Chapter 0122
“Don’t let them break you,” she murmurs into my coat. You are, and have always been, stronger than you know.”
We say our farewells, and she retreats to the rose garden where she has always found solace.
Emory is sleeping so she hasn’t been informed. I asked specifically for her to learn once I’ve left. I still harbor guilt for my past actions against her, and I feel it’s better this way. I won’t blame her if she’s relieved to see me go.
Kane is more maudlin than I expected. My big, strong brother looks like I just shot his dog. Guilt is written all over his face. I can’t stand it.
“Don’t look at me like that, I tell him. “I’m not dead yet
“Don’t be stupid when you’re there,” he replies. “I mean it, Lex. You have to be careful if you want to survive in King Peter’s court. Just like you were the last time you were there.”
“I can be clever when I want to be.” I give him a pointed look, both of us remembering I managed to get home last time I was there.
He sighs deeply. “Lex, it’s not too late to back out of this-
“You don’t get to take this away from me,” I counter. “Let me be a hero for once in my goddamn life, Kane.”
He looks furious and devastated as he grabs me hard and pulls me into a hug that makes my bones rattle. I don’t remember the last time we hugged. I think we haven’t hugged since we were little children.
“You little shit,” he hisses angrily Into my ear. “If you get yourself killed, I’m going to actually have to go to war with Scarlett Thunder. I love you, you fucking idiot.)
That makes me laugh. “I love you too, brother.”
I’m not going to cry. I’m not sad, not really. I know deep down I’m doing the right thing. Centuries from now, when the history books are written, I want to be remembered for doing something good for my kingdom. The whole mess with Opal and Scarlett Thunder is partially my fault. I should be the one to fix it. In a black SUV, I’m escorted by a handful of guards to Castle Blackmoor. It isn’t as large as Castle Graystone but make up for it with a moat and more spires. I look at the dark fortress from the car window and try not to show my hesitation. Rainier is one of the guards, and he will never let me forget it if I look scared.
“You should know that, if you betray us, I will hunt you down,” he says. “Kane may trust you, but I don’t.”
I give him a bland smile. “No need for threats. I’m already walking into my tomb.”
“Don’t be dramatic. King Peter won’t kill you.”
I raise both eyebrows at him. “We’ll just have to see if that’s true or not.”
1 exit the car, slamming the door behind me. This is as far as my escorts can go. Scarlett Thunder’s guards allow me into the castle while servants carry in my belongings. I walk down the long hallways flanked by the guards preventing me from running away even if I try. The castle is made of black brick and
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Chapter 0122
decorated with dark wood furniture that makes me feel like I’m in a mausoleum.
I’m shown to the throne room where King Peter is seated on his high throne. He looks down at me haughtily. His pale blue eyes glare at me like I’m a cockroach he’s considering crushing underneath hi
shoe.
“Lex,” he intones. “Welcome back to Scarlett Thunder.
