The Prince of Power and Lies

By Rachael Staudt

Secrets. Curses. Death.

Just when Reign Calloway thinks she's learned the truth, more lies wait to be uncovered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bowker
• Release date: Nov 25, 2025
• ISBN: 9798992682830

Book preview

Chapter 1

Warm blood runs along my spine with each crack of the whip as it cuts my back open.

I hardly feel the stinging anymore. I’m already back at the pond, watching my father reel in another trout. The sound of his belly laughs when the fish jumps out of his hands and back into the water makes my heart smile. It’s a sound I never want to forget.

Another lash of the whip threatens to pull me back, but I’ve gotten good at disassociating.

Two months of torture. Two months of refusing to use my power. Two months of disobeying King Cimmerian’s requests. Two months of playing back every one of Damien’s betrayals. Two months to learn how to trick my mind into escaping into the memory of my father and me fishing in the pond behind our house.

It’s now as if I’m two people. I’m not sure who is more real—the little girl wearing the sundress, hugging her father, or the girl who is bound by chains and torture. Neither of them feels right, and yet, they are all I am now.

I don’t even notice when I’m tossed back into my cell until Kane pulls me from the mental prison I’ve made my home.

Reign, you can’t keep doing this. You’re going to have to give him something.

Over my dead body, I promise.

You know he won’t kill you. You’re too valuable to him.

Not if I keep my powers locked away, I argue.

He’s going to find a way to break you. It’s only a matter of time, Slader hisses from his dark corner.

Well, he’s going to have to do more than torture me then.

It doesn’t matter what he does, I refuse to be a pawn in his game. I’ve been on the brink of death more times than I can count these past two months. He’s going to have to kill me because I’d rather die than let him use my power.

I don’t get why he hasn’t just used his powers to manipulate you into doing his bidding like he does with the rest of us, Kane contemplates aloud.

Maybe he’s just saving that move as a last resort, Slader offers.

If he does that, he’ll have to admit to himself that he couldn’t break me, and I don’t think his fragile ego can handle that.

Kane lets out a half-hearted laugh. You have a point there.

Just as Slader is about to say something, the doors down the dimly lit corridor creak open.

The king wants to see you.

The burly man, who was assigned by the king to bring us meals and escort us throughout the dungeons, starts to unlock my cell. He takes off the shackle attached to my right ankle and locks two around my wrists instead.

The look Kane flashes me as I pass by his cell tells me I should be more concerned than I am, but there’s not much else the king can do to me. Killing me now would only be a welcome escape from this hell.

When we get to the Throne Room, King Cimmerian is already perched on the dais surrounded by ribbons of black shadows. Once I’m only a few feet from the steps, the man who goes by Orien, shoves me to the ground and forces me to my knees, still holding onto the chain attached to the power dampener locked around my neck.

You don’t look so good, Reign.

I loathe the way my name sounds on his lips.

When I don’t respond, the king claps his hands and motions to someone hidden behind one of the columns.

You should see for yourself.

A skinny man, who looks as if he too has been chained up for far too long, walks out holding a large oval mirror. His bony arms shake from the weight of the mirror as his shackles force him to shuffle slowly across the room. Once he reaches his destination, he sets down the mirror in front of me, forcing me to face the truth of what I have become.

The girl looking back at me now is unrecognizable.

Her cheekbones have hollowed, and her face has grown gaunt from hunger. The light in her eyes has gone dark, matching the circles just underneath them. The protruding edges of her collarbone stick out farther than they should, and patches of dirt cover her body and face.

The black tank top she wears is now only held up by one strap, and her black leggings have been torn open in multiple places. The loose curls that used to fall gracefully around her face are now wild with tangles and knots. Open wounds and healed scars mark up the areas of her body that are visible.

She’s nothing but a living corpse, waiting for death’s kiss.

I look away, not wanting to see what I’ve become. I want to remember myself as the girl I was two months ago. The girl who was capable and strong. The girl whose heart was full of love. Whose life hadn’t yet imploded.

Ironic that it took until now for me to truly appreciate how far I had come in the last two years.

Rumor has it, you’ve been stubborn when it comes to using your power, the king begins again. I admire your resistance, but I have a job for you, and it requires your cooperation.

Well, it looks like you’ll have to find someone else to do your dirty work. I spit on the floor in front of me, imagining it were his face instead.

I had a feeling you might say that, which is why I thought you may need some motivation. He pauses, looking past me toward the back of the room. Bring her in!

There’s no need for me to turn around. I can already see her in the reflection of the mirror still positioned in front of me.

The chains binding her ankles scrape across the marble floor with each step.

When she stops next to me, our eyes finally meet. Even bruised, they bring a sense of warmth with them. I reach for her, but my wrists are yanked back before our hands have a chance to touch.

I’m so sorry. My voice breaks with the apology.

Shh, this is not your fault, she whispers back.

Let her go! I plead to the king. You have me, you don’t need her.

Actually, I think I do. Bring the other one out, he orders to someone I can’t see.

The skeletal man, who had just brought out the mirror, is dragged back out by a Royal Guard.

Bring them forward.

The two of them are pulled to the very front of the dais and pushed onto their knees, just as I was.

Now, Reign, you have two choices. Set my prisoner here on fire or watch her lose her head.

NO! You monster! Let them go! Kill me instead, I offer with a pitiful cry.

The older man begins to sob uncontrollably as fear coats his face.

Sorry, but that’s not one of the options, he hisses with a sinister grin.

It’s going to be okay, Reign. Be the strong girl I know you are, she says as a single tear slowly falls down her cheek.

The power dampening collar unlatches and falls to the floor in front of me.

You have three seconds to decide. Three. Two.

AGATHA!

Her body falls to the side, sending her head rolling. It stops a few feet from me, and her kind eyes, that have always brought so much comfort, are now stilled by death. The sound that escapes my throat is similar to that of a dying animal.

Everything around me goes dark as I look at the face of the woman who had become a mother figure to me these past two years. It’s as if the world has instantly dimmed with the loss of her life.

My fire lashes inside me, demanding to be let out. Rage and sorrow battle one another, fighting to take control. I’m just about to give in when I let out an ear-shattering scream instead. I grab my head with both hands, letting the screams of anguish tear through the room.

They ricochet off the marble, echoing one after the other. I use it as my outlet for every emotion now threatening to consume me. Guilt, anger, hate, grief, all flare within me, and I don’t bother suppressing them.

The cries of pain don’t stop until my voice gives out, finally falling silent.

When I look back up, the king’s proud smirk burns into my memory. He may not have gotten me to unleash my power, but seeing me like this seems to be victory enough.

What happened? Kane asks quietly over the sound of my sobs.

He killed her. My voice cracks as the image of her head being cut from her body replays in my mind. He’s going to kill everyone, isn’t he? Everyone I love.

I’m so sorry, is all Kane says. It’s all he can say. He and Slader tried to warn me that the king would find a way to break me, and he has.

How long until it’s Amaya or Emeric?

That is, if they even survived the attack on the Sector.

I haven’t allowed myself to go there mentally for the past two months, but now I can’t stop the flow of thoughts. There’s a very real possibility that everyone I love is already gone. I’ve tried to block out the negative thoughts, knowing they’ll destroy me, but I can’t ignore them any longer.

Even if by some miracle my friends made it out alive, their lives are still in danger. As long as I’m alive, he’ll just keep killing everyone I care about until there is no one left. I’ve tried to hold on to hope for as long as I can, but there’s only one way this ends.

I pick up the piece of stone I’ve spent the past month sharpening. Originally, I was planning to use it against Orien, but it would be useless. The king would have an army of guards on me in the time it took me to unlock my cell.

I’m sorry, I whisper to The Mother and to Agatha. I wish I could’ve been stronger.

I press the sharp edge of the stone to the inside of my wrist, cutting through the skin. The pain is excruciating, but it’s nothing compared to the pain I would feel if I had to watch another person I love die.

The blood slowly drains from my wrist onto the cold ground next to me. Eventually my head begins to spin, and I close my eyes, embracing the peace that is waiting for me on the other side.

When I open my eyes, I expect to see a glow of white light or my mother’s face, but instead I’m met with three stone walls and a row of steel bars. I look back down at my wrist and find the wound completely healed. It’s as if it had never been there to begin with.

No!

No, what? Kane asks.

I didn’t even realize I had said it out loud. I walk over to meet him, sticking my arm with dried blood through the cell bars. It doesn’t take long for him to understand what happened.

Oh. He turns his back to the wall, leaning his head against it. I should’ve told you. He’s thought of everything.

What is this? What did he do?

He knows people like you and me would rather die than help him, so he had his witch, Athea, cast a spell that prevents us from harming ourselves or each other.

The realization slowly sinks in as I slump to the ground.

He’s taken everything from me. My father, my home, Meeka, Agatha, my freedom, my friends.

And now he’s taken away my choice to die.

The walls surrounding me seem to close in as whatever hope I had left slowly vanishes. There’s no escaping. I’m bound to this nightmare that has become my life, and the horrors I have been trying so hard to hold off are now inevitable.

There’s nothing stopping the king from using me as a weapon now.

Chapter 2

R eign, what’s going on? What’s wrong? Kane’s voice sounds distant, muffled like he’s calling me out of a deep sleep.

The stone beneath me is damp with my sweat, and my hair clings to the back of my neck and shoulders. It takes every bit of my energy to crawl to the bars of my enclosure.

I lean my head against the cold steel, welcoming the icy metal against my burning skin. Kane’s silver-grey eyes meet mine, and the look he wears is the same one Amaya wears when she’s unable to help me.

My power, I huff out between breaths. It’s built up too much.

I’ve never gone this long without using my powers, and it’s become too much for my body to hold. It needs a way out, but with the power dampener stopping it, it’s suffocating me from the inside.

GUARDS!

I’m barely conscious as my cell door creaks open and I’m lifted off the ground. When the cool breeze hits my face moments later, I open my eyes to find I’m outside of the palace walls. It should feel like freedom, but the arms holding me feel like shackles around my body. I use whatever energy I can muster to release myself from his grip.

My fragile body hits the ground hard. I feel every painful consequence of the impact, but I don’t care. I would do anything to get as far away as possible from the man I used to love. Damien doesn’t bother reaching for me. Instead, he turns around and walks away. For a moment I think he might be letting me go, but that hope quickly dies when King Cimmerian appears beside him.

The two men, or should I say monsters, stare back at me from across the rocky terrain. I glance around the field, recognizing it from the time we spent here during the Festival of Nightfall my first year. The memories of the celebration feel like a lifetime ago as I look back at the man who now feels like a stranger. Tears threaten to fall from my eyes as the images of us dancing replay in my mind.

Before I lose all control over my emotions, I snap myself out of it and try to stand up. My body instantly gives out, and I drop back to the ground.

Maybe this is my way out. Maybe my power will kill me from within, and I can finally be set free from this life that has brought me so much pain.

King Cimmerian’s amplified voice cuts off my thoughts before they have a chance to grow into hope.

Let’s see what you can do.

The latch on the power dampener releases, and so does any restraint on my power. Before the collar even hits the ground, a wave of hot flames explodes around me. The gravel field surrounding me caves in, creating a giant crater. My arms, which had been holding me up, shake from the impact and give out.

I roll to my side and watch as the wall of fire circling me reaches for the sky. The blazing cyclone of destruction spins around me like a shield, blocking out the rest of the world. With each passing second, I feel my strength begin to return. I slowly stand up, and the air around me whips my hair in every direction as the sweat evaporates off my skin.

With no restriction of walls or ceilings, the funnel of flames rises higher and higher, becoming a tornado of violent fury. It’s wild and untamed. A storm of inferno ready to ignite anyone who comes too close.

The feeling of power rages inside me. Every part of me wants to take these flames and unleash them on the king, but with his power, I know he would disappear before they even had a chance to touch him.

As the image of the king fills my mind, the fiery tornado bursts outward, exploding into a sea of orange and red flames. I understand now why they brought me out here. If we were anywhere else in the kingdom, nothing would be safe. Anyone and anything in the wake of my flames would be reduced to nothing but ash.

It’s been too long since I’ve felt power like this, and it’s intoxicating. Even though my body is now frail and weak, my power is strong and unyielding. It feels like my soul has finally returned home to my body. Without access to my power, I’m a ghost of myself, but with it I am whole again.

Suddenly, the collar closes around my neck, smothering my magic. As I feel my power cease with the restriction of the power dampener, it feels like a part of me has died again.

Dark shadows cast out over the remaining flames, and when the king pulls them back, it looks as though a bomb went off.

Slow claps sound from behind me.

Well done, Miss Calloway. You’ve been holding out on us.

Before I’m able to process what is happening, the king is already tossing me back into my cell. Through the darkness, I can see the prideful grin spread across his menacing face. As he takes a step back, his deep voice rises around me.

You’re finally ready.

Chapter 3

As the large golden doors swing open, I can feel the pounding of my heart begin to quicken. Sitting around the round table in the middle of the room are five hooded Circle members, Damien, and the king. I’m surprised to find Ryder missing, but he’s probably off doing his father’s bidding elsewhere.

Please, join us. King Cimmerian stands and motions to the open seat across from him.

Orien unlocks the shackles from my wrists and exits the room. When the giant doors close behind him, the spacious room suddenly feels smaller. This is the definition of being in enemy territory, and every cell in my body knows it.

Cylas, do you have an update for me?

One of the red-cloaked figures next to me tilts their head up, but it’s hard to make out what he looks like beneath the oversized hood.

There’s a group in Nazrelia who have been meeting weekly. He turns his head slightly, and I get a glimpse of his white eyes that stick out against his dark complexion. I’ve been told they’re planning an attack. We’re unsure of when and where, but we do have the location of their meeting place.

The king doesn’t seem too pleased with the lack of intel, but he doesn’t say anything. He simply nods to Damien as if to tell him it’s his turn.

Trainees have started to return to the Sector. The overall consensus is that you have won the support of the parents. It won’t be long before they convince the others that the rebels are the true enemy.

Hearing his voice is almost as hard as hearing what he has to say. I’ve had two months to get used to the idea that the Damien I fell for was nothing more than a lie. That he wasn’t real and nothing he felt for me was. But time hasn’t healed the pain I still feel when I look at the man who once felt like home.

My throat suddenly feels tight as I fight the urge to fall apart. King Cimmerian turns his attention to me, and I’m almost thankful for it. Almost.

I suppose you’re wondering what your role in all of this is. When I don’t reply, he continues. Your boyfriend here will be taking you to Nazrelia tomorrow.

I hardly hear what he says after calling Damien my boyfriend. If I didn’t have the dampener keeping my power at bay, this entire room would’ve been decimated the moment the word left his lips.

Cylas will debrief you on the location where the meetings have been taking place. His words are now directed at Damien, who looks like a soldier waiting for orders. Reign will use her powers to snuff out the traitors while you and a group of guards lie in wait, ready to seize them.

I won’t do it! I shout from across the table.

The way the king’s head slowly turns to me is terrifying. Do I need to remind you of what will happen if you disobey me?

I’m instantly brought back to the moment Agatha’s life was taken. It doesn’t matter what I do now, people will die either way.

I don’t say anything else, and I can tell by the satisfied look on the king’s face that he accepts my silence as defeat. As the meeting goes on, I don’t have it in me to listen. All I can think about are the lives I’m going to take tomorrow. Even if my fire doesn’t kill them, their blood is on my hands.

Get dressed. Damien tosses a set of Nazrelian-looking clothes at me and turns around.

The dismissiveness feels like a slap in the face, and I hate how hard the blow lands. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to shake the lingering feelings. When I look into those warm, honey eyes, there’s a small sliver of me that sees the Damien I used to know. It’s like mourning someone who is still alive.

I expect him to drag me through the palace, but he doesn’t. In fact, he doesn’t touch me at all, and it’s a small mercy I gladly accept. Feeling his hands on me just adds to the pain I still feel internally.

Cylas is already waiting for us when we near the archway that marks the entrance to the kingdom. While I’m dressed in Nazrelian clothing, the two of them are in their normal attire.

Cylas barely acknowledges our presence. Instead, he pulls a vial from his cloak and throws it onto the ground. Dark blue mist bursts around us, and the next thing I know, we’re standing in a lush green forest.

We’re about two miles outside of Nazrelia. Their meeting point is just on the outskirts of the realm, Cylas tells Damien.

Once we finally reach the edge of the tree line, the sun has already begun to set. Just ahead of us are the same beautiful, cream-colored buildings I saw on Commencement Day. Pink and purple flowers decorate the windows and balconies, while blossoming trees line the streets. Everything about this realm is charming. I can even hear the faint sound of music playing in the distance.

Go ahead and get comfortable, Damien orders, kneeling behind a tree. It’s going to be a while.

The three of us don’t say a word to one another as we wait for night to fall. I mostly pick at the grass and break twigs, trying to distract myself from all of the terrible thoughts running rampant in my mind.

There, Cylas finally says, pointing to the building several yards away from us.

We watch as a man walks around to the back. He knocks on the door five times before it opens. As he walks through the threshold, the sound of breaking twigs draws our attention. We turn to find six Royal Guards in the trees behind us. Just seeing them makes my stomach churn. Now that they’re here, I know it won’t be long.

One by one, the rebels show up and knock on the door in that same five-knock sequence. After half an hour passes and no one else shows up, Damien decides that must be the last of them. By now it’s completely dark out, and everyone who was previously mingling outside has turned in for the night. Damien says something to the guards, and they disperse, leaving just the three of us again.

How close do you need to get in order to start a fire inside?

I’m not sure. I could probably do it from that light post. I point to a dimly lit streetlight wrapped in ivy right across from where the rebels just entered.

Okay, go there and wait for my signal, Damien orders.

Every bone in my body is telling me that this is wrong. For all I know, these people only want a better future for the Great Six Realms. After spending so much time in the kingdom, I’m no longer naïve to the king’s ways. From the outside looking in, it’s hard to see, but now that I’ve been on the inside, I know how he works.

He withholds medicine, forces welders to work overtime to create more weaponry for the armory, hoards food for those in Strellesia. He’s strategic, only giving the realms enough to keep them in line. He gives certain realms more when he needs their expertise, then turns around and takes, so that they feel grateful for his generosity. He’s calculated and manipulative, and it’s worked well until now. Finally, people are seeing him for who he truly is. It’s not the realms that need him, but he who needs the realms.

Cylas steps out from the tree line but doesn’t stray too far. I’m waiting for Damien’s command when Cylas removes his hood. It’s the first time I’ve really gotten a good look at him. Three white lines run down the middle of his smooth scalp. He puts two fingers on each of his temples and closes his eyes. A second later, the side of the building I’m facing vanishes.

I expect the rebels inside to disperse into chaos, but they don’t even seem to notice. His power must create some sort of window that allows me to look through the wall. I glance at Damien, whose eyes are already trained on me. He nods, and I know it’s my turn. I send up one last prayer to The Mother before I begin.

There’s a candlestick in the middle of a wooden table. I decide to start there, letting the flame flicker wildly. The table quickly catches fire, and I move on to the tapestries framing the window. Using my power, I guide the flames, sweeping them across the room. The ten people inside work to put the fires out, but the smoke has become too thick for them. They run out the back door, coughing and choking on the fumes. By the time they are able to catch their breath, it’s too late. It takes barely any effort for the Royal Guards to seize them.

I spot a pair of guards take four of the Nazrelians with them as they disappear into the dark mist. The other six are lifted off their knees and cuffed. I’m so distracted by everything going on that I don’t notice Damien approaching me from behind.

He orders the guards to follow, and I nearly jump out of my skin. A moment later, everyone, including myself, trails behind him into the realm’s center. By now, crowds of Nazrelians have started pouring out onto the cobblestone streets. One of the Royal Guards instructs them all to organize around a stage that must be used during the many festivals thrown here.

Damien and I stand off to the side of it as the rest of the guards drag the rebels up the stairs. The guard who seems to have taken charge, steps to the front, commanding the crowd’s attention.

These are the faces of the traitors who attacked the Training Sector. These are the individuals who killed your sons and daughters!

Outbursts of cries scatter throughout the growing crowd.

They’re falling for it. They really believe that what he’s saying is true and that these people are responsible for the attack.

I want to run onto the stage and tell them it was the king who ordered the attack, but I know they won’t listen to me. To them, I’m just some girl playing dress-up in their clothes. My word is nothing compared to the man in the Royal Guard uniform.

Your king will protect you from these terrorists! They won’t get away with this treachery.

Disgust seeps from me as the mob of Nazrelians cheer in response. The few of them who seem to disagree are hidden within the sea of anger.

The six rebels still on the stage begin to convulse violently. They look like fish flopping around, gasping for air. Blood starts to slowly drip from their eyes, ears, and noses while foam seeps from their mouths. Eventually, they all fall still.

It is done! The Royal Guard claps his hands once. I urge anyone who knows more information to come forward. This is your home. These are your children. It is your duty to protect the Great Six Realms.

Damien pulls me away, back into the tree line where Cylas is waiting with another vial. As the mist explodes around us, I can still hear the faint sound of chants coming from the heart of the realm.

Chapter 4

When Slader is thrown back into his cell, Kane and I are already waiting to bombard him with questions. It’s been four days since the executions and when I got back, he had already been pulled from his cage.

What happened?

Did you see them?

The questions come out at the same time, and Slader already looks annoyed at being immediately hounded for information.

Jeez, can’t a Night Renderer get settled first?

His dark sarcasm doesn’t mask the fact that he looks completely drained. The arrogant demeanor he usually wears has been replaced by exhaustion. I might actually feel sorry for him if he hadn’t already used his powers to torture me.

Yes, I saw them. Kane and I glance at each other, but bite back our next questions. It took until today to finally break one of them.

What did they say? The question comes flying out of my mouth before I can stop it.

Slader takes a seat on the ground, leaning his head against one of the bars.

He gave up the name of the man who has been organizing the different rebel groups in each realm. He tosses a pebble at the wall across from him, and it rolls back. I gotta give it to him, though. He held on for longer than I thought he would.

What about the others? Kane asks.

They’re dead. Once King Cimmerian got the name of the leader, he didn’t need the others.

And the one who gave up the name?

Lost to madness. I’m sure he’ll be fed to the wolves later tonight.

For a moment I think he’s joking, but when he lifts his head, I realize from his expression that he’s not.

So, what do you think is going to happen next? I direct the question to Kane, who is probably more familiar with how the king operates.

If I had to guess, he’ll send a team to retrieve the leader and hold a public execution.

I let out a deep sigh and lay back, resting my head on my arm. Without a leader, the rebellion will fall apart. It’s already losing numbers each day, and with the king pinning the Sector attack on the rebels, the momentum has greatly shifted in his favor. I’m sure it won’t be long until the rebellion is all but a memory and the hope of a better future is nothing more than a distant dream.

The field where the Festival of Nightfall was held is now filled with people. I can tell from the different attire that there are visitors from every realm. I’m sure they were invited here to witness the execution for themselves so that they can go back to their homes and spread word of what happened.

I half expected to see the crater left by my power, but it appears the field has already been magically restored. Instead, the same levitating platform is back, and I can see Damien and the Circle perched on it. So far there’s no sign of King Cimmerian, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he makes his grand entrance.

Looking around at the crowd, I wonder how many of them are aware that the king collects innocents and makes them his prisoners. If Damien hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known until it was already happening. The king has a way of twisting the truth to the public. Everyone is given only a sliver of information.

If only they knew the whole truth.

Just like clockwork, King Cimmerian arrives, riding in on Kane’s back. When he reappears in front of his throne, his fae wings flare out behind him. Everything about him radiates danger, but something about seeing the length of his wings makes him seem almost untouchable.

Welcome everyone! I have invited you all here to bear witness to the death of a rebellion which has plagued our lands. Today, we take back our power and slay the dragon who tried to bring strife to the Great Six Realms.

Just then, a Royal Guard appears with what I can only assume is the leader of the rebellion. The man bound in chains is built like a warrior. His silver hair gleams in the morning sun, and his statuesque posture makes me wonder if he was once part of a military unit.

Today, we come together. Not as six realms, but as one. United, we renew the strength of our lands!

The crowd breaks out in cheers. All around, people applaud and holler in support. His ability to manipulate the masses is perhaps his greatest power. How quick they all are to trust the man who would kill his own people.

The attack on the Sector has only solidified their allegiance to him. Now more than ever, he seems to have the support of the people. I know how he did it, and still I can’t fully wrap my mind around it. It was a perfectly crafted plan, and it was executed flawlessly.

The rebellion leader is forced to turn and face the king. It’s hard to see from down here, but I imagine the two men are staring back at one another with equal hatred in their eyes.

The king raises his hand, and the crowd falls silent.

You are a traitor to the realms! You have disgraced The Mother and betrayed your people. Your treachery is unforgivable and punishable by death. With his last word, Kane’s dragon head lowers, stopping just in front of the prisoner.

I know what comes next. I’ve seen it in my nightmares.

The bright ball of fire glows in his throat, and when the king nods, Kane opens his mouth, sending a torrent of molten dragon fire. The leader doesn’t flinch as the deadly flames engulf him, and I take it as his last stand of rebellion.

In the final moment, Kane’s nostrils flare and with a huff, the ashes of what remains of the man blow into the wind. The crowd roars below as the king mounts Kane and takes off into the sky.

Just like that, a rebellion that barely had a chance to fight back is dead, and the king who threatens the well-being of the Great Six Realms now has more power than ever.

They’re coming for you, I promise with a wicked smile. You’ve lost.

Kane’s golden dragon head reaches over the king but doesn’t block his view of me. I exhale one final breath, accepting my fate, before a ball of dragon fire engulfs me.

When I awake in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, I’m not the least bit surprised. After the events of yesterday, it makes sense the nightmare would return. I walk over to the bars to see if Kane has been brought back yet, but his cell is still empty.

It’s times like these I wish I wasn’t so empathetic. Just thinking about what Kane must be going through makes my heart ache. To have your body taken over by someone else, let alone someone as cruel as the king, is unimaginable. It’s a violation no one should have to endure. I’m sure it won’t be long before I experience it for myself. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already. I would imagine King Cimmerian can’t wait to get his hands on my power.

The things he could do… the lives he could take…

The sound of chains scraping against the ground when Slader stirs in his cell pulls me from my thoughts, and I’m thankful for it. It won’t do any good to think about those things now. Instead, I should get some rest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Just as I’m about to fall back asleep, the door down the corridor creaks open. I’m not surprised to see Kane, but I am surprised to see Damien. I would’ve assumed it would be Orien bringing him back.

Kane turns around, and once he steps into his cell, I see the void in his eyes. A spark of anger instantly ignites in my chest.

You’re a monster, I hiss through gritted teeth.

Damien finishes locking Kane’s cell before turning to face me. He looks back at me, not saying a word. His eyes are almost a reflection of Kane’s. There’s nothing behind them. No love, no hatred. Just nothingness. It’s as if he’s sleepwalking through life.

Was any of it real? I hate that I even asked the question. I already know the answer, but I need to hear him say it.

Still, he says nothing.

Anger flares into rage as the silence between us grows. My knuckles have gone white from gripping the bars so tightly, but it’s all I can do to keep myself from crumbling to the ground. Tears of frustration and grief begin to stream down my face looking at the man who was once my tether. Each second we stare at each other, it feels as if my heart is being torn in two.

Is it possible to love and hate someone at the same time?

Damien takes a small step closer, and I think he might say something, but instead he turns on his heel and heads back down the dimly lit corridor. When the door closes behind him, my knees finally give out, and the hold I had on my emotions shatters along with my heart.

You’re better off without him, I hear Kane say, but it does little to alleviate the pain rippling through my chest.

I wasn’t going to say anything because… well, quite frankly, I don’t care for you, witch, but for the sake of my sleep schedule, there’s something you should know.

Kane and I both glance at each other with confused expressions. I hadn’t even realized Slader had woken up.

What are you talking about? Kane asks before I have the chance to.

Slader leans against his cell bars, picking at his nails. Before you got here, the king had me working on your lover boy.

Wait, Damien is who you were torturing that whole time? I had assumed it was a rebel, Kane interjects.

I’m still trying to put the pieces together when Slader continues.

Nah, it was him. Unfortunately for me, I had a front-row seat to your relationship. I start to open my mouth, but Slader’s onyx eyes dart to me as if to tell me to stay quiet. You already know that Damien had been working for the king the whole time the two of you knew each other. But what you don’t know is that when you kissed him that night after the Remembrance Orb, he started falling in love with you.

You’re lying. You don’t betray someone you love, I fight back.

Yeah, well there’s a bit more to it, but that’s not my story to tell.

What’s that supposed to mean? I demand.

Slader straightens and turns to me.

We all have our reasons for doing the king’s bidding. Did you ever stop and think that maybe Damien didn’t have a choice?

There’s always a choice! I retort.

Just like you have a choice now? Kane challenges.

His words pierce me like an arrow. He’s right. Every choice I thought I had has been taken from me.

Fine. But no one made him sleep with me. No one made him confess his love. No one made him share personal things with me.

True, Slader agrees. "But you don’t choose who you fall in love with. Feelings like that are damn near impossible not to act on. Trust me. I’ve been in a lot of people’s heads, and that man’s love for you was almost irreversible."

You made him fall out of love with her? Kane’s outburst startles me. I would expect that reaction from me but not from him. He’s usually more calm and collected.

I had to, Slader growls. King Cimmerian could tell it was only a matter of time before he completely lost control over Damien, even with the leverage he has on him.

"What