Page 79 of The Crown of the Dark Prince
Kamon’s eyes darkened. “There are reports of archives being raided in your kingdom as well.”
Ice traveled down my spine. That had to be connected.
“What’s missing?” Clay asked sharply.
“Nothing, as far as we can tell,” Empress Rani replied. “Ashburn himself led the investigation.”
“What about witnesses?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady under the weight of their scrutiny.
The monarchs exchanged a brief, tense glance before Empress Rani stepped forward towards us, her hands clasped tightly behind her back and her shoulders tight.
“That’s the oddest part,” she said, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant. “Not a single soul from the nearby town is alive.”
My heart jolted painfully in my chest. “The thief killed them all?”
“No,” Emperor Kamon said with a heavy sigh. “Their wounds appear... self-inflicted.”
The words struck like a blow, cold and sharp. I wasn’t sure if the icy chill that spread through my veins came from their drug or from the sheer horror of what he was suggesting.
What in all of creation could have driven anentire townto do something like that?
“Thea,” Clay said, his voice cutting through the thick silence. He looked to me, his gaze fierce and unyielding, burning right through me. “We need to return to Athenia.”
Given the late hour by the time we finished talking with the monarchs, Clay had decided we would need a good nights rest before heading home. So, when feeling returned to my body I carried myself heavily to my room, each step weighed down with the remnants of the drug and the heaviness in my heart.
Veric found me in my rooms later that evening, his eyes wide and filled with worry as I opened the door.
“Are you all right?” he asked in a rush, eyes scanning over me.
I managed a small, sad smile. “I am. I apologize for the scare.”
He stared at me like I had two heads as I stepped aside to let him in. “What are you apologizing for? You didn’t imprison yourself.”
No, but I might be responsible for other, much worse, aspects of this crisis.
I gestured toward the couch, encouraging him to sit while I took the chair opposite him. He still wore the same clothes from earlier, though his hair was disheveled, likely from running his hands through it in frustration.
“The Empress told me you’ll be leaving in the morning.”
I nodded. “I’m sorry we won’t be able to have that grand engagement party.”
Veric let out a soft laugh, rubbing a hand over the stubble on his jaw. “I suppose I should get used to Council matters taking precedence over our personal lives.”
The Council had taken precedence over everything since the moment I woke up in that infirmary bed. Still, I wasn’t sure even I had adjusted to it.
I hesitated before speaking again, needing to discuss something that had been on my mind since that first night we’d danced together after meeting. “You know, if this isn’t what you want, I won’t force it on you. Bearing heirs of House Hyrax is my responsibility, not yours.”
His gaze held mine, unwavering. “I love Tenebris. Truly. If marrying a beautiful woman and giving her children is the way I can serve my kingdom, then I’ll do that.” He exhaled slowly. “I know I’m not your first choice.”
“That’s not—”
He lifted a hand to cut off my protest and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s fine. I get it. You can’t help who you love, and there are so few people in the world who share that kind of cosmic pull. The way you and Prince Vail look at each other... it’s like watching two halves of a whole. He moves, you move. He smiles, your eyes light up. It’s actually somewhat endearing to watch.”
I bit down on my lip so hard that there was a flash of pain as I balled my hands into fists in my lap. I hadn't realized we'd been so obvious. How unbelievable cruel it was to come to take him from his kingdom while I made my affections for another abundantly clear.
Guilt curled deep in my stomach. “I’m so sorry, Veric.”
He gave me a sad smile. “You have Clay. I have Tenebris. We’ll just have to find the space between those truths where our relationship can exist. Ifyou need me to be a husband in name and a stranger otherwise, we’ll do that. If you need a friend, I can be that too. We’ll take it one day at a time when the time comes.”
