Page 124 of Treasured

“Really, Sebastian, she was just a mortal.” Queen Marguerite shrugged. “I’ve apologized. What more do you want?”

I swallowed, my mouth dry. I wanted Athena.

How could the queen be so callous about this? Athena might have been human, but she was my… first. My first real love, my first relationship as a vampire, and now…

She was dead.

I was alone.

Truly, completely, utterly alone. I couldn’t even go to see my family. A century had passed since my Making. My parents and brothers were long dead. Even if, by some miracle, my brothers’ children lived, I doubted they knew who I was. I wouldn’t find comfort in the arms of distant family members I didn’t even know.

I wouldn’t find comfort at all.

Athena was dead.

“Sebastian.” Mother continued to speak, but I tuned her out.

I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t listen to the queen’s excuses while Athena’s blood covered the floor in front of me. Maker or not, I couldn’t deal with this. With her. The longer I stared at the remnants of my first love’s body, the more rage pulsed through me.

I was going to kill someone. I needed to kill someone. It should have been the queen, but I couldn’t. Not yet. I wasn’t strong enough.

But the blood.

It was everywhere.

Shadows pounded, pulsed, and throbbed as they struggled to get out of me. Too much. It was too much. I released them, the dark wisps streaming out of me.

“Sebastian!” the queen yelled. “What in Ithiar’s name do you think you’re doing?”

“Leaving.” I couldn’t stay here any longer.

She gripped the sides of her chair. “I did not give you permission to leave.”

I raised my gaze to hers. Blood was spattered across her face. “Deepest apologies, Your Majesty.” I bowed. “May I please go and,”—I gulped, staring at my now-red clothes—“clean up? I fear that there is blood on my trousers.”

Her eyes dropped as she took in my outfit. “Ah,” she said. “Of course. You may go.”

I was in the Void so fast I didn’t hear her next words.

Athena was dead.

The following hours, days, and months went by in a dark, cold blur. Nothing mattered. No matter how many tasks I completed for the queen, no matter how many people I killed, no matter how much blood I drank—never killing, only drinking—numbness coursed through me.

Eventually, I gave in to it and let it take me over.

I was the Prince of Darkness, Master of the Shadows, twice blessed by Isvana, and the chosen weapon of the queen.

And I was alone.

* * *

I woke tangled in the sheets. Goosebumps peppered my flesh, and although it was the middle of the day, sleep was impossible. Even if I’d been tired, there was no way I was returning to that nightmare.

Living through it once was enough.

Instead, I brushed my lips over Luna’s and held her close.

“What’s wrong?” she murmured, her eyes still shut.