I tilt my head, studying him. “I suppose you need more motivation,” I say slowly, pushing out more magic to turn the water scalding hot.
He cries out as it sizzles over his skin.
“What did Aerix do to Zoey?” I repeat, nudging the water so it rises up his neck.
The king struggles against my magical hold, rage flashing in his eyes. “He took her,” he finally growls through the pain. “He claimed her completely—body, mind, and soul. She embraced her fate, and you’ll never get her back. Your pathetic littlerescue missionis pointless.”
Somehow, he pushes through the water and launches himself from the throne with inhuman speed, pulling a dagger from his robes and aiming for my throat.
The Star Disc flies from my hand in a perfect arc, catching him mid-leap.
Starlight erupts from his chest as the weapon pierces his heart, thrown with so much force that he flies backward and crashes down onto his throne. His eyes go wide with shockand agony, blood pooling beneath him and staining the ancient stone.
“Zoey is my best friend. My sister in all but blood.” I saunter over to him and pull the Star Disc from his chest, watching coldly as his body goes limp. “And I’m going to bring her back home.”
Time feels like it slows as I study Thanatos’s lifeless form, blood pouring from the wound inflicted by the Star Disc. Because the Night King is dead. His blood stains his own throne, a crimson testament to the end of his reign, and it’s all because ofme.
If Matt’s seeing this from the Underworld, I know he’d be proud. He’d give me a high five and insist on a big celebration in the field we always partied at in high school. I’d be in charge of mixing drinks, using juices from plastic containers we got from the grocery store to transform cheap vodka into something way more delicious than it had any right to be.
In my mind, I give him an imaginary cheers to celebrate avenging his death.
Then, I turn away from the king’s corpse, scanning the room to see what happened while I was occupied killing him.
Queen Ravenna lies crumpled at the base of the dais, her head separated from her shoulders by Riven’s blade. The winter knights have closed ranks, surrounding Prince Malakai’s broken body that’s sprawled across the marble floor in a pool of his own feathers and blood. Ghost and Nebula prowl near the doors to protect us against any night fae who might miraculously still be alive in the palace.
Only Princess Mirena remains standing.
She surveys the carnage—her entire family dead, their blood painting the throne room in shades of crimson and shadow. Her eyes move from corpse to corpse before settling on Riven and me, calculation flickering behind her composed expression. Herwings twitch slightly, a breeze stirring around her as she appears to be weighing her options.
Our plan is to keep her alive. Still, the Star Disc hums in my hand, ready to defend us if she attacks.
For a long moment, no one in the throne room speaks.
Then, slowly and gracefully, Mirena sinks to her knees.
“I surrender.” She lifts her chin with what dignity she can maintain despite her position. “The Night Court yields to your authority.”
Riven approaches her carefully, his sword gleaming with blood. “Smart choice,” he says, his tone matter of fact. “At least someone understands basic survival instincts in this court.”
“I know when to pick my battles, Prince Riven,” she replies evenly, meeting his gaze without flinching.
“Good.” Riven sheathes his sword, his expression shifting from ruthless knight to diplomatic prince. “Then I suspect you’ll appreciate my offer for you to join with the Winter and Summer Courts. Help us rebuild what this war has destroyed, and reject all alliances with the Blood Coven. In return, you’ll rule the Night Court under our protection.”
He takes a deliberate step forward, his eyes locked on Mirena’s, his gaze unyielding. “But let me make myself abundantly clear—if you accept this offer, there will be no half-measures, no games, and no secret ties. You will completely and immediately sever every connection, allegiance, and contact with Ambrogio and the Blood Coven. No letters, no messengers, and no whispers behind closed doors. From this moment forward, your loyalty is to the Winter and Summer Courts, and to us alone.” His tone lowers, his voice dangerously calm. “Should you stray, even in the smallest of ways, there will be no second chances. Are these terms clear to you, Princess?”
Mirena’s eyes narrow. “And if I refuse?”
“Then you die here with the rest of your family.” He shrugs, as if discussing something as simple as the weather.
She nods slowly, understanding clear in her expression. “I’ll consider your offer,” she says diplomatically. “But I won’t promise loyalty lightly. Not without thought.”
Riven inclines his head. “As long as you don’t attack, that’s all we ask for now.”
But I can barely focus on their political maneuvering. Because Thanatos’s cryptic words are echoing in my mind, each one sharpening my desperation and fear.
The human wing. Body, mind, and soul. She’ll never belong to you again.
“Riven,” I say, my voice trembling with urgency. “I know where Zoey is. The human wing. We have to go there. We have to find her.”
