I'd dressed as quickly as I could. Orrael had already retrieved some of my clothes from my room in the barracks that I haven't used in what seems like forever. The dark shirt and long, black pants feel warm and familiar, offering me a little bit of comfort.

  I raise my chin and my eyes instantly land on the woman sitting on her throne as if she rules the world and I suppose that, in a way, she does.

  Her grey eyes follow my every movement as I draw closer to her.

  I stop a couple of feet away as I hear the doors shut behind me, sealing me in the room that may be my final resting place.

  There's no one else in the room with Pamula and I.

  I can't help but be worried.

  If she uses her gift on me again, will I be able to counter it with my fire? It hasn’t exactly worked consistently.

  Am I willing to take the chance?

  But I know that I don't really have a choice.

  The queen's face is cold as she watches me, her soft ringlets looking like perfect silk beneath her golden crown. She lifts a perfectly arched brow at me. "I seem to recall having a conversation with you about manners once before, child. Do I need to have it again?"

  Shit.

  I reluctantly kneel before the woman, my body protesting against the pain in my leg and ego, today is not the day for me to pick a fight with the woman, though, so I need to obey as best as I can.

  For minutes the woman keeps me kneeling on the uncomfortable, marble floor before she finally says, "Rise."

  I push to my feet and stand straight. I remain aware of Gwev and the queen.

  Pamula watches me carefully. One of her elbows rests on the arm of her throne and her head is in her hand. The position should look lazy and relaxed, but with her it’s one hundred percent calculating.

  "You're very interesting," she finally says and to say that it's not what I expect her to say is an understatement. "I haven't liked you from the moment I laid eyes on you," she continues. "Did you know that I've tried to have you killed three times outside of The Calling already?" The woman asks, too casual for my liking.

  The poisoned orange juice that made me nearly plummet to my death.

  Delia coming after me.

  Samir and the royal guards trying to kill me.

  My eyes hold hers, surprised by the admission. I try to keep my face expressionless. "I may have suspicions," I hedge, lying.

  Of course, I fucking know you tried to have me killed its why I've been stabbed more times in the last couple of weeks than I have been in my entire life.

  The woman's lips twist into a cruel smile as one of her fingers taps against her chin. "Well then you should know that I thought about calling you here to kill you myself, but I've changed my mind."

  "Do you want a thank you?" I ask before I can put a filter on my mouth.

  The woman appears unbothered though. "No, I want a show and you're about to give it to me," she says simply, her eyes narrowing slightly. She straightens on her throne, crossing one leg over the other. Then she points a finger at the door. "Leave."

  My mouth parts slightly in shock but I know when not to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I turn and leave.

  That was it? What the hell?

  What was that bullshit, vague ass warning?

  I move down the hall, feeling the gaze of the guards manning the doors on the back of my neck.

  I keep walking, keeping my posture straight. I turn down the next hall and pause when I see Orrael standing in front of me. He places a finger to his lips and then he's grabbing and me. While I know at this point I'm not really falling, it unsettles me still as the feeling takes over.

  I close my eyes until I hear movements and Orrael lets me go. I open my eyes, looking around.

  We're in the little study, back to where this last wave of craziness started, it feels like.

  The men are all sitting at one table, the one that's practically bare of anything, Walker's table.

  Orrael moves to the table, taking a seat and gesturing for me to follow him.

  I hesitate for a moment, my gaze swinging between the men. I can't quite tell what anyone is thinking, and it bugs me, but I know that I don't have anything to fear.

  And really I can't put up a fight anyway at the moment.

  I take the seat next to Orrael, sinking into it in relief.

  "Leg still giving you trouble?" Elyjah asks, his gaze moving to my leg. My mind flashes to those last moments before I passed out where I felt the man's lips on mine, soft as and warm. My skin flushed, warming. "Roxanna?"

  "Yeah," I finally say, blinking as I look up at him. He's giving me a strange look, but he doesn't say anything more. "I suppose this little meeting isn't random," I say after no one else speaks.

  Orrtyn glances at Walker before turning his gaze to me. “First, an update on The Calling. There are fifty-one competitors left.”

  More than I thought would be left.

  “The Gauntlet starts in one week.” Orrtyn watches me closely, his eyes roaming over my face. I don’t say anything to that.

  Walker lets out a bitter snort, brining my eyes to him. “So you need to start back training immediately.” I open to respond to him, but he cuts me off, holding a hand up. “You barely made it through The Culling. You were on your back, injured, more often than you were on your feet.”

  His face is blank, but his words don’t hold the usual arrogance and malice that they typically do. Instead, the man sounds almost… concerned?

  And he’s right, you were terrible, completely off track the entire Culling. There’s no excuses.

  If it weren’t for the man being there at every turn, I’d probably be dead.

  But The Gauntlet is a one-on-one, fight to the death, and the men won’t be there to help you.

  I push the thought away, only nodding my head. Shock takes over more than a few of the faces around me.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Orrael asks with a frown. He leans closer to me, his eyes roaming over my face.

  “I’m fine,” I tell him, my words rougher than intended.

  He squints slightly before glancing at his twin.

  “We’re just not use to you passing up the opportunity to verbally spar with Walker.” This comes from Orrtyn who’s wearing a match expression with his twin.

  I shrug my shoulders. Walker is right, that’s why I’m not arguing with him. Plus, he wasn’t using his jackass tone for once while speaking to me.

  I don’t tell them that, though. “You didn’t bring me here to talk about that.” I glance between the men, still not able to gauge anything from the looks on their faces. "So, what is this about?" I ask.

  The men look between each other. Finally, it's Elyjah who lets out a huff of breath. "What did my mother want?" he asks.

  "She admitted that she tried to have me killed before saying some vague shit about wanting a show." I shrug. "It was very much a case of, I'm saying something but not really," I tell him, rubbing at my forehead.

  His brows crease slightly but he doesn't ask anything else.

  A sudden burst of annoyance moves through me and my fingers twitch. "What is this really about? Can you just spit it out because I'd like to get at least a little rest before I have to start fighting for my life again?” My words are dry, and I don't even bother to apologize for it.

  The men exchange glances again before chairs start scraping back and then everyone else is standing and I'm still sitting. I quickly push to my feet to keep from being beneath the men.

  "It’s better if we show you," Elyjah says. I turn to tell him he’s just like his mother with all the smoke and mirrors. Orrael’s hand on my shoulder cuts me off and we're falling again.

  I don't even have time to close my eyes this go around, as one moment I’m in the study and the next I'm in.... I glance around in confusion.

  I'm not quite sure where I am. The place is a big room, the walls white and pristine, the room cool. It's empty and I look around in confusion.

  "Where are we?" I ask with a frown, glancing between the men.

  Elyjah's lips pull together slightly and he seems to have a surprising nervous energy that catches me off guard. "We're in a room at the rebellion's headquarters."

  I blink, glancing around the empty room again. "This is the rebellion's headquarters?"

  "It's a room in the headquarters," he corrects, his tone a little testy. "We have to wait here for a moment. The leader wouldn't be happy if we just waltzed you around without her approval first."

  That catches me off guard, "I thought you guys were the leaders."

  Before they can answer, I hear the door behind me open. I watch the men's facial expressions as they take in the new face in the room. Walker seems tense and grumpier than usual, letting me know he doesn't like whoever this person is. Orrtyn looks uncomfortable and he's leaning closer to Walker, as if he isn't really sure how to feel about the person, but he's siding with Walker. Orrael's face is gentle, a small smile on his lips, but it isn't necessarily big. Certainly not bigger than the smile on Elyjah's face. Whoever this person is, it's clear that they mean the world to the man. His eyes are bright, his smile is wide, and his shoulders are relaxed.

  I frown, turning around and I instantly freeze.

  Blonde hair, blue eyes that are a lot rougher than the last time I saw them but most definitely familiar. The woman's face turns toward mine and she takes a step forward, the smile on her face freezing. My eyes move to the heart shaped locket sitting around her neck before snapping back to her eyes.

  We stare at each other until she breathes in a sharp gasp, taking a hesitant step toward me before jerking back. "Amelia?"

  "Kalice?" I ask, but I already know without a doubt that the woman standing in front of me is my sister, who supposedly died twelve years ago.

  To be continued in “Betraying The Throne”

  BONUS CHAPTER (BRIELYN)

  "You're going to stay here for a little while," Walker says to me. He stands a couple of feet away with his arms folded over his chest. His familiar glare is pasted across his face. I think this is the first time the big man has really talked to me and not at me.

  Unfortunately, my head is still throbbing too much to antagonize him, or tease him about warming up to me. Plus, Roxanna isn't around to save my ass if the man gets pissed and tries to kill me.

  I’m not willing to take any chances with my life at the moment.

  Maybe next week when I’m feeling a little better.

  "Thanks," I say instead. I glance around the small little room. It's not glamorous with only a bed and a closet, but my room in the barracks isn't nice either, so it will do.

  At least I don’t have to look at chipped paint on the walls or listen to the other competitors in the hallway.

  Walker doesn't respond to me, only gives a jerk of his chin, which is a nice gesture in his book. I take him in, thinking for not the first time how hot the man is. His stubbled covered jaw is clenched tightly, but it only emphasizes a strong, angular face. His green eyes are piercing and bright, far too lovely to be on the face of such a barbarian of a man.

  His scowl deepens as he catches me studying him and I roll my eyes. Turning, I feel the silk covers shift around me, cool and soft. I close my eyes as I sink into the comfort of the firm mattress.

  Gods, finally a place that isn't the fucking ground to lay my head.

  I try to relax, but I can still feel Walker glaring at me and I'm puzzled as to why the man has yet to leave the room. "Are you going to watch me sleep?" I ask, without opening my eyes.

  "No, I'm just staying here until reinforcements get here and then I will be promptly leaving. I'm much too important to be sitting around just babysitting."

  Such an arrogant man, no wonder Roxanna can't resist his charm, I think sarcastically. Then too, the man is handsome enough for it to outweigh his murderous personality if you ask me.

  "Reinforcements? Is it Orrtyn? I think I like him the best out of all of you. His dick is not only equal opportunity, but he's hot and would totally be a fun time." The words aren't only to rile up Walker who has some weird ass open, but not really, relationship with Orrtyn. I actually do like Orrtyn better than the rest of the men. He's always been friendly with me and isn't afraid to make sex jokes, which instantly shoots a person to the top of my list. Plus he hasn't looked at me like I'm just an annoying man hanging onto Roxanna's coattails. I mean maybe it's partially true, but she doesn't seem to mind, no matter how much she claims I annoy her.

  She totally loves me.

  Walker lets out a soft growl, the sound vibrating through the room. "Stay away from Orrtyn."

  A smile curves my lips and I only wish I could see the man's face, but instead I only burrow more into the soft bed. "Does that same rule apply to Roxanna?" I drawl out. "You guys are trying to get some type of polyamorous relationship going, right?"

  Another growl, this one deeper.

  "How do I sign up to join?"

  The bed shifts under me and for a second I think I've pushed the man too far.

  Shit, your mama always told you your mouth likes to start fights that your fist can't finish, Brielyn.

  After a few moments, I don't feel an attack though, so I finally pop one eye open to turn and look at Walker. He's sitting on the edge of the bed, glaring at me, his fists clenched. "I'd like to pummel your face right now," he informs me, his words harsh, "but it'd only start another fight with princess that I don't feel like dealing with."

  I smirk. "Of course not, because you want her to be your girlfriend."

  A crease appears between his thick brows. "It's like you're a child in a grown man's body."

  My smile only widens before I reclose my eyes, letting out a yawn. "You never said who was coming to watch over me."

  Or why I need someone to watch over me in the first place.

  "You may or may not remember him, but his name is Porter. He escorted you to your roo-"

  My eyes snap open and I instantly sit up in the bed. My heart pounds so heart against my chest, I start to think it’s going to pop right on out. That’ll definitely piss Walker off if he ends up with my heart splattered all on him, all because of… "I know who he is,” I say quickly as Walker shoots me a look of shock. I ignore it. "Gods, you should have given me more warning," I bark at him as I think of the gorgeous blond guard with mesmerizing hazel eyes.

  I start running my hands through my hair, knowing the orange locks currently look a mess. Gods, and they haven’t been properly washed in over a week now. "Shit," I curse under my breath. Walker's eyes are wide as he watches me. His mouth opens before shutting again and his nose wrinkles.

  "Don't look at me like that? How do I look?" I ask, moving my hands away from my hair. "Does my hair look presentable?" I wipe at my face since after spending the last week in the middle of nowhere, I feel like there’s a new layer of grime permanently stuck to me.

  "What? Your hair?" Walker's face is pulled together in confusion.

  I let out a growl of frustration. "Don't you play that game with me, Mr. I don't have any sexual desires. I know what you and Orrtyn like to get up to. You know when a man looks good and when he doesn’t.” I don’t have time to beat around the bush here. “So tell me, how do I look?"

  Before he can answer me, there's a click and then the heavy, wooden door is sliding open.

  A man fills the doorway, tall and broad. He pushes the door closed, his back ramrod straight as he peers at Walker. His blonde hair is buzzed low, but there's still enough to get your fingers tangled in-I should know-and his hazel eyes lack any emotion. But I know how they look when brimming with arousal and paired with flushed cheeks.

  I did fucking kiss the man into silence the last time I saw him afterall.

  The night of the sendoff ball flashes in my head just as the hazel eyes finally snap to mine.

  Porter’s lips part slightly and a muscle twitches in his jaw. He quickly masks the expression but I don’t miss the flush spreading up his neck to those well defined cheekbones. He shifts slightly and my eyes settle on his plump lips. They’d felt so nice under mine, moments before the man had pushed me away.

  “We can’t do this. I know what you’ve done with some of the other guards and I’m not like them. I’m not looking for someone to mess around with. I have duties and I will not allow you to distract me from them.”

  The sharp words from that low, raspy voice had done things to me. They’d broken me but lit a fire of determination under me at the same time.

  Because I don’t care what Porter thinks his duty is. I’m going to have that man in my bed and when I get him there, he’s never going to want to leave again.

  Brielyn and Porter’s story will be continued in “Bound For Ruin”

  AUTHOR’S NOTES

  Admittedly, I love writing the notes at the end of the books! I love being able to tell you guys the process of how my books come together and where my thoughts are.

  First off, this is my biggest book to date, sitting at 103k words! This is my NINTH release and my FOURTH full length novel! It only took me six months to get this sequel done. For some others, that’s a long time, but for me its pretty quick.

  Okay, so my thoughts going into this book was Hunger Games meets reverse harem. It didn’t turn out the exact way I wanted it, but I like to let my characters and stories develop organically. With this book, things started to get out of hand, and by the time I finished the book, it’d become something entirely different than I wanted. If I’m being honest, it started to feel like a filler novel. However, the book moved certain developments along, so I can’t be too upset with it.

  I did not originally plan for this book to center around Walker and Orrtyn more than Orrael and Elyjah. I typically like to make sure all my harem members get equal page time. However, this felt right to the story, and I already have plans for the next book to focus more on Elyjah and Orrael. Also, there will be a lot more Brielyn and I have so much in store for his character arc in the next book. You can actually order “Born For Ruin”, the novella featuring Brielyn now. It will come out a day after “Betraying The Throne” and only costs ninety-nine pennies. Its purely M/M, but if you already like Brielyn, then you’re going to love his book.