A vine pricked both of my index fingers, causing a shimmer of magic to encase me and the throne I sat upon. Wincing as it drew more blood, I shivered as the haze grew thicker, denser with magic. The cushion beneath me raised, alerting me to the fact the entire throne was altering from the taste of blood it had taken. Tiny phoenixes began carving into the wooden arms, then pushed out of the wood to zip around in front of my face. Greenery sprouted from the sides, expanding until vines and foliage covered the high, arched back of the throne like a canopy above my head. Sunflowers began blossoming around and above me, vibrant color splashing against the emerald of the vines and flora. Roses, snapdragons, and chrysanthemums sprouted, then bloomed around my body providing silken petals against the hard, wooden arms. Every shade of the rainbow colored the throne in delicate flower buds.
Next to me, trees thrust up from the floor, shattering the rock as if it were a mere inconvenience. Beneath my feet, green grass sprouted through the cracks the trees had created, spreading until my feet rested on a soft, plush carpet of verdant grass. The small phoenixes sang as it etched other small creatures into the wood, only to do as the tiny magical birds had done before them. I ended up on a throne that appeared to be designed for a woodland princess and was surrounded by a beautiful landscape of greenery and flowers.
I refrained from pouting that I didn’t have a similar throne to Knox’s. Or dragons, because that would’ve been badass.
“Holy shit,” Esme’s shocked outburst forced my mind from my throne, to where she stood, wide-eyed, with her mouth wide open. “You…holy shit, Aria.”
Eva suggested, “You should address her properly,” as her gaze drifted over the throne I was seated on.
“You are truly beautiful, Aria. Unfortunately, there isn’t time to sit around and gawk at your loveliness.” Sarcasm dripped from his words. “We have to leave.” Zyion demanded as one of the Karnavious brothers jerked back the curtain.
“They’ve broken through the doors and are already searching for her.” Basilius pointed, then his eyes widened as he took in the sight of me and the insane throne that sat in the center of Zyion’s chamber. “Gods, she actually is the queen?” His brothers chuckled, but the sound was cut-off when the sound of steel meeting stone started to get louder.
“Aria, you need to call the Keeper of the Knowledge and demand entrance into the library,” Zyion urged.
“How the hell do you expect me to call him?” I asked. Closing my eyes as a soft puff of hair whistled between my lips, I sought the Keeper of Knowledge. “I demand entrance into the library.” Opening one eye, I peered around, frowning.
“Mean it, Aria. We’re out of fucking time,” Zyion encouraged.
“Keeper of Knowledge, I, Aria, Queen of Sunfire, demand that you grant me access to the Library of Knowledge. Now!” Power slithered down my arms as I turned toward the breeze drifting against my naked spine. Relief flooded through me as I peered into the familiar space of the library. Smiling as I realized I’d called it to me, I yelped as Zyion grabbed my arm and hauled me forward into the library, the others following closely behind us. The moment we were through, a collective exhale of relief followed as it closed, sealing out those who were scouring the City of Dragons for me.
“Peasant?” called a familiar voice from behind me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Aria
The sound of chairs scuffling over the floor echoed through the library. I stood in place, smiling as my gaze wandered, looking for Knox. I’d brought the Karnavious brothers along with us, which was causing sounds of amazement and shock as Killian, Brander, Fade, and Greer rushed forward.
“Basilius?” Brander’s tone was hauntingly soft, barely a whisper of breath to form his brother’s name on his lips. “Fucking hell!” Brander pulled Basilius, who stood frozen in place as he was jerked into his brother’s arms.
The warmth of watching their reunion flooded through me, even as I scoured the library for any sign of Knox. Someone pulled my arm, and then I smashed into the solid, yet surprisingly soft shirt covering Greer’s chest.
“I’m glad you’re home, Peasant.” His words forced heat to prick my eyes as tears threatened to fall.
“I missed you too, Meat Suit,” I admitted, pulling back to smile at him. Something in his eyes caused worry to flicker, then gradually blossom into something akin to panic. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s good that you’re here. You have impeccable timing.” His cryptic statement caused my forehead to wrinkle. I waited for him to elaborate, but he removed the arm he’d slung over my shoulders to welcome the others home.
Standing in place, my gaze darted between Killian, Brander, then to Lore, who’d remained seated. It seemed like he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of their return as he kept his back to us. He may have not known the others as well as the brothers who’d help raise him after Eira and Lennox Karnavious were killed.
Esme tugged on my gown, which forced me to turn toward her. Her huge, violet eyes pleaded. But for what, I wasn’t sure. I allowed her to drag me with her through the library, then farther into it until we rounded a set of ancient, white oak shelves.
“We have to murder him,” she hissed.
I blinked at her murderous statement. Confusion danced through me, then slid over my face. Then I remembered her reaction to Basilius, which now seemed like it had occurred days ago instead of less than an hour ago.
“Is he the one…?” My question wouldn’t come out. Instead, my stomach clenched as I pulled her in for a hug. “If he is the one who hurt you, Esme? I will personally bring you his severed cock.”
“What?” she sputtered, then pushed me away. “Wait, you’d do that for me?” Her violet hued stare narrowed before she exhaled. “Never mind that. No, he’s not the one who hurt me. He’s so much worse than that, Aria. He has to die. I need it done now, though. Before….” she paused when my nose crinkled as my face twisted with utter perplexity.
“I can’t just murder Knox’s long-dead brother because he gave you googly eyes, Esme. It’s murder without justification. He just came back from the dead. Don’t you think it would look a little strange if he returned to being dead so soon after his return?” I asked in a hushed whisper.
“You don’t understand!”
“Then make me understand why you wish to kill someone,” I returned while carefully dragging my regard over her panicked stricken face. When she began bouncing from one foot to the other, I noted the pallor of her coloring. Her face was damp in a fine sheen of moisture, as if she was sweating. “What is wrong, Esme?” The air leaving her lungs was quick, short pants.
“Basilius is my mate!” She shouted, then slapped her hands over her mouth. Wide, horrified eyes turned darker than glistening amethyst as fear, to shocked horror within them. “You have to help me kill him. We can finally bury a body as you’ve wanted to do. Please?” Her tone shook with emotion, which caused mine to quiver with mirth.