Chapter 23
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
“We just cannot believe it’s you,” Samantha says. “We feared the worst.”
There is distress etched on Elara’s face as we spread around the room to ensure her safety while she talks. “I’m sorry it took me so long. I swear I was coming back. I left you—”
“That’s not what she meant,” Belinda interjects. “We thought you were too badly hurt.”
“You . . . You never thought I abandoned you?” Elara whispers, and I feel her agony and surprise. She expected her court to hate her, but the loyalty and dedication these two show proves otherwise. Elara is loved, and none of them doubted she wouldn’t return for them.
“They didn’t, not one person,” I murmur, reading their minds. “They’ve been preparing for your return, trying to get your crown and court back.”
She looks at me with a frown. “Thank you for the assurance. I know you mean well, but please do not violate their privacy. I am sure that has been done enough without us adding to it.”
Her censure makes me wince, my cheeks flaming. It was natural, a thoughtless act, but she is right.
“He is right, and he can read our minds if it will ease your fears, rethia,” Belinda says without a trace of fear. “We will do anything for you. You bled for us, and now it’s our turn.”
“I do not want anyone else getting hurt. This is my battle,” Elara explains.
“With all due respect, rethia,” Samantha murmurs softly, “it is our battle too, and you cannot stop us. They killed our queen, they hurt you, and they entrapped our people. You are not asking us to get hurt, and we will help.”
“You have an army waiting for their commander, rethia,” Belinda says. “Now, what are your orders?” They wait dutifully, and Elara sighs. It’s clear they won’t back down, and I don’t blame them.
“Tell me everything,” Elara commands, and they sit taller, purpose filling them despite their collars and beaten bodies. Only a true queen could rally that kind of loyalty when facing unimaginable agony and death. Even now, hurt and exhausted, beaten and broken, they wait.
“They are keeping us separate. There was an auction,” Belinda sneers. “Each man got to bid on the women they wanted. Their ranks were the bidding order, until everyone was happy. We are their slaves. There have only been ten deaths.”
“Only,” Elara whispers, her hand over her heart, and I feel her pain there keenly. “Their names.” Samantha and Belinda trade a look. “Names,” Elara implores.
“The two who saved you, Rose and Danni, were killed after it was discovered that you escaped. Erin tried to escape and was shot. Vicky was executed for speaking out and asking about you. Autumn was killed for disobeying her owner. Lilly, Viv, and Katrina tried to attack the men and were killed. Oren and Julia were found dead . . .” Belinda speaks like it’s a battle report, and Elara nods in acknowledgement, but I feel her screaming inside.
Memories of these women crop up, and it’s clear she knew them, even in a court the size of hers.
“The rest of us are kept shackled like you, kept apart so we cannot plan, but we have found ways, such as sending messages in food and clothes and having secret meetings. We have been preparing.”
Elara’s eyes close in horror as she grieves those she lost. I wander around her room, giving them privacy.
The others spread out, blocking the door, while I step into a shadow in the corner like I always do, making sure I’m within eyesight in case she needs me.
This is her court. We are simply here to help.
“This message you’re spreading, what is it?” she asks, opening her eyes.
“There’s going to be a coronation,” Samantha replies. “In three days’ time, they are crowning—” She cuts herself off.
“You can speak his name. It has no power over me,” Elara snaps. “He is crowning himself king in three days’ time?”
“Yes, we are planning an attack then,” Belinda says, sharing a look with Samantha. “We are hoping it will be easier while they are distracted. We are outnumbered, but it’s worth the risk.”
“You did well,” Elara assures her, “but I’m here now. I will help.”
“Rethia, you need to be safe so you can rebuild,” Samantha protests.
“No. I was away too long while my people suffered. I will not stand idly by. I came back with my own army, one they will not be able to defeat, no matter how many guns and men they have.” Her smile is downright evil, and I see Belinda and Samantha share a relieved look.
Despite their insistence on this rebellion, they knew it was hopeless, but they were still going to try anyway.
I suppose dying in defiance is better than living and serving on your knees.
“Yes, rethia.” Belinda bows her head respectfully once more, reverence flowing through her brain. There is nothing but love in her mind. Even as I try to respect their privacy like Elara asked, I can feel their adoration and love for her. It’s not something I can tune out no matter how much I try.
“Okay,” Elara whispers. “Send word I am here, but do not let it slip to them. We need to take them by surprise. Three days, you said? That’s when we will attack.
I will free everyone, and at his coronation, we will kill all of them.
Tell the succubi to rise up and kill their masters,” Elara sneers, and I know what it costs her to give that order, knowing some will die. “But leave the false king. He is mine.”
“Yes, rethia,” they promise before she turns, eyeing us.
“Luan, I need you.”
“You don’t even need to ask. I sense what you want,” I say as I step forward, but she crooks her finger, pulling me farther from the shadows. I stop in front of her, nothing but awe in my thoughts.
“Guards will be coming soon. When they pass, I want you to grab one and take his uniform. You are the most normal-looking one here. You will become a guard. Read their minds and bring their plans back to me,” she orders. “Do not kill them, no matter what you hear, not yet.”
“Yes, cor meum,” I promise as I lift her hand and kiss the back of it. “Whatever you need.” Her face softens, and she lifts her hand, cupping my cheek. I read the concern in her mind. “I will be fine. Not even death could keep me from you. I will not fail you.”
“I know you won’t,” she responds softly, and then she drops her hand and her eyes tighten as she turns to the women. “Go, before they find you. Spread the word.”
“Good luck, rethia,” they say as they flee to the door, sparing one last glance at her as if they can’t believe she’s actually here, and then they are gone.
Walking to the door after them, I hide in the shadows and wait in silence with the others until I sense guards. Closing my eyes, I filter through their minds. There are three of them. I tell two to turn and walk away. It’s almost too easy as they leave.
I feel the third’s confusion as he watches them in the hallway.
Once I release their minds, I grab his and take over.
Woodenly, he opens the door and walks in, stopping in the middle of the room.
His face is slack, and his eyes are blank.
Shutting the door behind him, I press my finger to the centre of his forehead and rip everything that makes him who he is away.
I destroy his mind piece by agonising piece, so he feels every ounce of pain he has put Elara and the other women through.
He crumples to the floor, bleeding from his eyes and nose, and I strip him.
I feel the others watching me but ignore them as I remove my clothes and dress in the guard’s uniform. It’s a little snug, but it will do.
“Here.” Elara takes my clothes from me and looks at deceased guard. “Corbin, hide the body in the tunnel for now.”
Without pause, Corbin lifts the man like he’s nothing and heads into the panic room while I look at Elara, memorising her face.
“I will be able to talk to you in your mind while I’m gone.
Just call if you need me. No matter where I am, I will hear,” I promise.
I don’t want to be away from her, but this is what she needs.
“Be safe,” she orders, and I nod and turn to the door, but she suddenly yanks me around.
The move was so impulsive, I didn’t even hear it float through her mind.
She grabs the back of my head, and for once, I don’t think.
I don’t have time to formulate a plan or strategic moves based on her thoughts.
I just feel.
Her lips press to mine, soft and yearning, and my mouth opens in shock.
She deepens the kiss, her tongue tangling with mine, and we fall back against the door with a dull thud.
I feel the two guards turn to check it out before I redirect them, but my hold on their minds dissipates when she moans into my mouth.
Nothing else compares, and my hands cradle her cheeks as I devour her, giving myself over to her. When she pulls away, I’m gasping and breathing heavily. My heart beats so fast, it feels like it’s going to break from my chest. I feel more alive than I ever have as I stare at her.
“Be careful,” she whispers as she strokes my cheek. “You aren’t invincible, no matter what you think, and I couldn’t bear something happening to you.”
Nodding, I lean into her touch for a moment before I feel the guards walk back this way. Pulling away, I kiss her hand softly. “Go back inside now.” She steps away before returning to the panic room. The others follow, and when it’s clear, I open the door and slip out.
Two guards stop in front of me, their guns at their sides. They are not aiming them at me, but their hands are on their weapons as they glance at the door and then me. “It’s off-limits,” one snaps.
“I heard a noise.” I shrug as I take hold of their minds, and they smile brightly.
“Of course, come on.” They walk on, and I fall into step with them, ready to do my part for her. I will control a thousand minds if that’s what it takes. I will be her spy and her killer.
I will be whatever she needs.