Chapter 43

VALKYRIE

I’m perched on the bed, gazing out at the balcony. My body is sore, and my stomach churns. Michael asked me what happened. But I don’t know. What did happen to me?

I’m certain that when I was with Casen, I heard a whisper in my ear.

The mere thought sends a chill down my spine. I rest my head on a pillow and sigh. I just need some rest. Mia mentioned that Dimitri has been waiting outside the chambers, eager to see me.

He wants to see me, but I don’t want to see him.

I’m angry with him. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness that easily. I sigh again, close my eyes, and drift off.

A dull throb in my head wakes me. “Mia?” I call out, but I’m alone. As I search for something to drink, there’s a knock on my door.

“Who’s there?” I ask, irritated by the noise.

“It’s me, Cian,” Prince Cian responds, causing me to frown.

“Come in,” I say, moving toward a table to get some water. Seeing me on my feet, Prince Cian rushes over to assist me.

“Don’t,” I snap at him.

Prince Cian recoils and lowers his head. The little jerk knows what he did.

“Why are you here?” I ask him, turning my back to him. I’m not in the mood to see him.

“I came to apologize,” Cian mumbles with a sigh. “I’m really sorry, Valkyrie.”

I scoff. His words sound anything but sincere.

“Valkyrie?” Prince Cian whispers. I hum in response, keeping my gaze fixed on the outdoors. “Casen told you, didn’t he?”

I pause, my glass of water halfway to my lips, and turn to look at him.

“Told me what exactly?” I ask, annoyance creeping into my voice.

Prince Cian clears his throat.

“That you’re a princess, his daughter. And that you should come with us,” Prince Cian says, taking a step closer to me. “King Casen told you that you should rule with me, right?”

I close my eyes, gritting my teeth. Then, forcing a smile onto my face, I look at him sweetly.

“Yes, he did,” I say, still smiling. “But what makes you think I fucking agree?” Prince Cian looks confused.

“Because he’s your father?” Prince Cian murmurs. I raise an eyebrow at him. Moving closer, I smile. Is he serious?

“Tell me, Cian,” I spit out, anger flaring, “Why didn’t you tell me about what happened in the library?”

Prince Cian’s eyes widen as he looks down at me. Something inside me fuels my anger. It’s like my mouth has a mind of its own.

“I asked you a question, Cian,” I hiss, narrowing my eyes.

Prince Cian remains silent. He pinches his nose and sighs loudly, as if my question is a burden.

“I didn’t because you would be uncomfortable, okay?” Prince Cian says, annoyance clear in his voice. “You’re a sensitive little girl. You cry at anything and fear everything.”

I grip the goblet tighter. “I see,” I mumble. “So this little girl is supposed to help you rule?”

“Well…,” Cian stammers. In a fit of anger, I hurl my goblet at his face. It grazes the left side of his cheek and Prince Cian looks at me, stunned.

“If this little girl can help you, please explain how she’s weak? I’m sorry I’m not the perfect queen for you, Cian, but I have nothing to prove to you.” I spit.

“You’re nobody here, and I don’t have to listen to you, and just so you know,” I say, grabbing the collar of his shirt, “I don’t owe you shit!”

I shove him, and he stumbles. His wide eyes stare at me. Confusion, anger, and—was that pain?—cross his face.

Gasping for breath, I glare at him. But Prince Cian starts laughing loudly. “Yes, you little bitch,” Prince Cian mumbles. “Yes, you are supposed to be with me. You belong to the Kingdom of Fae. Not to this bastard of a king.”

He reaches for my arm and yanks me toward him. My face against his chest, I groan.

“That fucking king doesn’t even care about you. Can’t you see he only wants you so he can fuck you and get an heir?” Prince Cian says, his words cutting deep.

“You’re just a fucking pawn to him. Someone he can manipulate at will.”

I try to pull my arm away from him. Prince Cian’s blue eyes glow as his hands morph into claws and dig into my skin.

“Let go!” I say, gritting my teeth. I can’t let him see me weak.

“Listen closely, Valkyrie. I don’t care if you’re my mate or not, but you’re definitely coming back with us. Especially someone like you, who is a tamer,” Cian hisses, smirking.

Then, his eyes drop to my chest, and he licks his lips.

I need to get away from him.

“How about we make our kiss real?” Prince Cian suddenly whispers, leaning closer to my ear. His voice is dangerously low.

“Let’s make that king hate you more. After all, he can’t touch me.”

“What do you mean?” I ask him.

“Don’t you know that since I’m a prince, he can’t touch me? He would start a war between our hordes,” Prince Cian explains.

Frowning, I stare into his blue eyes. Pulling me closer, Prince Cian wraps his arms around me. His breath is hot on my neck. Feeling disgusted, I scan the room for something.

As his lips touch my neck, I try to push him away.

“Don’t you dare!” Prince Cian snarls, yanking my hair and making me cry out.

He pulls me close, his arms like a vice around me. I squirm, and something cold presses against his lower back. What is that?

Curious, I reach for it. A dagger?

Without a second thought, I yank it out and shove him away, my elbow connecting with his face. Prince Cian swears. When he looks up again, I raise my arm and plunge the dagger into his stomach.

Prince Cian doesn’t react. He just gasps. I pull the dagger out and stab him again, this time aiming for his heart.

“Y-you…,” Prince Cian stammers, pulling away from me.

My hands tremble as I clutch the dagger. Then, I lower the weapon and step back. Fear creeps up my spine, but it vanishes when Prince Cian lunges at me again.

“Follow it…,” a voice whispers.

My mind goes blank, and I move my arm, slicing his throat. Blood splatters all over me as Prince Cian groans and falls to his knees. I back away, coughing.

I stare at him. Then, I step forward and look down at his bloody face.

“I should just kill you,” I mutter, raising my leg and kicking him in the face, knocking him out.

I walk down the hallway, my mind numb. No emotions. My feet carry me. Where to, I don’t know.

The guards at the golden doors look surprised. I wave my hand and they open the doors without a word.

Covered in blood and with a grim expression, I step into the throne room. Everyone turns to look at me. Whispers and murmurs fill the room as everyone stares in shock.

“Valkyrie?” I hear Leo call out.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, WOMAN?” a voice bellows, stopping me in my tracks. I turn my head and glare at the old man.

I scoff. Taking another step, he demands to know what I’ve done.

I sigh and turn to him.

“Nothing for you to worry about,” I say, smiling.

He growls and stands up.

“Enough,” Damian says, entering the room. His eyes scan me, a conflicted look on his face.

“Damian, son, please tell us what this woman did,” the old dragon asks Damian. I roll my eyes.

I close my eyes and listen as Damian argues with the old man. Feeling my mind relax, I sigh and open my eyes again.

This time I can feel myself. But I still feel no fear. Instead, I feel anger.

The old man growls and takes a seat. Damian approaches me.

“Valkyrie, what did you do? Are you hurt?” Damian whispers, worry in his voice. I shake my head and sigh.

“It’s not me,” I say.

“Who?” Damian asks.

“Cian…,” I mumble, my eyes returning to the throne at the front. Damian nods and squeezes my hand.

I watch him take a seat. Then, deciding to stay put, I wait for something to happen. If I’m right, Dimitri will be here any second.

Just as I thought. Not even ten minutes pass before the double doors open and he walks in. Annoyance and anger flood my mind.

Dimitri glances at me and then at everyone else. He hasn’t noticed my bloody hands or dress. He ignores his grandfather, whose relationship to him I didn’t know until now. He turns and sits.

He shakes his head and asks me what happened. Then, using sweet words, he looks down at me. I feel an eyebrow twitch. Seeing my discomfort, Dimitri smiles.

Dimitri’s grandfather jumps to conclusions. As he explains what I did, I roll my eyes. So he heard me mention Prince Cian’s name.

Dimitri quickly silences him. Leo intervenes, and Damian just watches. I frown as I see him with his eyes closed. What is he doing?

Suddenly, a word pulls me from my thoughts. I whip my head around and glare at the old dragon. What did he just call me?

Hearing Dimitri growl, I lift my arm and punch his grandfather in the nose. I hear a crack as my fist connects with his face. It hurts, but I don’t care.

“You bitch,” the old dragon hisses, raising his hand to strike back.

I stand in front of him, glaring with hatred. I want to punch him again. It felt good.

“Enough!” Dimitri says, asking me again to explain. I snap back, making him smile.

Seeing him like that makes me angrier. I clench my fists and snap back at him. My anger is distracting me from a slight burning sensation in my chest.

I open my mouth and give an order, which Dimitri takes lightly. I repeat myself, and Dimitri tenses up. The order leaves my mouth as if I’ve said it a thousand times before.

There’s a feeling. A command that makes me say the right words. The atmosphere changes, and I glare back at Dimitri’s grandfather.

I hear Leo say something to Dimitri. My attention is on him for a second before I return to the old dragon. I open my mouth again and give him an order.

Everyone murmurs as the old dragon falls to his knees, looking at me in shock.

“Valkyrie?” Damian says, his voice shaking. By now, Damian is by my side. He takes my hand and squeezes it lightly. “Valkyrie, what are you doing?”

Damian holds my hand as I glare down at the old dragon.

“Let’s make something clear,” I say, loud enough for everyone to hear. “From now on, I’m your queen. Whether you like it or not, I am, and I will be.

“I know I need the council’s approval. But I think this is enough evidence,” I say, looking around. Dimitri meets my gaze. He looks conflicted.

I turn back to the dragon before me and say, “I don’t need your approval to be queen. All I need to do is rule. And I’m more than capable of that and more.

“I’m not the human you think I am,” I retort, my voice sharp. “I’m a hybrid. If you don’t believe me, go ask King Casen.” I pivot on my heel, leaving him behind. But Damian, he’s not one to let go easily.

When the doors swing open, I pause, glancing back over my shoulder. “I’m the princess,” I tell him, my voice echoing in the silence. “From the Kingdom of Fae.”