Ruins of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #3) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,121

wasn’t convinced he didn’t know that my mind was already implementing an escape plan, and I had thirteen routes away from him.

I just had to remove the bracelets, do what I’d come to do, and leave him to his grief while I created a new realm, untouchable by him. I didn’t want a House of Magic anymore. I was raising a Realm of Magic. I was going to create an entire realm where witches could be free and not worry about being slaughtered by those within the Nine Realms. I was going to create the Tenth Realm. He could deal with the dark witches on his own, but me and my people, we would leave the moment I erected that realm and made it Knox proof.

“Are you tired, Aria?” he asked softly.

“Exhausted,” I hissed, turning to leave him to wonder at my wariness.

He was exhaustingly confusing. Aurora thought I could reach him. The only real reach I wanted on Knox was my hands around his throat to shake sense into him. I’d done most of what I’d set out to do and only needed a few more things to fall into place before I could leave him and this arduous army behind. You couldn’t reach someone who wasn’t ready to reach back.

Knox wanted me beneath him, above him, around him, but not beside him. I was a weapon to wield, which was the same way Aurora saw me. I wasn’t blinded by her intentions. The thing was, I’d offered to be her tool because she’d wanted to save the good witches.

But I’d felt her watching us tonight. I’d felt anger from a Hecate witch. I’d done what Aurora wanted me to do, so how could she be mad at me? Unless it was one of my sisters, but they were in on the plan too. It unnerved me to think my family would be here, within Knox’s grasp, easily discovered.

We’d agreed upon what was required and made a plan. I executed that plan to the letter. I’d given Knox more of me than I’d intended, but to reach him, to break through the ice encasing his heart, I had to give an inch to get through the wall he’d placed around his emotions. I couldn’t even blame Knox for holding me at arm’s length or wanting to use me as a weapon.

I was a weapon, and everyone knew that now. I’d never find peace because of the blood rushing through my veins. I’d never know motherhood or experience anything I wanted in life because I was about to marry the one creature no one would challenge for me.

Worse, I wanted to marry the prick just to make him regret forcing me into it in the first place. So which one of us was more of an asshole? Him; still him. He was also way ahead of me on the scoreboard. I needed to up my game because I was playing the game master.

“Woman, stop for a moment,” Knox called, but he’d used his language. My eyes peered up at the stars while I walked until lowering to find the camp was packing to move. I stopped in my tracks, staring at the tents being taken down, and I deflated. I folded my arms over the chest plate of my armor, glaring at the people messing with my sleep. “Aria,” Knox whispered against my ear, causing me to jump before turning toward him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Knox. Just tired,” I lied, turning back around before he saw the lie in my eyes. “Are we moving tonight?”

“The lord and lady don’t wish you to be here because of who you are. We will leave here as soon as Lore and Killian return. We’re heading to the Beltane Circle, where we will camp for a few days before traveling through the passes to reach my home in Norvalla.”

“I just helped you save their lives, and they don’t want me here?” I questioned, but he remained silent as I spun, leveling him with a chilling glare. “They don’t want any witches here, good or bad, right? We’re just all the fucking same.”

“Considering what happened tonight, I am choosing to respect their wishes. I didn’t want them to try attacking our witches or you in retaliation. You do not see the bigger picture, Aria. No one wants witches in the Nine Realms anymore.”

“Not even you,” I snorted, exhaling slowly.

I moved to the nearest table and sat, resting my chin on my palm to watch