Of Realms and Chaos: Special Edition (The Coveted #2)

Prologue

L ong ago, far longer than most remember, the Demon Realm known as Eoforhild had a family upon its throne. King Adbeel Ayad and Queen Solei Ayad had two younglings, a son and a daughter. An inseparable pair in their youth, Malcolm Ayad and Zaib Ayad loved each other dearly, just as all who met them did—though, that was true for every Honey Tongue.

Zaib in particular had an affinity for captivating the masses. As she grew and matured, the demon princess would find a passion for diplomacy. Many believed that, despite being the younger of the two, it was she who should be named heir.

Like most rivalries, the fight between the prince and princess began and ended with jealousy. With support for the princess growing, and his own wavering, Malcolm found himself in a precarious position. For how could he give up his claim to the throne he had been born to sit upon?

No, that simply would not do.

So when the royal family awoke one night to the cataclysmic shattering of the nearby Fae Realm known as Betovere, the prince did nothing. He merely waited, knowing his sister well enough to anticipate her next move. He had been correct in his assumptions.

The princess, so dedicated to peace and unification, offered to act as an emissary. She would travel to Betovere and form an alliance. It was her belief that uniting could prevent conflict in the future and, perhaps, change the world for the better.

King Adbeel disagreed vehemently. Pointless, he called it. Let them attack, let them start a war they could not win. What did it matter to them? Malcolm agreed. If not because war was a chance to prove himself, then simply because he enjoyed watching his sister lose.

Watching her embarrass herself with failure.

Years passed, then decades, then centuries, and the princess remained persistent. The attacks from Betovere were harsh, and many from both sides lost their lives in battle. The fae were far stronger than King Adbeel had believed, especially with their restricted breeding. Bloodlines remained pure, and the new fae born were stronger.

After three centuries had come and gone, the years growing bloodier and more uncertain, the king finally agreed. Zaib would take a team of highly skilled demons to Betovere to negotiate peace. Treaties would be signed, allegiances formed, and Eoforhild would be better for it.

What the princess did not account for was the strength of jealousy—of feuding. She did not consider how far her beloved brother would go to secure his claim.

That was, until he slit her throat.