Chapter 26

DAMIAN

Knocking Dimitri out was a risky move. I’m aware I’m in for a world of trouble. Dimitri’s going to be livid when he comes to. Especially since we’ve found Valkyrie.

I’m still in shock that Lilly was here the whole time. How did we overlook the dungeons?

And looking at Prince Cian, how did he figure it out?

There are times when Prince Cian gives me pause. He has this strange aura about him. It’s as if he’s concealing his true motives. His behavior is also peculiar.

He behaves as if he’s privy to all the secrets, and it irks me.

With a sigh, I ask Michael to escort Valkyrie back to her room. Prince Cian leaves with him. With a frown, I turn to gaze at the dungeon entrance.

I instruct a few men to keep an eye on Michael and Prince Cian, then I head in. The stench of urine and blood in the air makes me grimace. This place is in desperate need of ventilation and a thorough cleaning.

Making my way to the level where Prince Cian said Valkyrie was, I halt when I hear a growl. I hurry down, following the sound. Again, I hear a loud growl, followed by a heavy thud.

“Leo?” I call out, worried.

Reaching the cage, I find Leo with Lilly; he’s gripping her by the neck. Lilly hisses at him furiously. Blood is trickling down Leo’s face. Confused, I look at them. What on earth is going on?

“Lilly?” I murmur. “Didn’t…” I trail off.

Whipping her head around, Lilly hisses at me. She’s furious. Her dress is soaked with blood, and her throat wound has scales.

“Damn!” I swear. Rubbing my temple, I sigh.

“Chain her up and keep an eye on her,” I instruct, approaching Leo, who releases her. Lilly gasps for breath. Her chest heaves.

“You’re a lucky one,” I say as I stand before her. Smirking, Lilly spits in my face.

“I’m not that easy to kill,” Lilly retorts. “We can’t die unless it’s a genuine dragon weapon.”

I slap her across the face. Lilly crumples to the ground.

“If it weren’t for the fact that Dimitri would want to see your face before you die, I’d kill you,” I spit out, seething.

“Oh, Damian,” Lilly says, laughing. “Do I need to remind you? You can’t kill me. The entire council would turn against Dimitri!”

Leo and I are taken aback. Clenching my fists, I punch her. Leo grabs my arm and pulls me back.

~“Calm down, Damian,”~ Leo says in my mind.

“Just fucking watch her,” I order, leaving the cage. If I stay a moment longer, I’ll rip her heart out.

Heading toward Valkyrie’s room, I open the door and find Mia tending to Valkyrie. Blushing, I avert my gaze.

“Did you find her body?” Prince Cian asks, his back turned to Mia. Michael stands with his head bowed, lost in thought.

“Yes, we just chained her up. Leo was about to fight her,” I sigh.

“She’s alive?” Michael asks.

“She can’t die, you idiot,” I snap. “Did you forget she’s a dragon?” Prince Cian chuckles and looks at me.

“Why do I get the feeling you guys don’t want to kill her?” Cian says, smirking.

“I do!” I retort, annoyed. “But it’s not my place. Especially if Dimitri hasn’t given the order.”

“Oh gods, I should have killed her. I was too merciful, letting her die slowly. I didn’t expect you to be scared of her words,” Cian says, scoffing.

“SHUT UP!” I roar.

“Guys, cut it out,” Michael says, stepping between us. Scoffing, I turn to look at Mia.

“How’s Valkyrie?” I ask, sitting next to her.

“She’s okay, just resting,” Michael mutters. “She’ll wake up soon.”

“But she wasn’t responding,” I say, recalling when Prince Cian was carrying her.

“Yes, she was. I saw it myself,” Prince Cian says as he moves to the other side.

“Was?” I ask, puzzled.

“Yes. When I found her, Lilly somehow made her react. She was semi-conscious,” Prince Cian explains.

“Wait, why didn’t you mention that earlier?” Michael asks. Prince Cian glares at Michael. I can tell there’s tension between these two.

“I thought you noticed,” Cian says, shifting his gaze from Michael.

Frowning, I notice that he’s holding Valkyrie’s hand. He looks at her with tender eyes. Am I seeing things?

Without thinking, my hand moves and slaps his away. Prince Cian looks at me, surprised. Even I’m taken aback by my own action.

“S-sorry,” I stutter.

What’s wrong with me? For a moment, I felt a pang of jealousy.

I’m about to say something, but then we hear a growl. Rolling my eyes, I groan.

“Sounds like the king is awake?” Prince Cian says, smirking.

“Wasn’t he supposed to sleep until later?” I ask Michael. Shrugging, Michael turns away.

“You better start digging your own grave,” Michael says, waving his hand dismissively.

***

With my arms crossed, I endure Dimitri’s tirade. We’re in the throne room. Ever since he woke up, he’s been ranting about what we did, cursing Michael and me.

“Just what the fuck is wrong with you? I swear if you weren’t my brother, I’d kick your ass,” Dimitri bellows.

Annoyed, I shush him. Everyone present looks at me. Even Dimitri seems taken aback.

“Look, if you want to throw us in a cage, go ahead. But right now, we’ve got bigger fish to fry. Our queen’s been kidnapped, remember?” I shoot back.

Leo’s eyes widen like saucers, and a hush falls over the room. The air crackles with tension as Dimitri’s expression turns stormy.

I raise an eyebrow at him, holding his gaze.

~No way,~ I think to myself. ~“Damian, you’re in deep shit,”~ Dimitri’s voice echoes in my mind.

~Don’t pin your issues on me,~ I retort mentally.

Dimitri’s frown deepens, his eyes locked on me like a predator sizing up its next meal.

~You’re not showing any respect, Damian!~ Dimitri fires back.

~So what?~ I think, irritated. ~You’ve stopped acting like a king a long time ago.~

~Screw you, Damian!~ Dimitri snaps.

“TRY ME!” I shout, causing everyone in the room to jump. Dimitri’s nostrils flare, his anger clear on his face. I slam my hand on the armrest and rise to my feet. Dimitri follows suit.

We stand there, staring each other down. I’ve had it up to here with Dimitri, and he’s clearly had enough of me. I’m ready to put him in his place.

“Did you just challenge me?” Dimitri asks, his voice barely above a whisper. I meet his golden gaze with a smirk.

“Got a problem?” I retort. “Let’s take this outside.”

With a growl, Dimitri strides down the stairs. I move to the center of the room, my fist clenched and ready to connect with his face.

“ENOUGH!” a voice suddenly rings out, freezing Dimitri and me in our tracks. I whip my head toward the entrance. Everyone looks shocked. Even Prince Cian seems taken aback.

Leaning against the door, panting heavily with two worried guards behind her, stands Valkyrie.

“Enough…please,” Valkyrie pleads, her body swaying. Dimitri and I start to move toward her, but Cian beats us to it, catching her in his arms.