And that was the root of my husband’s anger.
Greed would demand retribution from me as well as Vittoria and my prince would be forced to make a choice that would end in bloodshed. There would be no game Wrath and I could play to avoid that; more and more, Greed was becoming a problem. There was little doubt in my mind that he was responsible for the enchanted skull to cast suspicion on my twin. Whether he knew or suspected Vesta was alive didn’t seem to matter. He wanted vengeance. And he’d use this as the perfect excuse to exact some.
My hands curled into fists at my sides. “Send a missive to House Greed requesting a visit immediately. We’ll attack the witches before they strike. And this time, I will not be merciful. Let the witches and your brother see what I am capable of.”
I spun on my heels and headed to my suite, my lavender gown billowing around me like a storm cloud. It was time to dress for war.
TWENTY
Sleet drummed icy claws along the stone parapet of House Greed. We stood silently on the narrow pathway, gazes locked onto the tree line in the distance, ignoring the frigid water pelting our battle leathers. A guard spotted a flicker of light toward the northwest. It was impossible to know if it was meant to distract or if it had been an accident. I doubted the witches would be so careless, given how calculated they were, but stranger things had happened when emotions ran high. Which made me wonder…
I surveyed the quiet grounds, magic primed and ready. Even with the sleet coming down hard, no birds or animals stirred in the woods. It seemed as if the whole circle was holding its breath, waiting. I hadn’t yet sensed any fear. Greed’s lawn extended hundreds of meters in all directions, a clever way to remove any cover for unfriendly or unwelcome visitors. Like witches.
My hand flexed at my side. When thinking of witches, it was impossible to not wonder about Nonna. If she was with the witches here now, I would not hesitate to defend the demons. Even if that meant I had to battle her. I prayed it wouldn’t come to that, but there was no longer any telling what my “grandmother” was capable of.
Wrath’s arm brushed against mine, his warmth a contrast to the winter storm. Wind gusted along the castle wall, growling low. Dark clouds had gathered above House Wrath shortly after our plan had been made. The current weather was no doubt a result of my husband’s tense mood. His first request for us to be admitted into this circle hadn’t been met well. After the incident with the gaming hall, the Prince of Greed wasn’t eager to have me in his residence again. The Duke of Devon had also campaigned against me, advising his prince to not allow a vengeful witch into their House of Sin again. He hadn’t been informed that that vengeful witch was actually a goddess of the underworld and he ought to mind what he said.
A second, stern message had Greed grudgingly allowing me into his royal House, especially with the promise of aid. And a threat from Wrath’s newly restored wife.
Fine hairs suddenly stood at attention along the back of my neck that had nothing to do with the icy wind. Demons wielding bows nocked their arrows, the sensation of their fear prickling over my skin like needles. Wrath didn’t move, but I sensed his attention shift to the lawn beneath us. He felt what I did.
Greed signaled to a guard who peered over the edge. I stepped forward, that prickling feeling growing in intensity. And I realized it wasn’t the guards’ fear I was sensing. It was our enemies’。 The witches were already here. My eyes narrowed at the seemingly empty lawn, then I noticed the tracks in the ice-coated grass. The broken blades had been trampled.
“Wait!” I cried out.
The guard didn’t heed my warning. He leaned over the ledge, noticing what I had a second too late. Before anyone could act, blood burst from his eyes and he toppled over, crashing into the snow. Shouts rang out down the line, guards firing arrows into an enemy they couldn’t see and, therefore, couldn’t hit. If they continued like this, the witches would succeed.
And that was not something I’d allow to happen.
“Have them stand back,” I yelled to Greed. “The witches are using magic.”
“They are nothing but pathetic mortals. And we are using weapons.” Greed signaled to the next line of guards.
Ignorant fool. He’d lead them into death.
Despite the miserable winter storm, my magic lit up the sky, plummeting like raging, vengeful stars shooting to earth. The rose-gold balls of fire hit with such speed they left craters in the ground. Screams rent the silence, the sound like animals being taken to slaughter.
I summoned more magic, more fire, watching emotionlessly as I rained fury down.