There is a threat far greater than Amara in Mytica right now, Im afraid to say, Jonas said, breaking Cleos reverie. He was wiping the dancers kiss marks from his face with a handkerchief handed to him by Olivia, and Cleo couldnt help but find the contrast between this silly act and his solemn tone amusing.

Let me guess, Magnus said. Youre referring to my sister? I know you must be grieving your friend, Jonas, but there is no sense expending any of your vengeful energies on either Lucia or her companion, Kyan.

Jonas met Magnuss gaze directly. You dont know, do you?

Know what?

Youve searched for the Kindred. People have died over these crystals. You already revealed in front of everyone that Cleo has one in her possession, and we know that Amara has water and your father has air.

Yes. This is all known to me, rebel. And we already know that Kyan has the fire Kindred.

Wrong. Jonass expression tensed. Kyan is the fire Kindred.

Cleo stared at him, certain shed heard him wrong. What do you mean he is the fire Kindred?

The magic youve been seeking"that weve all be seeking"it can think. It can speak. And it can kill without remorse. And three more just like Kyan are waiting to escape their prisons. Theyre not magic rocks, princess, theyre elemental gods.

The room went silent, and Cleo frantically searched the faces of the others, hoping to find someone rolling their eyes. Hoping this was only an amusing lie to break the tension.

This couldnt possibly be true.

But even Nic nodded his grim agreement.

And at this very moment, right in her pocket, she held one of those very prisons.

She looked at Magnus, his deep frown the only outward sign of his surprise.

Lucia must have helped him escape the amber orb, Magnus said.

I think thats obvious, Jonas replied tightly, earning him a dark look from the prince.

Cleo clamped her hands together to stop them from trembling. Do we know for certain that whatever goals Kyan has are evil? The Kindred could still help us defeat Amara.

I watched him burn Lys to nothing, Jonas snarled. Not even a single ash was left when he was through with her. The rebel turned to Magnus. Kyan is evil. And so is that bitch sister of yours.

Magnus rose to his feet, fists clenched at his sides. I dont care whats happened, you will not speak that way about Lucia in my presence. I wont allow it.

No? And do you think you can stop me? Now Jonas also had his fists clenched, and the two of them drew closer together.

Perhaps he wont stop you, said a new voice, cutting into the conversation and causing the rebel and the prince to freeze where they were. But I am certainly willing to try.

With that promise, the King of Blood entered the room.

CHAPTER 14.

JONAS.

PAELSIA.

King Gaius Damora. The King of Blood. Murderer. Sadist, torturer, enslaver, betrayer. Enemy. Target.

And currently standing in the very same room as Jonas.

There had been many surprises this evening"the first being an encounter with Laelia Basilius, to whom Jonas had briefly, and reluctantly, been betrothed"but all of them disappeared from his mind the moment the king entered the room.

Gaius swept his gaze over the group, ending on Jonas. Jonas Agallon. Its been a long time since I last saw you. I believe it was at my sons wedding.

Jonas found he could do nothing but stare at the man who had killed so many and destroyed so much.

Magnus . . . Cleo said from across the room.

Oh, yes, Magnus said, his tone now void of the outrage over any slurs against his sister. Did I forget to mention that Im traveling with my father?

You did, Jonas replied tightly.

Yes, the king agreed. And its so good of my son to bring his new friends back here without prior notice.

Jonas fought to keep his composure, to not show how stunned he was. Not as new as you might think.

King Gaiuss skin was pale, his face bruised as if hed been held down and beaten. He leaned, as if casually, against the wall by the staircase, but there was something to the angle. A weakness, a frailty, that hed never seen in the man before.

Go back upstairs, Magnus snapped.

I dont take orders from you. The king smiled without humor at this. Tell me, Magnus, do your new friends know were all on the same side now?

The very suggestion of an alliance with Gaius rendered Jonas utterly speechless. The others"Nic and Olivia"remained silent as well, their expressions tense.

Oh? It was Felixs dry growl, like the warning of a caged beast, that broke the silence. Did you decide this before or after you allowed Amara to let me take the blame for killing her family?

The king raised a dark brow and regarded Felix. I never allowed Amara to do anything. She makes her own choices. By the time I knew what had happened, it was too late to intervene. I was told you were already dead. Otherwise, I would have done whatever I could to free you.

Felix kept his gaze fixed squarely on the king, his single eye bereft of anything except cold malice. Of course you would have. Why would I ever doubt your word, your highness?

With a sigh, the gaunt and sickly-looking king turned to Jonas. You have every reason to hate me. But you must hear me now and realize that together we are strong. We have a common enemy now: Amara Cortas.

Your wife, you mean, Jonas managed to choke out.

Of necessity and circumstance only. I have no doubt shes already conspiring to have me killed, especially now that she has taken control of Mytica and knows her soldiers far outnumber mine. I have now dedicated myself to fixing some of my more recent mistakes, starting with casting Amara out of this kingdom.

Sounds like a fine start, Jonas allowed.

The king moved forward slowly, wincing as if sudden movement caused him pain, and stretched his hand out. I ask that we put our differences aside until this goal is achieved. What do you say?

If he wasnt so stunned, Jonas would have laughed. The King of Blood had just offered him"the very same person hed accused of murdering Queen Althea"an alliance.

Jonas looked around at the others, all of whom were staring at him and the king with silent shock. Nics and Cleos faces were pale, and Felixs top lip curled with disgust. Olivia kept her eyes emotionless and unreadable as always. Enzo, Cleos guard who dressed in civilian clothing, stood with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. In contrast, Magnus had taken a seat and leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, his head cocked to one side.

Finally, Jonas gripped the kings hand in his right, meeting his gaze directly. What do I say, your highness? With his left hand, he thrust his jeweled dagger into the monsters heart. I say go to the darklands, you lying son of a bitch.

The king grunted weakly, excruciating pain apparent in the weak sound. Jonas twisted the knife deeper then, until Gaius staggered backward.

Dimly, Jonas heard Nic howl in victory at this act, just as Enzo slammed into him, taking him to the floor. Felix was there in an instant, pulling Enzo off of him. Another one of the kings guards appeared and wrenched Jonass arms behind him. A flash of blond hair joined the pile"Cleo was trying to pull the second kings guard back from Jonas. Magnus was on his feet, his grim focus on the king. Olivia stood in Jonass periphery, waiting. She only ever intervened if he was in mortal danger.

The rage Jonas felt, his hatred of the king, buzzed anew within him, making him tremble. As he watched the dying king from his prone position, not a single part of him felt even the slightest fraction of regret.

Finally, hed been given this chance. And hed damn well taken it.

See? he said, looking up at Magnus. I keep my promises.

Yes, I can see that, Magnus said, his attention still on his father, as if curious rather than gratified at this act. Its just a shame you couldnt have done it before now.

And what do you mean by that? Jonas eyed the prince, puzzled as to why he seemed disappointed by the situation at hand. Jonas had done exactly what Magnus had wanted him to do, had accomplished the task that had sent him to Kraeshia in the first place.

Milo, let Jonas up. Cleo had the unfamiliar guard by his arm.

He assassinated the king, Milo snapped.

No, Magnus said. Death has chosen to take its time when it comes to my father.

Jonas, look at him, Felix urged.

King Gaius was no longer lying there on the bloody floor. Instead, miraculously, he was kneeling and bleeding profusely into the worn wooden slats, the hilt of the dagger sticking straight out of his chest.

The kings agonized expression was fixed upon Jonas.

Hes not dead, murmured Nic, shaking his head with disbelief. Why is he not dead?

In a sudden and unnaturally stilted motion, King Gaius grabbed hold of the daggers jeweled hilt. With his narrowed gaze still focused upon Jonas, he yanked the blade from his flesh, roaring mightily as he did. The blade clattered to the floor as he pressed his hands against the wound.

This is magic at work, Jonas managed to say through his utter shock.

How incredibly perceptive of you, Magnus said flatly.

Explain to me whats happening!

Magnus nodded at Milo. Release the rebel. I cant talk to someone pinned like a beetle to a board.

Milo released the pressure on Jonass arm. Jonas immediately got to his feet and looked accusingly at Magnus, who shared an unsubtle and knowing look with Cleo. Cleos jaw tightened, and Magnus rolled his eyes.

Very well, the prince said. Ill try to be brief in my explanation. Whats happening is the result of a potion he took many years ago, a potion that has ensured that, no matter what kind of final, fatal blow destiny throws his way, my father has some time to . . . linger after being killed.

Im not sure thats exactly how it works, Cleo said patiently.

Magnus sighed and gestured at his struggling father. Close enough?

I suppose so. Good goddess, Jonas, is that Arons dagger? Cleo asked, aghast. Have you really kept that horrible thing all this time?

Answer my question, he said, far more sharply than hed meant to address the princess. Finally, hed done the thing hed been yearning to do for so long, but once again the fates would not see him succeed"not even after delivering a fatal blow.

You didnt kill the king, Cleo replied tightly, because the king already met his death days ago.

As Jonas tried desperately to process this incredible statement, a woman descended the stairs. She was older, with lines around her eyes, and she wore a dark gray cloak that matched her hair. She entered the meeting hall, regarding all present with a steady stare, until finally her gaze fell upon Gaius.

She lingered upon the image for only the briefest of moments before shooting the darkest of glares directly at Jonas. You did this to my son?

A cool shiver moved up his arms, over his shoulders, and down his spine at the barely controlled rage in her words.

Her son?

Its fine, the king said gaspingly, reaching for the womans sleeve as she rushed to his side.

This is not fine. Not at all. She looked again to Jonas, and with her stare came the frigid sensation of ice freezing him in place. You would dare attempt to murder your king?

Hes not my king, Jonas snarled, refusing to show any weakness or doubt. He murdered my friends in his ill-gotten war, executed those who refused to bow before him, and enslaved my people to build his precious Imperial Road. Not one person in this room would argue that he doesnt deserve to die for his crimes.

She balled her hand into a fist. I would.

No, Mother, Gaius said, his voice hushed. Let him be. We need him. I believe we will need all these young people to regain what Amara has taken.

Slowly, the king rose from the ground, and Jonas couldnt help but take an uncertain step back from him. The deep wound from the blade had stopped bleeding. The only sign that there had been a dagger in his heart only a handful of moments ago was his torn shirt and the blood on the floor.

Only the darkest of magic could make something like this possible, a new voice said.

Jonas turned sharply to see that Ashur Cortas now stood behind them at the entrance to the inn.

Ashur! Cleo gasped. Youre alive! But"what? How?

Ashurs dark brows raised. More dark magic, Im afraid.

She spun to face Nic, whose expression remained neutral. You knew about this?

He nodded. I know, its a shock.

A shock? He was dead, Nic! Why didnt you tell me?

I was getting around to it. Thought Id let you deal with the Taran issue first.

Oh, thank you, she said, her voice pinched. Youre so helpful, really.

Somehow, I get the feeling that you dont really mean that.