Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Selene
The portal’s closure behind us makes the hair on the back of my neck stand. Why are we here and not inside the castle?
Don’t let Galen see your confusion. That’s it. Relax your shoulders, squeeze your abs, stand still and don’t let the rush of adrenaline sway you. All I dare move is my eyes as I scan my surroundings. Blackthorn Castle appears as a mountain.
I’m trapped at its base, unsure whether I’ll make the climb up. I don’t like being this weak and magicless around my husband.
Galen’s smirk presses into me. Did he bring us here so he’d have to carry me?
I’d look so weak and fragile. But perhaps that’s what he wants.
I fix the mage with a stare, but he looks toward the entrance gates.
Black stones larger than houses pile high, forging the outer wall of Blackthorn’s entrance markets.
The stone is so thick it swallows the clamor of the merchant stands.
Rose bushes soar along the walls. The image is hauntingly beautiful until you look deeper and see the massive, thick thorns waiting to slice into an enemy’s greedy hands.
Dozens of guards form a protective path for us to walk. Their slight sway creates an aching echo of tight leather and armor stretching. My eyes drag further; the soldiers line the path all the way up to the castle. Proof Galen is worried about his perception.
If he were loved, he’d walk his kingdom freely.
“Fancy a walk?” I bark at Galen.
He chuckles to himself.
Something is up. He’s got a double-edged dagger to poke me with today. Not just the farm. Here comes the next blow.
Movement catches my eye; a woman emerges from the line of guards. Gold thread embellishes the seams of her rich velvet cloak. That’s a ridiculous number of amethyst necklaces on her neck. Only a mage would be caught dead wearing the entire jewelry store. They have no sense of fashion editing.
I know her; she and Sable fancy themselves friends. Therefore, I consider her my enemy.
She smiles at Galen. That’s an ‘I fucked you recently’ smile.
I don’t care. This marriage is over. I’m just playing my part until the show ends.
Magic begins to dance between her fingers. Seriously, how does she move her hands with that many rings?
She stops in front of us and bows. Before I can speak, I spot the most dangerous predator in the castle. Sable.
Great. She’s all I need. My twin has been hiding since Titus threw her out of my chambers. It’s not unusual. She doesn’t strike fast. She’s methodical.
Unbeknownst to her, she was giving me the time I needed to help Titus, before I needed to decipher what her plans of attack were.
Instead of wearing the latest vampire fashion, which she loves, she’s dressed in her royal fae garb. A long yellow dress made of silk, with a matching silk cloak that covers her shoulders. The dress is simple. The embellishment is evident in the belt around her hips, adorned with gold and gems.
I don’t miss the dagger strapped to her side. The hilt is adorned with emeralds set in white-gold. Yellow gold is generally preferred by Fae. My gaze drifts to Galen’s crown, which is the same white.
What did she do to earn a gift from him?
Her hair hangs long, with braids holding half of it back, covered with golden cuffs and clips.
I hate that she wears my face. I’ve thought about changing it.
My face, not hers.
I almost did once, but Everett stopped me from inflicting the scar. He needed us to remain alike.
I sacrificed a great deal for my brother. He did the same for me, but I have these moments of grief so deep, I free fall into them. I hit bottom and feel so much resentment towards everyone—mostly myself.
“King Galen,” Sable’s smiles is all mischief. Two fae guards join her. I know them, Erik and Victor. They were tasked with protecting the nobles.
Wait... I understand now. My toes curl. Erik and Victor work for Galen. They must be if they didn’t die defending the nobles.
“Sister,” Sable flashes me a smug grin.
“Is there a tea party I was unaware of?” I jeer at Galen, growing more suspicious by the second.
“Oh,” Sable snickers, “there is much tea to spill, sister. Be careful; it burns.”
I have no choice but to ask, “What is the meaning of this?” I study Galen.
“Sable is returning home.” Galen steps closer and touches my shoulder. That news would have brought me great joy months ago. I hated that Sable was sent here when I was married.
When the war finished, Father realized he couldn’t control Sable. She was too unpredictable to keep close, so he marketed her as my companion to help me adjust to married life, a lady-in-waiting. Bullshit Galen allowed.
Would you like to know the true story behind Sable’s banishment by my father?
Ego, power, and most of all, father’s insecurity.
No man, particularly a king, would ever admit to feeling threatened by a woman.
After Everett’s death, Sable was no longer a hazard; she was an arrow shot free, hunting for her target: the crown. She just required support.
Sable sinks her teeth into her smirk as she studies my reaction.
“What joyous news,” I scoff.
“Father was quite upset about the nobles. He demanded King Galen return their bodies. Galen thought if I delivered them, it might help smooth things over.” Sable’s smirk curls up too sharply to be kind.
“You make ripples, not smooth water,” I voice. All I can smell is the floral scent of the roses covering the kingdom. It’s a deception to mask the shit hidden within Galen’s walls.
Sable’s presence back home will only heighten the tension between Galen and my father.
A frown pulls at my lips. But of course, that’s why he’s doing it. Galen told me himself he never wanted peace. He wanted me. He’s got me.
This is his silent declaration of war.
I don’t move when Galen slides his hand into the dip in my lower back. He looks at the mage. “Are you ready?” he asks.
She’s going to open a portal for Sable to use. Of course, Galen wouldn’t allow Sable to travel by horse; that would give me time to send a secret message back to my father.
“King Galen,” Sable speaks in a saccharine tone. My teeth are about to fall out from rot. “May I have a word with my twin before I depart?”
Galen makes her wait before he replies. “Quickly,” he agrees, bends down, and kisses my cheek. “This is the price for denying me, my love,” he whispers and then joins the mage.
The sun slips behind a cloud as Sable joins me, a mirror of my own image cast in shadows.
“I’ve waited so long for this day,” she beams as she clasps her hands behind her back.
“I didn’t think you missed home so badly,” I retort, biting the inside of my cheek and watching her like a hawk.
Weeks ago, Titus asked me what Sable would do after he chose me and kicked her out of my room. I told him she’d attack me. This is her attack. I also promised him I would warn him, so he could protect me as he demanded.
This is me breaking my promise.
Titus was wrong; I am not the most important thing. He is. I am nothing but a bridge to help him. Some bridges don’t stand the test of time. It’s okay.
Breathe in and get rid of the awful pain in your heart! As long as I collapse knowing he’s on the other side. Away from Sable.
“Home,” she echoes in an ominous tone. “I hope your memories of it are strong.”
What’s that supposed to mean? I tilt my head to rebuke her chuckle.
Sable kicks my shoe.
“You’re a child.” There, I gave you a reply. Not what you wanted? Too bad.
A sprinkle of her spit rains over my face as she says, “You always thought you were better than me.” Her balled fist swings like a pendulum at her side.
“I never wanted to be better.” I wipe the moisture off my cheek. “I wanted to be nothing like you, Sable,” I coldly state. “Different. Opposite. You forced me to be good because your heart is so evil.” I smirk as I pretend to inspect my nails.
This conversation is making me filthier than growing the farm did.
“You think you are so wise and sly?” I press my palm to my heart. “You made me, Sable. This is all your doing. There is no one else to blame.” I grin. “You made your own worst enemy. The question is why? But you're not strong enough to answer that.”
Oh yes, you’re seething. All your weapons are aimed at me. Good. That’s what I want. Attack me and not Titus.
“You always had everyone’s love. Father’s. Everett’s,” she sneers.
That’s not why you hate me. That’s your cover. I’ll bite.
“And you chose their hate and distrust. We each made our beds. Mine is warm with their affections; yours is cold with their apprehensions. It was your doing.”
This will be the longest day of my life. I know it. I’m so exhausted I don’t even know how I’m standing, but I numbly am, as I try to get to the bottom of what is happening.
“You made your path.” I step to the side. “You carved the way out as a child when you tried to kill me. You chose your fate. No one else is to blame.”
“And you made yours!” She looks over her shoulder at the castle. “A queen without a voice. You always chose to hide.”
“Your mistake is thinking that is a weakness. A child kicks and screams. An adult weighs their options.”
“Do you feel strong, sister?” she cackles. “You have nothing but the crown on your head. Your dear brother is dead. Your husband might warm your bed, but he chooses to set fire to others.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear, remaining poised to irk her. “That’s a mercy, not a misfortune. I want nothing from Galen.”
“Nothing?” She raises a brow and steps in my path again. “You love him.”
“Love?” What’s she playing at? “I love Galen in the same sense I love you.” I roll my shoulders back, preparing for this battle that will end with one of us hurt or defiled.
Her eyes narrow. Here it comes.
I slip on the shield I was forced to build as a child. Unmoving.
“All those times you fucked each other, it was in your bed. Not his,” she states.
That’s… true.