Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars 2)

My chest aches like I’ve been punched. I hate that such a simple word uttered by this man can wound me so deeply. But I don’t retaliate with my own venomous words. Getting free of his power is my only thought.

Quickly buttoning my pants, I force my legs to run, only stopping long enough to retrieve my discarded sword. When the sounds of the battle hit my ears, the fog lifts from my brain, and I’m disgusted that I’d forgotten about everyone and everything while under Caben’s spell.

But that thought is short-lived as Caben’s angered shout follows me down the corridor.

“You will submit, Kal. Or you will die.”

My feet stumble as I round the last corner toward the chapel. Before I’m through the secret door and on my way to my companions and empress, his words reach me one last time, filling me with dread. And with shame—I admit—hope.

“I swear it. You will be mine.”

“The army is forcing them out,” Lilly says as she clips her transmitter to her harness. “It’s almost over.”

I nod, my eyes absently scanning the inner-court grounds of the palace as the last of the Otherworlders flee. Her words should be comforting. Instead, a hollowness settles in my chest that I don’t want to understand.

Glancing at the black sky through the council room window, I say, “It’s almost over. For now.” This last part I whisper, hoping she doesn’t respond. I’m not ready to face the questions she has for me about Caben.

He allowed me to escape. I’m not so vain to believe that I bested him. Hell, I wasn’t even fighting. Not really. This is a game. A sadistic one. And I don’t know the rules. I don’t know this dark, evil Caben, so how can I?

A shuffling of feet, chairs scraping the floor, and my mind is jogged from its deep refuge. Crossing my wrists behind my back, I turn to see Empress Iana enter the large room, followed by the Nactue. I lift my chin to them in greeting, and then as if the goddesses haven’t punished me enough, Julian Paynebridge breezes in right past the three stuffy council members already seated at the table.

I recognize the searing in my chest instantly. Annoyance.

Julian Paynebridge, eldest cousin to Prince Caben and sole heir to the Perinyian kingdom—in the event of Prince Caben’s demise—is the epitome of everything wrong with this kingdom. With any kingdom, really. It’s true I’ve learned a lot about the differences between men and women, and the roles they lead and share. My time down in the belly of the earth taught me things about life that I wouldn’t be able to learn in my own queendom, at least. But there are still times when I can’t fathom what the hell is wrong with some men.

Like Julian Paynebridge.

I wish Caben would have warned me when he was handing over the reigns to his country. But I suppose, during a life and death situation, the little details don’t seem so important. Like, oh yes, my cousin is a power-monger who despises women and will make your stay in my country most heinous. Who will fight to turn my whole country against you, even though I believed you worthy of making crucial decisions in my place.

Julian is a power-hungry pain in my ass, bent on making himself king. Despite his so called affections for his cousin, the prince.

As Julian’s gray eyes meet mine, he smiles. His full, smug smile that almost reminds me of Caben’s when we first met—but there is nothing in his cold eyes to contrast it. The way Caben’s were so steel blue and yet so friendly, you couldn’t help staring a moment too long into them, needing to know his secrets.

“Members of the Council, Empress,” Julian begins, ticking his head to each person around the room. “Please, be seated and we’ll begin.” He flaps his cape back and seats himself at the large oblong table.

There are still Otherworlders on Perinyian soil, and he’s calling a meeting. He’s impatient to point the finger at me, and try again to claim his right to the throne.

Lilly nudges me with her shoulder as we walk toward the table, her way of saying, “Calm down, Kal.” Or, “This

isn’t Cavan—you can’t just run him through…”

Despite the happenings of late, a slow smile crawls onto my face. Just the image of Julian’s face, all horror, as I prod him with my sword makes things seem less dire. But he does have a right to Caben’s throne, and if the Council decides the late King Marcus’ pact with Empress Iana is no longer relevant, then things could become much more dismal.

If only I could’ve kept my feelings for Caben in check—could have captured him and then found a way to expel Bale…

I void my mind of the consuming thoughts. There’s plenty of time later to scold and punish myself, to think and reason and pretend that what happened between Caben and I was just my being caught off-guard.

Right now, as I’m seated across from Councilor Herna and the three members of the Perinyian Council, my empress beside me, my Nactue lined up against the wall—I can’t allow any emotions to show on my face.

For one more meeting, I have to keep strong. For Caben.

Even if the true king of Perinya has vowed to kill me.

? 7 ?

Caben

WEAKLING!