Chapter 28
CHAPTER
TWENTY-EIGHT
Today is the coronation. It was supposed to be a good day for us, when we take back my court, but I’m still thinking of the lives we lost last night in the fire and what it means for today’s plans.
It’s now or never.
I will not let any more succubi die.
Stepping into my room, I walk over to my wardrobe. I need to look the part. I am a queen who is returning to her people. I cannot be seen in oversized, stained clothing. I take a shower and let my hair dry into soft curls while I pick out the perfect dress.
My hands shake with nerves the entire time. Everything I’ve done boils down to today. It has to work.
My men remain silent as I open my wardrobe, scanning the racks. I never went without, Mother made sure of it, and designers would often gift me things to wear, but this feels important. It might be the most significant outfit I ever don, and I want to face him again as me.
My fingers land on a zipped bag at the end of the wardrobe. I hesitate before turning and unzipping it. The stunning dress tumbles free, and I remember it as I finger the material.
It is an incredible deep black. My mother gifted it to me many years ago, but it was too incredible to wear.
Now, however, seems like the perfect time, as if I’m carrying her with me.
Dropping my towel to the floor, I lift the dress and step into it, shimmying it up until the bodice settles against my bare skin.
It’s heavy, but I’m used to elaborate outfits.
The top cups my breasts and pushes them up ever so slightly, while the rest of the dress hugs my curves and waist. The section underneath is more like a bodysuit, tight against my skin and opaque, while the layers of fabric around my waist drift down in even frills, partially transparent and encrusted with diamonds.
Each shoulder is pinned with a diamond moon and star, which also hold trains that flow behind each arm.
Diamonds stretch across my spine and back, connected to each shoulder.
Reaching back, I lift the delicate, gauzy hood until it rests on the middle of my head, billowing around my face as I turn to see my men.
The dress moves with me, heavy yet reassuring as it slithers across the floor in my wake.
“Little mate,” Frost whispers as he drops to his knees. “You look . . . indescribable.”
Ethereal perfection, Luan tells me, sending along feelings of awe and desire.
“Like the queen you are,” Bellami murmurs, taking my hand and kissing the back of it.
Corbin takes my other hand and places it in the crook of his arm. “You were born for this,” he says gruffly, his eyes dark with possession and desire.
I meet Eversor’s gaze as he lingers at the door. His expression is impartial, but his eyes burn as they sweep across me, and then he flicks his hands.
“If you look the part, then so should we.” Leather trousers hug his long, thick legs, and his chest is bare bar a leather strap which holds a cape across his right shoulder. The colour matches my dress, and the top of his shoulder is covered in black and silver spikes, just like his pincers.
I turn as the others gasp when he dresses them as well. My eyes find Corbin first. His muscles bulge in his outfit, which consists of a black leather vest with chains, tight trousers, and black boots.
Glancing to my right, I find Bellami, who’s looking down and grinning.
He has on a floor-length black coat that’s tied at his waist, exposing his perfect chest through the low V.
Across his shoulders and back are huge black feathers, which are sharp and deadly.
His trousers are criss-crossed with chains to match my dress.
“Really?” Luan mutters, but my mouth drops as I look at him.
His hair is concealed by a black hood like mine, throwing his face into dangerous shadows that only make him look more handsome.
His top starts under his neck and fades into trousers, almost looking like one piece.
The fabric is black and clings tightly to his body, exposing every dip and perfect curve.
The front swirls with silver and sparkling designs that almost remind me of a wave.
Finally, my eyes find Frost, who grumbles but stands tall under my gaze.
His torso is bare, as if Eversor couldn’t conjure anything to cover him, but a large belt is slung low across his waist, glowing with diamonds and patterns like our outfits, and his trousers are covered in triangular sections of leather that hang down almost like a warrior’s skirt.
“Why so much leather?” Corbin grumbles.
“I like it,” I whisper, and that shuts them up. “You should wear them when we are done.”
Eversor smirks as I meet his gaze again, and then he opens the door, not giving me time to prepare, but I guess there is no time like the present. We follow him out, and once we are in the hall, we find it empty.
Most are gathered in the throne room, ready for the coronation and feast, Luan says, showing me a flash. Your people are there too.
Nodding, I hold my head up high, my bare feet moving across the floor in a familiar path. They tower above me, but I feel stronger than I ever have. They are here to keep my people safe, but it’s my job to end this.
We travel down to the next level, and I see two figures ahead. We walk towards them, finding familiar, grinning faces covered in blood.
Belinda and Samantha fall in step with me. Their shackles are gone, and they hold swords in their hands. As we pass rooms, doors open and women slip out, their chains gone. I glance inside some of their rooms to find their men dead.
They freed themselves like I wanted and join us as we stride through the court to the throne room. So much happened there—the last ball, my mother’s death, my defilement, and now their downfall.
We walk the same path we did that night, only this time it will be their blood that is spilled, not ours. I will ensure this ends tonight.
No more pain and no more death, aside from theirs.
We reach the doors for the ballroom, and the two guards’ eyes widen, but before I can react, Belinda and Samantha step forward, plunging their swords into their guts in unison.
The soldiers tumble forward, choking and bleeding, and we leave them there to die.
They didn’t even have time to reach for their guns, but Belinda and Samantha take them and nod at me as they grip the handle on each door. “Ready when you are, rethia.”
Taking a deep breath, I look at my men before I turn forward and jut my chin out, prepared to face the man responsible for my greatest loss and nightmares.
I nod, and they push.
The double doors are thrown open, and I step inside.
Every single face turns to me, and I smile as the false king, Gregory, lunges to his feet, the throne forgotten behind him.
“I heard you want to be king. Did you forget this court already has a queen?” I call out as I step farther inside, and whispers fill the room.
“That throne will never be yours. You started a war you couldn’t finish, you fool. ”
A soldier runs at me, and I do not even flinch as a dagger stops inches away from me.
Corbin grips the man’s arm and slams it down, snapping it before twisting his head and breaking his neck.
I step over the body as my nemesis gapes at me silently.
“I brought some new friends. I hope that’s okay.
” When Gregory remains quiet, I trail my hand across my neck where his collar once sat.
“You should know better than to try to tame women like us.” Looking out at the crowd, I see the determined faces of my people and smirk.
“Now. Free yourselves and kill your captors!”
My people react.
Chains are unlocked and dropped, and daggers are buried into captors as my people free themselves. It’s madness as screams and shots ring out, but the false king stands in the middle of it, his eyes wide and hands fisted.
When he looks at me, I smile darkly.
“Miss me?”