis frowns. “But what?”

Many of the emotions I’ve been carrying for days erupt in one emotional purge. “What if I forgive him and the others hate me for it? What if he’s truly evil and it’s all just a game. I’m just a pawn. They put me through tests before. What if I fail this one?” The words tumble out in between sobs. “And then there’s the other side of this. What Bunny did to me was wrong and the risk he put the whole world in is unspeakable. But what he did to the other Ravens was more than I can absolve him for. I can’t make that decision.”

Nevis wraps her arms around me, bringing me in tight to her chest. If someone walked in on us right now I have no idea what the punishment for her or for me would be, but I don’t care. I take the chance and embrace her back.

“I want you to look at something,” she says in my ear. We part and I wipe my nose again on the bedding before following her to the dressing chamber. A long mirror leans against the wall and Nevis positions me so I’m standing directly in front of it. I’m in the dress from the night before. It’s wrinkled as all hell. My ribs hurt from the corset as much as the crying. My face is streaked with black kohl and my hair looks like a bird’s nest after a tornado.

“If you want me to look at a hot mess, I’ve got it. Thanks.”

Her hand clasps mine and she smiles. “You may look a little worse for the wear, but there’s more.”

“I’m not sure I can handle any more, Nevis.”

“In two days you’re slated to either succumb to the Morrigan or take over. What I see in the reflection is the future Queen of both realms. The Queen of Ravens—and not the Goddess of War. If you fight through the obstacles in your way you can shine a light on this world. We need you. My people need you. Your Guardians need you.” She runs a hand down my hair. “That includes Bunny. And to accomplish what you need to do to make that happen you need his help, too.”

“But what about—”

“You’re the Queen. You make the decisions.” She touches the charm hanging between my breasts. “They are here to follow you. They trust you. And it’s time for you to repair the damage between you and Bunny.”

The idea leaves a sour taste in my mouth. “What if I don’t want to?”

Her lips tug into a frown. “Then I’m afraid you aren’t ready and it may be another millennium before we have the chance to break free from the Morrigan’s reign of terror.”

I’m at least a foot taller than Nevis and wearing an impressive gown. I’m young and have strength and power that I’d never expected in life, but this woman next to me seems so much stronger.

“I’m not sure if I can do it,” I admit.

“You have two days to figure it out.”

8

Damien

“No,” Dylan says. There’s zero wavering in his voice. The problem for him is he’s not the actual leader of the group. We all get a vote and from the set of Clinton’s jaw and the tension tugging at Sam’s eyes I know Dylan is not going to get his way without a fight.

I sigh and start what is sure to be a fight. “Cirice has a good point, these guys are the best. Well, other than us, but it would be better to go in with a small, solid team than with less skilled soldiers.”

“They’re savages,” Dylan argues. “They spent centuries working directly under Camulus. His special team. They raped, pillaged, and burned their way through history.”

“But these six were cast out because of their refusal to fight for Camulus in the modern era,” I say. “The War God sold them into slavery as punishment and they’ve been under lock and key with the Shaman ever since. Maybe they’ve changed?”

“Or maybe they’re worse than before,” Clinton adds. “I, too, am worried about bringing them into the battle on the Otherside, they could easily betray us as well.”

“Not if they’re bound,” Sam says. “We could try to win their contract.”

Dylan narrows his eyes at our brother. “You want to be slave owners? I never thought I’d hear those words from you.”

“I don’t want to own them, but I would like to control them on the battlefield. Once the war is over we can determine their fate.”