The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

“Reaver,” I said. “There’s something I would like you to do for me, and you’ll be really happy about it.”

The draken’s smile was bloodthirsty as he walked between Casteel and me.

Callum glanced at Reaver, a painted wing rising on one side of his face. “I think I know what you are.”

“And I think you’re about to find out for sure.” Smoke wafted from Reaver’s nostrils.

“Maybe later.” Callum held up a hand.

Clariza appeared in the hall, her nose bloodied and a blade at her throat. A guard shoved her in Callum’s direction. He took hold of her as Blaz shuffled forward, held by another guard.

“Are you that much of a coward to use them as shields?” I demanded, furious.

“You say coward,” Callum said as Clariza’s anger gathered, hot and acidic, in my throat. “I say clever.”

Kieran came to stand on my other side. “This fucker’s got jokes.”

“Endless ones.” Callum eyed the wolven. “When this is all over, I shall like to keep you. I’ve always wanted a pet wolf.”

“Fuck you,” Kieran growled.

Anger wasn’t the only thing I picked up from the couple as violence thickened the air. Salty resolve filled them, too. They were prepared to die.

But I couldn’t allow that.

“Stand down,” I said to Reaver.

The draken rumbled, but the smoke faded.

Callum smiled. “Some would say humanity is a weakness.”

“Because it is,” another voice intruded, and every muscle in my body tensed.

Callum and the other Revenant stepped aside as I immediately moved to stand in front of Casteel. A figure cloaked in crimson came forward, but I knew it was no Handmaiden.

Slender hands lifted, lowering the hood, revealing what I already knew.

Isbeth stood before us. The ruby crown was absent, as was the powder that lightened her skin. It struck me then that I had seen her like this in her private chambers, with warmer, pink skin. That time, just at dusk, when she’d shown me the Star jewel—a diamond coveted throughout the kingdom and known for its silver glow.

“The most beautiful things in all the kingdom often have jagged and uneven lines, scars that intensify the beauty in intricate ways our eyes nor minds can detect or even begin to understand,” she had said.

It was true. Just as those like her, with smooth and even lines, flawless skin, and endless beauty could be evil and ugly. And my mother was the most monstrous of them all. What of my sister? She may not want to see the realms destroyed, but what had she done to stop our mother?

“Your compassion for mortals is admirable, but it’s not a strength,” Isbeth said, glancing at Reaver before those dark eyes settled on me. “A true Queen knows when to sacrifice her pawns.”

“A true Queen would do no such thing,” I said, yanking down the hood since there was no point in wearing it now. “Only a tyrant would think of people as pawns to be sacrificed.”

She smiled tightly. “We’ll have to agree to disagree.” Her head tilted toward Casteel. “One of you destroyed my cell. An apology would be welcomed.”

“Do any of us look as if we’re about to give you an apology?” Casteel shifted his stance so he blocked the hooded Malik. Kieran did the same.

“Stranger things have happened,” she said. “Even stranger than a Primal mist that was without Craven until it drew them from the Blood Forest to our walls. Now that was clever. Impressive, even.”

“I don’t care what you think,” I bit out.

Isbeth arched a brow as she looked around the kitchen, her lip curling in distaste. “Did you really think you’d escape? That you’d walk right out of the capital, and with something that belongs to me, no less?”

l snarled as the eather throbbed in my chest.

“I wasn’t speaking of you.” Her gaze moved behind us, and her smile twisted coldly. “Him.”

Casteel stiffened as the Blood Queen stared at where Malik stood quietly. “He doesn’t belong to you either.”

“I was so proud of you,” Isbeth said. “And yet, yet another Da’Neer betrayed me. Shocker.”

“Betrayed?” Malik sounded as incredulous as I felt. “You kidnapped and tortured my brother. You held me captive and used me for whatever you desired. And you accuse me of betrayal?”

“Here we go again.” Isbeth rolled her eyes. “Gods, let it go.”

“Fuck you,” Malik spat.

“Neither of us has been interested in that in many years,” she retorted. “So, no thank you.”

Nausea rose sharply as I stared at this woman—this beast—who was my mother.

Her gaze flicked back to me. “If you had stayed where you belonged, you could’ve avoided this. We would’ve spoken today, and I would’ve given you a choice. One that would’ve resulted in his freedom.” She jerked her chin in Casteel’s direction. “And far less mayhem. But this way? It’s far more dramatic. I can appreciate that, as I too love to make a scene.”