Chapter 50: The Reckoning Begins

••{RHIANNON’S POV}••

My heart aches as I wrap my fingers firmly around Azræl’s hand.

I gently brush my thumb back and forth against his knuckles, only breathing when he does.

"This is all my fault," I whisper. "You wouldn’t be lying here if it weren’t for me."

I rest my other hand against his chest, making sure his heart is still beating.

"You promised me you would protect me," I continue, "and you did. Even when it meant putting your own life in danger."

I swallow but it does nothing to ease the tightness in my throat.

"I’ll never ever forget that, and I swear to you that I will return the favor," I say firmly. "I will find every single person who did this to you, and I will make them pay."

I lean closer and press my lips to his forehead, lingering there as I count his heartbeats every time I feel it beneath my palm.

"Hang in there," I whisper. "Just a little longer."

The doors open suddenly.

I glance over my shoulder just as Nayeesha steps inside. Her eyes dart briefly toward Azræl before settling on me.

She has a weary look on her face, but her eyes are filled with the kind of determination that tells me she’s ready for what comes next.

"All the servants are gathered in the throne room," she says. "It’s time."

I turn back to look at Azræl.

Gods, I wish I could stay a little longer with him. I don’t even want to let go of him. But I have something important that needs to be done unless his life, and mine, will still be in grave danger.

It takes everything in me to finally let go of his hand, stand to my feet, and step away from him.

My gaze lingers on his face a few heartbeats longer before I turn away, crossing the room to the vanity.

His golden crown rests on a velvet cushion, gleaming even in the dim light, and the rubies engraved in it shimmer like droplets of frozen blood.

It isn’t just any crown. It is a symbol of power and authority over an entire supernatural race.

As I lift the crown, I stare at my reflection in the mirror.

I am not walking into that throne room with the poise and elegance expected of a royal princess.

My hair is pulled back into a single braid, keeping it away from my face. A deep red cape hangs from my shoulders, fastened at my neck with a golden clasp, and sweeping across the floor behind me.

And beneath it, I’m not wearing a gown.

I’m wearing my battlesuit because when I march into that throne room, I want every traitor hiding among those servants to realize one thing.

They haven’t been summoned to face a queen attending a formal gathering.

They’ve been summoned to a battlefield.

And before this night is over, blood will be shed.

I rest Azræl’s crown firmly on my head before turning to Nayeesha.

"I’m ready," I say, my tone unwavering.

Together, we leave Azræl’s chambers and step into the halls.

The walk to the throne room feels endless. Every step suddenly echoes too loudly in my ears, and my heart gallops faster the closer we get.

"I can see that something’s bothering you," Nayeesha says quietly. "What is it?"

I bite my bottom lip for a while before I finally answer her.

"I’m afraid," I admit.

She glances at me with a concerned look.

"Why?" she asks. "Don’t you think your plan will work?"

"I know it will," I say. "That’s what scares me."

Her steps slow slightly as her brows furrow.

"What if it works too well?" I ask. "What if the traitors are far more than we imagined? What happens when they reveal themselves and we’re largely outnumbered in that room?"

Nayeesha stops walking completely, then she steps in front of me and places her hands on my shoulders.

"You won’t be alone, Rhiannon," she says firmly. "Even if every servant in this palace is loyal to someone else, you have me, you have Azeria, and even Seraphine. House Bloodbourne stands behind you so you have nothing to worry about."

I give her a small nod and she gives me a faint smile in return before we continue down the halls.

When we finally reach the towering doors of the throne room, Nayeesha glances at me and takes my hand in hers, intertwining our fingers.

"Are you sure you’re ready?" she asks gently.

"I am," I say without hesitation.

Her amber eyes search mine for a brief moment before she lets go of my hand and pushes the doors open.

The moment I step inside, all the servants bow in unison. But what pulls my gaze immediately is the throne waiting at the far end of the chamber.

For a moment, I forget how to breathe.

It is enormous.

The entire throne is forged from gold, its surface polished so brightly that it reflects the light from the chandeliers hanging high above.

Two massive wings rise from its back, spreading outward before curving inward at their highest points. Their gilded feathers are layered with such intricate detail that they almost look real. At the very top, where the wings meet, rests a great golden sun adorned with dozens of precious gems—rubies, amethysts, emeralds, sapphires—embedded across its surface. And last of all is a golden sword driven straight through the center of the sun.

Seraphine sits to the right of the throne, and Azeria to the left.

I keep my head held high as I walk forward with Nayeesha at my side.

Once I reach the dais, I lock eyes with Seraphine and she gives me a single nod. Then I look at Azeria and she places her hand over her heart, her thin smile curving her lips.

My legs tremble as I slowly ascend the steps, but the moment I sit on the throne, all the tension leaves my body.

The throne room is dead silent as I look out over the gathered faces below me.

Some are nervous.

Some are curious.

Some faces are carefully blank.

They think they’re here to be questioned but they have no idea what is about to happen.

"Servants of Darkholme," I begin, my voice echoing across the chamber. "As you all know, there was an attempt to abduct me from the castle last night. My husband was gravely wounded, and now, his life hangs in the balance."

I pause for a heartbeat, letting the weight of my words sink in.

"I am sure you are all aware that there are traitors hiding amongst us," I continue. "So I have gathered you all here to find those who are responsible and have them executed for treason."

My eyes sweep the sea of faces again, searching for even the slightest flicker of fear or guilt.

But there’s none.

My chest tightens but I won’t panic yet.

This is only the beginning.

"Nayeesha," I say.

She steps forward, holding a small stone statue in her hands.

"What Nayeesha holds in her hands... is an idol called Azorynth," I go on. "Once awakened, it transforms into a monstrous beast. A creature that can sniff out liars and traitors hiding within our midst. And when it does, it tears them limb from limb until nothing remains."

A few whispers immediately break out among the servants.

Nayeesha and I exchange a glance, then I give her a single nod.

She places the idol carefully on the floor before taking a few steps back. Then she stretches out her hands.

"Azorynth," she says out loud, "in the name of truth, I summon you. Awaken and reveal the enemies hiding among us. Myrathin Ill’usar!"

The idol begins trembling violently before it cracks. Red light seeps out from the cracks, glowing brighter with every passing second as magic curls around the stone like smoke, swallowing it whole.

The magic swirls faster and faster as it grows, covering most of the throne room in its red mist.

Then suddenly, a loud roar thunders throughout the chamber.

It comes from nowhere and everywhere at once, causing the chandeliers to sway and the ground to rumble beneath my feet.

Panic breaks out as some of the servants shout and stumble over each other.

From the storm of red mist, a massive black paw emerges, its long, jagged claws digging into the stone floor.

Then slowly... the beast begins to reveal itself.

A monster with three heads towers nine feet above us all, rows of sharp fangs bared as a deep growl rumbles from its chest, its eyes burning red like molten coals. Runes pulse across its body like a heartbeat, spilling red mist into the air.

As I watch the beast slowly move toward the servants, I lean back in the throne, crossing one leg over the other.

The people who hurt my husband are standing in this very room.

The people that slaughtered guards throughout the castle, bound me with ropes, and dragged me from my chambers like an animal are hiding amongst those loyal to House Bloodbourne.

By the time I stand from this throne again...

The truth will be bleeding out in the open.