Page 30 of Black Crown

I stared at the hemp weave of the golden rug, curling into a ball. My braid fell forward over my shoulder, hitting me with the saturated stench of the bitter smoke from outside. I shoved my silver braid back with a trembling hand and sat up, hugging my knees to my chest.

What just happened? What had I done?

Draedyn attacked. Dropped his Druman and set the forest aflame and killed countless Phaetyn. How many I couldn’t possibly know. How much had been lost in the anarchy? I didn’t even want to guess.

A sob caught in my chest as I recalled the look on Lani’s face when I’d kicked back the table and taken Kamini in my grasp. The burning shame collected behind my eyes, and a tear spilled over the edge and slid down my cheek. Lani had just found her family, and now both Kamoi and Kamini were in Draedyn’s possession.My fault.

They could already be dead.

I handed her over.

I stared at the weave, unblinking, and picked at the fringe. I didn’t even bother to look up when Tyrrik re-entered the room.

“We’ve gathered everyone in the ballroom. The injured are already being healed,” Tyrrik said.

The injured. But what about the dead?

Someone else strode in after him but stopped at the threshold to the room.

A heavy weight sank in my stomach as I slowly lifted my gaze to Lani’s. Queen Luna’s crown dangling in her hand.

Fat tears hovered on the edge of her bottom eyelids. Her violet eyes were rimmed red from the smoke and crying. The rise and fall of her chest became increasingly rapid as she held my gaze.

I didn’t close my eyes to her pain but etched my mind with her shock and terror so that I would always remember. More tears fell from my eyes, and I croaked, “I’m sorry, Lani. I’m so—” My voice broke, and my body shook as guilt wracked my very soul.My fault.

And worse yet, I could feel Tyrrik’s heart breaking through our bond alongside mine.

“I couldn’t get the barrier up,” Lani said, staring at the crown in her hands. Her tears dripped to the floor, and she released a strangled sob.

Wait. She thought this was her fault? I struggled to my feet, and Tyrrik hurried over to help me. He slid his arm around my waist and remained at my side.

“Lani,” I said, shaking my head. “This isn’t your fault. You saw what I—” I swallowed hard. “Yousawwhat I did.”

“But you know, Draedyn is Ryn’s father,” Tyrrik said darkly. “He was controlling her actions.”

Lani swallowed. The Phaetyn queen scrubbed her tears away and crossed to a cushioned futon, perching on the gilded edge. “I knew Ryn would never hand Kamini over of her own volition. But”—her gaze went from Tyrrik to me—“How was he able to do that?”

I tilted my head back to look up at my mate. I didn’t want to voice my guess out loud.

He avoided my gaze, and I frowned at the uncharacteristic gesture, recalling his comment about the attack being his fault.

“Draedyn is the alpha of our kind,” he answered. “This makes Drae susceptible to his will. But Ryn also shares a familial bond with him. Influencing her”—a low growl slipped through Tyrrik’s lengthening teeth as he fought to control his Drae—“controllingher will be easier because of this bond.”

“That would’ve been nice to know beforehand,” snapped Lani.

I blinked at her uncharacteristic outburst, but my mind replayed Tyrrik’s words.

The Phaetyn sighed, rubbing her temples. “I’m sorry. I know that’s not helping.”

“No, you’re right,” I said, chest tightening again. “I-I knew he’d be able to impose his will. Tyrrik had told me. I just didn’t realize his control could overpower myown. I should have taken it more seriously.” But what could I have done against him, really? How could I possibly fight against such power?

“We’ll work on your defenses,” Tyrrik said, squeezing my waist.

I stared around the glistening quartz room. The chamber appeared to have everything, but really it was empty aside from the few bits of furniture which made it functional. The room and I had a lot in common.

“I felt something similar in Gemond,” I said, straightening. “When Draedyn was flying overhead. I had this weird moment where I wanted him to find us.”

“Really?” Lani dropped her hands. “Why didn’t you say anything?”