The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

“And you don’t?”

He let out a dry laugh. “Is that a serious question?”

I studied his coolly handsome features. “You subjected yourself to decades of the gods only know what for Millicent. Would she not do the same for you?”

Malik laughed again, and this time, it was real. “No. She’s more likely to set me afire than a realm.”

My brows flew open. “You said you were heartmates—”

“We are.” He angled his body toward me. “But she doesn’t know that.”

Confusion rose, and then I remembered him saying that he’d done unimaginable things that she would never know about. “How doesn’t she know?”

“She just doesn’t.”

“Then how do you know?”

His head inclined. “You ask a lot of questions.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Has anyone ever told you that asking questions is a sign of intelligence?”

“I haven’t needed to be told that,” I said. “Because I already know.”

Malik smiled then. “I just know.”

Sensing that I wouldn’t get much more out of him about that subject, I moved on to things I was more curious about. “Do you think Millicent will be there with Isbeth when we meet with her?”

His shoulders tightened. “Gods, I hope not. But she probably will be. Isbeth will likely demand her presence.”

I nibbled on my lower lip as I stared at the bone chains. “Why hasn’t Millicent tried to stop her?”

“What makes you think she hasn’t?” Malik countered. “You’ve seen what Isbeth can do. Millie is strong, she’s fierce, but she is not a demis.”

He had a point, but… “Then why didn’t she try to kill me? She believes I’m the Harbinger, right? She had an opportunity, as did you—especially when I was younger.”

“Millie has never tried to convince herself that she could kill a child or her sister.” Malik’s stare bore through me. “She is not evil just because she’s Isbeth’s daughter.”

But they apparently thought I was. “And what about you? You were evil enough to think you could do it.”

“I was desperate enough.” Malik paused. “And broken enough that I latched onto any purpose.”

I remembered what Casteel had said to him. “Your bonded wolven? Preela? How did that break you?”

“Jalara killed her in front of me,” he answered so flatly that I almost thought the swirl of grief was mine. “It wasn’t quick or honorable what he and the others did to her.” He faced me. “And you don’t have to ask what that was. You carry a part of her with you. You hold it in your hand even now.”

Slowly, I looked down at the bloodstone dagger I held—the wolven-bone grip that never warmed to my touch. “No.”

Malik said nothing.

My gaze flew to his. “How would you even know?”

“I saw each one made of her bones. I will never forget what they look like.”

A tremor ran through my hand.

“And it was gifted to Coralena, who in turn, gave it to Leopold,” he continued, a muscle ticking under his temple. “How you came into possession of it afterward, I am curious to know.”

“Vikter gave it to me,” I whispered. “He was a viktor, too.”

Malik smiled tightly. “Well, it sounds like fate to me, doesn’t it?”

Chapter 46

Casteel

From the window of the receiving hall, I watched several soldiers riding toward the Rise to join the rest of the armies outside Padonia’s gates.

Two hundred thousand men and women prepared to end this war. Ready to fight. Ready to die. The weight of their loyalty and determination sat heavier on my shoulders and chest than the armor I now wore.

Kieran silently joined me at the window, his shoulder brushing mine. I glanced at him. He was dressed in black trimmed in gold but without the armor. He’d trimmed his hair at some point since I’d last seen him. My gaze dropped to his arm, where the cut had been. The Joining had worked. As close as Kieran and I had always been, our hearts had never shared the same beat, not even with the bond. But had it usurped the curse?

The kick in my heart echoed in his. He looked at me. “Do I want to know what’s on your mind?”

He didn’t need to know, as I was sure it already preyed on his mind enough.

I turned back to the window. “I was thinking about how I want to see every single one of these soldiers live to see the realm at peace.” That wasn’t a lie. “But I know not all will.”

He nodded. “I’d tell you the same thing I’ve told Poppy, but you already know what that is since you were the one who told me when we first left Atlantia.”

I knew what he spoke of. “You cannot save everyone, but you can save the ones you love,” I said. “And how did Poppy respond to that?”

One side of his lips rose. “You’re here, aren’t you?”

“As are you.”

“Exactly.” There was a pause. “I summoned your father as you asked. He comes now. You still plan to pull rank?”