Chapter 25

CIAN

The moment I realize Valkyrie is missing, I have a hunch about who’s behind it. Lilly has been on my radar since she first approached me. She’s the kind of girl who plays innocent, but her intentions are as clear as day. Her green-eyed envy and her obvious desire to harm Valkyrie haven’t slipped past me.

I’ve always been good at reading people. I can tell when someone’s acting off.

I decide to check Valkyrie’s room and head upstairs. The palace is deserted; everyone’s out searching for her.

I can’t let Lilly get away with taking Valkyrie, let alone hurting her. I’ve already informed my family about Valkyrie’s existence.

I open the door to Valkyrie’s room and step inside. Immediately, I sniff the air. There it is. It’s faint, but I can smell the drug Lilly used.

Earlier, Damian mentioned he’d fallen asleep without realizing it. They must have used the drug to knock him out.

I walk over to the bed and sit down. I check Valkyrie’s side but find nothing. Then, I move to Damian’s side.

I run my hand over the sheets and stop when I feel something. The sheets are white, so you wouldn’t notice the small amount of white powder unless you were looking for it.

I pick up some of the powder from the sheets and examine it. I’m deep in thought when Michael and Dimitri walk in. I silence them. I hate being interrupted.

Upon closer inspection, I recognize the substance. I shoot a glare at Michael. This is his, and the person who took it knew he had it.

“Fairy drug?” Dimitri asks.

Fairy drug is a white, almost see-through powder made by fairies. It’s rare, but if you can get your hands on it, it’s powerful.

It’s used to put people to sleep. It makes you fall asleep without realizing it, numbing your senses. It’s also an easy way to kill someone.

After Michael leaves, I decide to search the palace. But first, I need to talk to Dimitri.

I bring up the mark because I need to know why he hasn’t made it. It’s strange that he hasn’t marked her, and even stranger that he’s been able to resist.

I know my kind. We’re dragons, beasts, creatures of desire, and our desire is sexual. Our need to mate is intense. So I don’t understand how he’s managing it. Especially as a king.

Leaving Dimitri puzzled, I exit the room. I need to find Valkyrie. Time is ticking, and I don’t have any other leads.

Could Lilly have taken Valkyrie? She’s strong, thanks to her genes.

As I walk down the hallway, I stop. I see dragons flying nearby. It’s almost midnight, and they’re still searching for her.

The latest rumor is that Lilly might have fled to the Merlin Kingdom. It’s a possibility, but she’s not that foolish, and I’m not that gullible.

I decide to head down to the cave, but I stop when I catch a scent. I frown and glance to the side. The only door nearby is the one leading to the dungeons.

The dungeons are a part of the palace that no one has bothered to check. I look around and see that I’m alone. A suspicion starts to form in my mind.

I push open the metal door and step inside, moving quietly. I don’t want to alert anyone to my presence.

I tread carefully down the stairs. The place stinks of dampness and urine. It seems Dimitri has people locked up here.

When I reach a hallway, I sniff the air. I furrow my brows when I catch a whiff of vanilla, a scent that stands out from the rest.

Remembering that Valkyrie smells like that, I decide to explore the hallway.

Cobwebs dangle from the ceiling and pillars. This part of the hallway is more deserted and dirtier than the rest. So far, I’ve only seen two doors. Are these cells?

Confused about what this place is, I hear a rustling sound from a cell. I stop and hide behind a pillar. The room is dimly lit. Torches illuminate some parts of the room, but most of it remains in darkness.

“Bitch,” I hear a voice mutter. Is that a woman’s voice?

I glance toward the room and see a figure moving in the shadows. I need to get closer.

I hear a sudden splash and a cough, and I peek out. I try to see past the darkness, but it’s still too far away.

Looking for another hiding spot, I notice a pillar on the other side. That’s a good place to hide. I crouch down and start to crawl, moving as quietly as I can.

I hear another cough, and I stop and look. My eyes widen, and I gasp silently. Is that Valkyrie?

Cursing under my breath, I crawl until I reach my hiding spot. I stay low so she won’t see me.

“Morning, sunshine,” Lilly says, laughing. “Hey there!”

I hear a slap, and I clench my teeth. My body trembles with rage. My suspicion was right: Lilly is still in the palace.

I look around and see that the door to the cell is open. I smirk and head inside.

While Lilly is distracted by Valkyrie, I sneak up on her.

“I think it’s time for you to die. You know, I’ve had enough of you,” Lilly whispers, laughing. “Dimitri will never be yours!” She’s lost her mind.

I watch her, studying her body language. Lilly is getting impatient. I see her pull something out of her pants, and I freeze. Is that a dagger?

I can’t attack her so suddenly that she might hurt Valkyrie. But do I have enough time?

Lilly yanks Valkyrie’s hair. I see her raise her hand. I don’t have enough time. I move and grab Lilly’s arm, stopping her. Lilly turns and looks at me in shock.

“You’re asking for death!” I growl, menacing.

Lilly’s face twists in anger. She lets go of Valkyrie’s hair and lunges at me. I step back. Lilly moves quickly, attacking me. She’s not giving me a chance to react.

She’s fast and agile. I curse under my breath and look for an opening. I spot one near her thighs. I kick hard, and Lilly stumbles.

I seize her wrist, yanking her arm back and spinning her around. I plunge her own dagger into her neck. Lilly begins to choke on her own blood.

Her eyes are wide, her face ghostly pale. She reaches out for me, but I step back, watching as her hand drops to the ground.

Blood seeps from her neck. I watch, repulsed, as she chokes on her own life force. Then, without a second look, I turn away.

Valkyrie is shackled to the wall. Her dress is in tatters. A sudden pang hits me, and I clutch my chest. What was that?

I shake my head, trying to dispel the sensation, and unshackle her. Valkyrie is barely conscious. Her head lolls. I release one of her wrists and reach for her.

My arms wrap around her waist. As I unlock the other shackle, Valkyrie’s body goes limp. I squat down, cradling her in my arms.

Brushing her hair from her face, I see a few bruises. A low growl escapes me as I lift her and carry her out of the dungeons.

~“Damian, I need you,”~ I think.

~“What is it?”~ Damian responds, his worry evident.

~“Valkyrie, I have her,”~ I mumble, looking down at Valkyrie’s face. She looks like she’s in pain. “Everything is all right now,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her temple.

***

Reaching the entrance of the dungeon, Damian and a few others, including Leo, gather around me. Dimitri is conspicuously absent.

“What the fuck happened?” Damian demands, his gaze darting between Valkyrie and me.

“Where’s Michael?” I ask.

Leo calls for him, and Michael comes running. I lay Valkyrie down, watching as Michael tends to her. Then, leaving her in his care, I straighten up and adjust my clothes.

“What the hell happened?” Leo asks again.

“Lilly had Valkyrie locked in the dungeons,” I explain, gesturing toward the entrance.

“Wait, she was right under our noses?” Leo exclaims, stunned.

“Yes,” I reply, rolling my eyes.

“Where is Lilly?” Damian asks, his gaze boring into mine.

“Dead,” I respond, avoiding his gaze. “I killed her.”

Both Leo and Damian stare at me as if I’ve sprouted horns.

“What?” I snap, “Dimitri said, ‘dead or alive.’”

“Is her body down there?” Leo asks. I nod, telling him where to find her. Excusing himself, Leo departs with a few men in tow.

“Dimitri?” I ask, my gaze landing on Valkyrie.

“Uh, he’s sleeping?” Damian offers, scratching his head.

“No one called for him?” I ask, puzzled.

“Well, actually, Michael put him to sleep. So he won’t wake until tomorrow,” Damian admits, laughing nervously.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “You are in trouble,” I mutter.

“Please don’t mention it,” Damian pleads with a sigh. “At least we found her. Thank you.” Damian claps me on the shoulder.

I glance back at Valkyrie. What did Lily do to make her react when neither Michael nor I have been able to wake her up?

“She is fine,” I mumble.