The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

“Shut up,” snarled Casteel, stepping forward.

Several of the Revenants moved in closer as Isbeth said, “But it’s true. She’s the same as I. Where we differ is that I have the courage to admit that.” Her gaze shifted back to me. “So, what will it be?”

My thoughts raced forward, beyond this moment. I was confident that I could kill the Queen. She was powerful, but I wouldn’t hold back on her. At the very least, I would seriously injure her.

But if what she’d said was true, and Revenants did surround us? Reaver would only be able to take down so many. People would get hurt. Those I cared dearly about might be among them.

And that cold part in me…

The part that tasted of death…

It wasn’t like my mother.

It was worse.

I glanced at Casteel. His gaze met mine, and he gave me a curt nod. I hated even entertaining the idea of complying with Isbeth, but she had to know there was no way that Malec could assist her in seeking revenge. I didn’t think he had anything to do with her plans. Her offer stemmed from the desperation of being reunited with her heartmate, no matter what condition he may be in, and that he was her weakness.

One we could exploit. Starting with agreeing to her demands with no intention of fulfilling them.

“I will bring you Malec,” I decided.

There was no rejoicing. Isbeth was quiet for a long moment. “You asked me how I could trust you to return. I had your King once to ensure your cooperation. Now, what do I have to do to ensure that you will not seek to betray me?”

“I guess you will just have to wait and see,” I retorted.

Isbeth gave a close-lipped laugh as her eyes shifted to Callum. That was the only warning. The Revenant hesitated for only a moment, but he was quick, unsheathing a slender black dagger as he snapped forward. Shadowstone. Reaver turned to him as Casteel swung his sword.

But Revenants were incredibly fast.

Callum dragged the shadowstone down Kieran’s arm as he whispered something—words in a language I couldn’t understand but that the essence in my chest pulsed in response to. A shadowy, reddish-black smoke hovered over the shallow cut, much as it had swirled around the chamber in Massene when controlled by Vessa.

“What the fuck?” Kieran exploded as Malik grabbed him from behind, yanking him back. The shadow rippled over Kieran’s entire body, throwing Malik back as Casteel drove the blade through Callum’s chest.

A thin streak of blood appeared on Kieran’s arm as he tried to shake off the shadow. I grabbed his arm as the shadowy smoke sank into his skin, disappearing. “What did you do?” I cried out as panic erupted, my head whipping toward Isbeth. All I saw was Tawny’s prone body, unmoving after being struck by shadowstone.

Callum stumbled back, pulling himself free of the blade. “Gods.” Blood frothed from his mouth as he fell onto the table. “That stung like a—” the Revenant said as he slid to the floor, dead for now.

Heart thumping, I closed my hand over Kieran’s wound, conjuring healing warmth.

“No need to panic,” Isbeth said softly. “He will be fine. The shadowstone will have little effect on a wolven. It’s the curse Callum passed on that you should be concerned with.”

“What?” Casteel’s eyes were a storm of golden, swirling flecks.

“One with a time limit. One only I can lift,” Isbeth answered. “Return with Malec, or your precious wolven dies.”

Kieran’s lips parted, and my rage swelled once more.

Casteel lunged at her, but Malik twisted, catching him as Kieran snapped forward—

“Let it go.” Reaver threw out an arm, blocking Kieran. He stared down at the wolven. “Let it go.”

Kieran growled, throwing off Reaver’s arm. But he backed away, breathing heavily. The cut remained on his arm. With as shallow as it was, only the briefest touch should’ve healed it.

Isbeth remained unmoved, bored even. I hated her. Gods, I hated her.

“I need time,” I managed. “Therefore, Kieran needs time.”

Her eyes lit with that faint glow. “You have a week.”

“I need longer than that. The kingdom is vast. Three weeks.”

“Two. Your wolven will be fine for that length of time. No more.”

“Fine,” I clipped out, sensing Kieran’s worry. Two weeks sounded like a lot of time, but not when we had no idea where to begin in the Blood Forest. If we could narrow down Malec’s location… “I need something else. Something that belonged to Malec.”

Her brow pinched. “Why?”

“Does it matter?” I asked.

“Depends. Will I get it back?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? With it, I should be able to reach his tomb quicker.”

Isbeth’s gaze narrowed on Callum, already returning to life. Her lips pursed as she glanced down at the diamond ring she wore. “I have this. It belonged to him. He gave it to me.”