unnerve me, rattle my composition.
It worked.
I was rushing across the room, only to be stopped short by Ashor’s stern voice. “Lexi.”
My pulse throbbed frantically in my veins as my breath stuttered. I whirled toward the queen. “What did you do to him?”
Her laugh flitted from the other end of the room, a grossly superior smile on her lips. “I gave him back his humanity.”
My stomach was a rolling mess, and I fought against the rising nausea. “Why would you do that?” I bit out.
She fluffed out the fabric of her dress. “I can do a great many things, huntress. And there is more to come before the night is over.”
After spending all day building myself up, convincing myself this was the right thing to do, the bitch went and flipped the tables on me. My loathing for the Queen of Envy was rivaling my hatred for the Queen of Darkness.
I couldn’t comprehend why she continued to torment me. Her test of loyalty was really just designed to break me—screw with my head. It was already messy in there. I knew I couldn’t let her win, but it wasn’t as simple as just knowing.
“Colin?” My voice turned distant and hollow, but Colin didn’t budge. Was he already dead? Why didn’t he look at me? Succubus demons were masters at changing shapes, manipulating situations. “How do I know this is real?” I hurled at the queen. I had no way of knowing if this body was really Colin’s at all. After having time to reflect, I was certain nothing in Verena’s court was real. It was all one illusion after the other.
Her strawberry-gold hair glittered in the sun. “Does it matter? Illusion or reality, the test remains the same. Take his soul. Give me your alliance, and my court will fight against the Queen of Darkness.”
“She is about to storm your shores,” I exclaimed, pointing a hand to the open window. “How do you plan to beat her? You speak of an army, yet I see none.”
“Look closer, huntress,” she prompted. “With your demon eyes, not your human ones.”
I didn’t want to take my eyes off the untrustworthy queen, but I did as she instructed, drawing my gaze to the window.
“Your mate can see,” she declared.
Ashor’s back stiffened at my side. “See what?” I asked, confused, but I should have known better, and I cursed the queen for making me feel like a fool.
Verena laughed, and the sound grated on my composure, heat burning at my cheeks. “Still haven’t accepted who you truly are. You will never fully see until you do.”
“Her army is in the trees, surrounding the river from all sides, waiting for the command from their queen to attack my mother’s fleet,” Ashor informed me.
I blinked, searching harder through the thicket of trees, thorns, and vines. But no matter how hard I focused, I saw nothing. Not a speck or a glimmer of Verena’s army. It pissed me off that I was at a disadvantage, more so that the queen knew why. Fuck her and her goddamn illusions. The pressure to release my demon in the moment weighed heavily on me. Why was it so hard for me to let go?
At least Verena wasn’t as foolish of a queen as I initially thought. She was preparing for war, but would it be enough to defeat the Queen of Darkness without Ashor by her side? I did know that if Verena didn’t ally with the prince, Ashor would pay a hefty price for betraying his mother again.
“Well,” Verena drawled. “What are you waiting for? As you can see, I don’t have all day. Oh wait, you can’t see, can you?” She snickered.
I wanted to throat punch her, among other things.
Ashor positioned himself between the queen and me. “You don’t have to do this, luv. I am always on your side.”
A coy curl painted her lips. “War is inevitable, regardless whose side you chose to fight on.”
I wasn’t sure why I was stalling. Walking into the throne room, I’d had every intention of walking straight up to Colin and ramming a dagger into his chest, but now… “And then what happens? You take the Queen of Darkness’s crown?” I speculated.
“That is the drill. I think I would look magnificent in black, don’t you agree?”
I didn’t give a flying fuck how good she looked in any the damn rainbow. “How is that any different than what Kali desires?” I challenged, flabbergasted.
The ancient demon lifted her chin. “Simple. I would make a better