THE LAST QUEEN

n's command rumbled like a growl, his

lord." He turned and disappea

th sorrow, her face streaked by tears. His own vision clouded as h

uttered under his breat

ed toward him, fury

orin said, his tone laced with disdain, "but

ent I get the chance, I'll kill you." He struggled against the soldiers press

an eyebrow, f

am," Draven spat, but Torin si

ents... fire, water." His tone dripped

iking the marble floor, unti

is voice cracking like a whip. The command silence

ve a gift for you," he whispered, mockery twis

ruel curl of his lips, the

sent countless messages, and my patien

owed pressed down wit

, on his twentieth birthday, your son will become th

filled with venom. "By then you wi

ck at Charlotte's feet. It spilled open, and a severed head tum

as E

chest. She fell to her knees and crawled forward, her trembling fingers reaching for her hus

was raw and broken. Tears spilled

th of his hand, his smile before leavin

least I tried. I brought him home to you." H

away," Tor

ing in their grip as he cried out for his moth

"I promise you, he will g

her feet and seized the sword beside her. Her scream cut thro

the same breath, his hand seized Charlotte by the throat, yanking her close. The blade s

across her gown. Her lips parted, but only a shar

against her ear, "The queen

Blood seeped across her hands as her leg

the hall. He fought against th

d for him. Tears blurred her vision, her gaze w

The words cracked apart as her f

st the guards dragging him away, desperation lending him strength, but their hold only tightened. His head wre

hamber. He knelt before Torin. "My lord.

dened. "Search again.

e guards before vanishing

**

voured the city. Shrieks echoed through the air, filling Aethel with a terror tha

formed the slum dwellings could

in shadow. Among the wreckage, bodies lay scattered, from infants to the aged. Tears streamed down Dr

VANI

e him. Behind him, Ermac advanced, bowing in silence as he collected hi

ulling him forward as th

her close and pressing a kiss to her

ring herself with elegance, her gown fl

d admiration. "I missed you, my queen," he admitted

his time, only bowed

shifted toward their son. Victor had entered quietly with Malen, his loyal comp

had stirred this time, Victor thoug

ef and hidden intent glittering in his eyes.

the king's attention drifte

r said, inclining his he

wed. "You kept you

thout hesitation and clas

rin said evenly, resting both hands on his son

in the chamber, weigh

eplied at last, though his words rang holl

" Torin pressed, his smile fadin

so palpable it seemed to choke the air. "Shall I sing your praises when you stain the earth w

he mounted the steps to his throne and sank into it, the weight of his presence comma

sing silence into every corner of the chamber.

. With a sharp snap of fingers, Ermac sign

every eye turned towa

y was ruinous, impossible to look away from. His bare chest bore the marks of

pair of trousers, low at the waist, clinging to his form and hinting at the sculpted curve of his body. Shac

s walked both death and seduction, and h