Pacing the studio, I stop every pass and stand before the painting. Wondering. Wishing. Hoping.

I’ve fucked up. Worse than I thought. Morgan wasn’t supposed to be here. Just Anita. My plan had been to kill the Queen and pawn, then restore the only survivor to the throne.

That was the plan, but now it’s gone all to hell.

There’s one thing I could do. It’s worth a shot and the gate taunts me, beckoning me to go back through. Get help. Find Dylan.

He’ll kill me, maybe before I can get him back here. And if he doesn’t? The Morrigan and Casteel will string me from the rafters. A bunny caught in a snare.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What have I done?

With a deep breath I focus on the painting, pressing my palm flat against the surface. I whisper the words, the ones that activate the runes built into the image. The center bends, swirling the colors from dark to light, light to dark, breaking down the barriers from this realm to the next. I feel the gust, the warmth from home, the smell of my studio on the other side, but a tug draws me back.

“Master! Master!” the voice calls. I look away from the gate, from my home, and see the girl in her gray uniform, eyes pleading. I yank my hand away and the opening shuts with a harsh, cosmic slam.

“What!” I regret my tone instantly. This girl—the slave—doesn’t deserve my anger. “I’m sorry, what is it?”

“She’s in trouble.”

She. Morgan.

“What kind of trouble?” There’s only so much I can do and even then it will never be enough.

“The Commander is in her room.” Her hands shake. “He’s going to hurt her.”

I nod and thank her. I’m no match for the Commander—his magic or his strength—even if I had both hands. I kick the pile of canvases, scattering them across the room. The disruption uncovers metal, sleek steel with a bejeweled hilt. I lunge for the sword, recognizing a gift from the gods when I see it, and hope I’m not too late.

Chapter 27

Dylan

The painting parts before me, spinning like a tsunami. Paint and magic separate, splitting our worlds in two. I’d seen it before but not like this. Not so unexpected. I’d walked into Bunny’s studio expecting to find little to nothing and instead I find this—an opening portal—just waiting for me to step in.

I hesitate. There’s no guarantee the gate leads where I want it to. It could be a trap. Taking me straight to the dungeons. Maybe to the zombie pits on the south side of the realm, or to the darkest depths of the deadly, frozen sea. The Otherside is not contained to just the castle, but this could be my only chance to find Morgan and my brothers. It could be our only opportunity to take the Morrigan out, once and for all.

I step closer, feeling the rush of arctic air, my eyelashes freezing into stiff points. I pat my pockets for my weapons. I unsheathe the blade I always carry from my hip. Just as I’m about to take the leap the air softens, the gusts slow, and the gate shrinks before my eyes.

“No,” I mutter, pressing forward. “No!”

I shove my hands into the gate and toss myself forward, forcing my way into the dark, praying to the gods I land safely on the other side.

Chapter 28

Morgan

Water runs down my body, slippery and wet from the soap. I’ve got no defense against Casteel’s forceful, grabby hands. “It’s going to be a pleasure breaking you down, little thing.”

Desperate, I yank hard, using my soapy skin to my advantage and slip from his grasp. I fall backwards from the force but steady my hands on the tub. He doesn’t care, I’m definitely not in any sort of dominate position. I’m naked and unarmed. He leers at me, taking time to unbutton his pants. The belt clinks to the floor and I look away.

“Don’t act shy,” he says, tearing off his shirt first. Black fabric falls to the floor. I fumble around the edge of the tub, touching the sponge, the soap, the shampoo. “Rumors of your lustful activity is legendary in the castle. Each time you fuck your guardians, the Queen falls apart—did you know that? Takes a little piece of her power. So much fucking over the last few months. Made the palace unbearable. So she figured she’d steal your guardians

and strip you of that little bit of control you have over her.”

He’d removed his shirt to make me see his strength. The broad, hard lines of his chest and shoulders. His muscles are massive. Bigger than Clinton. Bigger than any human man for certain. His hard length is visible underneath his trousers. His cock as much a weapon as any blade. I brace myself and wrap my fingers around the nearest thing. Something—anything.

He grabs me by the neck, pulling our bodies together. I recoil at the feel of him against me. He hardens and smiles, twisting his fingers in my hair. “The gods gave you beauty. I can’t wait to see those sweet, perfect lips wrapped around my—“

I smash the soap in his eyes, spreading the lather with my fingers. He yelps at the sting—the lye burns—and I push him with both hands, slamming the bathroom door between us and then shoving a trunk in front of the door. It’s only buying me a few moments. I try the main door—locked.

Tags: Angel Lawson The Raven Queen's Harem Fantasy
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