Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos #4)

by Nisha J. Tuli

“Help yourself,” Cyan says wryly, and I shoot him a glare. “Manners would have suggested you offer us all a drink to begin with.” “It’s barely noon,” he answers, and I snort before I pour myself another glass. Like I give a shit.

Thank Zerra for small miracles. I shake my head. Not Zerra. Fuck that bitch.

A few moments ago, I was cold and scared and lost. But Nadir is here, and I have been found.

“Please,” she says. “If you ever hug me again, I will rescind my offer.”

“Goodbye, Mother.” “Goodbye,” she whispers, “my children.”

“This is my domain, king of The Aurora,” Herric said with a wicked grin as he threw the ark into the air and then snatched it in a fist. “Welcome to hell.”

Fucking fuck. This is not good.

We stare at each other. Childhood friends. Boys drawn together by chance. Boys whose positions and responsibilities pulled them apart before fate forced them back together again. A king. A prince. A slave. And a revolutionary. A broken crown. A traitor. A free man. And Erevan. The future of Aphelion.

before he turned to look at his son, silently rooting for him to win for the very first time.

“Everyone has always underestimated me,” I repeat. “But Herric, Lord of the Underworld, that mistake is about to cost you everything because I. Am. The fucking Heart Queen.”

I wait as father and son stare at each other, and then the Aurora King does the last thing in the world I expect. Pressing a hand to his chest, he tips his head forward before looking back up and mouthing the words “I’m sorry.”

“I love you,” Gabriel says, choking on the words. “I’m sorry that I let you down so many times.” Tyr shakes his head and then wraps his arms around Gabriel. “You were the only light in my life during all those years. I would have died without you, Gabe. Never forget that. I love you too.”