A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty (Kingdom of Lies, #2)

by Stacia Stark

Perhaps he was beginning to learn just how little most women appreciated being caged.

“Mama.” I looked down into his green eyes—so different from mine. My rotten, black heart cracked open. “Yes,” I croaked. “Yes, I’m your mama.”

“He may not be responsible for Crawyth, but he’s done other things,” Vicer said. “Reprehensible things.” “I know.” The bearded man he’d killed at the inn flashed in my mind. “I’m not someone you would have chosen to be with. I’m someone you were intrigued by and attracted to despite yourself. I’ll never be safe, Prisca. I’ll always be the monster who slaughters anyone who attempts to hurt you. I don’t know how to be anything else. My mistake was attempting to shield you from the sight of that monster.” “We will all do terrible things before this is over,” Demos said.

Galon strode over, holding out his hands for the baby, and Lorian scowled at him, whispered something I couldn’t hear into the baby’s ear, and handed her over. I rolled my eyes at them. Cavis’s daughter was going to grow up entirely coddled with this group of murderous mother hens fighting over her attentions.

“I still don’t believe you should be going without your fae bodyguard.” I shook my head. Calling Lorian a bodyguard was a little like calling a lion a house cat.

“Telean will be traveling with us tomorrow,” I told Demos. He surveyed our aunt. “You sure you can haul that bag of bones you call a body through the pass?” I shook my head at him. “Demos,” Asinia hissed, but Telean gave a hoarse chuckle. “Just you wait, boy. We’ll see if you can keep up.” I was surrounded by people with egos larger than their brains.

I became excellent at throwing dirt into his eyes, slamming fallen branches into his gut, and throwing rocks at his head. Unfortunately, I’d had to haul him to Tibris after the rock incident.

“And you decided the barrier could benefit you.” “Not at first. I was not yet king then,” he reminded me. “I hadn’t even been born. The fae will never be ruled the way of humans. There are wild creatures in these lands—creatures so old and so powerful that to kill them would be a challenge even for me.” I’d be willing to bet Lorian could do it. Conreth smirked, as if reading my mind. “My brother would never admit it, but he adores the wildkin. They’re brutal and arrogant, cunning and wicked.” Just like Lorian. Conreth left the words unspoken, but he gave me a knowing look.

At least they could all agree on one thing, even if it was how much they hated me. It was a start.

“Well, that was suitably morbid,” Asinia muttered. “Are we done here?”

“Lorian.” Rythos strode toward me, his expression tense. “I know you’re not trying to leave us behind.”

“Tell Cavis he doesn’t need to—” “I’m coming,” he said from behind me. I turned. He stood next to Galon and Marth, his daughter in his arms. Sybella slid me a narrow-eyed look but took the baby from him. “Bring Prisca back safe,” she said.

Conreth’s men seemed very interested in getting us to the pass as quickly as possible. Almost as if they were on some kind of schedule that involved Lorian not finding out where we were. Shocking.

“Let me be clear.” Lorian smiled grimly at Cadrus. “I’ll be taking the wildcat. If you have a problem with that, you’re welcome to challenge me for her.” Of all the overbearing, possessive, arrogant… “Did you lose what little sense you had left?” His gaze drifted back to me. “I’ll deal with you later.” “Stab him,” I ordered Cadrus. “We’ll leave him bleeding out right here.”

I sighed and dismounted, darting out of reach as one of the fae guards attempted to grab me. “Don’t push the crazed man any further,” I advised him.

I wasn’t entirely sure when this woman had become as necessary to me as the air in my lungs. Maybe it was when she finally understood how to use her power—and used it to freeze me in place so she could kick me in the balls.

“You were planning to take me with you,” I said. “Even before your brother knew who I was.” One sharp nod. “Why?” “I told you why. Because you’re mine.”

“I’ve gone my whole life feeling like I’m holding my breath. Like my lungs are burning. Like I’m desperately fighting for each gasp of air. But when you’re around, I can…breathe. And I’m furious at you, because when that ends…when we’re forced apart, I don’t know how I’ll take a full breath without you.”

“Rythos’s people?” Prisca’s eyes lit up with interest. And I clamped down on the urge to pound his face into the dust. I knew Prisca didn’t think of Rythos that way. But did she have to look so delighted at the mere mention of his name?”

I was young, selfish, and rebelling against my father because I had nothing better to do. But when I began traveling with the Bloodthirsty Prince—” “Don’t call him that,” Prisca snapped.

She didn’t need to defend me to Rythos. But the fact that she would… Rythos met my eyes. Then he gave Prisca a fond look that almost got him stabbed.

Lorian leaned down until his mouth was right next to my ear. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” My eyes popped open, and just like that, I wanted to find a quiet spot somewhere and climb on top of him. “We need to work on your timing,” I said breathlessly. “You’ve never complained about my…timing before.” I laughed. Marth rolled his eyes. “I think I liked it better when you were actively planning his murder,” he told me.

“What’s the plan?” I murmured to Lorian. “Steal a particular ship before anyone notices.” “That’s the entire plan?”

“You can’t come with us,” Rythos murmured. “We’re heading into dangerous waters.” “Dangerous waters are my favorite.” Next to Lorian, Marth rolled his eyes. “The most dangerous waters that man has experienced were in his bathtub.”

“While my father rules, such decisions are made by consensus. The council votes.” I clenched my hand around the railing. Rythos dropped his gaze, and when our eyes met once more, his expression was tight. “One vote, Pris. Your people lost by one vote.” Leaning over the side of the ship, I heaved.

I shifted my gaze to the other side of the deck. “Found this one hiding below deck.” Galon was holding Fendrel by the back of his neck. Rythos’s curses turned the air blue.

“Is there…” “Enough air for the trip? Yes.” “You could have told me…” “That not only would you be on a ship, but you’d be under the water?” He’d quirked one eyebrow, and despite the situation, I’d smiled. I would have been enveloped in dread from the moment I learned about our planned transportation until the moment it happened. Still, I’d given him my best hard stare. “We’re going to talk about your high-handed ways.”

Lorian jumped over the side of the boat, landing gracefully next to Rythos, who was already standing on the rocky shore. If I attempted to do such a thing, I’d break a leg.

Asinia fired a bolt toward the enemy. “Holy gods, I hit him,” she crowed. “I guess Demos knows what he’s talking about after all.” “Less bragging, more shooting!”

Something nudged my back. I whirled, swinging my sword. There was nothing there. Another nudge, this time poking at my shoulder. It was an invisible nudge. A magical nudge. Someone was playing with me. “Put me back,” I hissed. “My friends need me.” Nudge. Nudge, nudge, nudge.

“He wanted off that island, and all I did was get him killed,” he said. “He hid on the ship. He knew you wouldn’t allow him to come for this very reason. He’s never seen true battle.” Rythos just shook his head. “And now, he never will.” “It’s not your fault.” “My father was right,” he muttered. “All I am to them is poison.” Rythos’s father had never deserved him. But sometimes a man had to learn such lessons for himself.

Sabium sat back on his throne, his brow furrowed. For one moment, I saw the man I’d thought I might one day fall in love with. The one who had always seemed to be thinking deeply. Then, I’d assumed those thoughts would mean great things for this kingdom. But I had been a stupid girl.

Of my own. A baby that would come from me. Would be mine alone. I would keep her safe. But if I chose that future, my son would die. Tiny feet thumping down the hall. The mischievous chortle that urged all who heard it to smile. Green eyes, locked on mine. “Mama!” “I’ll do it,” I croaked. “I’ll make the sacrifice.”

“I know this is your territory. I don’t want to intrude. Please don’t eat me.”

“You want a puppet on the throne? Pick someone else,” I hissed. Ysara smiled, and it was terrible. “The woman who stole you has damaged you irreparably,” she said. “But never mind that. We can fix you.”

Could she… “Read your mind? Yes. Just breathe. It will come to you.” Ysara. She’d done something to me. “Yes. It’s time for you to see.” Oh, I planned to see. I would see my dagger slam into her throat at the first opportunity. A long pause. “Your thoughts are rather…murderous.”

All I could see were their backs. But I knew instinctively it was them. My mother had my blond curls. And my father nuzzled one of them aside, leaning down to lay a kiss on her cheek. We began moving again, and I choked out a sob. “No, please!” “There is more to see, Nelayra. You cannot linger here.”

“Nourish the spark of your rage, Nelayra.” “Why?” “When you have to, you will change the worlds. If I have to torture you to convince you that you’re the only one who can do it…” I felt her shrug. “Well, what must be done must be done.”

“And enjoy your time with your fae prince. But know this—you cannot keep him.”

“I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s offering us protection.” “Not us,” Lorian said. “You.” The lightning in his eyes disappeared, and he nodded at the Drakoryx. “Welcome to the group.” I stared at him. He just shrugged. “Anything that wants to protect you can stick around. Especially when you’re going to disappear at any moment.” “I didn’t do it on purpose,” I grumbled.

“Pleased is the wrong word. I’m proud, Prisca. I know you can do it. But this war will change you. You’ll lose people you love. You’ll lose parts of yourself. I could never want that for you, even as I know you will save your people.” I took a deep breath. “I’m afraid,” I admitted. His huge hand cupped my cheek. “I know. It’s how you act despite your fear that counts.” His mouth brushed mine, and my eyes stung. “Enjoy your time with your fae prince. But know this—you cannot keep him.”

Rythos spent the majority of his time in his cabin, while Galon bullied him to ensure he ate.

The Drakoryx had opened one eye, clearly listening, and I’d given it a slow smile. “If you attempt to ‘change your mind’ and harm her in any way, I will make your death a horror you cannot imagine.” The Drakoryx lifted one side of its lip, halfheartedly displaying a few teeth, and closed its eyes.

My instincts told me it was safe, but I was closely monitoring it all the same. I’d also warned it not to draw attention to us, and it had responded by curling its lip and flashing sharp white teeth at me. I’d done the same, and we’d understood each other.

“I’m not usually the jealous type.” “I like it,” I said. “In fact, I’m so fucking hard right now, all I want to do is pull you from that horse and take you behind the nearest tree.” Her breath hitched. “Ahem.” Cavis cleared his throat. “The horses have all been watered.”

“It’s too dangerous,” she said. “You could get hurt.” The Drakoryx yowled. After a long, tense standoff where they stared at each other, it turned and melted away into the forest. “Do you think we need to worry about him eating people?” Prisca asked. I shrugged. “It sounds like he only eats bad people.”

“You’re definitely…filling out,” I said, dropping my gaze to her breasts. She burst out laughing. “I’ll tell Galon you approve of his training and food plan.” I scowled. “Don’t tell Galon anything about your breasts.”

“You know the difference between right and wrong. Even with all your power, and the loneliness, you never let it make you…evil. How did you…” “Stay sane?” I asked, and her mouth curved. Darkness seemed to roll over the room, and I was suddenly little more than a boy, with barely ten winters behind me, struggling to lift a sword. “I’m sorry, Lorian. I shouldn’t have asked.” “No,” I said. “I’m beginning to learn that pain left untended doesn’t fade—it festers. One day, I’d like to talk about it. With you.”

She went languid against me, swaying on her feet. Made for me.

“You look beautiful. What’s wrong?” “There’s something stiff in here.” “It’s a fae material that repels iron. I had it sewn into the dress.” I stopped pulling on the bodice and glanced up. “You think someone will try to stab me in the Gromalian castle?” He looked vaguely offended. “Of course not. Or you wouldn’t be going.” I folded my arms. “Try that again.”