Janina’s gaze fell on the glowing gem. Anger burned in her eyes.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” she spat. “Call it securing the throne if you want. I would’ve stabbed him to death long ago, but that wouldn’t work, not with how powerful he is as a Trueblood. I thought about killing you instead, but no… I’d rather watch him die slowly. He dared to lay his filthy hands on my father, and that, I can’t forgive.”
Her lips curled in disgust as she looked Serena up and down. “A frail human like you isn’t even worth my effort.”
“So it was you,” Serena said, a bitter laugh slipping past her lips. “You did this to the King. I should’ve known it was you all along.” Her glare hardened, voice trembling with fury. “I swear, I’d have defied the priestess herself and dragged you into the forest, le
