Taboo Kisses(76)

E’Neskha notched her chin higher.

But Sameya wasn’t finished and continued to talk. “You’ve given him everything he’s ever wanted.” She had, too. His parents had died while he was young, just like Sameya’s parents had. The Empress had raised him from his early teenage years into adulthood. “Are you going to give him this, also?”

“It’s the only thing I have left to give, and if he wants it….” E’Neskha didn’t finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear enough.

“Pity.” Her mates must’ve sensed her intention because they moved a little closer as if they expected her former Empress to make a go for her. “I won’t allow him the position.”

“Sam—”

“No!” She notched her thumb into the base of Lucius’ neck. “You’re commanded to tell your sister everything, Lucius.”

Standing at the male siren’s back, she couldn’t see his face, but his sniffles told her he’d begun to cry. He spilled all…how he coveted E’Neskha’s power and the respect her people gave her. How he felt worthless stacked against a sister bearing such high accolades, and a sibling who placed more clout in Sameya’s opinions than his. Growing weary of waiting for her to concede her position, he’d incited discord among the Atlantians. The disharmony was easy to come by, telling Sameya the people were ready for a change. He’d formed a resistance and given instructions to those closest to him to do anything to gain his seat as Emperor, even if that meant E’Neskha’s death. Knowing if his sister were murdered, Sameya wouldn’t accept a fatality without a formal inquiry, he’d concocted her kidnapping and demise, as well, at the hands of a griffin with only one requirement…a power he could dine on for centuries.

Sameya would’ve killed him for that alone, but the sorrow on the Empress’ tear-stained face stayed her ruthless judgment. “My gift to you, E’Neskha, is Lucius’ life.” She stepped to face the male siren and met his gaze. “I allow you to live only because of your sister. You’re prohibited from ever making a bid for the Atlantian royal seat. From today onward you’re exiled from Atlantis, forbidden to return, and you’re to never raise arms against your sister. You’ll be faithful to her, as she deserves, for the years of love and compassion she gave to you. If you attempt to break any of my commands, you’ll be reaped immediately.”

She released him and faced her former leader. “E’Neskha, I’ll expect you to depart Atlantis as soon as you formally surrender your position and swear in a temporary ruler.” The Empress nodded and Sameya went on. “Where’s the witch?”

“The kitchen,” the Empress said in a watery voice.

Frustrated by the turn of events, Sameya headed for the kitchen. Falling in beside her, Gabriel easily matched her pace as he clasped her hand in his. She could feel Maximus at her back, but both of her guys were silent.

Kat sat at the kitchen table picking through a bowl of candies. The witch looked up when they entered.

“It’s time for you to return home.” Sameya opened a portal to the earth realm and indicated it with her hand. “Now.”

“Is everything okay?” Kat peeked at the men as she rose from her seat.

“No. But the Atlantian future isn’t devoid of hope. We’ll see you soon.”

“Go, Kat,” Maximus said as he placed his palm low on Sameya’s back.

No one spoke as the witch went through the green mist. Once she disappeared, Gabriel squeezed Sameya’s hand, as if he could sense how numb she felt. “I’ll break the serenade as soon as we’re on Earth, Gabriel.”

“I knew you did it to protect us all.”

She peered up at him. Thank goddess, she had these men in her life. They’d make leaving her homeland a little easier. It didn’t matter that she’d already been thinking of leaving Atlantis with her guys. What struck her most was the finality of it all.

Her vampyr palmed her shoulder. “Sameya—”

“I’m okay.” She was a long way from being okay, but thankfully the only hint she would fall apart any moment was the twitter in her voice.

She hadn’t expected things to proceed in this manner. She should’ve known E’Neskha would go soft when it came to Lucius. He might be her brother, but he was more like her son.

Silence stalked them as they strode to her apartment. The moment the doors closed behind her, Sameya went to her hands and knees and wept. She was losing her past to gain a future. The memories would remain, but she’d never peer at the mystical waters again. Never watch the golden fish catch the sunlight as they jumped across the Great Lake during spawning season. Never again take a hike up Blue Chimney Mountain.